Moving from West Valley City, UT to Chicago, IL
Relocating 1403 mi from West Valley City to Chicago is a 24h 21m drive through 5 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1403 mi Β· 24h 21m 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, Joliet, Aurora, Elgin, Rockford |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| West Valley 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 price level is comparable β 100.868 vs 103.595 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 2.7% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $471,862 to $317,283 moving to Chicago.
YoY change: West Valley City +1.3%, Chicago +2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | West Valley City | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55Β°F | 51Β°F |
| January avg low | 24Β°F | 20Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 51.9" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 15.5" | β |
Annual average temperatures in West Valley City (54.7Β°F) and Chicago (50.8Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SALT LAKE CITY INTL AP, UT US, CHICAGO NORTHERLY IS, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | West Valley City | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 137,955 | 2,707,648 |
| Median household income | $88,604 | $75,134 |
| Median age | 30.3 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12% | 24.9% |
| Avg household size | 3.55 | 2.36 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 2.7% lower in Chicago than West Valley City.
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 West Valley City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Chicago MSA vs $49,440 in the West Valley 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.
How far is Chicago, IL from West Valley City, UT?
The driving distance is 1403 mi and the route typically takes 24h 21m 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 West Valley City vs Chicago?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $75,134 in Chicago vs $88,604 in West Valley City β a 15.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from West Valley 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 1403 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 West Valley City?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $317,283 in Chicago vs $471,862 in West Valley City β a 32.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Chicago more expensive than West Valley City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Chicago is 2.7% higher than West Valley City (103.595 vs 100.868, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from West Valley City.
City profiles: West Valley City, UT Β· Chicago, IL.