Moving from Aurora, IL to Minneapolis, MN
It is a 401 mi drive, roughly 7h 21m, between Aurora, IL and Minneapolis, MN. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
401 mi Β· 7h 21m by car Β· MN β WI β IL
Distance & route
| Route through | MN β WI β IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 94, MN 55, I 90 |
| Major cities en route | St Paul, Madison, Rockford, Elgin, Naperville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Aurora | Minneapolis | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.595 | 104.822 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 93.493 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 103.065 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 111.838 | 100.0 |
Aurora and Minneapolis 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 for Minneapolis ($330,882) sits close to Aurora ($316,958) β no material housing gap.
YoY change: Aurora +2.9%, Minneapolis +1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Aurora | Minneapolis |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 46Β°F |
| January avg low | 16Β°F | 8Β°F |
| July avg high | 84Β°F | 83Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 27.9" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 39.5" | 34.4" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 50.2Β°F vs 45.8Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: AURORA, IL US, LOWER ST ANTHONY FALLS, MN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Aurora | Minneapolis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 179,867 | 426,845 |
| Median household income | $90,109 | $80,269 |
| Median age | 35.2 | 33 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.5% | 32.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.98 | 2.26 |
Households in Minneapolis earn about 1.2% less at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Minneapolis MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 233,400 | $49,210 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 158,540 | $40,720 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 154,580 | $81,780 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 153,950 | $31,400 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 144,720 | $46,500 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Illinois and Minnesota
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Minnesota'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-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms β check MnDOT 511.
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin β check 511wi.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Minneapolis compared to Aurora?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $330,882 in Minneapolis vs $316,958 in Aurora β a 4.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Aurora vs Minneapolis?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $80,269 in Minneapolis vs $90,109 in Aurora β a 10.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Aurora to Minneapolis?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 401 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Minneapolis, MN from Aurora, IL?
The driving distance is 401 mi and the route typically takes 7h 21m via I 94 and MN 55. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Minneapolis compare to Aurora?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $54,850 in the Minneapolis MSA vs $49,790 in the Aurora MSA, on total employment of 1,911,030 and 4,506,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Minneapolis more expensive than Aurora?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Minneapolis is 1.2% higher than Aurora (104.822 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Aurora.
City profiles: Aurora, IL Β· Minneapolis, MN.