Moving from Austin, TX to Elgin, IL
The drive from Austin, TX to Elgin, IL runs 1114 mi — about 20h 49m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
1114 mi · 20h 49m by car · TX → OK → MO → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → OK → MO → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 44, I 55, US 69 |
| Major cities en route | Round Rock, Killeen, Waco, Grand Prairie, Arlington |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Austin | Elgin | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.066 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.044 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 120.361 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP moves from 98.066 in Austin to 103.595 in Elgin, a 5.6% bump on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Elgin: 5.6% below Austin on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Austin -5.7%, Elgin +3.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Austin | Elgin |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 70°F | 49°F |
| January avg low | 42°F | 14°F |
| July avg high | 97°F | 84°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.2" | 32.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 36.3" | 39.9" |
Major climate step-down: 21.0°F cooler annual average in Elgin vs Austin.
Heavy-snow city: expect 32.1 in of snowfall annually at Elgin.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: AUSTIN-CAMP MABRY, TX US, ELGIN, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Austin | Elgin |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 114,106 |
| Median household income | $91,461 | $88,316 |
| Median age | 34.5 | 36.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 36.2% | 16.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.2 | 2.94 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Elgin MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 519,810 | $46,540 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 497,550 | $41,020 |
| Management Occupations | 405,130 | $125,280 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 386,070 | $38,490 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 368,000 | $33,540 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and Illinois
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Illinois'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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Elgin averages 32.1 in annually vs 0.2 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (21.0°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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 Illinois after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Elgin compared to Austin?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $329,682 in Elgin vs $508,530 in Austin — a 35.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Elgin, IL from Austin, TX?
The driving distance is 1114 mi and the route typically takes 20h 49m via I 44 and I 55. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Austin vs Elgin?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,316 in Elgin vs $91,461 in Austin — a 3.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Austin to Elgin?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1114 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Elgin compare to Austin?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Elgin MSA vs $50,070 in the Austin MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 1,235,440 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Austin and Elgin?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 49.0°F in Elgin vs 70.0°F in Austin (21.0°F colder). Annual snowfall: 32.1 in vs 0.2 in. Annual precipitation: 39.9 in vs 36.3 in.
Is Elgin more expensive than Austin?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Elgin is 5.6% higher than Austin (103.595 vs 98.066, 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 Austin.
City profiles: Austin, TX · Elgin, IL.