Moving from Durham, NC to Chicago, IL
It is 772 mi between Durham and Chicago β roughly 15h 1m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 6 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.
772 mi Β· 15h 1m by car Β· IL β IN β OH β WV β VA β NC
Distance & route
| Route through | IL β IN β OH β WV β VA β NC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 35, I 64, I 65 |
| Major cities en route | Naperville, Dayton, Winston Salem, High Point, Greensboro |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Durham | Chicago | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.572 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.317 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 98.934 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
Chicago runs about 6.2% more expensive overall than Durham β RPP 97.572 β 103.595.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $396,395 in Durham to $317,283 in Chicago, a 6.2% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Durham -2.5%, Chicago +2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Durham | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58Β°F | 51Β°F |
| January avg low | 28Β°F | 20Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 48.6" | β |
Annual temperature drops 7.6Β°F moving to Chicago per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DURHAM, NC US, CHICAGO NORTHERLY IS, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Durham | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | 2,707,648 |
| Median household income | $79,234 | $75,134 |
| Median age | 34.8 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.8% | 24.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.34 | 2.36 |
Households in Chicago earn about 6.2% less at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
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 North Carolina 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.
Winter driving along this route
- I-77 at Flat Top Mountain and I-64 through the Greenbrier Valley see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through Pigeon Gap and I-26 over Saluda Grade can see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Durham vs Chicago?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $75,134 in Chicago vs $79,234 in Durham β a 5.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Chicago compared to Durham?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $317,283 in Chicago vs $396,395 in Durham β a 20.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Chicago compare to Durham?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Chicago MSA vs $58,480 in the Durham MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 336,100 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Durham to Chicago?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 772 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Chicago more expensive than Durham?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Chicago is 6.2% higher than Durham (103.595 vs 97.572, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Chicago, IL from Durham, NC?
The driving distance is 772 mi and the route typically takes 15h 1m via US 35 and I 64. The trip crosses 6 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 Durham.
City profiles: Durham, NC Β· Chicago, IL.