Moving from Tacoma, WA to Elgin, IL
A 2019 mi cross-country move between Tacoma and Elgin is 35h 22m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 8 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
2019 mi Β· 35h 22m by car Β· WA β ID β MT β WY β SD β MN β WI β IL
Distance & route
| Route through | WA β ID β MT β WY β SD β MN β WI β IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, US 14, SD 79 |
| Major cities en route | Seattle, Kent, Renton, Bellevue, Spokane |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tacoma | 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 |
Overall cost of living drops 6.8% moving from Tacoma to Elgin β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $493,840 in Tacoma to $329,682 in Elgin, a 6.8% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Tacoma -0.9%, Elgin +3.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Tacoma | Elgin |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 49Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 14Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 84Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 32.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.8" | 39.9" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 53.7Β°F vs 49.0Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Elgin sees 32.1 in a year on NOAA normals β budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: TACOMA #1, WA US, ELGIN, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tacoma | Elgin |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 220,482 | 114,106 |
| Median household income | $83,857 | $88,316 |
| Median age | 37.3 | 36.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21% | 16.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.41 | 2.94 |
Households in Elgin earn about 6.8% more at the median β 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 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 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
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β 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 β check MDT 511 before entering the state November through April.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- I-90 across western South Dakota can close in ground blizzards β check SD 511 November through April.
- 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 far is Elgin, IL from Tacoma, WA?
The driving distance is 2019 mi and the route typically takes 35h 22m 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 Elgin compared to Tacoma?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $329,682 in Elgin vs $493,840 in Tacoma β a 33.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Tacoma to Elgin?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2019 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Elgin compare to Tacoma?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Elgin MSA vs $65,260 in the Tacoma 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.
Is Elgin more expensive than Tacoma?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Elgin is 6.8% lower than Tacoma (103.595 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Tacoma vs Elgin?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,316 in Elgin vs $83,857 in Tacoma β a 5.3% 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 Tacoma.
City profiles: Tacoma, WA Β· Elgin, IL.