Moving from Pittsburgh, PA, to Chicago, IL

Welcome to “The Windy City”

It is just under 500 miles from Pittsburgh, PA, to Chicago, IL. Traveling that far west gets you a larger city with a picturesque skyline.

Chicago’s city population of over 2.7 million residents is significantly larger than Pittsburgh’s population of around 303,000. When comparing metro area populations, Chicago has over 9.6 million people, while Pittsburgh has only 2.5 million.

Keep reading to learn more about “The Windy City,” to help you adjust to your new hometown. 

Get ready for a bit more snow

Chicago’s average annual temperatures range from 19 to 84 degrees, close to Pittsburgh’s average range of 21 to 84 degrees.

The slight difference in winter lows and its location bring more snow to Chicago, which averages 35 inches per year, compared to 28 inches annually in Pittsburgh.

Summers are warm in both locations, and each city averages around 38 inches of rain per year, the U.S. average annual rainfall. Despite its nickname “The Windy City,” Chicago is not among the windiest places in the U.S. The moniker dates back to the 1870s as a label to Chicago’s old rivalry with Cincinnati and its “long-winded” politicians. 

Finding the right opportunities in Chicago

Chicago’s cost of living is higher than Pittsburgh's, but there are many higher-paying career opportunities. Top industries include education, finance, healthcare, hospitality, insurance, legal services, life sciences, manufacturing and technology.

The largest employers include Northwestern Medicine, JPMorgan Chase, the University of Chicago, Salesforce, Boeing, United Airlines and Google’s Chicago campus.

Need-to-know trivia for new Chicago residents

Don’t get stumped at the next trivia night. Check out these interesting facts about your new city:

  • Chicago was incorporated in 1837 as a small trading post town.
  • Cloud Gate (also known as “The Bean”) is located in Millennium Park and is one of the world's most photographed public art pieces.
  • It is home to the world’s first skyscraper, the Home Insurance Building, which was constructed in 1885.
  • The city is known for Chicago-style hot dogs, deep dish pizza and Italian beef sandwiches.
  • The Great Fire of 1871 destroyed a third of the city.

Are you ready to move to Illinois?

U-Pack® has nationwide service centers, including locations near Pittsburgh and Chicago, ready to serve you. We’re a DIY-moving service with nearly 30 years of experience in long-distance moves. You handle packing, loading and unloading, and we drive your belongings to your new home. Get a free online quote today, or give us a call at 844-362-5303844-594-3077 to speak to a moving consultant.