Moving from Chicago, IL to Aurora, IL
Moving from Chicago, IL to Aurora, IL is a 39 mi drive, about 57 min by car. This is a local relocation β same-day moves are typical β but cost-of-living, housing, and tax lines still shift enough to plan around. The sections below pull current figures from BEA, the Census Bureau, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA for a side-by-side look.
39 mi Β· 57 min by car Β· IL
Distance & route
| Route through | IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | IL 110, I 88, I 290 |
| Major cities en route | Naperville, Elgin, Joliet |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Chicago | Aurora | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.595 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Aurora and Chicago is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home values in Chicago and Aurora are within 5% of each other ($317,283 vs $316,958 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Chicago +2.8%, Aurora +2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Chicago | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | 20Β°F | 16Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 84Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 27.9" |
| Annual precipitation | β | 39.5" |
Annual average temperatures in Chicago (50.8Β°F) and Aurora (50.2Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Aurora averages 27.9 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CHICAGO NORTHERLY IS, IL US, AURORA, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Chicago | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 179,867 |
| Median household income | $75,134 | $90,109 |
| Median age | 35.7 | 35.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.9% | 22.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.98 |
Median household income in Aurora is 0.0% above Chicago ($75,134 β $90,109, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Aurora 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.
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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Aurora averages 27.9 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β 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.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Aurora compare to Chicago?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Aurora MSA vs $49,790 in the Chicago MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 4,506,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Aurora compared to Chicago?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $316,958 in Aurora vs $317,283 in Chicago β a 0.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Aurora, IL from Chicago, IL?
The driving distance is 39 mi and the route typically takes 57 min via IL 110 and I 88. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Chicago to Aurora?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 39 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Chicago vs Aurora?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,109 in Aurora vs $75,134 in Chicago β a 19.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Chicago.
City profiles: Chicago, IL Β· Aurora, IL.