Moving from Renton, WA to Elgin, IL
Cross-country relocations like Renton, WA β Elgin, IL cover 2028 mi and about 35h 8m of driving through 7 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.
2028 mi Β· 35h 8m by car Β· IL β WI β MN β ND β MT β ID β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | IL β WI β MN β ND β MT β ID β WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 94, I 90, US 191 |
| Major cities en route | Aurora, Naperville, Rockford, Madison, St Paul |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Renton | 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 |
Elgin is 6.8% cheaper than Renton 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 6.8% below Renton β $764,375 vs $329,682 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Renton -2.1%, Elgin +3.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Renton | Elgin |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 49Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 14Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 84Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 32.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 34.7" | 39.9" |
Annual average temperatures in Renton (53.6Β°F) and Elgin (49.0Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
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: RENTON MUNI AP, WA US, ELGIN, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Renton | Elgin |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,279 | 114,106 |
| Median household income | $96,626 | $88,316 |
| Median age | 36.5 | 36.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.4% | 16.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.55 | 2.94 |
Income steps down 6.8%: $96,626 in Renton vs $88,316 in Elgin.
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
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin β check 511wi.
- I-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms β check MnDOT 511.
- I-29 and I-94 can close without notice in winter storms; travel bans are declared more than once most winters.
- Montana interstates can close without notice in winter storms β check MDT 511 before entering the state November through April.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
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 far is Elgin, IL from Renton, WA?
The driving distance is 2028 mi and the route typically takes 35h 8m via I 94 and I 90. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Renton to Elgin?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2028 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Elgin compared to Renton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $329,682 in Elgin vs $764,375 in Renton β a 56.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Renton vs Elgin?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,316 in Elgin vs $96,626 in Renton β a 8.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Elgin more expensive than Renton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Elgin is 6.8% lower than Renton (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 Renton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Elgin MSA vs $65,260 in the Renton 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 Renton.
City profiles: Renton, WA Β· Elgin, IL.