Moving from Tacoma, WA to Peoria, IL
Cross-country relocations like Tacoma, WA β Peoria, IL cover 2033 mi and about 35h 38m of driving through 7 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.
2033 mi Β· 35h 38m by car Β· WA β ID β MT β WY β SD β IA β IL
Distance & route
| Route through | WA β ID β MT β WY β SD β IA β IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, US 14, SD 79 |
| Major cities en route | Seattle, Kent, Renton, Bellevue, Spokane |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tacoma | Peoria | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 91.231 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 90.504 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 93.643 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 63.763 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 111.133 to 91.231, putting Peoria roughly 17.9% below Tacoma on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Peoria: 17.9% below Tacoma on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Tacoma -0.9%, Peoria +7.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Tacoma | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 18Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 86Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 26.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.8" | 37.6" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Heavy-snow city: expect 26.2 in of snowfall annually at Peoria.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: TACOMA #1, WA US, PEORIA GTR PEORIA AP, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tacoma | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 220,482 | 112,126 |
| Median household income | $83,857 | $58,716 |
| Median age | 37.3 | 35.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.41 | 2.29 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 17.9% between Tacoma 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 Washington 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
- 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.
- Montana interstates can close without notice in winter storms β check MDT 511 before entering the state November through April.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- I-90 across western South Dakota can close in ground blizzards β check SD 511 November through April.
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 does household income compare in Tacoma vs Peoria?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,716 in Peoria vs $83,857 in Tacoma β a 30.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Tacoma to Peoria?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2033 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Peoria compared to Tacoma?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $128,838 in Peoria vs $493,840 in Tacoma β a 73.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Peoria compare to Tacoma?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,610 in the Peoria MSA vs $65,260 in the Tacoma MSA, on total employment of 165,240 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Peoria more expensive than Tacoma?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Peoria is 17.9% lower than Tacoma (91.231 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Peoria, IL from Tacoma, WA?
The driving distance is 2033 mi and the route typically takes 35h 38m via I 90 and US 14. The trip crosses 7 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 Tacoma.
City profiles: Tacoma, WA Β· Peoria, IL.