Moving from St. Paul, MN to Elgin, IL
It is a 362 mi drive, roughly 6h 35m, between St. Paul, MN and Elgin, IL. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
362 mi Β· 6h 35m by car Β· MN β WI β IL
Distance & route
| Route through | MN β WI β IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 94, I 90, I 39 |
| Major cities en route | Minneapolis, Madison, Rockford, Aurora, Naperville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| St. Paul | Elgin | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 104.822 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.493 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.065 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 111.838 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: St. Paul β, Elgin +3.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | St. Paul | Elgin |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 47Β°F | 49Β°F |
| January avg low | 9Β°F | 14Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 84Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 32.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 29.2" | 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 1991β2020 (stations: ST PAUL DOWNTOWN AP, MN US, ELGIN, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | St. Paul | Elgin |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,762 | 114,106 |
| Median household income | $73,055 | $88,316 |
| Median age | 33.5 | 36.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.2% | 16.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.5 | 2.94 |
Elgin households earn about 1.2% more than St. Paul at the median β $73,055 β $88,316 on 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 Minnesota 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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% 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-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms β check MnDOT 511.
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin β check 511wi.
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 β 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 does household income compare in St. Paul vs Elgin?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,316 in Elgin vs $73,055 in St. Paul β a 20.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from St. Paul to Elgin?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 362 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Elgin, IL from St. Paul, MN?
The driving distance is 362 mi and the route typically takes 6h 35m via I 94 and I 90. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Elgin more expensive than St. Paul?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Elgin is 1.2% lower than St. Paul (103.595 vs 104.822, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Elgin compare to St. Paul?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Elgin MSA vs $54,850 in the St. Paul MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 1,911,030 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 St. Paul.
City profiles: St. Paul, MN Β· Elgin, IL.