Moving from Surprise, AZ to Chicago, IL
A 1795 mi cross-country move between Surprise and Chicago is 31h 31m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 6 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.
1795 mi Β· 31h 31m by car Β· IL β MO β OK β TX β NM β AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | IL β MO β OK β TX β NM β AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 44, I 55 |
| Major cities en route | Naperville, Aurora, Joliet, Springfield, St Louis |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Surprise | Chicago | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.316 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.332 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.024 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 121.236 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
0.3% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Surprise -2.4%, Chicago +2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Surprise | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 70Β°F | 51Β°F |
| January avg low | 39Β°F | 20Β°F |
| July avg high | 105Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 9.6" | β |
Annual average temperature gap of 19.4Β°F β a meaningful climate change across the move.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WITTMANN 1SE, AZ US, CHICAGO NORTHERLY IS, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Surprise | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,519 | 2,707,648 |
| Median household income | $93,371 | $75,134 |
| Median age | 41.6 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.9% | 24.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.75 | 2.36 |
Households in Chicago earn about 0.3% less at the median β ACS 5-year 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 Arizona 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
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (19.4Β°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
When is the best time to move from Surprise to Chicago?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1795 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Chicago compare to Surprise?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Chicago MSA vs $48,600 in the Surprise MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 2,289,130 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Chicago more expensive than Surprise?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Chicago is 0.3% higher than Surprise (103.595 vs 103.316, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Chicago compared to Surprise?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $317,283 in Chicago vs $422,473 in Surprise β a 24.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Surprise vs Chicago?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $75,134 in Chicago vs $93,371 in Surprise β a 19.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Chicago, IL from Surprise, AZ?
The driving distance is 1795 mi and the route typically takes 31h 31m via I 40 and I 44. The trip crosses 6 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 Surprise.
City profiles: Surprise, AZ Β· Chicago, IL.