Moving from Sacramento, CA to Peoria, AZ
The drive from Sacramento, CA to Peoria, AZ runs 761 mi — about 13h 51m 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.
761 mi · 13h 51m by car · CA → AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 5, I 5 TRUCK |
| Major cities en route | Roseville, Elk Grove, Antioch, Stockton, Modesto |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Sacramento | Peoria | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.67 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 151.29 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 130.23 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Sacramento (106.67) and Peoria (103.316) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Home prices line up — $479,766 vs $488,596 on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Sacramento -2.5%, Peoria -1.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Sacramento | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63°F | 70°F |
| January avg low | 41°F | 39°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 105°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 19.2" | 9.6" |
Climate warms by 6.8°F on the annual average — 63.4°F → 70.2°F.
Effectively snow-free year in Peoria — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SACRAMENTO 5 ESE, CA US, WITTMANN 1SE, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Sacramento | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 524,802 | 194,338 |
| Median household income | $83,753 | $93,403 |
| Median age | 35.7 | 42.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.9% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.63 | 2.66 |
Income steps up 3.1%: $83,753 in Sacramento vs $93,403 in Peoria.
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 | 314,170 | $45,080 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 205,010 | $34,400 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 204,700 | $37,700 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 199,140 | $40,870 |
| Management Occupations | 170,690 | $105,420 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Arizona
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Arizona'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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Peoria average 105°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Peoria sees only 9.6 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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 Arizona after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Peoria, AZ from Sacramento, CA?
The driving distance is 761 mi and the route typically takes 13h 51m via I 10 and I 5. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Sacramento 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 761 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Sacramento vs Peoria?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $93,403 in Peoria vs $83,753 in Sacramento — a 11.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Peoria more expensive than Sacramento?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Peoria is 3.1% lower than Sacramento (103.316 vs 106.67, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Sacramento and Peoria?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.2°F in Peoria vs 63.4°F in Sacramento (6.8°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 9.6 in vs 19.2 in.
How much do homes cost in Peoria compared to Sacramento?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $488,596 in Peoria vs $479,766 in Sacramento — a 1.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Peoria compare to Sacramento?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Peoria MSA vs $55,290 in the Sacramento MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 1,048,170 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Sacramento.
City profiles: Sacramento, CA · Peoria, AZ.