Moving from Aurora, IL to St. Louis, MO
It is a 277 mi drive, roughly 5h 17m, between Aurora, IL and St. Louis, MO. 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.
277 mi Β· 5h 17m by car Β· MO β IL
Distance & route
| Route through | MO β IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 55, US 40, I 70 |
| Major cities en route | Springfield, Joliet, Naperville, Elgin |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Aurora | St. Louis | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.595 | 95.088 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 69.921 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 99.996 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 79.024 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 8.2% moving from Aurora to St. Louis β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: Aurora +2.9%, St. Louis β. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Aurora | St. Louis |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 58Β°F |
| January avg low | 16Β°F | 25Β°F |
| July avg high | 84Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 27.9" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 39.5" | 43.9" |
Annual temperature rises 7.8Β°F moving to St. Louis per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: AURORA, IL US, ST LOUIS SCI CTR, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Aurora | St. Louis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 179,867 | 293,109 |
| Median household income | $90,109 | $55,279 |
| Median age | 35.2 | 36.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.5% | 22% |
| Avg household size | 2.98 | 2.03 |
St. Louis households earn about 8.2% less than Aurora at the median β $90,109 β $55,279 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in St. Louis MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 162,150 | $43,310 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 119,600 | $29,980 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 115,380 | $39,330 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 108,510 | $35,500 |
| Management Occupations | 94,750 | $100,940 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Illinois and Missouri
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Missouri'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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Tornadoes are common April through June β identify a safe room or interior space on day one.
- 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 Missouri after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is St. Louis, MO from Aurora, IL?
The driving distance is 277 mi and the route typically takes 5h 17m via I 55 and US 40. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is St. Louis more expensive than Aurora?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in St. Louis is 8.2% lower than Aurora (95.088 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Aurora vs St. Louis?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,279 in St. Louis vs $90,109 in Aurora β a 38.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in St. Louis compare to Aurora?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,490 in the St. Louis MSA vs $49,790 in the Aurora MSA, on total employment of 1,325,480 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 St. Louis?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 277 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Aurora.
City profiles: Aurora, IL Β· St. Louis, MO.