Moving from Chicago, IL to San Mateo, CA
Cross-country relocations like Chicago, IL β San Mateo, CA cover 2148 mi and about 37h 10m of driving through 7 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
2148 mi Β· 37h 10m by car Β· IL β IA β NE β WY β UT β NV β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | IL β IA β NE β WY β UT β NV β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 80 EXPRESS, IL 110 |
| 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 | San Mateo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.595 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 11.6% pricier overall in San Mateo than Chicago on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: San Mateo typical home at $1,686,905 is 11.6% above Chicago at $317,283 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Chicago +2.8%, San Mateo +0.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Chicago | San Mateo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51Β°F | 59Β°F |
| January avg low | 20Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 73Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | β | 19.6" |
Climate warms by 7.9Β°F on the annual average β 50.8Β°F β 58.7Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CHICAGO NORTHERLY IS, IL US, SAN FRANCISCO INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Chicago | San Mateo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 103,555 |
| Median household income | $75,134 | $152,669 |
| Median age | 35.7 | 38 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.9% | 31.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.6 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 11.6% between Chicago and San Mateo (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in San Mateo MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 244,380 | $59,630 |
| Management Occupations | 237,070 | $171,350 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 211,250 | $104,950 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 194,040 | $39,200 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 183,930 | $49,390 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Illinois and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Chicago vs San Mateo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $152,669 in San Mateo vs $75,134 in Chicago β a 103.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is San Mateo, CA from Chicago, IL?
The driving distance is 2148 mi and the route typically takes 37h 10m via I 80 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Chicago to San Mateo?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2148 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 San Mateo compare to Chicago?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the San Mateo MSA vs $49,790 in the Chicago MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 4,506,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is San Mateo more expensive than Chicago?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in San Mateo is 11.6% higher than Chicago (115.613 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in San Mateo compared to Chicago?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,686,905 in San Mateo vs $317,283 in Chicago β a 431.7% higher 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· San Mateo, CA.