Moving from Salt Lake City, UT to Elgin, IL
It is 1372 mi between Salt Lake City and Elgin — roughly 23h 49m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1372 mi · 23h 49m by car · UT → WY → NE → IA → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | UT → WY → NE → IA → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 88, IL 110 |
| Major cities en route | West Valley City, West Jordan, Lincoln, Omaha, Des Moines |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Salt Lake City | Elgin | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.868 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 79 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.446 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 123.311 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 100.868 vs 103.595 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 2.7% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $573,181 to $329,682 moving to Elgin.
YoY change: Salt Lake City +1.6%, Elgin +3.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Salt Lake City | Elgin |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56°F | 49°F |
| January avg low | 28°F | 14°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 84°F |
| Annual snowfall | 49.0" | 32.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 17.7" | 39.9" |
Annual temperature drops 6.8°F moving to Elgin per NOAA normals.
Elgin averages 32.1 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SALT LAKE TRIAD CTR, UT US, ELGIN, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Salt Lake City | Elgin |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 203,888 | 114,106 |
| Median household income | $74,925 | $88,316 |
| Median age | 33 | 36.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.9% | 16.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.29 | 2.94 |
Households in Elgin earn about 2.7% more at the median — 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 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
How far is Elgin, IL from Salt Lake City, UT?
The driving distance is 1372 mi and the route typically takes 23h 49m via I 80 and I 88. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Elgin compared to Salt Lake City?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $329,682 in Elgin vs $573,181 in Salt Lake City — a 42.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Salt Lake City 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 1372 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Salt Lake City vs Elgin?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,316 in Elgin vs $74,925 in Salt Lake City — a 17.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Salt Lake City and Elgin?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 49.0°F in Elgin vs 55.8°F in Salt Lake City (6.8°F colder). Annual snowfall: 32.1 in vs 49.0 in. Annual precipitation: 39.9 in vs 17.7 in.
Is Elgin more expensive than Salt Lake City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Elgin is 2.7% higher than Salt Lake City (103.595 vs 100.868, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Elgin compare to Salt Lake City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Elgin MSA vs $49,440 in the Salt Lake City MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 803,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Salt Lake City.
City profiles: Salt Lake City, UT · Elgin, IL.