Moving from Aurora, IL to Gilbert, AZ
A 1726 mi cross-country move between Aurora and Gilbert is 31h 9m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 6 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.
1726 mi Β· 31h 9m by car Β· AZ β NM β TX β OK β MO β IL
Distance & route
| Route through | AZ β NM β TX β OK β MO β IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, AZ 77, I 44 |
| Major cities en route | Chandler, Mesa, Phoenix, Tempe, Glendale |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Aurora | Gilbert | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.595 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Aurora and Gilbert sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $316,958 in Aurora to $572,507 in Gilbert, a 0.3% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Aurora +2.9%, Gilbert -1.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Aurora | Gilbert |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 71Β°F |
| January avg low | 16Β°F | 41Β°F |
| July avg high | 84Β°F | 104Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 27.9" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 39.5" | β |
Annual average temperature jumps 21.2Β°F β 50.2Β°F in Aurora vs 71.4Β°F in Gilbert, per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: AURORA, IL US, CHANDLER HEIGHTS, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Aurora | Gilbert |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 179,867 | 271,118 |
| Median household income | $90,109 | $121,351 |
| Median age | 35.2 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.5% | 30.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.98 | 2.96 |
Gilbert households earn about 0.3% more than Aurora at the median β $90,109 β $121,351 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Gilbert MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 314,170 | $45,080 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 205,010 | $34,400 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 204,700 | $37,700 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 199,140 | $40,870 |
| Management Occupations | 170,690 | $105,420 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Illinois and Arizona
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Arizona'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
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Gilbert average 104Β°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 (21.2Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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 Arizona after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Aurora to Gilbert?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1726 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 Gilbert compare to Aurora?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Gilbert MSA vs $49,790 in the Aurora MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 4,506,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Aurora vs Gilbert?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $121,351 in Gilbert vs $90,109 in Aurora β a 34.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Gilbert compared to Aurora?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $572,507 in Gilbert vs $316,958 in Aurora β a 80.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Gilbert more expensive than Aurora?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Gilbert is 0.3% lower than Aurora (103.316 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Gilbert, AZ from Aurora, IL?
The driving distance is 1726 mi and the route typically takes 31h 9m via I 40 and AZ 77. The trip crosses 6 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 Aurora.
City profiles: Aurora, IL Β· Gilbert, AZ.