Moving from Glendale, CA to Chicago, IL
It is 2015 mi and 35h 26m from Glendale to Chicago β a cross-country move across 8 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
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
| Glendale | Chicago | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 8.8% moving from Glendale to Chicago β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $1,201,880 in Glendale to $317,283 in Chicago, a 8.8% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Glendale -0.6%, Chicago +2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Glendale | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 51Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 20Β°F |
| July avg high | 86Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 16.5" | β |
Expect 13.7Β°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: BURBANK VALLEY PUMP PLT, CA US, CHICAGO NORTHERLY IS, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Glendale | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 192,270 | 2,707,648 |
| Median household income | $84,262 | $75,134 |
| Median age | 41.4 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.7% | 24.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.63 | 2.36 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 8.8% lower in Chicago than Glendale.
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 California 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
- 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 colder climate (13.7Β°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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 Illinois after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Glendale vs Chicago?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $75,134 in Chicago vs $84,262 in Glendale β a 10.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Chicago, IL from Glendale, CA?
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.
Is Chicago more expensive than Glendale?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Chicago is 8.8% lower than Glendale (103.595 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Chicago compare to Glendale?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Chicago MSA vs $50,490 in the Glendale MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Chicago compared to Glendale?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $317,283 in Chicago vs $1,201,880 in Glendale β a 73.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Glendale to Chicago?
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.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Glendale.
City profiles: Glendale, CA Β· Chicago, IL.