Moving from Chicago, IL to Austin, TX
Relocating 1157 mi from Chicago to Austin is a 20h 29m drive through 4 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1157 mi Β· 20h 29m by car Β· IL β MO β AR β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | IL β MO β AR β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 57, I 30, US 70 |
| Major cities en route | Naperville, Joliet, Memphis, Little Rock, Garland |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Chicago | Austin | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.595 | 98.066 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 82.044 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 120.361 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 5.3% moving from Chicago to Austin β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $317,283 in Chicago to $508,530 in Austin, a 5.3% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Chicago +2.8%, Austin -5.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Chicago | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51Β°F | 70Β°F |
| January avg low | 20Β°F | 42Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 97Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.2" |
| Annual precipitation | β | 36.3" |
Annual average temperature jumps 19.2Β°F β 50.8Β°F in Chicago vs 70.0Β°F in Austin, per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Austin sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CHICAGO NORTHERLY IS, IL US, AUSTIN-CAMP MABRY, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Chicago | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 967,862 |
| Median household income | $75,134 | $91,461 |
| Median age | 35.7 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.9% | 36.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.2 |
Expect median household income to rise 5.3% β $75,134 β $91,461 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Austin MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 160,480 | $44,250 |
| Management Occupations | 121,080 | $120,430 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 115,170 | $38,390 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 115,080 | $30,040 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 99,680 | $77,510 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Illinois and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Austin average 97Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (19.2Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Austin more expensive than Chicago?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Austin is 5.3% lower than Chicago (98.066 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Chicago to Austin?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1157 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 Austin compared to Chicago?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $508,530 in Austin vs $317,283 in Chicago β a 60.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Austin compare to Chicago?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,070 in the Austin MSA vs $49,790 in the Chicago MSA, on total employment of 1,235,440 and 4,506,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Austin, TX from Chicago, IL?
The driving distance is 1157 mi and the route typically takes 20h 29m via I 57 and I 30. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Chicago vs Austin?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $91,461 in Austin vs $75,134 in Chicago β a 21.7% 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 Chicago.
City profiles: Chicago, IL Β· Austin, TX.