Moving from Sioux Falls, SD to Aurora, IL
It is 567 mi between Sioux Falls and Aurora β roughly 10h 17m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 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.
567 mi Β· 10h 17m by car Β· SD β MN β WI β IL
Distance & route
| Route through | SD β MN β WI β IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, I 39, I 88 |
| Major cities en route | Rochester, Madison, Rockford, Elgin, Naperville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Sioux Falls | Aurora | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.631 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 80.7 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.472 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 77.605 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 14.3% above Sioux Falls β 90.631 β 103.595 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing stays roughly flat moving from Sioux Falls to Aurora β $329,723 vs $316,958 (2026-03).
YoY change: Sioux Falls +1.5%, Aurora +2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Sioux Falls | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 47Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | 7Β°F | 16Β°F |
| July avg high | 85Β°F | 84Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 27.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 28.3" | 39.5" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Heavy-snow city: expect 27.9 in of snowfall annually at Aurora.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SIOUX FALLS WFO AP, SD US, AURORA, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Sioux Falls | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,642 | 179,867 |
| Median household income | $74,714 | $90,109 |
| Median age | 35.1 | 35.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.4% | 22.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.39 | 2.98 |
Aurora households earn about 14.3% more than Sioux Falls at the median β $74,714 β $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 South Dakota 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
- I-90 across western South Dakota can close in ground blizzards β check SD 511 November through April.
- I-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms β check MnDOT 511.
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin β check 511wi.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Aurora averages 27.9 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
When is the best time to move from Sioux Falls to Aurora?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 567 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 Aurora compared to Sioux Falls?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $316,958 in Aurora vs $329,723 in Sioux Falls β a 3.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Aurora compare to Sioux Falls?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Aurora MSA vs $45,440 in the Sioux Falls MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 165,960 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Aurora, IL from Sioux Falls, SD?
The driving distance is 567 mi and the route typically takes 10h 17m via I 90 and I 39. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Aurora more expensive than Sioux Falls?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Aurora is 14.3% higher than Sioux Falls (103.595 vs 90.631, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Sioux Falls vs Aurora?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,109 in Aurora vs $74,714 in Sioux Falls β a 20.6% 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 Sioux Falls.
City profiles: Sioux Falls, SD Β· Aurora, IL.