Moving from Gresham, OR to Elgin, IL
Moving from Gresham, OR to Elgin, IL is a 2079 mi cross-country relocation β about 35h 59m of driving through 7 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
2079 mi Β· 35h 59m by car Β· IL β IA β NE β WY β UT β ID β OR
Distance & route
| Route through | IL β IA β NE β WY β UT β ID β OR |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 84, I 80 EXPRESS |
| Major cities en route | Aurora, Naperville, Rockford, Cedar Rapids, Des Moines |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Gresham | Elgin | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.421 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 106.974 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.222 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.114 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Elgin and Gresham is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Elgin is 1.7% below Gresham β $471,181 vs $329,682 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Gresham -0.5%, Elgin +3.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Gresham | Elgin |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55Β°F | 49Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 14Β°F |
| July avg high | 82Β°F | 84Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 32.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.7" | 39.9" |
Elgin is 5.7Β°F cooler on the annual average (54.7Β°F vs 49.0Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Elgin averages 32.1 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: PORTLAND TROUTDALE AP, OR US, ELGIN, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Gresham | Elgin |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,818 | 114,106 |
| Median household income | $73,608 | $88,316 |
| Median age | 37.2 | 36.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.2% | 16.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.68 | 2.94 |
Median household income in Elgin is 1.7% above Gresham ($73,608 vs $88,316, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Elgin 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 Oregon 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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% 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 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- 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.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Elgin averages 32.1 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β 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.
- Register to vote in Illinois after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Gresham to Elgin?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2079 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Elgin compared to Gresham?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $329,682 in Elgin vs $471,181 in Gresham β a 30.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Elgin more expensive than Gresham?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Elgin is 1.7% lower than Gresham (103.595 vs 105.421, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Elgin compare to Gresham?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Elgin MSA vs $55,940 in the Gresham MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 1,206,150 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Gresham vs Elgin?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,316 in Elgin vs $73,608 in Gresham β a 20.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Elgin, IL from Gresham, OR?
The driving distance is 2079 mi and the route typically takes 35h 59m via I 80 and I 84. The trip crosses 7 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 Gresham.
City profiles: Gresham, OR Β· Elgin, IL.