Moving from Savannah, GA to Aurora, IL
It is 966 mi between Savannah and Aurora — roughly 18h 36m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 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.
966 mi · 18h 36m by car · IL → IN → KY → TN → GA
Distance & route
| Route through | IL → IN → KY → TN → GA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 65, I 75, I 16 |
| Major cities en route | Joliet, Naperville, Elgin, Chicago, Chattanooga |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Savannah | Aurora | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.206 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.603 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.269 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.012 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 8.8% above Savannah — 95.206 → 103.595 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing stays roughly flat moving from Savannah to Aurora — $326,509 vs $316,958 (2026-03).
YoY change: Savannah -3.5%, Aurora +2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Savannah | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 68°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 40°F | 16°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 84°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 27.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 48.1" | 39.5" |
Annual average temperature gap of 17.3°F — a meaningful climate change across the move.
Heavy-snow city: expect 27.9 in of snowfall annually at Aurora.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SAVANNAH INTL AP, GA US, AURORA, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Savannah | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,546 | 179,867 |
| Median household income | $56,782 | $90,109 |
| Median age | 33.7 | 35.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.6% | 22.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.52 | 2.98 |
Aurora households earn about 8.8% more than Savannah at the median — $56,782 → $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 Georgia 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 (17.3°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
What is the climate difference between Savannah and Aurora?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.2°F in Aurora vs 67.5°F in Savannah (17.3°F colder). Annual snowfall: 27.9 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 39.5 in vs 48.1 in.
How does the job market in Aurora compare to Savannah?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Aurora MSA vs $43,490 in the Savannah MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 188,970 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Aurora compared to Savannah?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $316,958 in Aurora vs $326,509 in Savannah — a 2.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Aurora more expensive than Savannah?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Aurora is 8.8% higher than Savannah (103.595 vs 95.206, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Aurora, IL from Savannah, GA?
The driving distance is 966 mi and the route typically takes 18h 36m via I 65 and I 75. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Savannah 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 966 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Savannah vs Aurora?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,109 in Aurora vs $56,782 in Savannah — a 58.7% higher 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 Savannah.
City profiles: Savannah, GA · Aurora, IL.