Moving from Peoria, IL to Chicago, IL
The 159 mi from Peoria to Chicago translate to about 3h 14m behind the wheel through 1 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary β 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.
159 mi Β· 3h 14m by car Β· IL
Distance & route
| Route through | IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 55, IL 29 |
| Major cities en route | Elgin, Naperville, Aurora, Joliet |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Peoria | Chicago | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.231 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.504 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.643 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 63.763 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 13.6% pricier overall in Chicago than Peoria on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Chicago typical home at $317,283 is 13.6% above Peoria at $128,838 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Peoria +7.4%, Chicago +2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Peoria | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 51Β°F |
| January avg low | 18Β°F | 20Β°F |
| July avg high | 86Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 26.2" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 37.6" | β |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 52.7Β°F vs 50.8Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: PEORIA GTR PEORIA AP, IL US, CHICAGO NORTHERLY IS, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Peoria | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,126 | 2,707,648 |
| Median household income | $58,716 | $75,134 |
| Median age | 35.8 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.6% | 24.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.29 | 2.36 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 13.6% between Peoria and Chicago (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Chicago 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.
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.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Chicago compare to Peoria?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Chicago MSA vs $46,610 in the Peoria MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 165,240 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Peoria vs Chicago?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $75,134 in Chicago vs $58,716 in Peoria β a 28.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Peoria to Chicago?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 159 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Chicago more expensive than Peoria?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Chicago is 13.6% higher than Peoria (103.595 vs 91.231, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Chicago, IL from Peoria, IL?
The driving distance is 159 mi and the route typically takes 3h 14m via I 80 and I 55. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Chicago compared to Peoria?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $317,283 in Chicago vs $128,838 in Peoria β a 146.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Peoria.
City profiles: Peoria, IL Β· Chicago, IL.