Moving from El Paso, TX to Elgin, IL
It is 1452 mi between El Paso and Elgin — roughly 27h 4m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1452 mi · 27h 4m by car · TX → NM → OK → MO → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → NM → OK → MO → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 44, I 40, I 55 |
| Major cities en route | Amarillo, Oklahoma City, Norman, Tulsa, Broken Arrow |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| El Paso | Elgin | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.912 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.585 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.248 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 15.2% above El Paso — 89.912 → 103.595 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
15.2% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: El Paso +1.4%, Elgin +3.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | El Paso | Elgin |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 49°F |
| January avg low | 35°F | 14°F |
| July avg high | 96°F | 84°F |
| Annual snowfall | 2.8" | 32.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 8.8" | 39.9" |
Annual average temperature gap of 17.2°F — a meaningful climate change across the move.
Heavy-snow city: expect 32.1 in of snowfall annually at Elgin.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: EL PASO INTL AP, TX US, ELGIN, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | El Paso | Elgin |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 114,106 |
| Median household income | $58,734 | $88,316 |
| Median age | 34.1 | 36.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.3% | 16.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.8 | 2.94 |
Elgin households earn about 15.2% more than El Paso at the median — $58,734 → $88,316 on ACS 2023.
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.
Winter driving along this route
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
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 — Elgin averages 32.1 in annually vs 2.8 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (17.2°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
Is Elgin more expensive than El Paso?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Elgin is 15.2% higher than El Paso (103.595 vs 89.912, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Elgin compare to El Paso?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Elgin MSA vs $36,000 in the El Paso MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 323,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in El Paso vs Elgin?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,316 in Elgin vs $58,734 in El Paso — a 50.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Elgin compared to El Paso?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $329,682 in Elgin vs $234,775 in El Paso — a 40.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between El Paso and Elgin?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 49.0°F in Elgin vs 66.2°F in El Paso (17.2°F colder). Annual snowfall: 32.1 in vs 2.8 in. Annual precipitation: 39.9 in vs 8.8 in.
How far is Elgin, IL from El Paso, TX?
The driving distance is 1452 mi and the route typically takes 27h 4m via I 44 and I 40. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from El Paso 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 1452 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — 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 El Paso.
City profiles: El Paso, TX · Elgin, IL.