Moving from Seattle, WA to Chicago, IL
A 2071 mi cross-country move between Seattle and Chicago is 36h 8m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 7 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
2071 mi Β· 36h 8m by car Β· IL β WI β MN β ND β MT β ID β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | IL β WI β MN β ND β MT β ID β WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 94, I 90, US 191 |
| Major cities en route | Naperville, Elgin, Aurora, Rockford, Madison |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Seattle | Chicago | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
Expect about 6.8% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Chicago at 103.595 vs Seattle at 111.133.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 6.8% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $868,680 to $317,283 moving to Chicago.
YoY change: Seattle -2.3%, Chicago +2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Seattle | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 51Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 20Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.8" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 37.8" | β |
Annual average temperatures in Seattle (53.2Β°F) and Chicago (50.8Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SEATTLE SAND PT WSFO, WA US, CHICAGO NORTHERLY IS, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Seattle | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 741,440 | 2,707,648 |
| Median household income | $121,984 | $75,134 |
| Median age | 35.5 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37.6% | 24.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.1 | 2.36 |
Chicago households earn about 6.8% less than Seattle at the median β $121,984 β $75,134 on 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 Washington 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
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin β check 511wi.
- I-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms β check MnDOT 511.
- I-29 and I-94 can close without notice in winter storms; travel bans are declared more than once most winters.
- Montana interstates can close without notice in winter storms β check MDT 511 before entering the state November through April.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during 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
When is the best time to move from Seattle to Chicago?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2071 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Chicago more expensive than Seattle?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Chicago is 6.8% lower than Seattle (103.595 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Chicago, IL from Seattle, WA?
The driving distance is 2071 mi and the route typically takes 36h 8m via I 94 and I 90. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Chicago compared to Seattle?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $317,283 in Chicago vs $868,680 in Seattle β a 63.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Chicago compare to Seattle?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Chicago MSA vs $65,260 in the Seattle MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Seattle vs Chicago?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $75,134 in Chicago vs $121,984 in Seattle β a 38.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Seattle.
City profiles: Seattle, WA Β· Chicago, IL.