Moving from Colorado Springs, CO to Elgin, IL
The drive from Colorado Springs, CO to Elgin, IL runs 1042 mi — about 18h 31m 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.
1042 mi · 18h 31m by car · CO → NE → IA → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | CO → NE → IA → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 76, I 88 |
| Major cities en route | Lakewood, Centennial, Aurora, Denver, Arvada |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Colorado Springs | Elgin | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.707 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.195 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.052 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 116.207 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Elgin and Colorado Springs is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Elgin is 2.9% below Colorado Springs — $449,452 vs $329,682 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Colorado Springs -2.2%, Elgin +3.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Colorado Springs | Elgin |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51°F | 49°F |
| January avg low | 19°F | 14°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 84°F |
| Annual snowfall | 32.5" | 32.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 15.9" | 39.9" |
Annual average temperatures in Colorado Springs (50.5°F) and Elgin (49.0°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Elgin averages 32.1 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: COLORADO SPRINGS MUNI AP, CO US, ELGIN, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Colorado Springs | Elgin |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 483,099 | 114,106 |
| Median household income | $83,198 | $88,316 |
| Median age | 35.6 | 36.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.2% | 16.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.44 | 2.94 |
Income steps up 2.9%: $83,198 in Colorado Springs vs $88,316 in Elgin.
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 Colorado 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
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April — check CDOT alerts before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Elgin averages 32.1 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- 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 Colorado Springs?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $329,682 in Elgin vs $449,452 in Colorado Springs — a 26.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Colorado Springs vs Elgin?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,316 in Elgin vs $83,198 in Colorado Springs — a 6.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Colorado Springs and Elgin?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 49.0°F in Elgin vs 50.5°F in Colorado Springs (1.5°F colder). Annual snowfall: 32.1 in vs 32.5 in. Annual precipitation: 39.9 in vs 15.9 in.
How far is Elgin, IL from Colorado Springs, CO?
The driving distance is 1042 mi and the route typically takes 18h 31m via I 80 and I 76. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Colorado Springs 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 1042 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Elgin more expensive than Colorado Springs?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Elgin is 2.9% higher than Colorado Springs (103.595 vs 100.707, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Elgin compare to Colorado Springs?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Elgin MSA vs $49,310 in the Colorado Springs MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 310,390 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Colorado Springs.
City profiles: Colorado Springs, CO · Elgin, IL.