Moving from Salt Lake City, UT to Chicago, IL
The drive from Salt Lake City, UT to Chicago, IL runs 1400 mi β about 24h 15m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
1400 mi Β· 24h 15m by car Β· IL β IA β NE β WY β UT
Distance & route
| Route through | IL β IA β NE β WY β UT |
|---|---|
| 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
| Salt Lake City | Chicago | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.868 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 79 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.446 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 123.311 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Chicago and Salt Lake City is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Chicago is 2.7% below Salt Lake City β $573,181 vs $317,283 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Salt Lake City +1.6%, Chicago +2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Salt Lake City | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56Β°F | 51Β°F |
| January avg low | 28Β°F | 20Β°F |
| July avg high | 91Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 49.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 17.7" | β |
Climate cools by 5.0Β°F on the annual average β 55.8Β°F β 50.8Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SALT LAKE TRIAD CTR, UT US, CHICAGO NORTHERLY IS, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Salt Lake City | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 203,888 | 2,707,648 |
| Median household income | $74,925 | $75,134 |
| Median age | 33 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.9% | 24.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.29 | 2.36 |
Median household incomes in Salt Lake City ($74,925) and Chicago ($75,134) are within a few percent (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 Utah 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
- 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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Chicago compare to Salt Lake City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Chicago MSA vs $49,440 in the Salt Lake City MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 803,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Salt Lake 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 1400 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 Salt Lake City?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $317,283 in Chicago vs $573,181 in Salt Lake City β a 44.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Chicago more expensive than Salt Lake City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Chicago is 2.7% higher than Salt Lake City (103.595 vs 100.868, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Chicago, IL from Salt Lake City, UT?
The driving distance is 1400 mi and the route typically takes 24h 15m via I 80 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Salt Lake City vs Chicago?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $75,134 in Chicago vs $74,925 in Salt Lake City β a 0.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Salt Lake City.
City profiles: Salt Lake City, UT Β· Chicago, IL.