Moving from Virginia Beach, VA to Chicago, IL
It is 868 mi between Virginia Beach and Chicago β roughly 16h 50m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 7 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
868 mi Β· 16h 50m by car Β· IL β IN β OH β PA β MD β WV β VA
Distance & route
| Route through | IL β IN β OH β PA β MD β WV β VA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, I 80, I 76 |
| Major cities en route | Naperville, South Bend, Toledo, Cleveland, Akron |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Virginia Beach | Chicago | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.941 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.579 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.767 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 99.805 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 5.8% above Virginia Beach β 97.941 β 103.595 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
5.8% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Virginia Beach +2.8%, Chicago +2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Virginia Beach | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 51Β°F |
| January avg low | 32Β°F | 20Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.4" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 46.6" | β |
Annual temperature drops 9.0Β°F moving to Chicago per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: OCEANA NAS, VA US, CHICAGO NORTHERLY IS, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Virginia Beach | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 457,066 | 2,707,648 |
| Median household income | $90,685 | $75,134 |
| Median age | 37.4 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25% | 24.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.54 | 2.36 |
Households in Chicago earn about 5.8% 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 Virginia 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
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- I-77 at Flat Top Mountain and I-64 through the Greenbrier Valley see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Virginia Beach to Chicago?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 868 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 Virginia Beach?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Chicago MSA vs $46,990 in the Virginia Beach MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 737,200 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Chicago compared to Virginia Beach?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $317,283 in Chicago vs $427,032 in Virginia Beach β a 25.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Chicago more expensive than Virginia Beach?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Chicago is 5.8% higher than Virginia Beach (103.595 vs 97.941, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Chicago, IL from Virginia Beach, VA?
The driving distance is 868 mi and the route typically takes 16h 50m via I 90 and I 80. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Virginia Beach vs Chicago?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $75,134 in Chicago vs $90,685 in Virginia Beach β a 17.1% 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 Virginia Beach.
City profiles: Virginia Beach, VA Β· Chicago, IL.