Moving from Peoria, AZ to Columbus, OH
Moving from Peoria, AZ to Columbus, OH is a 1913 mi cross-country relocation β about 33h 41m of driving through 8 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.
1913 mi Β· 33h 41m by car Β· OH β IN β IL β MO β OK β TX β NM β AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | OH β IN β IL β MO β OK β TX β NM β AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 44, I 70 |
| Major cities en route | Dayton, St Louis, Springfield, Broken Arrow, Tulsa |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Peoria | Columbus | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.316 | 95.469 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.332 | 95.523 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.024 | 93.628 | 100.0 |
| Services | 121.236 | 87.945 | 100.0 |
Columbus is 7.6% cheaper than Peoria overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Columbus is 7.6% below Peoria β $488,596 vs $245,979 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Peoria -1.6%, Columbus -0.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Peoria | Columbus |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 70Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 39Β°F | 21Β°F |
| July avg high | 105Β°F | 85Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 9.6" | 44.7" |
Columbus runs 17.4Β°F colder on the annual average (70.2Β°F vs 52.8Β°F) β expect a noticeably different year.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WITTMANN 1SE, AZ US, COLUMBUS WCMH, OH US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Peoria | Columbus |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 194,338 | 906,480 |
| Median household income | $93,403 | $65,327 |
| Median age | 42.1 | 33 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.6% | 24.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 2.34 |
Median household income in Columbus is 7.6% below Peoria ($93,403 vs $65,327, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Columbus MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 132,160 | $44,440 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 121,490 | $40,860 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 92,300 | $29,470 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 83,070 | $35,930 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 78,820 | $77,760 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Arizona and Ohio
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Ohio'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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% 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
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (17.4Β°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 Ohio after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Peoria to Columbus?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1913 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Columbus compare to Peoria?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,970 in the Columbus MSA vs $48,600 in the Peoria MSA, on total employment of 1,067,190 and 2,289,130 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Columbus more expensive than Peoria?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Columbus is 7.6% lower than Peoria (95.469 vs 103.316, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Columbus, OH from Peoria, AZ?
The driving distance is 1913 mi and the route typically takes 33h 41m via I 40 and I 44. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Columbus compared to Peoria?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $245,979 in Columbus vs $488,596 in Peoria β a 49.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Peoria vs Columbus?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,327 in Columbus vs $93,403 in Peoria β a 30.1% 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 Peoria.
City profiles: Peoria, AZ Β· Columbus, OH.