Moving from Sugar Land, TX to Peoria, IL
It is 971 mi between Sugar Land and Peoria — roughly 18h 2m 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.
971 mi · 18h 2m by car · IL → MO → AR → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | IL → MO → AR → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 59, US 67, I 55 |
| Major cities en route | Springfield, St Louis, Little Rock, Houston, Pasadena |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Sugar Land | Peoria | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.629 | 91.231 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.288 | 90.504 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.639 | 93.643 | 100.0 |
| Services | 104.51 | 63.763 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 7.5% cheaper overall in Peoria than Sugar Land on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
7.5% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Sugar Land -0.9%, Peoria +7.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Sugar Land | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71°F | 53°F |
| January avg low | 43°F | 18°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 26.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 51.1" | 37.6" |
Annual average temperature gap of 17.9°F — a meaningful climate change across the move.
Heavy-snow city: expect 26.2 in of snowfall annually at Peoria.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SUGAR LAND, TX US, PEORIA GTR PEORIA AP, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Sugar Land | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 109,735 | 112,126 |
| Median household income | $137,511 | $58,716 |
| Median age | 42.5 | 35.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 35.2% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.9 | 2.29 |
Peoria households earn about 7.5% less than Sugar Land at the median — $137,511 → $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 Texas 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.
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 (17.9°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
What is the climate difference between Sugar Land and Peoria?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 52.7°F in Peoria vs 70.6°F in Sugar Land (17.9°F colder). Annual snowfall: 26.2 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 37.6 in vs 51.1 in.
Is Peoria more expensive than Sugar Land?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Peoria is 7.5% lower than Sugar Land (91.231 vs 98.629, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Peoria compared to Sugar Land?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $128,838 in Peoria vs $447,176 in Sugar Land — a 71.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Sugar Land 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 971 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Peoria compare to Sugar Land?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,610 in the Peoria MSA vs $46,960 in the Sugar Land MSA, on total employment of 165,240 and 3,179,460 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Sugar Land vs Peoria?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,716 in Peoria vs $137,511 in Sugar Land — a 57.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Peoria, IL from Sugar Land, TX?
The driving distance is 971 mi and the route typically takes 18h 2m via US 59 and US 67. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Sugar Land.
City profiles: Sugar Land, TX · Peoria, IL.