Moving from Elgin, IL to Goodyear, AZ
It is 1778 mi and 32h 26m from Elgin to Goodyear — 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.
1778 mi · 32h 26m by car · IL → IA → MO → KS → OK → TX → NM → AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | IL → IA → MO → KS → OK → TX → NM → AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 54, I 80 |
| Major cities en route | Naperville, Aurora, Rockford, Cedar Rapids, Des Moines |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Elgin | Goodyear | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.595 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 121.236 | 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
0.3% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Elgin +3.2%, Goodyear -1.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Elgin | Goodyear |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 49°F | 74°F |
| January avg low | 14°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 84°F | 107°F |
| Annual snowfall | 32.1" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 39.9" | 7.4" |
Annual average temperature gap of 24.9°F — a meaningful climate change across the move.
Effectively snow-free year in Goodyear — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ELGIN, IL US, LAVEEN 3 SSE, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Elgin | Goodyear |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 102,891 |
| Median household income | $88,316 | $101,814 |
| Median age | 36.3 | 40.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.9% | 22.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.94 | 2.87 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 0.3% higher in Goodyear than Elgin.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Goodyear MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 314,170 | $45,080 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 205,010 | $34,400 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 204,700 | $37,700 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 199,140 | $40,870 |
| Management Occupations | 170,690 | $105,420 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Illinois and Arizona
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Arizona'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.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Goodyear average 107°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Goodyear sees only 7.4 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (24.9°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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 Arizona after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Elgin to Goodyear?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1778 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Goodyear compare to Elgin?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Goodyear MSA vs $49,790 in the Elgin MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 4,506,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Goodyear, AZ from Elgin, IL?
The driving distance is 1778 mi and the route typically takes 32h 26m via I 40 and US 54. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Goodyear compared to Elgin?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $469,424 in Goodyear vs $329,682 in Elgin — a 42.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Elgin vs Goodyear?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $101,814 in Goodyear vs $88,316 in Elgin — a 15.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Elgin and Goodyear?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 73.9°F in Goodyear vs 49.0°F in Elgin (24.9°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 32.1 in. Annual precipitation: 7.4 in vs 39.9 in.
Is Goodyear more expensive than Elgin?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Goodyear is 0.3% lower than Elgin (103.316 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Elgin.
City profiles: Elgin, IL · Goodyear, AZ.