Moving from Chicago, IL to Mesquite, TX
A move from Chicago, IL to Mesquite, TX covers 957 mi and around 17h 2m of driving through 4 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
957 mi Β· 17h 2m 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, Mckinney |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Chicago | Mesquite | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.595 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Mesquite and Chicago is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Mesquite is 0.5% below Chicago ($262,121 vs $317,283 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Chicago +2.8%, Mesquite -4.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Chicago | Mesquite |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 20Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 96Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | β | 40.9" |
Mesquite runs 15.2Β°F warmer on the annual average (50.8Β°F vs 66.0Β°F) β a climate shift you will feel in cooling bills and wardrobe alike.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CHICAGO NORTHERLY IS, IL US, FERRIS, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Chicago | Mesquite |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 148,848 |
| Median household income | $75,134 | $71,843 |
| Median age | 35.7 | 33.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.9% | 12.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.96 |
Median household incomes in Chicago ($75,134) and Mesquite ($71,843) are within a few percent (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Mesquite MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 523,660 | $44,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 412,270 | $39,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 368,400 | $36,710 |
| Management Occupations | 350,940 | $117,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 341,240 | $29,000 |
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 Mesquite average 96Β°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 (15.2Β°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
How far is Mesquite, TX from Chicago, IL?
The driving distance is 957 mi and the route typically takes 17h 2m via I 57 and I 30. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Chicago to Mesquite?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 957 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Mesquite compare to Chicago?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Mesquite MSA vs $49,790 in the Chicago MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 4,506,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Chicago vs Mesquite?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $71,843 in Mesquite vs $75,134 in Chicago β a 4.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Mesquite compared to Chicago?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $262,121 in Mesquite vs $317,283 in Chicago β a 17.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Mesquite more expensive than Chicago?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Mesquite is 0.5% lower than Chicago (103.09 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· Mesquite, TX.