Moving from Chicago, IL to Rochester, NY
It is 602 mi between Chicago and Rochester β roughly 11h 32m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 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.
602 mi Β· 11h 32m by car Β· IL β IN β OH β PA β NY
Distance & route
| Route through | IL β IN β OH β PA β NY |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, I 80, I 271 |
| Major cities en route | Naperville, South Bend, Toledo, Cleveland, Akron |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Chicago | Rochester | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.595 | 97.035 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 133.213 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 99.693 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 87.481 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 6.3% moving from Chicago to Rochester 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 drops from $317,283 in Chicago to $235,784 in Rochester, a 6.3% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Chicago +2.8%, Rochester +3.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Chicago | Rochester |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | 20Β°F | 19Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 83Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 102.0" |
| Annual precipitation | β | 35.1" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 50.8Β°F vs 49.5Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Rochester sees 102.0 in a year on NOAA normals β budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CHICAGO NORTHERLY IS, IL US, ROCHESTER GTR INTL AP, NY US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Chicago | Rochester |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 209,720 |
| Median household income | $75,134 | $46,628 |
| Median age | 35.7 | 33.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.9% | 17.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.27 |
Rochester households earn about 6.3% less than Chicago at the median β $75,134 β $46,628 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Rochester MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 61,270 | $44,600 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 45,540 | $60,700 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 41,530 | $35,920 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 39,820 | $34,320 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 34,560 | $39,810 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Illinois and New York
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check New York'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
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- Lake-effect off Lake Ontario can shut down I-81 and I-90 for hours in winter β check 511NY.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Rochester averages 102.0 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- 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 New York after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Chicago to Rochester?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 602 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Chicago vs Rochester?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $46,628 in Rochester vs $75,134 in Chicago β a 37.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Rochester more expensive than Chicago?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Rochester is 6.3% lower than Chicago (97.035 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Rochester, NY from Chicago, IL?
The driving distance is 602 mi and the route typically takes 11h 32m via I 90 and I 80. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Rochester compare to Chicago?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,500 in the Rochester MSA vs $49,790 in the Chicago MSA, on total employment of 493,220 and 4,506,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Rochester compared to Chicago?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $235,784 in Rochester vs $317,283 in Chicago β a 25.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Chicago.
City profiles: Chicago, IL Β· Rochester, NY.