Moving from Broken Arrow, OK to Chicago, IL
The drive from Broken Arrow, OK to Chicago, IL runs 682 mi β about 12h 30m 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.
682 mi Β· 12h 30m by car Β· IL β MO β OK
Distance & route
| Route through | IL β MO β OK |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 44, I 55, US 50 |
| Major cities en route | Elgin, Naperville, Aurora, Joliet, Springfield |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Broken Arrow | Chicago | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.214 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 73.856 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.778 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 68.235 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 16.1% pricier overall in Chicago than Broken Arrow on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow typical home value is 16.1% higher in Chicago than Broken Arrow as of 2026-03.
YoY change: Broken Arrow +2.1%, Chicago +2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Broken Arrow | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 51Β°F |
| January avg low | 26Β°F | 20Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | β | β |
Climate cools by 9.2Β°F on the annual average β 60.0Β°F β 50.8Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: BIXBY, OK US, CHICAGO NORTHERLY IS, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Broken Arrow | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,919 | 2,707,648 |
| Median household income | $85,220 | $75,134 |
| Median age | 37 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.5% | 24.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 2.36 |
Income steps down 16.1%: $85,220 in Broken Arrow vs $75,134 in Chicago.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Chicago 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 Oklahoma 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.
Frequently asked
How far is Chicago, IL from Broken Arrow, OK?
The driving distance is 682 mi and the route typically takes 12h 30m via I 44 and I 55. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Chicago compared to Broken Arrow?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $317,283 in Chicago vs $286,846 in Broken Arrow β a 10.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Broken Arrow vs Chicago?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $75,134 in Chicago vs $85,220 in Broken Arrow β a 11.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Chicago compare to Broken Arrow?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Chicago MSA vs $43,140 in the Broken Arrow MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 443,020 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Broken Arrow to Chicago?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 682 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Chicago more expensive than Broken Arrow?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Chicago is 16.1% higher than Broken Arrow (103.595 vs 89.214, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Broken Arrow.
City profiles: Broken Arrow, OK Β· Chicago, IL.