Moving from Oklahoma City, OK to Chicago, IL
It is 789 mi between Oklahoma City and Chicago β roughly 14h 21m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 3 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.
789 mi Β· 14h 21m by car Β· IL β MO β OK
Distance & route
| Route through | IL β MO β OK |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 44, I 55, US 50 |
| Major cities en route | Naperville, Elgin, Aurora, Joliet, Springfield |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Oklahoma City | Chicago | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.408 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 74.067 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.778 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 73.885 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
Chicago runs about 14.6% more expensive overall than Oklahoma City β RPP 90.408 β 103.595.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $206,713 in Oklahoma City to $317,283 in Chicago, a 14.6% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Oklahoma City -0.3%, Chicago +2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Oklahoma City | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 51Β°F |
| January avg low | 27Β°F | 20Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 6.7" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 36.4" | β |
Annual temperature drops 9.3Β°F moving to Chicago per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: OKLAHOMA CITY WILL ROGERS AP, OK US, CHICAGO NORTHERLY IS, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Oklahoma City | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 688,693 | 2,707,648 |
| Median household income | $66,702 | $75,134 |
| Median age | 35 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.5% | 24.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.5 | 2.36 |
Households in Chicago earn about 14.6% more at the median β ACS 5-year 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 Oklahoma 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.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Oklahoma City vs Chicago?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $75,134 in Chicago vs $66,702 in Oklahoma City β a 12.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Chicago more expensive than Oklahoma City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Chicago is 14.6% higher than Oklahoma City (103.595 vs 90.408, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Chicago, IL from Oklahoma City, OK?
The driving distance is 789 mi and the route typically takes 14h 21m via I 44 and I 55. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Oklahoma City to Chicago?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 789 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 Chicago compare to Oklahoma City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Chicago MSA vs $44,030 in the Oklahoma City MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 656,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Chicago compared to Oklahoma City?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $317,283 in Chicago vs $206,713 in Oklahoma City β a 53.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Oklahoma City.
City profiles: Oklahoma City, OK Β· Chicago, IL.