Moving from Chandler, AZ to Chicago, IL
A 1750 mi cross-country move between Chandler and Chicago is 31h 24m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 6 states. Nearly every household line — rent, taxes, climate, commute — usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1750 mi · 31h 24m by car · IL → MO → OK → TX → NM → AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | IL → MO → OK → TX → NM → AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 44, I 55 |
| Major cities en route | Naperville, Elgin, Aurora, Joliet, Springfield |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Chandler | 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 |
Chandler and Chicago sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $524,156 in Chandler to $317,283 in Chicago, a 0.3% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Chandler -2.0%, Chicago +2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
Climate normals not available (no NOAA station within range for one city).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Chandler | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 278,123 | 2,707,648 |
| Median household income | $103,691 | $75,134 |
| Median age | 37.4 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.6% | 24.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.63 | 2.36 |
Chicago households earn about 0.3% less than Chandler at the median — $103,691 → $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 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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% 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.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Chandler to Chicago?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1750 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Chicago compared to Chandler?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $317,283 in Chicago vs $524,156 in Chandler — a 39.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Chandler vs Chicago?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $75,134 in Chicago vs $103,691 in Chandler — a 27.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Chicago, IL from Chandler, AZ?
The driving distance is 1750 mi and the route typically takes 31h 24m via I 40 and I 44. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Chicago more expensive than Chandler?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Chicago is 0.3% higher than Chandler (103.595 vs 103.316, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Chicago compare to Chandler?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Chicago MSA vs $48,600 in the Chandler 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.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Chandler.
City profiles: Chandler, AZ · Chicago, IL.