Moving from Houston, TX to Chicago, IL
Relocating 1080 mi from Houston to Chicago is a 19h 36m drive through 4 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1080 mi Β· 19h 36m 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, US 59, I 30 |
| Major cities en route | Naperville, Joliet, Memphis, Little Rock, Pasadena |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Houston | Chicago | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.629 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.288 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.639 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 104.51 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
Chicago runs about 5.0% more expensive overall than Houston β RPP 98.629 β 103.595.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $264,336 in Houston to $317,283 in Chicago, a 5.0% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Houston -2.9%, Chicago +2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Houston | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71Β°F | 51Β°F |
| January avg low | 44Β°F | 20Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 54.1" | β |
Annual average temperature drops 19.8Β°F β 70.6Β°F in Houston vs 50.8Β°F in Chicago, per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: HOUSTON-PORT, TX US, CHICAGO NORTHERLY IS, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Houston | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 2,707,648 |
| Median household income | $62,894 | $75,134 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.3% | 24.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.51 | 2.36 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 5.0% higher in Chicago than Houston.
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 Texas 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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (19.8Β°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 much do homes cost in Chicago compared to Houston?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $317,283 in Chicago vs $264,336 in Houston β a 20.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Chicago compare to Houston?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Chicago MSA vs $46,960 in the Houston MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 3,179,460 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Chicago, IL from Houston, TX?
The driving distance is 1080 mi and the route typically takes 19h 36m via I 57 and US 59. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Chicago more expensive than Houston?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Chicago is 5.0% higher than Houston (103.595 vs 98.629, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Houston vs Chicago?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $75,134 in Chicago vs $62,894 in Houston β a 19.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Houston to Chicago?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1080 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 Houston.
City profiles: Houston, TX Β· Chicago, IL.