Moving from Rochester, MN to Peoria, IL
It is a 343 mi drive, roughly 6h 51m, between Rochester, MN and Peoria, IL. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
343 mi · 6h 51m by car · MN → IA → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | MN → IA → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 63, I 80, IL 110 |
| Major cities en route | Cedar Rapids |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Rochester | Peoria | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.821 | 91.231 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.389 | 90.504 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.433 | 93.643 | 100.0 |
| Services | 78.628 | 63.763 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
0.5% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Rochester +3.9%, Peoria +7.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Rochester | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 45°F | 53°F |
| January avg low | 7°F | 18°F |
| July avg high | 80°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 53.1" | 26.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 34.7" | 37.6" |
Annual temperature rises 7.9°F moving to Peoria per NOAA normals.
Heavy-snow city: expect 26.2 in of snowfall annually at Peoria.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ROCHESTER INTL AP, MN US, PEORIA GTR PEORIA AP, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Rochester | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,638 | 112,126 |
| Median household income | $87,767 | $58,716 |
| Median age | 36.4 | 35.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 27.7% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.4 | 2.29 |
Peoria households earn about 0.5% less than Rochester at the median — $87,767 → $58,716 on ACS 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 Minnesota 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
- I-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms — check MnDOT 511.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Peoria averages 26.2 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- 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
What is the climate difference between Rochester and Peoria?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 52.7°F in Peoria vs 44.8°F in Rochester (7.9°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 26.2 in vs 53.1 in. Annual precipitation: 37.6 in vs 34.7 in.
How does the job market in Peoria compare to Rochester?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,610 in the Peoria MSA vs $55,970 in the Rochester MSA, on total employment of 165,240 and 119,430 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Peoria, IL from Rochester, MN?
The driving distance is 343 mi and the route typically takes 6h 51m via US 63 and I 80. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Rochester vs Peoria?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,716 in Peoria vs $87,767 in Rochester — a 33.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Peoria more expensive than Rochester?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Peoria is 0.5% higher than Rochester (91.231 vs 90.821, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Peoria compared to Rochester?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $128,838 in Peoria vs $339,455 in Rochester — a 62.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Rochester 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 343 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Rochester.
City profiles: Rochester, MN · Peoria, IL.