Moving from Chicago, IL to Jersey City, NJ
It is 786 mi between Chicago and Jersey City β roughly 14h 44m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
786 mi Β· 14h 44m by car Β· IL β IN β OH β PA β NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | IL β IN β OH β PA β NJ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 90, I 280 |
| Major cities en route | Naperville, South Bend, Toledo, Cleveland, Akron |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Chicago | Jersey City | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.595 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 8.7% higher cost of living β rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 8.7% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $317,283 to $658,269 moving to Jersey City.
YoY change: Chicago +2.8%, Jersey City -0.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Chicago | Jersey City |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51Β°F | 55Β°F |
| January avg low | 20Β°F | 25Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 28.2" |
| Annual precipitation | β | 50.4" |
Annual average temperatures in Chicago (50.8Β°F) and Jersey City (54.8Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Jersey City averages 28.2 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CHICAGO NORTHERLY IS, IL US, HARRISON, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Chicago | Jersey City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 289,691 |
| Median household income | $75,134 | $94,813 |
| Median age | 35.7 | 34.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.9% | 29.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.35 |
Jersey City households earn about 8.7% more than Chicago at the median β $75,134 β $94,813 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Jersey City MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 1,165,200 | $50,760 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 806,590 | $46,160 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 755,900 | $44,800 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 755,280 | $37,670 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 725,930 | $100,940 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Illinois and New Jersey
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check New Jersey'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
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Jersey City averages 28.2 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- Pack rain gear on top: Jersey City averages 50.4 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- 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 New Jersey after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Jersey City, NJ from Chicago, IL?
The driving distance is 786 mi and the route typically takes 14h 44m via I 80 and I 90. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Chicago vs Jersey City?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $94,813 in Jersey City vs $75,134 in Chicago β a 26.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Jersey City compare to Chicago?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Jersey City MSA vs $49,790 in the Chicago MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 and 4,506,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Jersey City compared to Chicago?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $658,269 in Jersey City vs $317,283 in Chicago β a 107.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Chicago to Jersey City?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 786 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Jersey City more expensive than Chicago?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Jersey City is 8.7% higher than Chicago (112.563 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Chicago.
City profiles: Chicago, IL Β· Jersey City, NJ.