Moving from Costa Mesa, CA to Elgin, IL
It is 1989 mi and 35h 3m from Costa Mesa to Elgin β a cross-country move across 8 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.
1989 mi Β· 35h 3m by car Β· IL β IA β NE β CO β UT β AZ β NV β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | IL β IA β NE β CO β UT β AZ β NV β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 80 EXPRESS, I 15 |
| Major cities en route | Aurora, Naperville, Rockford, Cedar Rapids, Des Moines |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Costa Mesa | Elgin | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 8.8% moving from Costa Mesa to Elgin β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $1,413,322 in Costa Mesa to $329,682 in Elgin, a 8.8% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Costa Mesa +3.1%, Elgin +3.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Costa Mesa | Elgin |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 49Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 14Β°F |
| July avg high | 79Β°F | 84Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 32.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.2" | 39.9" |
Annual average temperature drops 15.9Β°F β 64.9Β°F in Costa Mesa vs 49.0Β°F in Elgin, per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Elgin sees 32.1 in a year on NOAA normals β budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SANTA ANA JOHN WAYNE AP, CA US, ELGIN, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Costa Mesa | Elgin |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 110,538 | 114,106 |
| Median household income | $110,073 | $88,316 |
| Median age | 36.5 | 36.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30.9% | 16.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 2.94 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 8.8% lower in Elgin than Costa Mesa.
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 California 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 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
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
- 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-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
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 β pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (15.9Β°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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 Costa Mesa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Elgin MSA vs $50,490 in the Costa Mesa MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Elgin more expensive than Costa Mesa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Elgin is 8.8% lower than Costa Mesa (103.595 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Costa Mesa vs Elgin?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,316 in Elgin vs $110,073 in Costa Mesa β a 19.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Elgin compared to Costa Mesa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $329,682 in Elgin vs $1,413,322 in Costa Mesa β a 76.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Costa Mesa to Elgin?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1989 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Elgin, IL from Costa Mesa, CA?
The driving distance is 1989 mi and the route typically takes 35h 3m via I 70 and I 80 EXPRESS. 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 Costa Mesa.
City profiles: Costa Mesa, CA Β· Elgin, IL.