Moving from Waco, TX to Elgin, IL
The drive from Waco, TX to Elgin, IL runs 1019 mi — about 19h 14m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
1019 mi · 19h 14m by car · TX → OK → MO → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → OK → MO → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 44, I 55, US 69 |
| Major cities en route | Arlington, Grand Prairie, Dallas, Mesquite, Irving |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Waco | Elgin | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.55 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 80.967 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 83.531 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 11.9% pricier overall in Elgin than Waco on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Elgin typical home at $329,682 is 11.9% above Waco at $194,245 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Waco -2.3%, Elgin +3.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Waco | Elgin |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67°F | 49°F |
| January avg low | 36°F | 14°F |
| July avg high | 95°F | 84°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 32.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.5" | 39.9" |
NOAA normals show Elgin running 17.6°F below Waco on the annual mean.
Significant snow at the destination: Elgin sees 32.1 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WACO DAM, TX US, ELGIN, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Waco | Elgin |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 141,925 | 114,106 |
| Median household income | $51,468 | $88,316 |
| Median age | 29.2 | 36.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.4% | 16.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.68 | 2.94 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 11.9% between Waco 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 Texas 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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Elgin averages 32.1 in annually vs 0.0 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (17.6°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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 Waco, TX?
The driving distance is 1019 mi and the route typically takes 19h 14m via I 44 and I 55. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Elgin more expensive than Waco?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Elgin is 11.9% higher than Waco (103.595 vs 92.55, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Waco 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 1019 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Elgin compared to Waco?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $329,682 in Elgin vs $194,245 in Waco — a 69.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Elgin compare to Waco?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Elgin MSA vs $41,030 in the Waco MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 125,640 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Waco and Elgin?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 49.0°F in Elgin vs 66.6°F in Waco (17.6°F colder). Annual snowfall: 32.1 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 39.9 in vs 37.5 in.
How does household income compare in Waco vs Elgin?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,316 in Elgin vs $51,468 in Waco — a 71.6% 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 Waco.
City profiles: Waco, TX · Elgin, IL.