Moving from Portland, OR to Peoria, IL
Moving from Portland, OR to Peoria, IL is a 2049 mi cross-country relocation — about 35h 13m of driving through 7 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
2049 mi · 35h 13m by car · OR → ID → UT → WY → NE → IA → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | OR → ID → UT → WY → NE → IA → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 84, US 30 |
| Major cities en route | Hillsboro, Vancouver, Gresham, Nampa, Meridian |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Portland | Peoria | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.421 | 91.231 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 106.974 | 90.504 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.222 | 93.643 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.114 | 63.763 | 100.0 |
Peoria is 13.5% cheaper than Portland overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Peoria is 13.5% below Portland — $534,638 vs $128,838 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Portland -1.1%, Peoria +7.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Portland | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55°F | 53°F |
| January avg low | 37°F | 18°F |
| July avg high | 80°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.6" | 26.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 44.1" | 37.6" |
Annual average temperatures in Portland (54.8°F) and Peoria (52.7°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Peoria averages 26.2 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: PORTLAND KGW-TV, OR US, PEORIA GTR PEORIA AP, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Portland | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 642,715 | 112,126 |
| Median household income | $88,792 | $58,716 |
| Median age | 38.6 | 35.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 32.1% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.24 | 2.29 |
Median household income in Peoria is 13.5% below Portland ($88,792 vs $58,716, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Peoria MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 17,760 | $41,540 |
| Production Occupations | 15,910 | $46,610 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 13,790 | $29,380 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 13,580 | $38,870 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 13,350 | $71,500 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Oregon and Illinois
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Illinois'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
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- 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 — Peoria averages 26.2 in annually vs 3.6 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- 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 Illinois after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Portland vs Peoria?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,716 in Peoria vs $88,792 in Portland — a 33.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Portland to Peoria?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2049 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Peoria compare to Portland?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,610 in the Peoria MSA vs $55,940 in the Portland MSA, on total employment of 165,240 and 1,206,150 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Peoria, IL from Portland, OR?
The driving distance is 2049 mi and the route typically takes 35h 13m via I 80 and I 84. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Portland and Peoria?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 52.7°F in Peoria vs 54.8°F in Portland (2.1°F colder). Annual snowfall: 26.2 in vs 3.6 in. Annual precipitation: 37.6 in vs 44.1 in.
Is Peoria more expensive than Portland?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Peoria is 13.5% lower than Portland (91.231 vs 105.421, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Peoria compared to Portland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $128,838 in Peoria vs $534,638 in Portland — a 75.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Portland.
City profiles: Portland, OR · Peoria, IL.