Moving from Richmond, CA to Chicago, IL
It is 2115 mi and 36h 29m from Richmond to Chicago β a cross-country move across 7 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.
2115 mi Β· 36h 29m by car Β· IL β IA β NE β WY β UT β NV β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | IL β IA β NE β WY β UT β NV β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 80 EXPRESS, IL 110 |
| Major cities en route | Naperville, Aurora, Joliet, Elgin, Rockford |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Richmond | Chicago | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
Expect about 10.4% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Chicago at 103.595 vs Richmond at 115.613.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 10.4% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $606,427 to $317,283 moving to Chicago.
YoY change: Richmond -5.4%, Chicago +2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Richmond | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 51Β°F |
| January avg low | 44Β°F | 20Β°F |
| July avg high | 71Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 24.4" | β |
Expect 8.0Β°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RICHMOND, CA US, CHICAGO NORTHERLY IS, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Richmond | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,396 | 2,707,648 |
| Median household income | $90,038 | $75,134 |
| Median age | 37.6 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.2% | 24.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.85 | 2.36 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 10.4% lower in Chicago than Richmond.
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
- 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.
- 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.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Chicago compare to Richmond?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Chicago MSA vs $72,050 in the Richmond MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Richmond to Chicago?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2115 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Chicago more expensive than Richmond?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Chicago is 10.4% lower than Richmond (103.595 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Richmond vs Chicago?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $75,134 in Chicago vs $90,038 in Richmond β a 16.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Chicago, IL from Richmond, CA?
The driving distance is 2115 mi and the route typically takes 36h 29m via I 80 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Chicago compared to Richmond?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $317,283 in Chicago vs $606,427 in Richmond β a 47.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Richmond.
City profiles: Richmond, CA Β· Chicago, IL.