Goodyear, Arizona, has quickly become one of the most popular destinations for Chicagoans leaving the Midwest. Located in the West Valley of the Phoenix metro area in Maricopa County, Goodyear sits roughly 17 miles west of downtown Phoenix and offers something Chicago cannot: more than 300 sunny days a year, year-round outdoor living, lower state income taxes, and master-planned communities like Estrella, PebbleCreek, and Palm Valley. With a population of more than 108,000 and steady growth fueled by Fortune 500 employers including Amazon, Boeing, Microsoft, Chewy, Ball, and United Airlines, Goodyear has evolved from a quiet farming town into one of Arizona’s fastest-growing cities.
Relocating from Chicago to Goodyear is a long-distance move of roughly 1,750 miles, and that distance changes how you plan, pack, and budget. You are leaving behind lake-effect winters, high property taxes, and the 10.25% Chicago sales tax for a desert climate, lower cost-of-living essentials, and access to the Loop 303, I-10 freeway, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, and Goodyear Ballpark, the spring training home of the Cleveland Guardians and Cincinnati Reds. This guide breaks down everything you need to know about moving to Goodyear from Chicago, including costs, timelines, neighborhoods, and post-move logistics.
- Why Chicagoans Are Moving to Goodyear
- Chicago to Goodyear: Distance, Drive Time, and Move Duration
- Cost of Moving From Chicago to Goodyear
- Chicago vs Goodyear: A Quick Lifestyle Comparison
- Best Neighborhoods in Goodyear for Chicago New Movers
- Jobs and the Goodyear Economy
- What to Do Before Moving Day
- What Changes After You Move to Goodyear
- Packing Tips for a Chicago to Goodyear Move
- How Collins Family Movers Can Help
Why Chicagoans Are Moving to Goodyear
The Chicago-to-Goodyear pipeline has grown sharply in the last five years. The reasons are consistent across remote workers, retirees, and families.
- Warm, desert climate with mild winters in the 60s and 70s
- Arizona’s flat 2.5% state income tax versus Illinois’s 4.95%
- Newer single-family housing stock at a lower price per square foot
- Strong job market in tech, aerospace, logistics, and healthcare
- Master-planned communities such as Estrella, PebbleCreek, and Canyon Trails
- Quick access to Sky Harbor Airport, Loop 303, and I-10
- Lower property taxes compared to Cook County
- Year-round access to hiking at Estrella Mountain Regional Park and the White Tank Mountains
Chicago to Goodyear: Distance, Drive Time, and Move Duration
Goodyear is approximately 1,750 miles from Chicago by road. The most common route takes you down I-55, then west on I-44 through Missouri and Oklahoma, and onto I-40 across New Mexico into Arizona before connecting to I-10 west into Goodyear.
| Detail | Estimate |
| Total distance | ~1,750 miles |
| Driving time (non-stop) | 25–27 hours |
| Typical 3-day drive | 8–9 hours per day |
| Full-service mover delivery window | 5–12 days |
| Car shipping time | 5–7 days |
Cost of Moving From Chicago to Goodyear
Costs depend on home size, packing services, season, and add-ons such as auto transport. The summer months are the busiest and the most expensive.
| Home Size | Estimated Cost |
| Studio / 1-Bedroom | $2,500 – $4,800 |
| 2-Bedroom | $4,500 – $7,500 |
| 3-Bedroom | $6,800 – $10,500 |
| 4-Bedroom | $9,500 – $12,800 |
| Car shipping (sedan, open carrier) | $900 – $1,400 |
Booking 6 to 8 weeks ahead generally locks in better pricing. Moving in spring (March–May) or fall (September–November) typically saves 15% to 25% versus peak summer rates.
Chicago vs Goodyear: A Quick Lifestyle Comparison
| Factor | Chicago, IL | Goodyear, AZ |
| Population | ~2.7 million | ~108,000 |
| Climate | 4 seasons, cold winters | Sunny, dry, mild winters |
| State income tax | 4.95% flat | 2.5% flat |
| Sales tax (city) | 10.25% | 8.8% |
| Median home price | $310,000 – $360,000 | ~$468,000 |
| Median rent (apt) | $1,900 – $2,400 | ~$1,628 |
| Top employers | Finance, healthcare, logistics | Amazon, Boeing, Microsoft, Chewy |
| Outdoor lifestyle | Lakefront, parks | Desert hiking, golf, year-round outdoors |
Best Neighborhoods in Goodyear for Chicago New Movers
Estrella
Estrella is one of Goodyear’s flagship master-planned communities, featuring 65 miles of trails, 72 acres of lakes, a yacht club, golf, and newer single-family homes. It is a strong fit for families and remote workers leaving the Chicago suburbs.
