Moving from Fremont, CA to Elgin, IL
A 2122 mi cross-country move between Fremont and Elgin is 36h 45m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 7 states. Nearly every household line — rent, taxes, climate, commute — usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
2122 mi · 36h 45m by car · CA → NV → UT → WY → NE → IA → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → NV → UT → WY → NE → IA → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 88, I 680 |
| Major cities en route | San Jose, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, San Mateo, Hayward |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fremont | Elgin | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
Expect about 10.4% lower overall cost of living — BEA RPP 2024 has Elgin at 103.595 vs Fremont at 115.613.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 10.4% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $1,543,132 to $329,682 moving to Elgin.
YoY change: Fremont -4.0%, Elgin +3.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Fremont | Elgin |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60°F | 49°F |
| January avg low | 43°F | 14°F |
| July avg high | 77°F | 84°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 32.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 14.4" | 39.9" |
Annual temperature drops 10.9°F moving to Elgin per NOAA normals.
Elgin averages 32.1 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: NEWARK, CA US, ELGIN, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fremont | Elgin |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 228,518 | 114,106 |
| Median household income | $176,350 | $88,316 |
| Median age | 38.8 | 36.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 32.5% | 16.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.97 | 2.94 |
Elgin households earn about 10.4% less than Fremont at the median — $176,350 → $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 California 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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — check WYDOT 511 before departure.
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 0.0 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (10.9°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
How does household income compare in Fremont vs Elgin?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,316 in Elgin vs $176,350 in Fremont — a 49.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Elgin more expensive than Fremont?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Elgin is 10.4% lower than Fremont (103.595 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Elgin, IL from Fremont, CA?
The driving distance is 2122 mi and the route typically takes 36h 45m via I 80 and I 88. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Elgin compare to Fremont?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Elgin MSA vs $72,050 in the Fremont MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Fremont 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 2122 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Elgin compared to Fremont?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $329,682 in Elgin vs $1,543,132 in Fremont — a 78.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Fremont and Elgin?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 49.0°F in Elgin vs 59.9°F in Fremont (10.9°F colder). Annual snowfall: 32.1 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 39.9 in vs 14.4 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fremont.
City profiles: Fremont, CA · Elgin, IL.