Moving from Aurora, IL to Philadelphia, PA
It is 794 mi between Aurora and Philadelphia — roughly 14h 48m 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.
794 mi · 14h 48m by car · PA → OH → IN → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | PA → OH → IN → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 76, I 80, PATP |
| Major cities en route | Pittsburgh, Akron, Cleveland, Toledo, South Bend |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Aurora | Philadelphia | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.595 | 102.554 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 114.389 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 96.833 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 113.141 | 100.0 |
Aurora and Philadelphia sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $316,958 in Aurora to $231,815 in Philadelphia, a 1.0% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Aurora +2.9%, Philadelphia +2.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Aurora | Philadelphia |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50°F | 58°F |
| January avg low | 16°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 84°F | 89°F |
| Annual snowfall | 27.9" | 16.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 39.5" | 50.7" |
Annual temperature rises 7.5°F moving to Philadelphia per NOAA normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Philadelphia sees 16.1 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: AURORA, IL US, PHILA FRANKLIN INST, PA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Aurora | Philadelphia |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 179,867 | 1,582,432 |
| Median household income | $90,109 | $60,698 |
| Median age | 35.2 | 35.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.5% | 19.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.98 | 2.36 |
Philadelphia households earn about 1.0% less than Aurora at the median — $90,109 → $60,698 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Philadelphia MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 352,560 | $46,660 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 252,940 | $41,710 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 228,980 | $36,650 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 223,850 | $31,100 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 200,320 | $86,620 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Illinois and Pennsylvania
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Pennsylvania'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
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Philadelphia averages 16.1 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- Pack rain gear on top: Philadelphia averages 50.7 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- 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 Pennsylvania after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Philadelphia compared to Aurora?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $231,815 in Philadelphia vs $316,958 in Aurora — a 26.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Aurora to Philadelphia?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 794 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Aurora vs Philadelphia?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,698 in Philadelphia vs $90,109 in Aurora — a 32.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Philadelphia more expensive than Aurora?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Philadelphia is 1.0% lower than Aurora (102.554 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Philadelphia compare to Aurora?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,160 in the Philadelphia MSA vs $49,790 in the Aurora MSA, on total employment of 2,829,560 and 4,506,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Philadelphia, PA from Aurora, IL?
The driving distance is 794 mi and the route typically takes 14h 48m via I 76 and I 80. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Aurora and Philadelphia?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 57.7°F in Philadelphia vs 50.2°F in Aurora (7.5°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 16.1 in vs 27.9 in. Annual precipitation: 50.7 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 · Philadelphia, PA.