Moving to Peoria, IL in 2023? Complete Moving Guide

This is a complete guide for Moving to Peoria, IL.
Get all the information you need to know about moving to Peoria, IL.

Is moving to Peoria Illinois right for you?

Rated as one of the best places to live in Illinois, moving to Peoria can be one of the best moving decisions you ever make.

Peoria is known for its high quality of life, robust job market, and good value, and its one of the most coveted cities in Illinois.

If you’re mulling over moving to Peoria and wondering if the city is right for you, this guide contains all you need to know to make the right decision.

Let’s find out why moving to Peoria can be a great choice.

facts of Peoria

Quick facts to know before moving to Peoria, IL

  • Peoria’s average one-way commute time takes 17.5 minutes
  • Peoria averages 194 sunny days per year
  • Peoria’s summer high in July is around 86 degrees
  • The cost of living in Peoria is lower than the U.S. average
  • Peoria’s median home cost is $97,200
  • Around 40% of Peoria’s residents are renters

What’s the population of Peoria, IL?

Peoria’s population is 181,830 people. The city stretches across 629 square miles, running 32 miles north/south and 28 miles east/west. Peoria is the 8th most populous city in Illinois. Peoria is nestled in Peoria County and the city is the county seat.

  • Peoria has a population density of 2,359 people per square mile
  • The median age in Peoria is 37.15 years
  • 34.1 years is the median age for males and 40.2 years for females
  • Peoria is currently growing at a rate of 0.65% annually

How fast can you commute in Peoria, IL?

Peoria’s average one-way commute time takes 17.5 minutes. That’s lower than the U.S. average of 26.4 minutes. You’ll spend less than 20 minutes commuting to work if you move to Peoria. Less time on the road means less stress and having more time for other things.

Here’s how people in Peoria get to work:

  • About 79.7% of Peoria residents drive their own car alone
  • Around 8.9% of Peoria residents carpool with others
  • Up to 2.8% of Peoria residents work from home
  • About 3.8% of Peoria residents take mass transit

Tip: While moving the home, safety of your belongings is the priority and you need a trustworthy mover at your side. Know the top-rated moving companies in Peoria, IL.

How is the weather like in Peoria, IL?

Peoria averages 194 sunny days per year. The United States average is 205 sunny days. If the weather is one of the key things you’d like to consider before moving to Peoria, the following is a quick snapshot of the Motor City’s weather:

  • Peoria’s summer high in July is around 86 degrees
  • Peoria gets 38 inches of rain on average per year. The U.S. average is 38 inches
  • On average, Peoria gets 23 inches of snow per year. U.S. average is 28 inches
  • Peoria’s winter low in January is 16 degrees
  • Peoria gets 110 days of precipitation every year

Is Peoria, Illinois a good place to live?

US News & World Report has named Peoria as the greatest location to live in Illinois. Peoria was named the finest location to live in Illinois by a national publication.

What is Peoria IL like to live in?

Residents in Peoria enjoy a dense suburban vibe, and the majority own their homes. There are numerous taverns, eateries, and parks in Peoria. Peoria has a large population of families and young professionals, and its citizens typically hold moderate political views. Peoria's public schools are better than average.

What is the racial makeup of Peoria, Illinois?

White (non-Hispanic) (55.7%), Black or African American (non-Hispanic) (26.8%), Asian (non-Hispanic) (6.3%), Two+ (non-Hispanic) (4.06%), and White (Hispanic) (3.69%) make up Peoria, Illinois's top 5 ethnic groupings.

Why is Peoria IL famous?

By the end of the 19th century, Peoria had more distilleries operating than any other city in the country—more than 12. Peoria, a significant port on the Illinois River, serves as the trading and shipping hub for a sizable agricultural region that raises animals, soybeans, and maize.

Is Peoria Illinois worth visiting?

Peoria, Illinois, is a worthwhile stop on your next trip to the Midwest, even if just for a few hours. It is situated roughly halfway between St. Louis and Chicago. Peoria is a town with lots of things to do and is best known as the home of Caterpillar.

Is Peoria a college town?

Illinois's principal public university is in Champaign, along with other major college cities like Normal (home to Illinois State University). Naperville, Peoria, and DeKalb are among more cities with college populations.

What food is Peoria known for?

Everything you enjoy is provided fresh, whether it be steak, BBQ, seafood, pizza, or anything else. Pubs and bars serving Peoria's best craft brews, cocktails, and wines can also be found here. As the "Whiskey Capital of the World," whiskeys are a must-try in this city.

Are people in Illinois friendly?

Foreigners will likely mention the welcoming, kind people of Illinois if you ask them what they enjoyed best about the state. This friendliness, commonly referred to as "Midwest Nice," permeates the whole state and follows Illinoisans everywhere they go.

moving to Peoria

Top 10 reasons to move to Peoria Illinois

People are moving to Peoria for many reasons. As the capital city of Illinois, Peoria is constantly attracting people from all over the state and beyond.

