Moving from Seattle, WA to Aurora, IL
It is 2037 mi and 35h 41m from Seattle to Aurora — a cross-country move across 8 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
2037 mi · 35h 41m by car · WA → ID → MT → WY → SD → MN → WI → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | WA → ID → MT → WY → SD → MN → WI → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, US 14, SD 79 |
| Major cities en route | Everett, Tacoma, Bellevue, Renton, Kent |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Seattle | Aurora | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
Expect about 6.8% lower overall cost of living — BEA RPP 2024 has Aurora at 103.595 vs Seattle at 111.133.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 6.8% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $868,680 to $316,958 moving to Aurora.
YoY change: Seattle -2.3%, Aurora +2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Seattle | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 37°F | 16°F |
| July avg high | 77°F | 84°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.8" | 27.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.8" | 39.5" |
Annual average temperatures in Seattle (53.2°F) and Aurora (50.2°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Aurora averages 27.9 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: SEATTLE SAND PT WSFO, WA US, AURORA, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Seattle | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 741,440 | 179,867 |
| Median household income | $121,984 | $90,109 |
| Median age | 35.5 | 35.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37.6% | 22.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.1 | 2.98 |
Expect median household income to fall 6.8% — $121,984 → $90,109 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 Washington 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
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March — check WSDOT mountain passes report.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Montana interstates can close without notice in winter storms — check MDT 511 before entering the state November through April.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- I-90 across western South Dakota can close in ground blizzards — check SD 511 November through April.
- I-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms — check MnDOT 511.
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin — check 511wi.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Aurora averages 27.9 in annually vs 3.8 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- 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
When is the best time to move from Seattle to Aurora?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2037 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Seattle vs Aurora?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,109 in Aurora vs $121,984 in Seattle — a 26.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Seattle and Aurora?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.2°F in Aurora vs 53.2°F in Seattle (3.0°F colder). Annual snowfall: 27.9 in vs 3.8 in. Annual precipitation: 39.5 in vs 37.8 in.
Is Aurora more expensive than Seattle?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Aurora is 6.8% lower than Seattle (103.595 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Aurora, IL from Seattle, WA?
The driving distance is 2037 mi and the route typically takes 35h 41m via I 90 and US 14. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Aurora compared to Seattle?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $316,958 in Aurora vs $868,680 in Seattle — a 63.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Aurora compare to Seattle?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Aurora MSA vs $65,260 in the Seattle MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 2,079,090 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 Seattle.
City profiles: Seattle, WA · Aurora, IL.