Moving from West Valley City, UT to Elgin, IL
A move from West Valley City, UT to Elgin, IL covers 1375 mi and around 23h 55m of driving through 5 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
1375 mi · 23h 55m by car · UT → WY → NE → IA → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | UT → WY → NE → IA → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 88, IL 110 |
| Major cities en route | West Jordan, Salt Lake City, Lincoln, Omaha, Des Moines |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| West Valley City | Elgin | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.868 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 79 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.446 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 123.311 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for West Valley City (100.868) and Elgin (103.595) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Elgin: 2.7% below West Valley City on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: West Valley City +1.3%, Elgin +3.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | West Valley City | Elgin |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55°F | 49°F |
| January avg low | 24°F | 14°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 84°F |
| Annual snowfall | 51.9" | 32.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 15.5" | 39.9" |
Elgin is 5.7°F cooler on the annual average (54.7°F vs 49.0°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
Heavy-snow city: expect 32.1 in of snowfall annually at Elgin.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SALT LAKE CITY INTL AP, UT US, ELGIN, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | West Valley City | Elgin |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 137,955 | 114,106 |
| Median household income | $88,604 | $88,316 |
| Median age | 30.3 | 36.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12% | 16.9% |
| Avg household size | 3.55 | 2.94 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
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 Utah 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
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — check WYDOT 511 before departure.
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 — 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 West Valley City, UT?
The driving distance is 1375 mi and the route typically takes 23h 55m via I 80 and I 88. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between West Valley City and Elgin?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 49.0°F in Elgin vs 54.7°F in West Valley City (5.7°F colder). Annual snowfall: 32.1 in vs 51.9 in. Annual precipitation: 39.9 in vs 15.5 in.
How much do homes cost in Elgin compared to West Valley City?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $329,682 in Elgin vs $471,862 in West Valley City — a 30.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Elgin compare to West Valley City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Elgin MSA vs $49,440 in the West Valley City MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 803,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from West Valley City 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 1375 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Elgin more expensive than West Valley City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Elgin is 2.7% higher than West Valley City (103.595 vs 100.868, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in West Valley City vs Elgin?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,316 in Elgin vs $88,604 in West Valley City — a 0.3% lower 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 West Valley City.
City profiles: West Valley City, UT · Elgin, IL.