Since you’re considering moving to Peoria, the following are the key reasons people are moving to the city:

  • High-quality of life
  • Homes are affordable in Peoria
  • Rich cultural amenities
  • Peoria is a hub for healthcare
  • Low cost of living
  • Family-friendly activities
  • Home to multiple colleges
  • A robust job markets
  • Peoria is located in the middle of everywhere
  • Lots of amazing things to do and explore outdoors
Peoria pros and cons

Pros & cons of moving to Peoria IL

If you’d like to find out if moving to Peoria is right for you or not, we’ve made a list of the pros and cons of living in the city.

This can make it easier for you to figure out if moving to Peoria is right for you or not.

Pros of living in Peoria, IL Cons of living in Peoria, IL
Affordable homesHigher number of windy days
Race diversityLow house ownership rate
Religion diversityHigh risk of severe storms
Low hurricane riskHigh poverty rate
Low earthquake riskLow Math proficiency at Elementary schools
Low volcanic hazard riskLow Math proficiency at High schools
Low wildfire riskHigh Sales Tax
Private school enrolment is low for Elementary school levelHigh property tax
Private school enrolment is low for Middle school levelToo close to an airport
Low proficiency in Reading and Language Arts at Elementary schools
Low proficiency in Reading and Language Arts at Middle schools
Low proficiency in Reading and Language Arts at High schools
place to live Peoria

Best places to live in Peoria IL

Peoria is home to several beautiful livable neighborhoods. Moving to Peoria gives you the perfect chance to live in any of these neighborhoods. If you’re moving to Peoria and wondering what neighborhood the best for you is, the following is a list of the ten best neighborhoods in Peoria:

  • Alta
  • Edwards
  • Pioneer
  • Sankoty
  • Detweiller Park
  • Downtown Peoria
  • Bradley University
  • North Peoria
  • W Willow Knolls Dr / N Terra Vista Dr
  • Keller

Tip: When you’ve got a home to move in Peoria, IL, getting the best moving quote will be your goal. Request moving company quotes to save on moving cost.

cost of living in Peoria

Cost of living in Peoria

Affordable living in a big city is one of the key perks of moving to Peoria. The cost of living in Peoria is 73.9. The United States average is 100.

Peoria’s average cost of living is below the national average.

Living Expense Peoria Illinois National Average
Overall73.993.7100
Grocery9394100
Health11296.9100
Housing33.380.2100
Median Home Cost$97,200$234,000$291,700
Utilities93.197.7100
Transportation74106.2100
Miscellaneous137107.8100

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Peoria’s housing market

If you’re interested in buying a home after moving to Peoria, we have the key information you need to know about the city’s housing market. This will make it easier for you to make up your mind about buying a home or not if you’re moving to Peoria, Illinois:

  • Peoria’s median home cost is $97,200
  • Over the last ten years, home values in Peoria’s have risen by -0.6%
  • Currently, Peoria’s home values have appreciated by 10.5%
  • Around 40% of Peoria’s residents are renters
  • Up to 4.7% of homes and apartments in Peoria are open to rent

What’s the average home rental price in Peoria?

Peoria’s rental market is known for its affordable homes. If you’re considering renting a home or an apartment after moving to Peoria, look at the average rental prices below:

  • Peoria’s average rent for a studio apartment is $553
  • Peoria’s average rent for a 1-bedroom home or apartment is $599
  • Peoria’s average rent for a 2-bedroom home or apartment is $761
  • Peoria’s average rent for a 3-bedroom home or apartment is $989
  • The average rent for a 4-bedroom home or apartment is 1,033
jobs in Peoria

How is the job market in Peoria, Illinois?

How fast can you get a job if you need one in Peoria? The COVID-19 pandemic has affected several job markets across the United States and Peoria wasn’t left out.

Since you’re considering moving to Peoria, here’s a breakdown of the city’s job market:

  • Peoria’s unemployment rate is 9.0%. The U.S. average is 6.0%
  • Peoria’s job growth has been positive so far
  • Over the past year, Peoria’s jobs have grown by 1.5%
  • Peoria’s future job growth is predicted to hit 17.40%

Here’s a simple breakdown of Silver Spring’s job market:

Employment Information Peoria, Illinois United States
The income per Cap$28,507$31,177
Household Income$47,697$57,652
Unemployment Rate96.0%
Recent Job Growth-7.46%-6.18%
Future Job Growth17.40%33.51%

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What are the top career options in Peoria, IL?

You’ll find lots of jobs to choose from if you’re moving to Peoria. Which ones should you opt for? You may be interested in some of the city’s highest-paying jobs. The following is the list of the highest-paying jobs in Peoria.

Rank Job Title Average Salary Entry Level Salary # Of People
1Family and General Practitioners$223,090$76,130120
2Chief Executives$174,860$66,240450
3Architectural and Engineering Managers$153,290$94,430650
4Computer and Information Systems Managers$128,590$56,960280
5Optometrists$125,500$53,82040
6Marketing Managers$125,280$46,770310
7Lawyers$123,760$57,140460
8Pharmacists$121,890$100,580350
9Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers$121,530$55,020330
10Physician Assistants$121,520$78,220140

What’s the average salary in Peoria, IL?

