Moving from Round Rock, TX to Chicago, IL
It is 1141 mi between Round Rock and Chicago — roughly 20h 14m 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.
1141 mi · 20h 14m by car · IL → MO → AR → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | IL → MO → AR → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 57, I 30, US 70 |
| Major cities en route | Naperville, Joliet, Memphis, Little Rock, Mckinney |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Round Rock | Chicago | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.066 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.044 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 120.361 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
Chicago runs about 5.6% more expensive overall than Round Rock — RPP 98.066 → 103.595.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $407,077 in Round Rock to $317,283 in Chicago, a 5.6% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Round Rock -5.9%, Chicago +2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
Climate normals not available (no NOAA station within range for one city).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Round Rock | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,288 | 2,707,648 |
| Median household income | $97,187 | $75,134 |
| Median age | 36.2 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.1% | 24.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 2.36 |
Chicago households earn about 5.6% less than Round Rock at the median — $97,187 → $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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% 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
When is the best time to move from Round Rock to Chicago?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1141 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Chicago more expensive than Round Rock?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Chicago is 5.6% higher than Round Rock (103.595 vs 98.066, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Chicago compared to Round Rock?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $317,283 in Chicago vs $407,077 in Round Rock — a 22.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Chicago, IL from Round Rock, TX?
The driving distance is 1141 mi and the route typically takes 20h 14m via I 57 and I 30. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Round Rock vs Chicago?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $75,134 in Chicago vs $97,187 in Round Rock — a 22.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Chicago compare to Round Rock?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Chicago MSA vs $50,070 in the Round Rock MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 1,235,440 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 Round Rock.
City profiles: Round Rock, TX · Chicago, IL.