Moving from Elgin, IL to Laredo, TX
It is 1347 mi between Elgin and Laredo — roughly 24h 57m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 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.
1347 mi · 24h 57m by car · TX → OK → MO → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → OK → MO → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, I 44, I 55 |
| Major cities en route | San Antonio, Austin, Round Rock, Killeen, Waco |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Elgin | Laredo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.595 | 86.956 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 80.614 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 59.746 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 16.1% cheaper overall in Laredo than Elgin on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
16.1% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Elgin +3.2%, Laredo +2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Elgin | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 49°F | 75°F |
| January avg low | 14°F | 47°F |
| July avg high | 84°F | 100°F |
| Annual snowfall | 32.1" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 39.9" | 19.7" |
Annual average temperature gap of 26.0°F — a meaningful climate change across the move.
Effectively snow-free year in Laredo — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ELGIN, IL US, LAREDO 2, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Elgin | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 255,949 |
| Median household income | $88,316 | $63,264 |
| Median age | 36.3 | 29.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.9% | 15.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.94 | 3.36 |
Laredo households earn about 16.1% less than Elgin at the median — $88,316 → $63,264 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Laredo MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 15,810 | $34,040 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 15,300 | $35,870 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 10,740 | $23,180 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 9,360 | $28,410 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 9,330 | $22,560 |
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 Laredo average 100°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 (26.0°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
How does the job market in Laredo compare to Elgin?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $35,220 in the Laredo MSA vs $49,790 in the Elgin MSA, on total employment of 104,610 and 4,506,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Laredo more expensive than Elgin?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Laredo is 16.1% lower than Elgin (86.956 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 Laredo?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1347 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Elgin and Laredo?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 75.0°F in Laredo vs 49.0°F in Elgin (26.0°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 32.1 in. Annual precipitation: 19.7 in vs 39.9 in.
How does household income compare in Elgin vs Laredo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,264 in Laredo vs $88,316 in Elgin — a 28.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Laredo compared to Elgin?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $220,331 in Laredo vs $329,682 in Elgin — a 33.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Laredo, TX from Elgin, IL?
The driving distance is 1347 mi and the route typically takes 24h 57m via I 35 and I 44. 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 Elgin.
City profiles: Elgin, IL · Laredo, TX.