Moving from Salt Lake City, UT to Peoria, IL
The drive from Salt Lake City, UT to Peoria, IL runs 1330 mi — about 22h 52m 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.
1330 mi · 22h 52m by car · UT → WY → NE → IA → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | UT → WY → NE → IA → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, IL 110, I 15 |
| Major cities en route | West Valley City, West Jordan, Lincoln, Omaha, Des Moines |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Salt Lake City | Peoria | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.868 | 91.231 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 79 | 90.504 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.446 | 93.643 | 100.0 |
| Services | 123.311 | 63.763 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Peoria are 9.6% below Salt Lake City — a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Peoria typical home at $128,838 is 9.6% under Salt Lake City at $573,181 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Salt Lake City +1.6%, Peoria +7.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Salt Lake City | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56°F | 53°F |
| January avg low | 28°F | 18°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 49.0" | 26.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 17.7" | 37.6" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 55.8°F vs 52.7°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Peoria sees 26.2 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SALT LAKE TRIAD CTR, UT US, PEORIA GTR PEORIA AP, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Salt Lake City | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 203,888 | 112,126 |
| Median household income | $74,925 | $58,716 |
| Median age | 33 | 35.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.9% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.29 | 2.29 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 9.6% between Salt Lake City and Peoria (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 Utah 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-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
- 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
When is the best time to move from Salt Lake City 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 1330 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Peoria, IL from Salt Lake City, UT?
The driving distance is 1330 mi and the route typically takes 22h 52m via I 80 and IL 110. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Peoria compared to Salt Lake City?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $128,838 in Peoria vs $573,181 in Salt Lake City — a 77.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Salt Lake City vs Peoria?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,716 in Peoria vs $74,925 in Salt Lake City — a 21.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Peoria more expensive than Salt Lake City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Peoria is 9.6% lower than Salt Lake City (91.231 vs 100.868, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Salt Lake City and Peoria?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 52.7°F in Peoria vs 55.8°F in Salt Lake City (3.1°F colder). Annual snowfall: 26.2 in vs 49.0 in. Annual precipitation: 37.6 in vs 17.7 in.
How does the job market in Peoria compare to Salt Lake City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,610 in the Peoria MSA vs $49,440 in the Salt Lake City MSA, on total employment of 165,240 and 803,800 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 Salt Lake City.
City profiles: Salt Lake City, UT · Peoria, IL.