PebbleCreek
PebbleCreek is a 55-plus active-adult community with two golf courses, tennis courts, and a tight-knit social scene, popular with retirees relocating from Cook and DuPage Counties.
Palm Valley
Palm Valley offers established single-family homes, top-rated schools, easy I-10 access, and is one of Goodyear’s most family-friendly areas. Households used to neighborhoods like Park Ridge or Arlington Heights often find Palm Valley familiar.
Canyon Trails
Canyon Trails is a newer development on the south side of Goodyear with affordable single-family homes, walking trails, and growing retail. It appeals to first-time buyers and young families.
GSQ (Downtown Goodyear)
GSQ is Goodyear’s emerging downtown core, with new office space, restaurants, and walkable amenities along Goodyear Boulevard. Ideal for young professionals coming from neighborhoods like Lincoln Park or Logan Square.
Jobs and the Goodyear Economy
Goodyear has become a regional employment hub. Major employers include Amazon (multiple fulfillment centers), Boeing, Microsoft (Goodyear data centers), Chewy, Ball Corporation, and United Airlines. Phoenix Goodyear Airport supports aviation and aerospace jobs, and the broader Phoenix metro adds access to healthcare giants like Banner Health and tech firms across the Valley. Many Chicago professionals find roles in logistics, technology, aviation, healthcare, and real estate within a 30-minute drive of Goodyear.
What to Do Before Moving Day
A long-distance move from Chicago to Goodyear works best when planned 8 to 10 weeks out.
8–10 weeks before:
- Request written estimates from licensed long-distance movers with valid USDOT and MC numbers
- Decide whether to ship your vehicle or drive it across
- Research Goodyear neighborhoods, school districts, and HOAs
4–6 weeks before:
- Confirm moving company, dates, and contract
- Begin downsizing items you do not need in a desert climate
- Notify your employer, schools, and key contacts
1–2 weeks before:
- Forward mail through USPS
- Transfer utilities, internet, and HOA paperwork
- Update your address with banks, insurers, and the IRS
- Secure parking permits or elevator reservations if leaving a Chicago high-rise
What Changes After You Move to Goodyear
- You have 30 days to obtain an Arizona driver’s license and register your vehicle with the Arizona MVD
- Arizona vehicle registration uses the Vehicle License Tax (VLT) based on the assessed value of your vehicle
- Summer temperatures regularly exceed 110°F, so HVAC quality matters more than in Chicago
- Home cooling costs typically run higher than Chicago heating bills
- Most daily life in Goodyear requires a car, with limited public transit options
- HOA fees are common in master-planned communities like Estrella and PebbleCreek
Packing Tips for a Chicago to Goodyear Move
Belongings making the 1,750-mile trip through the Midwest and Sonoran Desert need extra protection.
- Use double-walled boxes for fragile items
- Wrap electronics and artwork in bubble wrap and corrugated cardboard
- Avoid packing liquids, candles, or aerosols that can rupture in desert heat
- Disassemble large furniture and label all hardware
- Pack an essentials kit for the 3 to 5 day drive
- Photograph valuable items before they are loaded onto the truck
How Collins Family Movers Can Help
Moving from Chicago to Goodyear is a major lifestyle change, but it is also one of the most rewarding moves a Midwesterner can make. With careful planning, a realistic budget, and a moving partner who knows both ends of the route, the journey from a Chicago neighborhood to a Goodyear master-planned community can be smooth and predictable.
Collins Family Movers is uniquely positioned for this move because we operate in both cities. With more than 15 years of experience, 10,000+ satisfied customers, and licensed long-distance moving operations, our team handles packing, transport, large item moving, and unloading from your Chicago home directly to your new residence in Estrella, PebbleCreek, Palm Valley, Canyon Trails, or anywhere else in Goodyear. Call (773) 942-7400 or request a free, no-obligation moving quote today and let Collins Family Movers make your move to Goodyear simple, safe, and on schedule.
