Moving from Columbus, OH to Chicago, IL
The 319 mi from Columbus to Chicago translate to about 6h 45m behind the wheel through 3 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary β MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
319 mi Β· 6h 45m by car Β· IL β IN β OH
Distance & route
| Route through | IL β IN β OH |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 33, US 30, SR 2 |
| Major cities en route | Naperville, South Bend, Fort Wayne |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Columbus | Chicago | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.469 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.523 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.628 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 87.945 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 8.5% pricier overall in Chicago than Columbus on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Chicago typical home at $317,283 is 8.5% above Columbus at $245,979 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Columbus -0.5%, Chicago +2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Columbus | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 51Β°F |
| January avg low | 21Β°F | 20Β°F |
| July avg high | 85Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 44.7" | β |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 52.8Β°F vs 50.8Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: COLUMBUS WCMH, OH US, CHICAGO NORTHERLY IS, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Columbus | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | 2,707,648 |
| Median household income | $65,327 | $75,134 |
| Median age | 33 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.1% | 24.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.34 | 2.36 |
Income steps up 8.5%: $65,327 in Columbus vs $75,134 in Chicago.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Chicago MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 519,810 | $46,540 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 497,550 | $41,020 |
| Management Occupations | 405,130 | $125,280 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 386,070 | $38,490 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 368,000 | $33,540 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Ohio and Illinois
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Illinois'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 does the job market in Chicago compare to Columbus?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Chicago MSA vs $47,970 in the Columbus MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 1,067,190 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Chicago compared to Columbus?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $317,283 in Chicago vs $245,979 in Columbus β a 29.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Chicago, IL from Columbus, OH?
The driving distance is 319 mi and the route typically takes 6h 45m via US 33 and US 30. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Columbus to Chicago?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 319 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Chicago more expensive than Columbus?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Chicago is 8.5% higher than Columbus (103.595 vs 95.469, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Columbus vs Chicago?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $75,134 in Chicago vs $65,327 in Columbus β a 15.0% 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 Columbus.
City profiles: Columbus, OH Β· Chicago, IL.