Moving to Peoria could me\/an getting a new job. But how many bucks can you earn in the city? Will you be earning more money or less compared to where you are right now? Let’s find out:

  • Peoria’s average annual pay for average jobs is $55,345
  • Peoria’s average hourly pay is $26.61 per hour
  • Peoria’s average weekly pay is $1,064 per week
  • Peoria’s average monthly payment is $4,612 per month
  • Peoria’s minimum wage is $12 per hour

Top Industries in Peoria, IL

Like several other large cities, Peoria’s economy is powered by several industries. The best part is that whether you work in a small or large industry, you’ll most likely find a suitable spot for your job in Peoria. The following is a list of the city’s largest industries since you’re considering moving to Peoria, IL:

  • Manufacturing
  • Healthcare
  • Education
  • Insurance
  • Government
  • Finance
  • Leisure and hospitality

The largest employers in Peoria, IL

Peoria is home to several large employers. If you’re interested in working with any of the city’s largest employers after moving to Peoria, here’s a list to help you get started:

  • OSF HealthCare
  • Petersen Health Care
  • Axis
  • CityLink
  • Lutheran Senior Services
  • Advanced Technology Services
  • SC2 Services
  • Morton Industrial Group
  • Vonachen Group
  • ELM Locating
taxes in Peoria

Illinois taxes

If you’re moving to Elgin from out of state, you may have to get familiar with Illinois’s taxes. The following are the key components that make up the city’s taxes.

This will give you an idea of what to expect if you’re moving to Elgin, IL:

  • Illinois Income tax is 4.95% flat rate
  • Illinois Sales tax is 6.25% - 11%
  • Illinois Property tax is 2.16% average effective rate
  • Gas tax in Illinois is 39.2 cents per gallon of regular gasoline
  • and 46.7 cents per gallon of diesel
Peoria Things to do

Best things to do in Peoria, IL

There are lots of exciting things you can do in Peoria. The city is home to several attractions, and you’ll find lots of amazing things to do in Peoria.

If you’re moving to Peoria, we’ve made a list of the various things you can do and places to visit and explore. Look at the list:

  • Peoria Riverfront Museum
  • Caterpillar Visitors Center
  • Peoria Zoo
  • George L. Luthy Memorial Botanical Garden
  • Dozer Park
  • Spirit of Peoria
  • Wildlife Prairie Park (WPP)
  • Peoria Civic Center
  • Grandview Drive
  • Sculpture Walk Peoria
  • Peoria PlayHouse
  • Corn Stock Theatre
  • Peoria RiverFront Farmers Market
  • CEFCU Center Stage at the Landing
  • Wheels O’ Time Museum

What is the crime rate in Peoria, IL?

Is Peoria a safe city for you and your loved ones? Like several other large cities in the United States, Peoria has its fair share of crime problems. The following are key stats about the city’s crime rates since you’re considering moving to Peoria, IL:

  • The violent crime rate in Peoria is 36.6. The national average is 22.7
  • The property crime rate in Peoria is 56.1 The national average is 35.4
  • Peoria has a crime rate of 41 per one thousand residents
  • More than 97% of communities in Illinois have a lower crime rate than Peoria

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schools in Peoria

Best Schools & Universities in Peoria, IL

Peoria is home to several top-quality schools. If you’re moving to Peoria, you’ll have easier access to several excellent schools from universities and colleges to elementary, middle, and high schools.

The following is a list of the best schools in the city if you’re moving to Peoria, IL:

Best Elementary Schools in Peoria, IL

  • Wilder-Waite Elementary School
    Public, PK-5 | 361 students, Rating: 7/10

  • Hollis Consolidated Grade School
    Public, K-8 | 150 students, Rating: 7/10

  • Limestone Walters Elementary School
    Public, K-8 | 186 students, Rating: 7/10

  • Washington Gifted School
    Public, 5-8 | 302 students, Rating: 7/10

  • Kellar Primary School
    Public, K-4 | 356 students, Rating: 7/10

Best Middle Schools in Peoria, IL

  • Hollis Consolidated Grade School
    Public, K-8 | 150 students, Rating: 7/10

  • Limestone Walters Elementary School
    Public, K-8 | 186 students, Rating: 7/10

  • Washington Gifted School
    Public, 5-8 | 302 students, Rating: 7/10

  • Pleasant Valley Middle School
    Public, PK, 4-8 | 261 students, Rating: 7/10

  • Charles A Lindbergh Middle School
    Public, 5-8 | 230 students, Rating: 7/10

Best High Schools in Peoria, IL

  • Richwoods High School
    Public, 9-12 | 1,269 students, Rating: 7/10

  • Limestone Community High School
    Public, 9-12 | 944 students, Rating: 7/10

  • Quest Charter Academy
    Charter, 5-12 | 574 students, Rating: 7/10

  • Manual High School
    Public, 7-12 | 828 students, Rating: 7/10

  • Peoria High School
    Public, 9-12 | 1,230 students, Rating: 7/10

Best universities and colleges in Peoria, IL

  • Illinois Central College - Peoria Campus

  • Illinois Central College - East Peoria Campus

  • University of Illinois

  • Robert Morris University – Peoria

  • Bradley University

  • University of Illinois College of Nursing

  • Illinois Central College

  • University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria

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