Moving from Chicago, IL to Hillsboro, OR
Moving from Chicago, IL to Hillsboro, OR is a 2135 mi cross-country relocation β about 37h 3m of driving through 8 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
2135 mi Β· 37h 3m by car Β· IL β IA β NE β WY β UT β ID β OR β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | IL β IA β NE β WY β UT β ID β OR β WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 84, I 80 EXPRESS |
| Major cities en route | Naperville, Aurora, Joliet, Elgin, Rockford |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Chicago | Hillsboro | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.595 | 105.421 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 106.974 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 105.222 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 125.114 | 100.0 |
Hillsboro and Chicago are close on the overall BEA RPP (103.595 vs 105.421); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Hillsboro typical home at $522,557 is 1.8% above Chicago at $317,283 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Chicago +2.8%, Hillsboro -3.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Chicago | Hillsboro |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 20Β°F | 34Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 82Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | β | 35.9" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 50.8Β°F vs 52.5Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CHICAGO NORTHERLY IS, IL US, PORTLAND-HILLSBORO AP, OR US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Chicago | Hillsboro |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 107,050 |
| Median household income | $75,134 | $103,207 |
| Median age | 35.7 | 34.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.9% | 23.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.59 |
Median household income in Hillsboro is 1.8% above Chicago ($75,134 vs $103,207, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Hillsboro MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 141,870 | $47,870 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 104,880 | $44,260 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 99,580 | $34,860 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 96,250 | $41,260 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 92,520 | $79,400 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Illinois and Oregon
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Oregon'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
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 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.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Wildfire season peaks July through September east of the Cascades β register for county emergency alerts.
- 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 Oregon after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Hillsboro, OR from Chicago, IL?
The driving distance is 2135 mi and the route typically takes 37h 3m via I 80 and I 84. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Hillsboro compared to Chicago?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $522,557 in Hillsboro vs $317,283 in Chicago β a 64.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Hillsboro more expensive than Chicago?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Hillsboro is 1.8% higher than Chicago (105.421 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Chicago vs Hillsboro?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $103,207 in Hillsboro vs $75,134 in Chicago β a 37.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Chicago to Hillsboro?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2135 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 Hillsboro compare to Chicago?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $55,940 in the Hillsboro MSA vs $49,790 in the Chicago MSA, on total employment of 1,206,150 and 4,506,800 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 Chicago.
City profiles: Chicago, IL Β· Hillsboro, OR.