Moving from Fargo, ND to Elgin, IL
It is 605 mi between Fargo and Elgin β roughly 11h 1m 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.
605 mi Β· 11h 1m by car Β· ND β MN β WI β IL
Distance & route
| Route through | ND β MN β WI β IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 94, MN 27, US 52 |
| Major cities en route | Minneapolis, St Paul, Madison, Rockford, Aurora |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fargo | Elgin | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.871 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 77.324 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.654 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 81.142 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 14.0% higher cost of living β rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
No meaningful housing gap at the typical-home level: ZHVI $314,973 vs $329,682.
YoY change: Fargo +4.2%, Elgin +3.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fargo | Elgin |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 41Β°F | 49Β°F |
| January avg low | -2Β°F | 14Β°F |
| July avg high | 82Β°F | 84Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 32.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 24.4" | 39.9" |
Annual temperature rises 7.6Β°F moving to Elgin per NOAA normals.
Elgin averages 32.1 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FARGO 3S, ND US, ELGIN, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fargo | Elgin |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,064 | 114,106 |
| Median household income | $66,029 | $88,316 |
| Median age | 32.2 | 36.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29% | 16.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.2 | 2.94 |
Elgin households earn about 14.0% more than Fargo at the median β $66,029 β $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 North Dakota 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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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.
Winter driving along this route
- I-29 and I-94 can close without notice in winter storms; travel bans are declared more than once most winters.
- I-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms β check MnDOT 511.
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin β check 511wi.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Elgin averages 32.1 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- 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 Fargo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Elgin is 14.0% higher than Fargo (103.595 vs 90.871, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Elgin, IL from Fargo, ND?
The driving distance is 605 mi and the route typically takes 11h 1m via I 94 and MN 27. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Fargo to Elgin?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 605 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Elgin compared to Fargo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $329,682 in Elgin vs $314,973 in Fargo β a 4.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Elgin compare to Fargo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Elgin MSA vs $48,110 in the Fargo MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 145,680 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Fargo vs Elgin?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,316 in Elgin vs $66,029 in Fargo β a 33.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fargo.
City profiles: Fargo, ND Β· Elgin, IL.