Moving from Chicago, IL to Plano, TX
It is 903 mi between Chicago and Plano β roughly 16h 54m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 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.
903 mi Β· 16h 54m by car Β· IL β MO β OK β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | IL β MO β OK β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 44, I 55, US 69 |
| Major cities en route | Elgin, Naperville, Aurora, Joliet, Springfield |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Chicago | Plano | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.595 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Chicago and Plano sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $317,283 in Chicago to $498,989 in Plano, a 0.5% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Chicago +2.8%, Plano -5.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Chicago | Plano |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 20Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | β | 41.9" |
Annual average temperature jumps 15.0Β°F β 50.8Β°F in Chicago vs 65.8Β°F in Plano, per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CHICAGO NORTHERLY IS, IL US, RICHARDSON, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Chicago | Plano |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 287,339 |
| Median household income | $75,134 | $108,649 |
| Median age | 35.7 | 39.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.9% | 35.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.6 |
Plano households earn about 0.5% more than Chicago at the median β $75,134 β $108,649 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Plano MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 523,660 | $44,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 412,270 | $39,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 368,400 | $36,710 |
| Management Occupations | 350,940 | $117,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 341,240 | $29,000 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Illinois and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Plano average 94Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (15.0Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Plano more expensive than Chicago?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Plano is 0.5% lower than Chicago (103.09 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Plano compared to Chicago?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $498,989 in Plano vs $317,283 in Chicago β a 57.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Plano compare to Chicago?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Plano MSA vs $49,790 in the Chicago MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 4,506,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Chicago to Plano?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 903 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Plano, TX from Chicago, IL?
The driving distance is 903 mi and the route typically takes 16h 54m via I 44 and I 55. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Chicago vs Plano?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $108,649 in Plano vs $75,134 in Chicago β a 44.6% higher 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 Chicago.
City profiles: Chicago, IL Β· Plano, TX.