Moving from Aurora, IL to Glendale, CA
It is 1983 mi and 34h 45m from Aurora to Glendale — a cross-country move across 8 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1983 mi · 34h 45m by car · CA → NV → AZ → UT → CO → NE → IA → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → NV → AZ → UT → CO → NE → IA → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 70, I 15 |
| Major cities en route | Los Angeles, Santa Clarita, Palmdale, Simi Valley, Burbank |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Aurora | Glendale | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.595 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Glendale runs about 9.6% more expensive overall than Aurora — RPP 103.595 → 113.566.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $316,958 in Aurora to $1,201,880 in Glendale, a 9.6% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Aurora +2.9%, Glendale -0.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Aurora | Glendale |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50°F | 65°F |
| January avg low | 16°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 84°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 27.9" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 39.5" | 16.5" |
Expect 14.3°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Glendale sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: AURORA, IL US, BURBANK VALLEY PUMP PLT, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Aurora | Glendale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 179,867 | 192,270 |
| Median household income | $90,109 | $84,262 |
| Median age | 35.2 | 41.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.5% | 28.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.98 | 2.63 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 9.6% lower in Glendale than Aurora.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Glendale MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Illinois and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- 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 noticeably warmer climate (14.3°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October — register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Glendale more expensive than Aurora?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Glendale is 9.6% higher than Aurora (113.566 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Glendale compared to Aurora?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,201,880 in Glendale vs $316,958 in Aurora — a 279.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Aurora to Glendale?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1983 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Aurora vs Glendale?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $84,262 in Glendale vs $90,109 in Aurora — a 6.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Aurora and Glendale?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 64.5°F in Glendale vs 50.2°F in Aurora (14.3°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 27.9 in. Annual precipitation: 16.5 in vs 39.5 in.
How far is Glendale, CA from Aurora, IL?
The driving distance is 1983 mi and the route typically takes 34h 45m via I 80 and I 70. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Glendale compare to Aurora?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Glendale MSA vs $49,790 in the Aurora MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 4,506,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Aurora.
City profiles: Aurora, IL · Glendale, CA.