Moving from Chicago, IL to Glendale, CA
A 2015 mi cross-country move between Chicago and Glendale is 35h 26m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 8 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.
2015 mi Β· 35h 26m by car Β· IL β IA β NE β CO β UT β AZ β NV β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | IL β IA β NE β CO β UT β AZ β NV β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 80 EXPRESS, I 15 |
| 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 | Glendale | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.595 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 9.6% above Chicago β 103.595 β 113.566 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
9.6% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Chicago +2.8%, Glendale -0.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Chicago | Glendale |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 20Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 86Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | β | 16.5" |
Annual temperature rises 13.7Β°F moving to Glendale per NOAA normals.
Effectively snow-free year in Glendale β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CHICAGO NORTHERLY IS, IL US, BURBANK VALLEY PUMP PLT, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Chicago | Glendale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 192,270 |
| Median household income | $75,134 | $84,262 |
| Median age | 35.7 | 41.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.9% | 28.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.63 |
Households in Glendale earn about 9.6% more at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Glendale MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
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
- 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.
- 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-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- 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 (13.7Β°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
How much do homes cost in Glendale compared to Chicago?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,201,880 in Glendale vs $317,283 in Chicago β a 278.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Glendale compare to Chicago?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Glendale MSA vs $49,790 in the Chicago MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 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 Glendale?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2015 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Glendale more expensive than Chicago?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Glendale is 9.6% higher than Chicago (113.566 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Chicago vs Glendale?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $84,262 in Glendale vs $75,134 in Chicago β a 12.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Glendale, CA from Chicago, IL?
The driving distance is 2015 mi and the route typically takes 35h 26m via I 70 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Chicago.
City profiles: Chicago, IL Β· Glendale, CA.