Moving from Peoria, IL to Salt Lake City, UT
The drive from Peoria, IL to Salt Lake City, UT runs 1330 mi — about 22h 52m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
1330 mi · 22h 52m by car · UT → WY → NE → IA → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | UT → WY → NE → IA → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, IL 110, I 15 |
| Major cities en route | West Valley City, West Jordan, Lincoln, Omaha, Des Moines |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Peoria | Salt Lake City | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.231 | 100.868 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.504 | 79 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.643 | 96.446 | 100.0 |
| Services | 63.763 | 123.311 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 10.6% pricier overall in Salt Lake City than Peoria on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Salt Lake City typical home at $573,181 is 10.6% above Peoria at $128,838 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Peoria +7.4%, Salt Lake City +1.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Peoria | Salt Lake City |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 56°F |
| January avg low | 18°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 26.2" | 49.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.6" | 17.7" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 52.7°F vs 55.8°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Salt Lake City 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, SALT LAKE TRIAD CTR, UT US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Peoria | Salt Lake City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,126 | 203,888 |
| Median household income | $58,716 | $74,925 |
| Median age | 35.8 | 33 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.6% | 28.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.29 | 2.29 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 10.6% between Peoria and Salt Lake City (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Salt Lake City MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 126,170 | $43,640 |
| Management Occupations | 69,550 | $106,250 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 66,590 | $43,680 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 64,620 | $69,990 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 62,830 | $40,320 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Illinois and Utah
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Utah'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-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — check WYDOT 511 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 — Salt Lake City 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 Salt Lake City average 91°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 Utah after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Peoria vs Salt Lake City?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $74,925 in Salt Lake City vs $58,716 in Peoria — a 27.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Peoria to Salt Lake City?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1330 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Salt Lake City, UT from Peoria, IL?
The driving distance is 1330 mi and the route typically takes 22h 52m via I 80 and IL 110. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Peoria and Salt Lake City?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 55.8°F in Salt Lake City vs 52.7°F in Peoria (3.1°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 49.0 in vs 26.2 in. Annual precipitation: 17.7 in vs 37.6 in.
How does the job market in Salt Lake City compare to Peoria?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,440 in the Salt Lake City MSA vs $46,610 in the Peoria MSA, on total employment of 803,800 and 165,240 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Salt Lake City more expensive than Peoria?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Salt Lake City is 10.6% higher than Peoria (100.868 vs 91.231, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Salt Lake City compared to Peoria?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $573,181 in Salt Lake City vs $128,838 in Peoria — a 344.9% 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 · Salt Lake City, UT.