Moving from San Francisco, CA, to Chicago, IL

Moving to the third-largest city in the U.S.

Moving halfway across the country from San Francisco to Chicago takes you over 2,100 miles away from the West Coast to the third-largest city in the U.S.

Chicago has over 2.7 million people in the city and over 9.7 million in the metro. In contrast, San Francisco has 874,000 residents in the city and 9.55 million in the metro.

Keep reading to learn what else to expect when relocating to “The Windy City.”

Get ready for cold, snowy winters

Chicago's winters are significantly colder than those in San Francisco. Snow is rare in San Francisco, but Chicago receives an average of 35 inches annually.

Chicago experiences all four seasons with yearly temperatures ranging from 19 to 84 degrees. San Francisco is known for milder weather, with temperatures ranging from 46 to 70 degrees.

Expect more rainy days in Chicago because the city receives around 38 inches of rain annually, compared to 25 inches in San Francisco.

Finding entertainment in Chicago

Chicago has something for everyone. Check out one or more of these attractions:

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

Making a living in Chicago

Chicago’s cost of living is lower than in San Francisco. The top job industries include banking, healthcare, transportation, logistics, manufacturing, education and technology.

The U.S. Government, Chicago Public Schools, the City of Chicago, Advocate Health System, JPMorgan Chase, the University of Chicago, Walgreens and United Airlines are among the largest employers in the Chicago metro area.

Relocate to Illinois easily with U-Pack

U-Pack® is the best choice for a stress-free move from San Francisco to Chicago through our service center locations nationwide. Just handle packing, loading and unloading, and then we’ll transport your things to your new place in Illinois. Get a free moving quote and see your price instantly, or call 844-362-5303844-594-3077 to speak to a moving consultant. We’re ready to help!