Moving from Lakeland, FL to Aurora, IL
It is 1165 mi between Lakeland and Aurora — roughly 22h 20m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 6 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.
1165 mi · 22h 20m by car · IL → IN → KY → TN → GA → FL
Distance & route
| Route through | IL → IN → KY → TN → GA → FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 75, I 65, GA 540 |
| Major cities en route | Joliet, Naperville, Elgin, Chicago, Chattanooga |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lakeland | Aurora | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.141 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 86.883 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.24 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 95.942 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 6.6% higher cost of living — rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
No meaningful housing gap at the typical-home level: ZHVI $311,156 vs $316,958.
YoY change: Lakeland -2.8%, Aurora +2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Lakeland | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 74°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 51°F | 16°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 84°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 27.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 56.8" | 39.5" |
Expect 23.7°F colder on average per year — plan for heating load and winter gear.
Aurora averages 27.9 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: LAKELAND 2, FL US, AURORA, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lakeland | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,030 | 179,867 |
| Median household income | $60,947 | $90,109 |
| Median age | 39.9 | 35.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.7% | 22.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.53 | 2.98 |
Aurora households earn about 6.6% more than Lakeland at the median — $60,947 → $90,109 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Aurora 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 Florida 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
- I-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
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 — Aurora averages 27.9 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 (23.7°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 much do homes cost in Aurora compared to Lakeland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $316,958 in Aurora vs $311,156 in Lakeland — a 1.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Lakeland to Aurora?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1165 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Aurora compare to Lakeland?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Aurora MSA vs $40,780 in the Lakeland MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 256,700 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Aurora more expensive than Lakeland?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Aurora is 6.6% higher than Lakeland (103.595 vs 97.141, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Lakeland and Aurora?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.2°F in Aurora vs 73.9°F in Lakeland (23.7°F colder). Annual snowfall: 27.9 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 39.5 in vs 56.8 in.
How does household income compare in Lakeland vs Aurora?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,109 in Aurora vs $60,947 in Lakeland — a 47.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Aurora, IL from Lakeland, FL?
The driving distance is 1165 mi and the route typically takes 22h 20m via I 75 and I 65. The trip crosses 6 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 Lakeland.
City profiles: Lakeland, FL · Aurora, IL.