Moving from Peoria, AZ to Aurora, IL
Moving from Peoria, AZ to Aurora, IL is a 1767 mi cross-country relocation — about 31h 3m of driving through 6 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
1767 mi · 31h 3m by car · AZ → NM → TX → OK → MO → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | AZ → NM → TX → OK → MO → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 44, I 55 |
| Major cities en route | Surprise, Phoenix, Glendale, Scottsdale, Albuquerque |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Peoria | Aurora | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.316 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.332 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.024 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 121.236 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Aurora and Peoria is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Aurora is 0.3% below Peoria — $488,596 vs $316,958 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Peoria -1.6%, Aurora +2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Peoria | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 70°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 39°F | 16°F |
| July avg high | 105°F | 84°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 27.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 9.6" | 39.5" |
Aurora runs 20.0°F colder on the annual average (70.2°F vs 50.2°F) — expect a noticeably different year.
Aurora averages 27.9 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WITTMANN 1SE, AZ US, AURORA, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Peoria | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 194,338 | 179,867 |
| Median household income | $93,403 | $90,109 |
| Median age | 42.1 | 35.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.6% | 22.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 2.98 |
Median household incomes in Peoria ($93,403) and Aurora ($90,109) are within a few percent (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Aurora MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 519,810 | $46,540 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 497,550 | $41,020 |
| Management Occupations | 405,130 | $125,280 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 386,070 | $38,490 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 368,000 | $33,540 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Arizona 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-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close 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 — Aurora averages 27.9 in annually vs 0.0 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (20.0°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 does household income compare in Peoria vs Aurora?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,109 in Aurora vs $93,403 in Peoria — a 3.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Aurora, IL from Peoria, AZ?
The driving distance is 1767 mi and the route typically takes 31h 3m via I 40 and I 44. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Aurora compared to Peoria?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $316,958 in Aurora vs $488,596 in Peoria — a 35.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Aurora more expensive than Peoria?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Aurora is 0.3% higher than Peoria (103.595 vs 103.316, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Aurora compare to Peoria?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Aurora MSA vs $48,600 in the Peoria MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 2,289,130 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Peoria and Aurora?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.2°F in Aurora vs 70.2°F in Peoria (20.0°F colder). Annual snowfall: 27.9 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 39.5 in vs 9.6 in.
When is the best time to move from Peoria to Aurora?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1767 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Peoria.
City profiles: Peoria, AZ · Aurora, IL.