Moving from Seattle, WA to Elgin, IL
Cross-country relocations like Seattle, WA → Elgin, IL cover 2006 mi and about 35h 5m of driving through 8 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.
2006 mi · 35h 5m 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 | Elgin | 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 |
RPP moves from 111.133 to 103.595, putting Elgin roughly 6.8% below Seattle on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Elgin: 6.8% below Seattle on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Seattle -2.3%, Elgin +3.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Seattle | Elgin |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 49°F |
| January avg low | 37°F | 14°F |
| July avg high | 77°F | 84°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.8" | 32.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.8" | 39.9" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Heavy-snow city: expect 32.1 in of snowfall annually at Elgin.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SEATTLE SAND PT WSFO, WA US, ELGIN, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Seattle | Elgin |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 741,440 | 114,106 |
| Median household income | $121,984 | $88,316 |
| Median age | 35.5 | 36.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37.6% | 16.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.1 | 2.94 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 6.8% between Seattle and Elgin (ACS 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 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 — Elgin averages 32.1 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
How far is Elgin, IL from Seattle, WA?
The driving distance is 2006 mi and the route typically takes 35h 5m via I 90 and US 14. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Elgin more expensive than Seattle?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Elgin 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 does household income compare in Seattle vs Elgin?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,316 in Elgin vs $121,984 in Seattle — a 27.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Seattle 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 2006 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 Seattle?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Elgin 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.
How much do homes cost in Elgin compared to Seattle?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $329,682 in Elgin vs $868,680 in Seattle — a 62.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Seattle and Elgin?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 49.0°F in Elgin vs 53.2°F in Seattle (4.2°F colder). Annual snowfall: 32.1 in vs 3.8 in. Annual precipitation: 39.9 in vs 37.8 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Seattle.
City profiles: Seattle, WA · Elgin, IL.