Moving from McKinney, TX to Elgin, IL
The drive from McKinney, TX to Elgin, IL runs 890 mi β about 16h 56m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
890 mi Β· 16h 56m by car Β· TX β OK β MO β IL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β OK β MO β IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 44, I 55, US 69 |
| Major cities en route | Dallas, Plano, Irving, Garland, Frisco |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| McKinney | Elgin | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Elgin and McKinney is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Elgin is 0.5% below McKinney β $481,963 vs $329,682 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: McKinney -6.9%, Elgin +3.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | McKinney | Elgin |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 49Β°F |
| January avg low | 34Β°F | 14Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 84Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 32.1" |
| Annual precipitation | β | 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: MCKINNEY MUNICIPAL AIRPORT, TX US, ELGIN, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | McKinney | Elgin |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,314 | 114,106 |
| Median household income | $120,273 | $88,316 |
| Median age | 36.7 | 36.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 34.1% | 16.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.86 | 2.94 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 0.5% between McKinney and Elgin (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 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 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.
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
How much do homes cost in Elgin compared to McKinney?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $329,682 in Elgin vs $481,963 in McKinney β a 31.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Elgin compare to McKinney?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Elgin MSA vs $48,440 in the McKinney MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Elgin more expensive than McKinney?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Elgin is 0.5% higher than McKinney (103.595 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Elgin, IL from McKinney, TX?
The driving distance is 890 mi and the route typically takes 16h 56m via I 44 and I 55. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from McKinney to Elgin?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 890 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in McKinney vs Elgin?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,316 in Elgin vs $120,273 in McKinney β a 26.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from McKinney.
City profiles: McKinney, TX Β· Elgin, IL.