Moving from Peoria, IL to Seattle, WA
It is 2020 mi and 35h 20m from Peoria to Seattle — a cross-country move across 7 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
2020 mi · 35h 20m by car · WA → ID → MT → WY → SD → IA → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | WA → ID → MT → WY → SD → IA → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, US 14, SD 79 |
| Major cities en route | Everett, Tacoma, Bellevue, Renton, Kent |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Peoria | Seattle | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.231 | 111.133 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.504 | 92.814 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.643 | 103.972 | 100.0 |
| Services | 63.763 | 151.314 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Seattle is 21.8% above Peoria — one of the larger spreads between U.S. metros.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
21.8% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Peoria +7.4%, Seattle -2.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Peoria | Seattle |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 53°F |
| January avg low | 18°F | 37°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 77°F |
| Annual snowfall | 26.2" | 3.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.6" | 37.8" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Light snow year: Seattle gets around 3.8 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: PEORIA GTR PEORIA AP, IL US, SEATTLE SAND PT WSFO, WA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Peoria | Seattle |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,126 | 741,440 |
| Median household income | $58,716 | $121,984 |
| Median age | 35.8 | 35.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.6% | 37.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.29 | 2.1 |
Expect median household income to rise 21.8% — $58,716 → $121,984 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Seattle MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 225,240 | $54,470 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 197,190 | $97,870 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 190,190 | $48,950 |
| Computer and Mathematical Occupations | 171,820 | $140,760 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 167,750 | $40,980 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Illinois and Washington
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Washington'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
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March — check WSDOT mountain passes report.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Montana interstates can close without notice in winter storms — check MDT 511 before entering the state November through April.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- I-90 across western South Dakota can close in ground blizzards — check SD 511 November through April.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Wildfire season east of the Cascades peaks July through September; earthquake preparedness is standard west of the mountains.
- 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 Washington after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Seattle compared to Peoria?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $868,680 in Seattle vs $128,838 in Peoria — a 574.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Peoria to Seattle?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2020 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Seattle more expensive than Peoria?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Seattle is 21.8% higher than Peoria (111.133 vs 91.231, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Seattle compare to Peoria?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $65,260 in the Seattle MSA vs $46,610 in the Peoria MSA, on total employment of 2,079,090 and 165,240 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Seattle, WA from Peoria, IL?
The driving distance is 2020 mi and the route typically takes 35h 20m via I 90 and US 14. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Peoria vs Seattle?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $121,984 in Seattle vs $58,716 in Peoria — a 107.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Peoria and Seattle?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 53.2°F in Seattle vs 52.7°F in Peoria (0.5°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 3.8 in vs 26.2 in. Annual precipitation: 37.8 in vs 37.6 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Peoria.
City profiles: Peoria, IL · Seattle, WA.