Moving from West Covina, CA to Chicago, IL
A 1997 mi cross-country move between West Covina and Chicago is 34h 60m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 8 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.
1997 mi Β· 34h 60m by car Β· IL β IA β NE β CO β UT β AZ β NV β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | IL β IA β NE β CO β UT β AZ β NV β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 80 EXPRESS, I 15 |
| Major cities en route | Naperville, Aurora, Joliet, Elgin, Rockford |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| West Covina | Chicago | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
Expect about 8.8% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Chicago at 103.595 vs West Covina at 113.566.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 8.8% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $852,373 to $317,283 moving to Chicago.
YoY change: West Covina +0.7%, Chicago +2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | West Covina | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 51Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 20Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 14.5" | β |
Annual temperature drops 14.3Β°F moving to Chicago per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: POMONA/FAIRPLEX, CA US, CHICAGO NORTHERLY IS, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | West Covina | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,436 | 2,707,648 |
| Median household income | $98,570 | $75,134 |
| Median age | 40.1 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.4% | 24.9% |
| Avg household size | 3.3 | 2.36 |
Chicago households earn about 8.8% less than West Covina at the median β $98,570 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 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
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts 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-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- 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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (14.3Β°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
Is Chicago more expensive than West Covina?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Chicago is 8.8% lower than West Covina (103.595 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Chicago, IL from West Covina, CA?
The driving distance is 1997 mi and the route typically takes 34h 60m via I 70 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in West Covina vs Chicago?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $75,134 in Chicago vs $98,570 in West Covina β a 23.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Chicago compared to West Covina?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $317,283 in Chicago vs $852,373 in West Covina β a 62.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from West Covina to Chicago?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1997 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 West Covina?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Chicago MSA vs $50,490 in the West Covina MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from West Covina.
City profiles: West Covina, CA Β· Chicago, IL.