Moving from Chicago, IL to Nampa, ID
A 1710 mi cross-country move between Chicago and Nampa is 29h 12m 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.
1710 mi Β· 29h 12m by car Β· IL β IA β NE β WY β UT β ID
Distance & route
| Route through | IL β IA β NE β WY β UT β ID |
|---|---|
| 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 | Nampa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.595 | 98.391 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 70.695 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 96.179 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 105.58 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 5.0% moving from Chicago to Nampa β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $317,283 in Chicago to $412,277 in Nampa, a 5.0% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Chicago +2.8%, Nampa +0.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Chicago | Nampa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51Β°F | 52Β°F |
| January avg low | 20Β°F | 23Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 9.7" |
| Annual precipitation | β | 11.0" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 50.8Β°F vs 52.0Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Expect 9.7 in of snow annually at the destination β manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CHICAGO NORTHERLY IS, IL US, NAMPA SUGAR FACTORY, ID US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Chicago | Nampa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 106,289 |
| Median household income | $75,134 | $72,122 |
| Median age | 35.7 | 34.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.9% | 16.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.85 |
Household income lines up β $75,134 vs $72,122 on ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Nampa MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 49,860 | $40,850 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 32,370 | $39,170 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 31,530 | $29,290 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 31,420 | $37,030 |
| Management Occupations | 29,410 | $89,660 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Illinois and Idaho
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Idaho'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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Nampa average 93Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Nampa sees only 11.0 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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 Idaho after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Nampa compare to Chicago?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,320 in the Nampa MSA vs $49,790 in the Chicago MSA, on total employment of 372,470 and 4,506,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Chicago vs Nampa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $72,122 in Nampa vs $75,134 in Chicago β a 4.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Nampa compared to Chicago?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $412,277 in Nampa vs $317,283 in Chicago β a 29.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Nampa more expensive than Chicago?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Nampa is 5.0% lower than Chicago (98.391 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Nampa, ID from Chicago, IL?
The driving distance is 1710 mi and the route typically takes 29h 12m via I 80 and I 84. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Chicago to Nampa?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1710 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Chicago.
City profiles: Chicago, IL Β· Nampa, ID.