Moving from Kent, WA to Elgin, IL
Cross-country relocations like Kent, WA β Elgin, IL cover 2003 mi and about 35h 4m of driving through 8 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
2003 mi Β· 35h 4m by car Β· WA β ID β MT β WY β SD β MN β WI β IL
Distance & route
| Route through | WA β ID β MT β WY β SD β MN β WI β IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, US 14, SD 79 |
| Major cities en route | Seattle, Tacoma, Renton, Bellevue, Spokane |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Kent | Elgin | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Elgin are 6.8% below Kent β a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Elgin typical home at $329,682 is 6.8% under Kent at $656,314 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Kent -2.1%, Elgin +3.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Kent | Elgin |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 49Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 14Β°F |
| July avg high | 78Β°F | 84Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 32.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.1" | 39.9" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 53.8Β°F vs 49.0Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Elgin sees 32.1 in a year on NOAA normals β budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: KENT, WA US, ELGIN, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Kent | Elgin |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,015 | 114,106 |
| Median household income | $90,416 | $88,316 |
| Median age | 35.3 | 36.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.1% | 16.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.89 | 2.94 |
Household income lines up β $90,416 vs $88,316 on ACS 5-year 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 Washington 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
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Montana interstates can close without notice in winter storms β check MDT 511 before entering the state November through April.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- I-90 across western South Dakota can close in ground blizzards β check SD 511 November through April.
- 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
How does household income compare in Kent vs Elgin?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,316 in Elgin vs $90,416 in Kent β a 2.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Elgin, IL from Kent, WA?
The driving distance is 2003 mi and the route typically takes 35h 4m via I 90 and US 14. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Elgin compared to Kent?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $329,682 in Elgin vs $656,314 in Kent β a 49.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Kent to Elgin?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2003 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Elgin more expensive than Kent?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Elgin is 6.8% lower than Kent (103.595 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Elgin compare to Kent?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Elgin MSA vs $65,260 in the Kent MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 2,079,090 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 Kent.
City profiles: Kent, WA Β· Elgin, IL.