Moving from Chicago, IL to Cincinnati, OH
Moving from Chicago, IL to Cincinnati, OH covers 293 mi and about 5h 40m by car through 3 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
293 mi Β· 5h 40m by car Β· IL β IN β OH
Distance & route
| Route through | IL β IN β OH |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 65, US 421, I 90 |
| Major cities en route | Naperville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Chicago | Cincinnati | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.595 | 95.37 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 90.954 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 93.751 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 87.608 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Cincinnati are 7.9% below Chicago β a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Cincinnati typical home at $249,568 is 7.9% under Chicago at $317,283 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Chicago +2.8%, Cincinnati +1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Chicago | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51Β°F | 55Β°F |
| January avg low | 20Β°F | 24Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | β | 43.4" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 50.8Β°F vs 54.8Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CHICAGO NORTHERLY IS, IL US, CINCINNATI LUNKEN AP, OH US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Chicago | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 309,595 |
| Median household income | $75,134 | $51,707 |
| Median age | 35.7 | 33 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.9% | 23.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.17 |
Median household income in Cincinnati is 7.9% below Chicago ($75,134 vs $51,707, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Cincinnati MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 134,320 | $43,760 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 114,420 | $40,930 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 103,690 | $29,030 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 91,020 | $35,670 |
| Production Occupations | 77,510 | $44,290 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Illinois and Ohio
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Ohio'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 Cincinnati, OH from Chicago, IL?
The driving distance is 293 mi and the route typically takes 5h 40m via I 65 and US 421. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Chicago vs Cincinnati?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,707 in Cincinnati vs $75,134 in Chicago β a 31.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Cincinnati compare to Chicago?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,280 in the Cincinnati MSA vs $49,790 in the Chicago MSA, on total employment of 1,081,800 and 4,506,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Cincinnati more expensive than Chicago?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Cincinnati is 7.9% lower than Chicago (95.37 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Cincinnati compared to Chicago?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $249,568 in Cincinnati vs $317,283 in Chicago β a 21.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Chicago to Cincinnati?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 293 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 Chicago.
City profiles: Chicago, IL Β· Cincinnati, OH.