Moving from Long Beach, CA to Elgin, IL
Moving from Long Beach, CA to Elgin, IL is a 2000 mi cross-country relocation β about 35h 15m of driving through 8 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
2000 mi Β· 35h 15m by car Β· CA β NV β AZ β UT β CO β NE β IA β IL
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β NV β AZ β UT β CO β NE β IA β IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 70, I 15 |
| Major cities en route | Torrance, Inglewood, Santa Ana, Irvine, Huntington Beach |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Long Beach | Elgin | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
Elgin is 8.8% cheaper than Long Beach overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Elgin is 8.8% below Long Beach β $857,861 vs $329,682 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Long Beach +0.5%, Elgin +3.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Long Beach | Elgin |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 49Β°F |
| January avg low | 47Β°F | 14Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 84Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 32.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.0" | 39.9" |
Elgin runs 15.9Β°F colder on the annual average (64.9Β°F vs 49.0Β°F) β expect a noticeably different year.
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: LONG BEACH DAUGHERTY FLD, CA US, ELGIN, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Long Beach | Elgin |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 458,491 | 114,106 |
| Median household income | $83,969 | $88,316 |
| Median age | 36.8 | 36.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.3% | 16.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.68 | 2.94 |
Median household income in Elgin is 8.8% above Long Beach ($83,969 β $88,316, 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 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
- 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-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- 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.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
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.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (15.9Β°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
Is Elgin more expensive than Long Beach?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Elgin is 8.8% lower than Long Beach (103.595 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Elgin compared to Long Beach?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $329,682 in Elgin vs $857,861 in Long Beach β a 61.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Long Beach vs Elgin?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,316 in Elgin vs $83,969 in Long Beach β a 5.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Elgin compare to Long Beach?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Elgin MSA vs $50,490 in the Long Beach MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Long Beach to Elgin?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2000 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Elgin, IL from Long Beach, CA?
The driving distance is 2000 mi and the route typically takes 35h 15m via I 80 and I 70. The trip crosses 8 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 Long Beach.
City profiles: Long Beach, CA Β· Elgin, IL.