Moving from Salem, OR to Peoria, IL
Cross-country relocations like Salem, OR β Peoria, IL cover 2099 mi and about 36h 14m of driving through 8 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
2099 mi Β· 36h 14m by car Β· OR β WA β ID β UT β WY β NE β IA β IL
Distance & route
| Route through | OR β WA β ID β UT β WY β NE β IA β IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 84, US 30 |
| Major cities en route | Hillsboro, Portland, Vancouver, Gresham, Nampa |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Salem | Peoria | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.649 | 91.231 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 104.689 | 90.504 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.261 | 93.643 | 100.0 |
| Services | 110.333 | 63.763 | 100.0 |
Peoria is 12.0% cheaper than Salem overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Peoria is 12.0% below Salem β $436,318 vs $128,838 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Salem +0.5%, Peoria +7.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Salem | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 18Β°F |
| July avg high | 84Β°F | 86Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 26.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.1" | 37.6" |
Annual average temperatures in Salem (54.1Β°F) and Peoria (52.7Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Peoria averages 26.2 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SALEM MCNARY FLD, OR US, PEORIA GTR PEORIA AP, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Salem | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,666 | 112,126 |
| Median household income | $71,900 | $58,716 |
| Median age | 35.7 | 35.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.3% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.64 | 2.29 |
Income steps down 12.0%: $71,900 in Salem vs $58,716 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 | 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 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.
Winter driving along this route
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
- 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 β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
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 β 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
How much do homes cost in Peoria compared to Salem?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $128,838 in Peoria vs $436,318 in Salem β a 70.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Peoria compare to Salem?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,610 in the Peoria MSA vs $48,750 in the Salem MSA, on total employment of 165,240 and 181,870 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Salem vs Peoria?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,716 in Peoria vs $71,900 in Salem β a 18.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Salem to Peoria?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2099 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Peoria, IL from Salem, OR?
The driving distance is 2099 mi and the route typically takes 36h 14m via I 80 and I 84. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Peoria more expensive than Salem?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Peoria is 12.0% lower than Salem (91.231 vs 103.649, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Salem.
City profiles: Salem, OR Β· Peoria, IL.