Moving from Thornton, CO to Peoria, IL
It is 923 mi between Thornton and Peoria — roughly 16h 14m 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.
923 mi · 16h 14m by car · CO → NE → IA → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | CO → NE → IA → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 76, IL 110 |
| Major cities en route | Lakewood, Arvada, Westminster, Boulder, Denver |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Thornton | Peoria | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 91.231 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 90.504 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 93.643 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 63.763 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 13.8% moving from Thornton to Peoria — meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $502,945 in Thornton to $128,838 in Peoria, a 13.8% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Thornton -3.3%, Peoria +7.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Thornton | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52°F | 53°F |
| January avg low | 19°F | 18°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 44.8" | 26.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 14.5" | 37.6" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 52.4°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: NORTHGLENN, CO US, PEORIA GTR PEORIA AP, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Thornton | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 142,878 | 112,126 |
| Median household income | $100,985 | $58,716 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 35.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.3% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.88 | 2.29 |
Peoria households earn about 13.8% less than Thornton at the median — $100,985 → $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 Colorado 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
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April — check CDOT alerts 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 Thornton 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 923 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Thornton vs Peoria?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,716 in Peoria vs $100,985 in Thornton — a 41.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Peoria compared to Thornton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $128,838 in Peoria vs $502,945 in Thornton — a 74.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Peoria compare to Thornton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,610 in the Peoria MSA vs $58,490 in the Thornton MSA, on total employment of 165,240 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Thornton and Peoria?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 52.7°F in Peoria vs 52.4°F in Thornton (0.3°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 26.2 in vs 44.8 in. Annual precipitation: 37.6 in vs 14.5 in.
Is Peoria more expensive than Thornton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Peoria is 13.8% lower than Thornton (91.231 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Peoria, IL from Thornton, CO?
The driving distance is 923 mi and the route typically takes 16h 14m via I 80 and I 76. 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 Thornton.
City profiles: Thornton, CO · Peoria, IL.