Moving from Aurora, IL to Austin, TX
It is 1098 mi between Aurora and Austin — roughly 20h 20m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1098 mi · 20h 20m 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 | Round Rock, Killeen, Waco, Grand Prairie, Arlington |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Aurora | Austin | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.595 | 98.066 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 82.044 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 120.361 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 5.3% cheaper overall in Austin than Aurora on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
5.3% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Aurora +2.9%, Austin -5.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Aurora | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50°F | 70°F |
| January avg low | 16°F | 42°F |
| July avg high | 84°F | 97°F |
| Annual snowfall | 27.9" | 0.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 39.5" | 36.3" |
Annual average temperature gap of 19.8°F — a meaningful climate change across the move.
Effectively snow-free year in Austin — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: AURORA, IL US, AUSTIN-CAMP MABRY, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Aurora | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 179,867 | 967,862 |
| Median household income | $90,109 | $91,461 |
| Median age | 35.2 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.5% | 36.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.98 | 2.2 |
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 Austin MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 160,480 | $44,250 |
| Management Occupations | 121,080 | $120,430 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 115,170 | $38,390 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 115,080 | $30,040 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 99,680 | $77,510 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Illinois and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Austin average 97°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (19.8°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Austin compared to Aurora?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $508,530 in Austin vs $316,958 in Aurora — a 60.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Aurora vs Austin?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $91,461 in Austin vs $90,109 in Aurora — a 1.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Austin more expensive than Aurora?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Austin is 5.3% lower than Aurora (98.066 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Aurora to Austin?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1098 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Austin, TX from Aurora, IL?
The driving distance is 1098 mi and the route typically takes 20h 20m via I 44 and I 55. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Austin compare to Aurora?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,070 in the Austin MSA vs $49,790 in the Aurora MSA, on total employment of 1,235,440 and 4,506,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Aurora and Austin?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.0°F in Austin vs 50.2°F in Aurora (19.8°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.2 in vs 27.9 in. Annual precipitation: 36.3 in vs 39.5 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Aurora.
City profiles: Aurora, IL · Austin, TX.