Moving from Peoria, IL to Denver, CO
It is 930 mi between Peoria and Denver — roughly 16h 22m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
930 mi · 16h 22m by car · CO → NE → IA → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | CO → NE → IA → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 76, IL 110 |
| Major cities en route | Aurora, Centennial, Lakewood, Arvada, Thornton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Peoria | Denver | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.231 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.504 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.643 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 63.763 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Denver runs about 15.9% more expensive overall than Peoria — RPP 91.231 → 105.782.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $128,838 in Peoria to $539,666 in Denver, a 15.9% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Peoria +7.4%, Denver -4.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Peoria | Denver |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 51°F |
| January avg low | 18°F | 18°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 90°F |
| Annual snowfall | 26.2" | 49.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.6" | 15.4" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 52.7°F vs 51.4°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Denver sees 49.0 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: PEORIA GTR PEORIA AP, IL US, DENVER-STAPLETON, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Peoria | Denver |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,126 | 713,734 |
| Median household income | $58,716 | $91,681 |
| Median age | 35.8 | 35.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.6% | 33.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.29 | 2.17 |
Denver households earn about 15.9% more than Peoria at the median — $58,716 → $91,681 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Denver MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 173,910 | $49,000 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 172,890 | $48,280 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 164,250 | $84,370 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 140,150 | $36,010 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 129,510 | $45,350 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Illinois and Colorado
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Colorado'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
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April — check CDOT alerts before departure.
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 — Denver averages 49.0 in annually vs 26.2 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Denver average 90°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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 Colorado after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Denver compare to Peoria?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Denver MSA vs $46,610 in the Peoria MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 165,240 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Denver more expensive than Peoria?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Denver is 15.9% higher than Peoria (105.782 vs 91.231, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Denver, CO from Peoria, IL?
The driving distance is 930 mi and the route typically takes 16h 22m via I 80 and I 76. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Peoria and Denver?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 51.4°F in Denver vs 52.7°F in Peoria (1.3°F colder). Annual snowfall: 49.0 in vs 26.2 in. Annual precipitation: 15.4 in vs 37.6 in.
How much do homes cost in Denver compared to Peoria?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $539,666 in Denver vs $128,838 in Peoria — a 318.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Peoria to Denver?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 930 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Peoria vs Denver?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $91,681 in Denver vs $58,716 in Peoria — a 56.1% 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 Peoria.
City profiles: Peoria, IL · Denver, CO.