Moving from Bellevue, WA to Aurora, IL
A 2050 mi cross-country move between Bellevue and Aurora is 35h 36m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 7 states. Nearly every household line — rent, taxes, climate, commute — usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
2050 mi · 35h 36m by car · IL → WI → MN → ND → MT → ID → WA
Distance & route
| Route through | IL → WI → MN → ND → MT → ID → 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
| Bellevue | Aurora | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 6.8% moving from Bellevue to Aurora — meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $1,516,154 in Bellevue to $316,958 in Aurora, a 6.8% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Bellevue -2.7%, Aurora +2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Bellevue | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 37°F | 16°F |
| July avg high | 77°F | 84°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.8" | 27.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.8" | 39.5" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 53.2°F vs 50.2°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Aurora sees 27.9 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SEATTLE SAND PT WSFO, WA US, AURORA, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Bellevue | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 151,199 | 179,867 |
| Median household income | $161,300 | $90,109 |
| Median age | 38.3 | 35.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 36.2% | 22.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.46 | 2.98 |
Aurora households earn about 6.8% less than Bellevue at the median — $161,300 → $90,109 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Aurora 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 Washington 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.
Winter driving along this route
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin — check 511wi.
- I-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms — 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 — 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 — check WSDOT mountain passes report.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Aurora averages 27.9 in annually vs 3.8 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- 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
What is the climate difference between Bellevue and Aurora?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.2°F in Aurora vs 53.2°F in Bellevue (3.0°F colder). Annual snowfall: 27.9 in vs 3.8 in. Annual precipitation: 39.5 in vs 37.8 in.
When is the best time to move from Bellevue to Aurora?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2050 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Aurora compare to Bellevue?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Aurora MSA vs $65,260 in the Bellevue MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Aurora compared to Bellevue?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $316,958 in Aurora vs $1,516,154 in Bellevue — a 79.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Bellevue vs Aurora?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,109 in Aurora vs $161,300 in Bellevue — a 44.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Aurora, IL from Bellevue, WA?
The driving distance is 2050 mi and the route typically takes 35h 36m via I 94 and I 90. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Aurora more expensive than Bellevue?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Aurora is 6.8% lower than Bellevue (103.595 vs 111.133, 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 Bellevue.
City profiles: Bellevue, WA · Aurora, IL.