Moving from Aurora, IL to Spokane Valley, WA
Cross-country relocations like Aurora, IL β Spokane Valley, WA cover 1771 mi and about 30h 28m of driving through 7 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1771 mi Β· 30h 28m by car Β· IL β WI β MN β ND β MT β ID β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | IL β WI β MN β ND β MT β ID β WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 94, I 90, US 191 |
| Major cities en route | Joliet, Naperville, Elgin, Rockford, Madison |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Aurora | Spokane Valley | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.595 | 100.346 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 91.196 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 105.028 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 97.059 | 100.0 |
Spokane Valley and Aurora are close on the overall BEA RPP (103.595 vs 100.346); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Spokane Valley typical home at $408,888 is 3.1% above Aurora at $316,958 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Aurora +2.9%, Spokane Valley +0.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Aurora | Spokane Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | 16Β°F | 26Β°F |
| July avg high | 84Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 27.9" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 39.5" | 17.4" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 50.2Β°F vs 49.8Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: AURORA, IL US, SPOKANE FELTS FLD, WA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Aurora | Spokane Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 179,867 | 105,460 |
| Median household income | $90,109 | $70,722 |
| Median age | 35.2 | 37.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.5% | 16.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.98 | 2.47 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 3.1% between Aurora and Spokane Valley (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Spokane Valley MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 31,380 | $46,000 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 23,780 | $38,530 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 22,620 | $44,880 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 22,480 | $35,500 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 17,820 | $95,340 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Illinois and Washington
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Washington'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
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin β check 511wi.
- I-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms β check MnDOT 511.
- I-29 and I-94 can close without notice in winter storms; travel bans are declared more than once most winters.
- Montana interstates can close without notice in winter storms β check MDT 511 before entering the state November through April.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Wildfire season east of the Cascades peaks July through September; earthquake preparedness is standard west of the mountains.
- 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 Washington after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Spokane Valley more expensive than Aurora?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Spokane Valley is 3.1% lower than Aurora (100.346 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Spokane Valley compared to Aurora?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $408,888 in Spokane Valley vs $316,958 in Aurora β a 29.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Spokane Valley, WA from Aurora, IL?
The driving distance is 1771 mi and the route typically takes 30h 28m via I 94 and I 90. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Spokane Valley compare to Aurora?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,920 in the Spokane Valley MSA vs $49,790 in the Aurora MSA, on total employment of 255,160 and 4,506,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Aurora to Spokane Valley?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1771 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Aurora vs Spokane Valley?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $70,722 in Spokane Valley vs $90,109 in Aurora β a 21.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Aurora.
City profiles: Aurora, IL Β· Spokane Valley, WA.