Moving from Savannah, GA to Peoria, IL
It is 928 mi between Savannah and Peoria — roughly 17h 29m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
928 mi · 17h 29m by car · GA → TN → KY → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | GA → TN → KY → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 24, I 75, I 16 |
| Major cities en route | South Fulton, Atlanta, Sandy Springs, Chattanooga, Murfreesboro |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Savannah | Peoria | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.206 | 91.231 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.603 | 90.504 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.269 | 93.643 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.012 | 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
4.2% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Savannah -3.5%, Peoria +7.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Savannah | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 68°F | 53°F |
| January avg low | 40°F | 18°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 26.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 48.1" | 37.6" |
Annual temperature drops 14.8°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: SAVANNAH INTL AP, GA US, PEORIA GTR PEORIA AP, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Savannah | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,546 | 112,126 |
| Median household income | $56,782 | $58,716 |
| Median age | 33.7 | 35.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.6% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.52 | 2.29 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
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 Georgia 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-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees chain requirements in winter storms.
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 0.0 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (14.8°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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 Savannah 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 928 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Savannah and Peoria?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 52.7°F in Peoria vs 67.5°F in Savannah (14.8°F colder). Annual snowfall: 26.2 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 37.6 in vs 48.1 in.
How far is Peoria, IL from Savannah, GA?
The driving distance is 928 mi and the route typically takes 17h 29m via I 24 and I 75. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Peoria compared to Savannah?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $128,838 in Peoria vs $326,509 in Savannah — a 60.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Savannah vs Peoria?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,716 in Peoria vs $56,782 in Savannah — a 3.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Peoria compare to Savannah?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,610 in the Peoria MSA vs $43,490 in the Savannah MSA, on total employment of 165,240 and 188,970 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Peoria more expensive than Savannah?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Peoria is 4.2% lower than Savannah (91.231 vs 95.206, 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 Savannah.
City profiles: Savannah, GA · Peoria, IL.