Moving from Reno, NV to Elgin, IL
Cross-country relocations like Reno, NV → Elgin, IL cover 1889 mi and about 32h 15m of driving through 6 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1889 mi · 32h 15m by car · NV → UT → WY → NE → IA → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | NV → UT → WY → NE → IA → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 88, IL 110 |
| Major cities en route | Sparks, Salt Lake City, West Valley City, West Jordan, Lincoln |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Reno | Elgin | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 101.014 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.274 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.271 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 123.478 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Reno (101.014) and Elgin (103.595) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Elgin: 2.6% below Reno on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Reno -0.4%, Elgin +3.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Reno | Elgin |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55°F | 49°F |
| January avg low | 27°F | 14°F |
| July avg high | 93°F | 84°F |
| Annual snowfall | 29.7" | 32.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 8.1" | 39.9" |
Climate cools by 5.5°F on the annual average — 54.5°F → 49.0°F.
Heavy-snow city: expect 32.1 in of snowfall annually at Elgin.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: RENO WFO, NV US, ELGIN, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Reno | Elgin |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 268,959 | 114,106 |
| Median household income | $78,448 | $88,316 |
| Median age | 37.3 | 36.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.4% | 16.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.4 | 2.94 |
Income steps up 2.6%: $78,448 in Reno vs $88,316 in Elgin.
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 Nevada 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 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- 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
How far is Elgin, IL from Reno, NV?
The driving distance is 1889 mi and the route typically takes 32h 15m via I 80 and I 88. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Reno and Elgin?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 49.0°F in Elgin vs 54.5°F in Reno (5.5°F colder). Annual snowfall: 32.1 in vs 29.7 in. Annual precipitation: 39.9 in vs 8.1 in.
Is Elgin more expensive than Reno?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Elgin is 2.6% higher than Reno (103.595 vs 101.014, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Reno 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 1889 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Elgin compare to Reno?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Elgin MSA vs $47,540 in the Reno MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 254,100 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Elgin compared to Reno?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $329,682 in Elgin vs $567,857 in Reno — a 41.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Reno vs Elgin?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,316 in Elgin vs $78,448 in Reno — a 12.6% 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 Reno.
City profiles: Reno, NV · Elgin, IL.