Moving from Portland, OR to Chicago, IL
Moving from Portland, OR to Chicago, IL is a 2118 mi cross-country relocation β about 36h 37m of driving through 8 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
2118 mi Β· 36h 37m by car Β· IL β IA β NE β WY β UT β ID β OR β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | IL β IA β NE β WY β UT β ID β OR β WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 84, I 80 EXPRESS |
| Major cities en route | Naperville, Aurora, Joliet, Elgin, Cedar Rapids |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Portland | Chicago | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.421 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 106.974 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.222 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.114 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Chicago and Portland 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 Chicago is 1.7% below Portland β $534,638 vs $317,283 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Portland -1.1%, Chicago +2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Portland | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55Β°F | 51Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 20Β°F |
| July avg high | 80Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.6" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 44.1" | β |
Annual average temperatures in Portland (54.8Β°F) and Chicago (50.8Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: PORTLAND KGW-TV, OR US, CHICAGO NORTHERLY IS, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Portland | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 642,715 | 2,707,648 |
| Median household income | $88,792 | $75,134 |
| Median age | 38.6 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 32.1% | 24.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.24 | 2.36 |
Median household income in Chicago is 1.7% below Portland ($88,792 β $75,134, ACS 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 Oregon 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-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 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.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
Is Chicago more expensive than Portland?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Chicago is 1.7% lower than Portland (103.595 vs 105.421, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Chicago compared to Portland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $317,283 in Chicago vs $534,638 in Portland β a 40.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Portland vs Chicago?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $75,134 in Chicago vs $88,792 in Portland β a 15.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Chicago compare to Portland?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Chicago MSA vs $55,940 in the Portland MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 1,206,150 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Portland to Chicago?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2118 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Chicago, IL from Portland, OR?
The driving distance is 2118 mi and the route typically takes 36h 37m via I 80 and I 84. The trip crosses 8 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 Portland.
City profiles: Portland, OR Β· Chicago, IL.