Moving from Mesa, AZ to Elgin, IL
A 1693 mi cross-country move between Mesa and Elgin is 31h 19m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 8 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1693 mi Β· 31h 19m by car Β· AZ β NM β TX β OK β KS β MO β IA β IL
Distance & route
| Route through | AZ β NM β TX β OK β KS β MO β IA β IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 54, AZ 77, I 40 |
| Major cities en route | Gilbert, Chandler, Tempe, Phoenix, Glendale |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Mesa | Elgin | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.316 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.332 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.024 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 121.236 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
Mesa and Elgin sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $435,134 in Mesa to $329,682 in Elgin, a 0.3% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Mesa -1.8%, Elgin +3.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Mesa | Elgin |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 72Β°F | 49Β°F |
| January avg low | 41Β°F | 14Β°F |
| July avg high | 106Β°F | 84Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 32.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 10.8" | 39.9" |
Annual average temperature drops 23.3Β°F β 72.3Β°F in Mesa vs 49.0Β°F in Elgin, per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Elgin sees 32.1 in a year on NOAA normals β budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: E MESA, AZ US, ELGIN, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Mesa | Elgin |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 507,478 | 114,106 |
| Median household income | $78,779 | $88,316 |
| Median age | 37.2 | 36.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.9% | 16.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.59 | 2.94 |
Households in Elgin earn about 0.3% more at the median β 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 Arizona 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-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in 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.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (23.3Β°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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
How does the job market in Elgin compare to Mesa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Elgin MSA vs $48,600 in the Mesa MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 2,289,130 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Mesa vs Elgin?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,316 in Elgin vs $78,779 in Mesa β a 12.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Elgin compared to Mesa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $329,682 in Elgin vs $435,134 in Mesa β a 24.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Mesa to Elgin?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1693 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Elgin more expensive than Mesa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Elgin is 0.3% higher than Mesa (103.595 vs 103.316, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Elgin, IL from Mesa, AZ?
The driving distance is 1693 mi and the route typically takes 31h 19m via US 54 and AZ 77. The trip crosses 8 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 Mesa.
City profiles: Mesa, AZ Β· Elgin, IL.