Moving from Elgin, IL to Aurora, IL
It is a short 23 mi hop from Elgin, IL to Aurora, IL — roughly 44 min behind the wheel. Even at local distance, household costs and housing values can diverge more than the mileage suggests. Below you will find a direct comparison on BEA cost-of-living, Zillow home values, Census demographics, BLS wages, and NOAA climate.
23 mi · 44 min by car · IL
Distance & route
| Route through | IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CR 77, IL 25, CR 19 |
| Major cities en route | Joliet, Naperville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Elgin | 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 |
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 stays roughly flat moving from Elgin to Aurora — $329,682 vs $316,958 (2026-03).
YoY change: Elgin +3.2%, Aurora +2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Elgin | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 49°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 14°F | 16°F |
| July avg high | 84°F | 84°F |
| Annual snowfall | 32.1" | 27.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 39.9" | 39.5" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Heavy-snow city: expect 27.9 in of snowfall annually at Aurora.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ELGIN, IL US, AURORA, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Elgin | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 179,867 |
| Median household income | $88,316 | $90,109 |
| Median age | 36.3 | 35.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.9% | 22.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.94 | 2.98 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
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 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
- Winter gear first: Aurora averages 27.9 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.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Aurora compare to Elgin?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Aurora MSA vs $49,790 in the Elgin 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.
When is the best time to move from Elgin 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 23 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Elgin vs Aurora?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,109 in Aurora vs $88,316 in Elgin — a 2.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Aurora compared to Elgin?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $316,958 in Aurora vs $329,682 in Elgin — a 3.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Aurora, IL from Elgin, IL?
The driving distance is 23 mi and the route typically takes 44 min via CR 77 and IL 25. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Elgin and Aurora?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.2°F in Aurora vs 49.0°F in Elgin (1.2°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 27.9 in vs 32.1 in. Annual precipitation: 39.5 in vs 39.9 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Elgin.
City profiles: Elgin, IL · Aurora, IL.