Moving from McAllen, TX to Aurora, IL
Relocating 1423 mi from McAllen to Aurora is a 25h 56m drive through 4 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1423 mi · 25h 56m by car · IL → MO → OK → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | IL → MO → OK → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 44, US 69, US 50 |
| Major cities en route | Elgin, Naperville, Joliet, Springfield, St Louis |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| McAllen | Aurora | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 85.895 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 81.186 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 55.892 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP climbs from 85.895 in McAllen to 103.595 in Aurora, putting overall prices 20.6% above the origin.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 20.6% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $229,001 to $316,958 moving to Aurora.
YoY change: McAllen +0.4%, Aurora +2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | McAllen | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 76°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 49°F | 16°F |
| July avg high | 98°F | 84°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | 27.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 18.7" | 39.5" |
Expect 25.3°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: MCALLEN, TX US, AURORA, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | McAllen | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,789 | 179,867 |
| Median household income | $60,165 | $90,109 |
| Median age | 34 | 35.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.3% | 22.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.98 | 2.98 |
Expect median household income to rise 20.6% — $60,165 → $90,109 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 Texas 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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Aurora averages 27.9 in annually vs 0.1 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (25.3°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
When is the best time to move from McAllen 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 1423 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between McAllen and Aurora?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.2°F in Aurora vs 75.5°F in McAllen (25.3°F colder). Annual snowfall: 27.9 in vs 0.1 in. Annual precipitation: 39.5 in vs 18.7 in.
Is Aurora more expensive than McAllen?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Aurora is 20.6% higher than McAllen (103.595 vs 85.895, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Aurora compare to McAllen?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Aurora MSA vs $32,550 in the McAllen MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 285,850 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Aurora, IL from McAllen, TX?
The driving distance is 1423 mi and the route typically takes 25h 56m via I 44 and US 69. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in McAllen vs Aurora?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,109 in Aurora vs $60,165 in McAllen — a 49.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Aurora compared to McAllen?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $316,958 in Aurora vs $229,001 in McAllen — a 38.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from McAllen.
City profiles: McAllen, TX · Aurora, IL.