Moving from El Paso, TX to Aurora, IL
The drive from El Paso, TX to Aurora, IL runs 1436 mi — about 26h 35m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
1436 mi · 26h 35m by car · TX → NM → OK → MO → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → NM → OK → MO → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 44, I 55, I 40 |
| Major cities en route | Amarillo, Oklahoma City, Norman, Tulsa, Broken Arrow |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| El Paso | Aurora | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.912 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.585 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.248 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Aurora is 15.2% higher than El Paso, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Aurora is 15.2% above El Paso — $234,775 vs $316,958 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: El Paso +1.4%, Aurora +2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | El Paso | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 35°F | 16°F |
| July avg high | 96°F | 84°F |
| Annual snowfall | 2.8" | 27.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 8.8" | 39.5" |
Aurora runs 16.0°F colder on the annual average (66.2°F vs 50.2°F) — expect a noticeably different year.
Aurora averages 27.9 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: EL PASO INTL AP, TX US, AURORA, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | El Paso | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 179,867 |
| Median household income | $58,734 | $90,109 |
| Median age | 34.1 | 35.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.3% | 22.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.8 | 2.98 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 15.2% between El Paso and Aurora (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.
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.
Winter driving along this route
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Aurora averages 27.9 in annually vs 2.8 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (16.0°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
When is the best time to move from El Paso to Aurora?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1436 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Aurora more expensive than El Paso?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Aurora is 15.2% higher than El Paso (103.595 vs 89.912, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Aurora compare to El Paso?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Aurora MSA vs $36,000 in the El Paso MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 323,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between El Paso and Aurora?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.2°F in Aurora vs 66.2°F in El Paso (16.0°F colder). Annual snowfall: 27.9 in vs 2.8 in. Annual precipitation: 39.5 in vs 8.8 in.
How far is Aurora, IL from El Paso, TX?
The driving distance is 1436 mi and the route typically takes 26h 35m via I 44 and I 55. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Aurora compared to El Paso?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $316,958 in Aurora vs $234,775 in El Paso — a 35.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in El Paso vs Aurora?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,109 in Aurora vs $58,734 in El Paso — a 53.4% 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 El Paso.
City profiles: El Paso, TX · Aurora, IL.