Moving from New Orleans, LA to Peoria, IL
Relocating 850 mi from New Orleans to Peoria is a 15h 46m drive through 6 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
850 mi · 15h 46m by car · LA → MS → TN → AR → MO → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | LA → MS → TN → AR → MO → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 55, US 78, US 49 |
| Major cities en route | Jackson, Memphis, St Louis, Springfield |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| New Orleans | Peoria | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.597 | 91.231 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 71.231 | 90.504 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.691 | 93.643 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.009 | 63.763 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
1.5% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: New Orleans -3.2%, Peoria +7.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | New Orleans | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71°F | 53°F |
| January avg low | 47°F | 18°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | 26.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 60.1" | 37.6" |
Annual average temperature gap of 18.2°F — a meaningful climate change across the move.
Heavy-snow city: expect 26.2 in of snowfall annually at Peoria.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: NEW ORLEANS LAKEFRONT AP, LA US, PEORIA GTR PEORIA AP, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | New Orleans | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 376,035 | 112,126 |
| Median household income | $55,339 | $58,716 |
| Median age | 38.4 | 35.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.5% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.43 | 2.29 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 1.5% higher in Peoria than New Orleans.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Peoria MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 17,760 | $41,540 |
| Production Occupations | 15,910 | $46,610 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 13,790 | $29,380 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 13,580 | $38,870 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 13,350 | $71,500 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Louisiana and Illinois
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Illinois's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Peoria averages 26.2 in annually vs 0.1 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (18.2°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Illinois after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Peoria, IL from New Orleans, LA?
The driving distance is 850 mi and the route typically takes 15h 46m via I 55 and US 78. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from New Orleans to Peoria?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 850 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Peoria compare to New Orleans?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,610 in the Peoria MSA vs $43,510 in the New Orleans MSA, on total employment of 165,240 and 514,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Peoria more expensive than New Orleans?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Peoria is 1.5% lower than New Orleans (91.231 vs 92.597, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between New Orleans and Peoria?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 52.7°F in Peoria vs 70.9°F in New Orleans (18.2°F colder). Annual snowfall: 26.2 in vs 0.1 in. Annual precipitation: 37.6 in vs 60.1 in.
How much do homes cost in Peoria compared to New Orleans?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $128,838 in Peoria vs $242,493 in New Orleans — a 46.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in New Orleans vs Peoria?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,716 in Peoria vs $55,339 in New Orleans — a 6.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from New Orleans.
City profiles: New Orleans, LA · Peoria, IL.