Moving from Elgin, IL to Dallas, TX
It is 921 mi between Elgin and Dallas — 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
| Elgin | Dallas | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.595 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 117.874 | 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% under Elgin — $329,682 → $309,421 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Elgin +3.2%, Dallas -3.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Elgin | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 49°F | 68°F |
| January avg low | 14°F | 38°F |
| July avg high | 84°F | 97°F |
| Annual snowfall | 32.1" | 1.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 39.9" | 38.3" |
Annual average temperature gap of 19.0°F — a meaningful climate change across the move.
Light snow year: Dallas gets around 1.7 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ELGIN, IL US, DALLAS LOVE FLD, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Elgin | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 1,299,553 |
| Median household income | $88,316 | $67,760 |
| Median age | 36.3 | 33.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.9% | 22.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.94 | 2.46 |
Dallas households earn about 0.5% less than Elgin at the median — $88,316 → $67,760 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Dallas MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 523,660 | $44,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 412,270 | $39,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 368,400 | $36,710 |
| Management Occupations | 350,940 | $117,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 341,240 | $29,000 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Illinois and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Dallas average 97°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (19.0°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Dallas compare to Elgin?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Dallas MSA vs $49,790 in the Elgin MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 4,506,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Dallas more expensive than Elgin?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Dallas is 0.5% lower than Elgin (103.09 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Elgin and Dallas?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 68.0°F in Dallas vs 49.0°F in Elgin (19.0°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 1.7 in vs 32.1 in. Annual precipitation: 38.3 in vs 39.9 in.
How does household income compare in Elgin vs Dallas?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,760 in Dallas vs $88,316 in Elgin — a 23.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Elgin to Dallas?
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.
How much do homes cost in Dallas compared to Elgin?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $309,421 in Dallas vs $329,682 in Elgin — a 6.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Dallas, TX from Elgin, IL?
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.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Elgin.
City profiles: Elgin, IL · Dallas, TX.