Moving from Dallas, TX to Elgin, IL
It is 921 mi between Dallas and Elgin — roughly 17h 27m 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.
921 mi · 17h 27m by car · TX → OK → MO → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → OK → MO → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 44, I 55, US 69 |
| Major cities en route | Mesquite, Arlington, Irving, Grand Prairie, Carrollton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Dallas | Elgin | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 0.5% above Dallas — $309,421 → $329,682 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Dallas -3.6%, Elgin +3.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Dallas | Elgin |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 68°F | 49°F |
| January avg low | 38°F | 14°F |
| July avg high | 97°F | 84°F |
| Annual snowfall | 1.7" | 32.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 38.3" | 39.9" |
Annual average temperature gap of 19.0°F — a meaningful climate change across the move.
Heavy-snow city: expect 32.1 in of snowfall annually at Elgin.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: DALLAS LOVE FLD, TX US, ELGIN, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Dallas | Elgin |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,299,553 | 114,106 |
| Median household income | $67,760 | $88,316 |
| Median age | 33.4 | 36.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.9% | 16.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.46 | 2.94 |
Elgin households earn about 0.5% more than Dallas at the median — $67,760 → $88,316 on ACS 2023.
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 Texas 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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Elgin averages 32.1 in annually vs 1.7 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (19.0°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
Is Elgin more expensive than Dallas?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Elgin is 0.5% higher than Dallas (103.595 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Dallas and Elgin?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 49.0°F in Elgin vs 68.0°F in Dallas (19.0°F colder). Annual snowfall: 32.1 in vs 1.7 in. Annual precipitation: 39.9 in vs 38.3 in.
How does the job market in Elgin compare to Dallas?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Elgin MSA vs $48,440 in the Dallas MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Dallas vs Elgin?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,316 in Elgin vs $67,760 in Dallas — a 30.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Elgin compared to Dallas?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $329,682 in Elgin vs $309,421 in Dallas — a 6.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Elgin, IL from Dallas, TX?
The driving distance is 921 mi and the route typically takes 17h 27m via I 44 and I 55. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Dallas 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 921 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Dallas.
City profiles: Dallas, TX · Elgin, IL.