Moving from Provo, UT to Elgin, IL
Relocating 1386 mi from Provo to Elgin is a 24h 11m drive through 5 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1386 mi · 24h 11m by car · UT → WY → NE → IA → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | UT → WY → NE → IA → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, US 189, I 88 |
| Major cities en route | West Jordan, Salt Lake City, West Valley City, Lincoln, Omaha |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Provo | Elgin | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.232 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 78.63 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.446 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 104.081 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 5.5% above Provo — 98.232 → 103.595 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
5.5% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Provo +2.3%, Elgin +3.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Provo | Elgin |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55°F | 49°F |
| January avg low | 24°F | 14°F |
| July avg high | 95°F | 84°F |
| Annual snowfall | 44.9" | 32.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 17.2" | 39.9" |
Expect 5.6°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Heavy-snow city: expect 32.1 in of snowfall annually at Elgin.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: PROVO BYU, UT US, ELGIN, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Provo | Elgin |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,303 | 114,106 |
| Median household income | $62,800 | $88,316 |
| Median age | 23.7 | 36.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.1% | 16.9% |
| Avg household size | 3.35 | 2.94 |
Expect median household income to rise 5.5% — $62,800 → $88,316 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 Utah 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 — 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: Elgin averages 32.1 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — 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
Is Elgin more expensive than Provo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Elgin is 5.5% higher than Provo (103.595 vs 98.232, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Elgin compare to Provo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Elgin MSA vs $45,700 in the Provo MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 293,170 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Provo to Elgin?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1386 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Elgin compared to Provo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $329,682 in Elgin vs $484,203 in Provo — a 31.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Provo and Elgin?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 49.0°F in Elgin vs 54.6°F in Provo (5.6°F colder). Annual snowfall: 32.1 in vs 44.9 in. Annual precipitation: 39.9 in vs 17.2 in.
How far is Elgin, IL from Provo, UT?
The driving distance is 1386 mi and the route typically takes 24h 11m via I 80 and US 189. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Provo vs Elgin?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,316 in Elgin vs $62,800 in Provo — a 40.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Provo.
City profiles: Provo, UT · Elgin, IL.