Moving from Peoria, IL to South Bend, IN
It is a 222 mi drive, roughly 4h 35m, between Peoria, IL and South Bend, IN. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
222 mi Β· 4h 35m by car Β· IL β IN
Distance & route
| Route through | IL β IN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, IL 29, SR 2 |
| Major cities en route | Joliet, Aurora, Naperville, Chicago |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Peoria | South Bend | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.231 | 92.858 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.504 | 87.733 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.643 | 94.221 | 100.0 |
| Services | 63.763 | 74.586 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable β 91.231 vs 92.858 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 1.8% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $128,838 to $192,340 moving to South Bend.
YoY change: Peoria +7.4%, South Bend +4.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Peoria | South Bend |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | 18Β°F | 17Β°F |
| July avg high | 86Β°F | 83Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 26.2" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 37.6" | 40.9" |
Annual average temperatures in Peoria (52.7Β°F) and South Bend (49.8Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: PEORIA GTR PEORIA AP, IL US, S BEND, IN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Peoria | South Bend |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,126 | 102,866 |
| Median household income | $58,716 | $52,512 |
| Median age | 35.8 | 33.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.6% | 16.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.29 | 2.5 |
Households in South Bend earn about 1.8% less at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in South Bend MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 14,450 | $40,720 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 12,860 | $28,820 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 12,250 | $38,580 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 11,870 | $34,500 |
| Production Occupations | 11,260 | $39,930 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Illinois and Indiana
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Indiana'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.
Frequently asked
How far is South Bend, IN from Peoria, IL?
The driving distance is 222 mi and the route typically takes 4h 35m via I 80 and IL 29. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in South Bend compare to Peoria?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,420 in the South Bend MSA vs $46,610 in the Peoria MSA, on total employment of 129,890 and 165,240 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Peoria to South Bend?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 222 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is South Bend more expensive than Peoria?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in South Bend is 1.8% higher than Peoria (92.858 vs 91.231, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in South Bend compared to Peoria?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $192,340 in South Bend vs $128,838 in Peoria β a 49.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Peoria vs South Bend?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $52,512 in South Bend vs $58,716 in Peoria β a 10.6% 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, IL Β· South Bend, IN.