Moving from Rochester, NY to Chicago, IL
It is 602 mi between Rochester and Chicago 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
| Rochester | Chicago | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.035 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 133.213 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 99.693 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 87.481 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 6.8% above Rochester β 97.035 β 103.595 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
6.8% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Rochester +3.0%, Chicago +2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Rochester | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 51Β°F |
| January avg low | 19Β°F | 20Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 102.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 35.1" | β |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ROCHESTER GTR INTL AP, NY US, CHICAGO NORTHERLY IS, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Rochester | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,720 | 2,707,648 |
| Median household income | $46,628 | $75,134 |
| Median age | 33.5 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.3% | 24.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.27 | 2.36 |
Chicago households earn about 6.8% more than Rochester at the median β $46,628 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 New York 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.
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.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Rochester to Chicago?
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 much do homes cost in Chicago compared to Rochester?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $317,283 in Chicago vs $235,784 in Rochester β a 34.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Chicago more expensive than Rochester?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Chicago is 6.8% higher than Rochester (103.595 vs 97.035, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Chicago, IL from Rochester, NY?
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 household income compare in Rochester vs Chicago?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $75,134 in Chicago vs $46,628 in Rochester β a 61.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Chicago compare to Rochester?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Chicago MSA vs $48,500 in the Rochester MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 493,220 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Rochester.
City profiles: Rochester, NY Β· Chicago, IL.