Moving from Minneapolis, MN to Aurora, IL
It is a 401 mi drive, roughly 7h 21m, between Minneapolis, MN and Aurora, IL. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
401 mi Β· 7h 21m by car Β· MN β WI β IL
Distance & route
| Route through | MN β WI β IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 94, MN 55, I 90 |
| Major cities en route | St Paul, Madison, Rockford, Elgin, Naperville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Minneapolis | Aurora | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 104.822 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.493 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.065 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 111.838 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
Minneapolis and Aurora 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 for Aurora ($316,958) sits close to Minneapolis ($330,882) β no material housing gap.
YoY change: Minneapolis +1.4%, Aurora +2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Minneapolis | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 46Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | 8Β°F | 16Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 84Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 27.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 34.4" | 39.5" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 45.8Β°F vs 50.2Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Aurora sees 27.9 in a year on NOAA normals β budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LOWER ST ANTHONY FALLS, MN US, AURORA, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Minneapolis | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 426,845 | 179,867 |
| Median household income | $80,269 | $90,109 |
| Median age | 33 | 35.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 32.7% | 22.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.26 | 2.98 |
Households in Aurora earn about 1.2% more at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Aurora 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 Minnesota 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-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms β check MnDOT 511.
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin β check 511wi.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Aurora averages 27.9 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
How does household income compare in Minneapolis vs Aurora?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,109 in Aurora vs $80,269 in Minneapolis β a 12.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Aurora, IL from Minneapolis, MN?
The driving distance is 401 mi and the route typically takes 7h 21m via I 94 and MN 55. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Aurora compare to Minneapolis?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Aurora MSA vs $54,850 in the Minneapolis MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 1,911,030 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Minneapolis to Aurora?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 401 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 Aurora compared to Minneapolis?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $316,958 in Aurora vs $330,882 in Minneapolis β a 4.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Aurora more expensive than Minneapolis?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Aurora is 1.2% lower than Minneapolis (103.595 vs 104.822, 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 Minneapolis.
City profiles: Minneapolis, MN Β· Aurora, IL.