Moving from Dallas, TX to Aurora, IL
The drive from Dallas, TX to Aurora, IL runs 905 mi — about 16h 57m 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.
905 mi · 16h 57m 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 | Mesquite, Arlington, Irving, Grand Prairie, Carrollton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Dallas | Aurora | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
Aurora and Dallas are close on the overall BEA RPP (103.09 vs 103.595); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home values are comparable between the two cities on the latest Zillow ZHVI.
YoY change: Dallas -3.6%, Aurora +2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Dallas | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 68°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 38°F | 16°F |
| July avg high | 97°F | 84°F |
| Annual snowfall | 1.7" | 27.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 38.3" | 39.5" |
NOAA normals show Aurora running 17.8°F below Dallas on the annual mean.
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: DALLAS LOVE FLD, TX US, AURORA, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Dallas | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,299,553 | 179,867 |
| Median household income | $67,760 | $90,109 |
| Median age | 33.4 | 35.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.9% | 22.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.46 | 2.98 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 0.5% between Dallas and Aurora (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 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 — Aurora averages 27.9 in annually vs 1.7 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (17.8°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
What is the climate difference between Dallas and Aurora?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.2°F in Aurora vs 68.0°F in Dallas (17.8°F colder). Annual snowfall: 27.9 in vs 1.7 in. Annual precipitation: 39.5 in vs 38.3 in.
Is Aurora more expensive than Dallas?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Aurora is 0.5% higher than Dallas (103.595 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Dallas vs Aurora?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,109 in Aurora vs $67,760 in Dallas — a 33.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Dallas 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 905 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 Dallas?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Aurora MSA vs $48,440 in the Dallas MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Aurora compared to Dallas?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $316,958 in Aurora vs $309,421 in Dallas — a 2.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Aurora, IL from Dallas, TX?
The driving distance is 905 mi and the route typically takes 16h 57m via I 44 and I 55. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Dallas.
City profiles: Dallas, TX · Aurora, IL.