Moving from Chicago, IL to Concord, CA
A 2114 mi cross-country move between Chicago and Concord is 36h 30m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 7 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
2114 mi Β· 36h 30m by car Β· IL β IA β NE β WY β UT β NV β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | IL β IA β NE β WY β UT β NV β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 80 EXPRESS, IL 110 |
| Major cities en route | Naperville, Aurora, Joliet, Elgin, Rockford |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Chicago | Concord | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.595 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Concord runs about 11.6% more expensive overall than Chicago β RPP 103.595 β 115.613.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $317,283 in Chicago to $742,769 in Concord, a 11.6% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Chicago +2.8%, Concord -3.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Chicago | Concord |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 20Β°F | 41Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | β | 16.1" |
Annual temperature rises 11.2Β°F moving to Concord per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CHICAGO NORTHERLY IS, IL US, CONCORD BUCHANAN FLD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Chicago | Concord |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 124,260 |
| Median household income | $75,134 | $109,195 |
| Median age | 35.7 | 38.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.9% | 26.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.72 |
Concord households earn about 11.6% more than Chicago at the median β $75,134 β $109,195 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Concord MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 244,380 | $59,630 |
| Management Occupations | 237,070 | $171,350 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 211,250 | $104,950 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 194,040 | $39,200 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 183,930 | $49,390 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Illinois and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (11.2Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Concord more expensive than Chicago?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Concord is 11.6% higher than Chicago (115.613 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Concord, CA from Chicago, IL?
The driving distance is 2114 mi and the route typically takes 36h 30m via I 80 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Concord compare to Chicago?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Concord MSA vs $49,790 in the Chicago MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 4,506,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Chicago to Concord?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2114 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 Concord compared to Chicago?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $742,769 in Concord vs $317,283 in Chicago β a 134.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Chicago vs Concord?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $109,195 in Concord vs $75,134 in Chicago β a 45.3% 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· Concord, CA.