Moving from Aurora, IL to Killeen, TX
Relocating 1055 mi from Aurora to Killeen is a 19h 35m drive through 4 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1055 mi · 19h 35m by car · IL → MO → OK → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | IL → MO → OK → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 44, US 69, US 50 |
| Major cities en route | Elgin, Naperville, Joliet, Springfield, St Louis |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Aurora | Killeen | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.595 | 91.132 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 81.242 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 77.884 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 12.0% cheaper overall in Killeen than Aurora on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
12.0% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Aurora +2.9%, Killeen -1.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Aurora | Killeen |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 16°F | 36°F |
| July avg high | 84°F | 96°F |
| Annual snowfall | 27.9" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 39.5" | 34.8" |
Annual average temperature gap of 16.4°F — a meaningful climate change across the move.
Effectively snow-free year in Killeen — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: AURORA, IL US, KILLEEN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Aurora | Killeen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 179,867 | 156,144 |
| Median household income | $90,109 | $58,339 |
| Median age | 35.2 | 30 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.5% | 16.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.98 | 2.61 |
Expect median household income to fall 12.0% — $90,109 → $58,339 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Killeen MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 16,840 | $37,540 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 15,620 | $26,660 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 14,700 | $81,360 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 13,820 | $37,760 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 12,710 | $59,740 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Illinois and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Killeen average 96°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (16.4°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Killeen, TX from Aurora, IL?
The driving distance is 1055 mi and the route typically takes 19h 35m via I 44 and US 69. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Aurora to Killeen?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1055 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Killeen compared to Aurora?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $219,957 in Killeen vs $316,958 in Aurora — a 30.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Killeen compare to Aurora?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,230 in the Killeen MSA vs $49,790 in the Aurora MSA, on total employment of 147,020 and 4,506,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Aurora vs Killeen?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,339 in Killeen vs $90,109 in Aurora — a 35.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Killeen more expensive than Aurora?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Killeen is 12.0% lower than Aurora (91.132 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Aurora and Killeen?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Killeen vs 50.2°F in Aurora (16.4°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 27.9 in. Annual precipitation: 34.8 in vs 39.5 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Aurora.
City profiles: Aurora, IL · Killeen, TX.