Moving from Elgin, IL to Chicago, IL
Relocating from Elgin, IL to Chicago, IL? The drive is 41 mi β about 1h 6m. Local does not always mean identical: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and NOAA climate can all shift a few percent across short distances. The sections below compare each data layer directly.
41 mi Β· 1h 6m by car Β· IL
Distance & route
| Route through | IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 20, I 290, IL 110 |
| Major cities en route | Joliet, Naperville, Aurora |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Elgin | Chicago | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.595 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing stays roughly flat moving from Elgin to Chicago β $329,682 vs $317,283 (2026-03).
YoY change: Elgin +3.2%, Chicago +2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Elgin | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 49Β°F | 51Β°F |
| January avg low | 14Β°F | 20Β°F |
| July avg high | 84Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 32.1" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 39.9" | β |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ELGIN, IL US, CHICAGO NORTHERLY IS, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Elgin | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 2,707,648 |
| Median household income | $88,316 | $75,134 |
| Median age | 36.3 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.9% | 24.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.94 | 2.36 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 0.0% lower in Chicago than Elgin.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Chicago 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.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% 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.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Chicago compared to Elgin?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $317,283 in Chicago vs $329,682 in Elgin β a 3.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Chicago, IL from Elgin, IL?
The driving distance is 41 mi and the route typically takes 1h 6m via US 20 and I 290. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Chicago compare to Elgin?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Chicago MSA vs $49,790 in the Elgin MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 4,506,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Elgin vs Chicago?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $75,134 in Chicago vs $88,316 in Elgin β a 14.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Elgin to Chicago?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 41 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β 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 Elgin.
City profiles: Elgin, IL Β· Chicago, IL.