Moving from Anaheim, CA to Aurora, IL
Moving from Anaheim, CA to Aurora, IL is a 1969 mi cross-country relocation — about 34h 33m of driving through 7 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
1969 mi · 34h 33m by car · CA → NV → UT → CO → NE → IA → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → NV → UT → CO → NE → IA → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 70, I 15 |
| Major cities en route | Long Beach, Santa Ana, Irvine, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Anaheim | Aurora | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
Aurora is 8.8% cheaper than Anaheim overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Aurora is 8.8% below Anaheim — $950,504 vs $316,958 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Anaheim +0.2%, Aurora +2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Anaheim | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 68°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 49°F | 16°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 84°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 27.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 13.5" | 39.5" |
Aurora runs 17.5°F colder on the annual average (67.7°F vs 50.2°F) — expect a noticeably different year.
Aurora averages 27.9 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ANAHEIM, CA US, AURORA, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Anaheim | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 344,553 | 179,867 |
| Median household income | $90,583 | $90,109 |
| Median age | 35.9 | 35.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.5% | 22.5% |
| Avg household size | 3.26 | 2.98 |
Median household incomes in Anaheim ($90,583) and Aurora ($90,109) are within a few percent (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Aurora 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 California 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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- 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.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April — check CDOT alerts before departure.
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 — Aurora averages 27.9 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 (17.5°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 does household income compare in Anaheim vs Aurora?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,109 in Aurora vs $90,583 in Anaheim — a 0.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Anaheim to Aurora?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1969 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Anaheim and Aurora?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.2°F in Aurora vs 67.7°F in Anaheim (17.5°F colder). Annual snowfall: 27.9 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 39.5 in vs 13.5 in.
How does the job market in Aurora compare to Anaheim?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Aurora MSA vs $50,490 in the Anaheim MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Aurora compared to Anaheim?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $316,958 in Aurora vs $950,504 in Anaheim — a 66.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Aurora more expensive than Anaheim?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Aurora is 8.8% lower than Anaheim (103.595 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Aurora, IL from Anaheim, CA?
The driving distance is 1969 mi and the route typically takes 34h 33m via I 80 and I 70. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Anaheim.
City profiles: Anaheim, CA · Aurora, IL.