Moving from Centennial, CO to Chicago, IL
The drive from Centennial, CO to Chicago, IL runs 1016 mi β about 18h 4m 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.
1016 mi Β· 18h 4m by car Β· IL β IA β NE β CO
Distance & route
| Route through | IL β IA β NE β CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80 EXPRESS, I 80, I 76 |
| Major cities en route | Naperville, Aurora, Joliet, Elgin, Rockford |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Centennial | Chicago | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Chicago and Centennial 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 Chicago is 2.1% below Centennial β $649,086 vs $317,283 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Centennial -2.8%, Chicago +2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Centennial | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 51Β°F |
| January avg low | 19Β°F | 20Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 15.0" | β |
Annual average temperatures in Centennial (50.2Β°F) and Chicago (50.8Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DENVER CENTENNIAL AP, CO US, CHICAGO NORTHERLY IS, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Centennial | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,386 | 2,707,648 |
| Median household income | $128,167 | $75,134 |
| Median age | 41.8 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37% | 24.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.59 | 2.36 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 2.1% between Centennial and Chicago (ACS 2023).
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 Colorado 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
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Chicago compare to Centennial?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Chicago MSA vs $58,490 in the Centennial MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Centennial vs Chicago?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $75,134 in Chicago vs $128,167 in Centennial β a 41.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Chicago, IL from Centennial, CO?
The driving distance is 1016 mi and the route typically takes 18h 4m via I 80 EXPRESS and I 80. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Chicago compared to Centennial?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $317,283 in Chicago vs $649,086 in Centennial β a 51.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Chicago more expensive than Centennial?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Chicago is 2.1% lower than Centennial (103.595 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Centennial to Chicago?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1016 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Centennial.
City profiles: Centennial, CO Β· Chicago, IL.