Moving from Raleigh, NC, to Chicago, IL

Moving from a smaller city to the third-largest U.S. city

Raleigh is the capital of North Carolina and the state’s second-most populous city. When moving 800 miles from “the City of Oaks” to “the Windy City” of Chicago, you’ll want to prepare for a vast difference in population.

Not only is Chicago much larger than Raleigh, but it’s the third-largest city in the U.S., with a population of over 2.7 million and a metro area of over 9.6 million residents.

In contrast, Raleigh has around 468,000 residents and 1.5 million in the metro.

Prepare for snowier winters and cooler summers

Chicago’s climate is milder than Raleigh’s humid subtropical climate. Raleigh averages 46 inches of rain and 4 inches of snow annually, while Chicago gets 38 inches of rain and 35 inches of snow. If you love snowy winters, Chicago is a fantastic choice for a home.

The average annual temperature in Chicago is typically between 19 and 84 degrees. This is cooler than what you’re used to in Raleigh, which has an average temperature range of 30 to 90 degrees.

Working and living in Chicago

The cost of living in Chicago is higher than in Raleigh, especially in terms of housing. Fortunately, Chicago’s economy and job market are strong.

In Chicago, average median salaries are higher than national averages. Top employment industries include education, engineering, healthcare, government, pharmaceuticals and transportation.

Deloitte, Ford Motor Company, JPMorgan Chase, Nestle and United Airlines are among the city’s largest employers.

What to do in Chicago

Chicago had plenty to do. Don’t miss these attractions:

  • Millennium Park, featuring Cloud Gate (The Bean)
  • Navy Pier
  • Art Institute of Chicago
  • Field Museum
  • Lincoln Park Zoo
  • Wrigley Field

Move to Chicago stress free with U-Pack

U-Pack® has nationwide service centers and nearly 30 years of long-distance moving experience. We have locations near Raleigh and Chicago to help with your move. We’re a DIY service where you handle packing, loading, and unloading, and then take care of the driving. Get a free online quote today or call 844-362-5303844-594-3077 to speak to a moving consultant about your move to Illinois.