Moving from Elgin, IL to Salt Lake City, UT
It is 1372 mi between Elgin and Salt Lake City — roughly 23h 49m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 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.
1372 mi · 23h 49m by car · UT → WY → NE → IA → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | UT → WY → NE → IA → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 88, IL 110 |
| Major cities en route | West Valley City, West Jordan, Lincoln, Omaha, Des Moines |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Elgin | Salt Lake City | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.595 | 100.868 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 79 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 96.446 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 123.311 | 100.0 |
Elgin and Salt Lake City sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $329,682 in Elgin to $573,181 in Salt Lake City, a 2.6% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Elgin +3.2%, Salt Lake City +1.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Elgin | Salt Lake City |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 49°F | 56°F |
| January avg low | 14°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 84°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 32.1" | 49.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 39.9" | 17.7" |
Annual temperature rises 6.8°F moving to Salt Lake City per NOAA normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Salt Lake City sees 49.0 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ELGIN, IL US, SALT LAKE TRIAD CTR, UT US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Elgin | Salt Lake City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 203,888 |
| Median household income | $88,316 | $74,925 |
| Median age | 36.3 | 33 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.9% | 28.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.94 | 2.29 |
Households in Salt Lake City earn about 2.6% less at the median — ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Salt Lake City MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 126,170 | $43,640 |
| Management Occupations | 69,550 | $106,250 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 66,590 | $43,680 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 64,620 | $69,990 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 62,830 | $40,320 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Illinois and Utah
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Utah'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
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — check WYDOT 511 before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Salt Lake City averages 49.0 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Salt Lake City average 91°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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 Utah after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Elgin vs Salt Lake City?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $74,925 in Salt Lake City vs $88,316 in Elgin — a 15.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Salt Lake City more expensive than Elgin?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Salt Lake City is 2.6% lower than Elgin (100.868 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Salt Lake City compared to Elgin?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $573,181 in Salt Lake City vs $329,682 in Elgin — a 73.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Elgin and Salt Lake City?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 55.8°F in Salt Lake City vs 49.0°F in Elgin (6.8°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 49.0 in vs 32.1 in. Annual precipitation: 17.7 in vs 39.9 in.
How does the job market in Salt Lake City compare to Elgin?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,440 in the Salt Lake City MSA vs $49,790 in the Elgin MSA, on total employment of 803,800 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 Salt Lake City?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1372 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Salt Lake City, UT from Elgin, IL?
The driving distance is 1372 mi and the route typically takes 23h 49m via I 80 and I 88. The trip crosses 5 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 · Salt Lake City, UT.