Moving from College Station, TX to Chicago, IL
It is 1069 mi between College Station and Chicago β roughly 19h 31m 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.
1069 mi Β· 19h 31m by car Β· IL β MO β AR β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | IL β MO β AR β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 57, I 30, I 55 |
| Major cities en route | Naperville, Joliet, Memphis, Little Rock, Tyler |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| College Station | Chicago | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.951 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.39 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 75.088 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 13.9% higher cost of living β rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect around 13.9% lower home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: College Station +0.5%, Chicago +2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | College Station | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 69Β°F | 51Β°F |
| January avg low | 41Β°F | 20Β°F |
| July avg high | 95Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 41.8" | β |
Expect 18.6Β°F colder on average per year β plan for heating load and winter gear.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: COLLEGE STN, TX US, CHICAGO NORTHERLY IS, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | College Station | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,280 | 2,707,648 |
| Median household income | $51,776 | $75,134 |
| Median age | 22.9 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 24.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.74 | 2.36 |
Chicago households earn about 13.9% more than College Station at the median β $51,776 β $75,134 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Chicago MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 519,810 | $46,540 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 497,550 | $41,020 |
| Management Occupations | 405,130 | $125,280 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 386,070 | $38,490 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 368,000 | $33,540 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and Illinois
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Illinois'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
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (18.6Β°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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 Illinois after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Chicago compare to College Station?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Chicago MSA vs $42,710 in the College Station MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 128,840 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Chicago, IL from College Station, TX?
The driving distance is 1069 mi and the route typically takes 19h 31m via I 57 and I 30. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Chicago compared to College Station?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $317,283 in Chicago vs $349,041 in College Station β a 9.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in College Station vs Chicago?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $75,134 in Chicago vs $51,776 in College Station β a 45.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Chicago more expensive than College Station?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Chicago is 13.9% higher than College Station (103.595 vs 90.951, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from College Station to Chicago?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1069 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 College Station.
City profiles: College Station, TX Β· Chicago, IL.