Moving from Elgin, IL to Killeen, TX
The drive from Elgin, IL to Killeen, TX runs 1073 mi — about 20h 6m 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.
1073 mi · 20h 6m 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 | Waco, Grand Prairie, Arlington, Dallas, Irving |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Elgin | Killeen | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.595 | 91.132 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 81.242 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 77.884 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Killeen are 12.0% below Elgin — a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Killeen typical home at $219,957 is 12.0% under Elgin at $329,682 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Elgin +3.2%, Killeen -1.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Elgin | Killeen |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 49°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 14°F | 36°F |
| July avg high | 84°F | 96°F |
| Annual snowfall | 32.1" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 39.9" | 34.8" |
NOAA normals show Killeen running 17.6°F above Elgin on the annual mean.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Killeen sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ELGIN, IL US, KILLEEN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Elgin | Killeen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 156,144 |
| Median household income | $88,316 | $58,339 |
| Median age | 36.3 | 30 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.9% | 16.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.94 | 2.61 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 12.0% between Elgin and Killeen (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Killeen MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 16,840 | $37,540 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 15,620 | $26,660 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 14,700 | $81,360 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 13,820 | $37,760 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 12,710 | $59,740 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Illinois and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Killeen average 96°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (17.6°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
What is the climate difference between Elgin and Killeen?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Killeen vs 49.0°F in Elgin (17.6°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 32.1 in. Annual precipitation: 34.8 in vs 39.9 in.
How much do homes cost in Killeen compared to Elgin?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $219,957 in Killeen vs $329,682 in Elgin — a 33.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Killeen, TX from Elgin, IL?
The driving distance is 1073 mi and the route typically takes 20h 6m via I 44 and I 55. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Killeen more expensive than Elgin?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Killeen is 12.0% lower than Elgin (91.132 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Elgin to Killeen?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1073 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Elgin vs Killeen?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,339 in Killeen vs $88,316 in Elgin — a 33.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Killeen compare to Elgin?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,230 in the Killeen MSA vs $49,790 in the Elgin MSA, on total employment of 147,020 and 4,506,800 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 Elgin.
City profiles: Elgin, IL · Killeen, TX.