Moving from Olathe, KS to Peoria, IL
The 408 mi from Olathe to Peoria translate to about 7h 49m behind the wheel through 3 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary — MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
408 mi · 7h 49m by car · KS → MO → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | KS → MO → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 36, MO 110, I 72 |
| Major cities en route | Overland Park, Kansas City, Lee S Summit, Kansas City, Independence |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Olathe | Peoria | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.543 | 91.231 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.034 | 90.504 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.12 | 93.643 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.642 | 63.763 | 100.0 |
Peoria and Olathe are close on the overall BEA RPP (92.543 vs 91.231); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Peoria typical home at $128,838 is 1.4% under Olathe at $433,117 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Olathe +4.2%, Peoria +7.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Olathe | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55°F | 53°F |
| January avg low | 20°F | 18°F |
| July avg high | 88°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 13.8" | 26.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.7" | 37.6" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 55.1°F vs 52.7°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Peoria sees 26.2 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: OLATHE 3E, KS US, PEORIA GTR PEORIA AP, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Olathe | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,720 | 112,126 |
| Median household income | $112,232 | $58,716 |
| Median age | 36.6 | 35.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30.7% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.76 | 2.29 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 1.4% between Olathe and Peoria (ACS 2023).
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 Kansas 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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Peoria averages 26.2 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- 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 much do homes cost in Peoria compared to Olathe?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $128,838 in Peoria vs $433,117 in Olathe — a 70.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Olathe 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 408 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Olathe and Peoria?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 52.7°F in Peoria vs 55.1°F in Olathe (2.4°F colder). Annual snowfall: 26.2 in vs 13.8 in. Annual precipitation: 37.6 in vs 40.7 in.
How far is Peoria, IL from Olathe, KS?
The driving distance is 408 mi and the route typically takes 7h 49m via US 36 and MO 110. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Peoria compare to Olathe?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,610 in the Peoria MSA vs $48,040 in the Olathe MSA, on total employment of 165,240 and 1,078,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Peoria more expensive than Olathe?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Peoria is 1.4% lower than Olathe (91.231 vs 92.543, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Olathe vs Peoria?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,716 in Peoria vs $112,232 in Olathe — a 47.7% lower 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 Olathe.
City profiles: Olathe, KS · Peoria, IL.