Moving from Aurora, IL to Spokane, WA
Moving from Aurora, IL to Spokane, WA is a 1759 mi cross-country relocation β about 30h 34m of driving through 8 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
1759 mi Β· 30h 34m by car Β· WA β ID β MT β WY β SD β MN β WI β IL
Distance & route
| Route through | WA β ID β MT β WY β SD β MN β WI β IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, US 14, SD 79 |
| Major cities en route | Spokane Valley, Billings, Sioux Falls, Rochester, Madison |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Aurora | Spokane | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.595 | 100.346 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 91.196 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 105.028 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 97.059 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Aurora (103.595) and Spokane (100.346) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Spokane: 3.1% above Aurora on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Aurora +2.9%, Spokane 0.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Aurora | Spokane |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | 16Β°F | 26Β°F |
| July avg high | 84Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 27.9" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 39.5" | 17.4" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: AURORA, IL US, SPOKANE FELTS FLD, WA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Aurora | Spokane |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 179,867 | 229,228 |
| Median household income | $90,109 | $65,745 |
| Median age | 35.2 | 37.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.5% | 20.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.98 | 2.37 |
Median household income in Spokane is 3.1% below Aurora ($90,109 vs $65,745, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Spokane MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 31,380 | $46,000 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 23,780 | $38,530 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 22,620 | $44,880 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 22,480 | $35,500 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 17,820 | $95,340 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Illinois and Washington
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Washington'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.
- I-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms β check MnDOT 511.
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin β check 511wi.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Wildfire season east of the Cascades peaks July through September; earthquake preparedness is standard west of the mountains.
- 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 Washington after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Aurora to Spokane?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1759 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 Spokane compared to Aurora?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $395,325 in Spokane vs $316,958 in Aurora β a 24.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Aurora vs Spokane?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,745 in Spokane vs $90,109 in Aurora β a 27.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Spokane more expensive than Aurora?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Spokane is 3.1% lower than Aurora (100.346 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Spokane compare to Aurora?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,920 in the Spokane MSA vs $49,790 in the Aurora MSA, on total employment of 255,160 and 4,506,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Spokane, WA from Aurora, IL?
The driving distance is 1759 mi and the route typically takes 30h 34m via I 90 and US 14. The trip crosses 8 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 Aurora.
City profiles: Aurora, IL Β· Spokane, WA.