Moving from St. Louis, MO to Chicago, IL
It is a 294 mi drive, roughly 5h 33m, between St. Louis, MO and Chicago, IL. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
294 mi Β· 5h 33m by car Β· IL β MO
Distance & route
| Route through | IL β MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 55, US 40, I 64 |
| Major cities en route | Elgin, Naperville, Aurora, Joliet, Springfield |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| St. Louis | Chicago | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.088 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 69.921 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 99.996 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 79.024 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 8.9% above St. Louis β 95.088 β 103.595 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: St. Louis β, Chicago +2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | St. Louis | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58Β°F | 51Β°F |
| January avg low | 25Β°F | 20Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 43.9" | β |
Annual temperature drops 7.2Β°F moving to Chicago per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ST LOUIS SCI CTR, MO US, CHICAGO NORTHERLY IS, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | St. Louis | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 293,109 | 2,707,648 |
| Median household income | $55,279 | $75,134 |
| Median age | 36.6 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22% | 24.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.03 | 2.36 |
Chicago households earn about 8.9% more than St. Louis at the median β $55,279 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 Missouri 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.
Frequently asked
How far is Chicago, IL from St. Louis, MO?
The driving distance is 294 mi and the route typically takes 5h 33m via I 55 and US 40. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Chicago compare to St. Louis?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Chicago MSA vs $47,490 in the St. Louis MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 1,325,480 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Chicago more expensive than St. Louis?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Chicago is 8.9% higher than St. Louis (103.595 vs 95.088, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from St. Louis to Chicago?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 294 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in St. Louis vs Chicago?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $75,134 in Chicago vs $55,279 in St. Louis β a 35.9% higher 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 St. Louis.
City profiles: St. Louis, MO Β· Chicago, IL.