Moving from Boise City, ID to Elgin, IL
It is 1666 mi and 28h 27m from Boise City to Elgin — a cross-country move across 6 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1666 mi · 28h 27m by car · ID → UT → WY → NE → IA → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | ID → UT → WY → NE → IA → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, US 189, I 84 |
| Major cities en route | Meridian, Nampa, Salt Lake City, Lincoln, Omaha |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Boise City | Elgin | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.391 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 70.695 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.179 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 105.58 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 5.3% above Boise City — 98.391 → 103.595 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: Boise City —, Elgin +3.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Boise City | Elgin |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 49°F |
| January avg low | 26°F | 14°F |
| July avg high | 93°F | 84°F |
| Annual snowfall | 17.6" | 32.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.5" | 39.9" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Heavy-snow city: expect 32.1 in of snowfall annually at Elgin.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: BOISE AIR TERMINAL, ID US, ELGIN, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Boise City | Elgin |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 114,106 |
| Median household income | $81,308 | $88,316 |
| Median age | 38.2 | 36.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.2% | 16.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.37 | 2.94 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 5.3% higher in Elgin than Boise City.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Elgin MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 519,810 | $46,540 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 497,550 | $41,020 |
| Management Occupations | 405,130 | $125,280 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 386,070 | $38,490 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 368,000 | $33,540 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Idaho 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
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — check WYDOT 511 before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Elgin averages 32.1 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
How does the job market in Elgin compare to Boise City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Elgin MSA vs $45,320 in the Boise City MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 372,470 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Boise City vs Elgin?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,316 in Elgin vs $81,308 in Boise City — a 8.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Boise City to Elgin?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1666 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Elgin more expensive than Boise City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Elgin is 5.3% higher than Boise City (103.595 vs 98.391, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Elgin, IL from Boise City, ID?
The driving distance is 1666 mi and the route typically takes 28h 27m via I 80 and US 189. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Boise City and Elgin?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 49.0°F in Elgin vs 53.2°F in Boise City (4.2°F colder). Annual snowfall: 32.1 in vs 17.6 in. Annual precipitation: 39.9 in vs 11.5 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Boise City.
City profiles: Boise City, ID · Elgin, IL.