How long is the commute from Chicago, IL?
Workers who live in Chicago, IL take an average of 33.1 minutes to get to work (2020–2024 American Community Survey).
44.7% of workers drive alone to work.
17.7% take public transportation.
5.8% of workers walk to work.
21.0% work from home.
26.6% of households have no vehicle.
Figures last updated on .
- Average commute
- 33.1 minutes (±0.2)
- Public transportation
- 17.7%
- Work from home
- 21.0%
- Households without a car
- 26.6%
How people in Chicago get to work
| Means of transportation | Chicago | Cook County | Illinois | United States |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drove alone | 44.7% (±0.4 points) | 54.8% | 65.9% | 68.8% |
| Carpooled | 7.3% (±0.2 points) | 7.7% | 7.8% | 8.5% |
| Public transportation | 17.7% (±0.4 points) | 11.8% | 5.8% | 3.2% |
| Walked | 5.8% (±0.2 points) | 4.0% | 2.8% | 2.4% |
| Other means (bicycle, taxi, motorcycle) | 3.4% (±0.1 points) | 2.7% | 1.9% | 2.0% |
| Worked from home | 21.0% (±0.4 points) | 18.9% | 15.9% | 15.1% |
In Chicago, the average commute is higher than in Cook County (31.5 minutes).
It is also higher than in Illinois (27.8 minutes).
It is higher than the national figure (26.4 minutes).
In Chicago, the share commuting by public transportation is higher than in Cook County (11.8%).
It is also higher than in Illinois (5.8%).
It is higher than the national figure (3.2%).
In Cook County, Chicago ranks 24 of 148 places with a published estimate, from highest to lowest average commute.
Statewide, it ranks 323 of 2,646.
Rankings use the estimates alone; where margins of error overlap, neighboring ranks may not truly differ.
Cars per household in Chicago
| Vehicles available | Chicago | Cook County | Illinois | United States |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No vehicle | 26.6% (±0.4 points) | 18.0% | 11.0% | 8.4% |
| 1 vehicle | 45.2% (±0.4 points) | 41.5% | 35.7% | 33.1% |
| 2 vehicles | 20.7% (±0.3 points) | 28.4% | 35.1% | 36.6% |
| 3 or more vehicles | 7.4% (±0.2 points) | 12.1% | 18.3% | 21.9% |
In Chicago, the share of households without a vehicle is higher than in Cook County (18.0%).
It is also higher than in Illinois (11.0%).
It is higher than the national figure (8.4%).
Working from home and internet access in Chicago
| Chicago | Cook County | Illinois | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Workers working from home | 21.0% (±0.4 points) | 18.9% (±0.2 points) | 15.9% (±0.1 points) | 15.1% |
| Households with a computer | 94.9% (±0.2 points) | 95.2% (±0.1 points) | 95.2% (±0.1 points) | 95.5% |
| Households with broadband internet | 89.1% (±0.3 points) | 90.6% (±0.2 points) | 90.8% (±0.1 points) | 91.0% |
In Chicago, the share of households with a broadband subscription is lower than in Cook County (90.6%).
It is also lower than in Illinois (90.8%).
It is lower than the national figure (91.0%).
Average commute in places near Chicago
| Place | Distance | Average commute | Compared with this place |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago | — | 33.1 minutes (±0.2) | — |
| Cicero | 3.9 mi | 29.3 minutes (±1.1) | Lower |
| Cicero Township | 3.9 mi | 29.3 minutes (±1.1) | Lower |
| Stickney | 4.8 mi | 25.7 minutes (±3.3) | Lower |
| Forest View | 4.9 mi | 25.4 minutes (±3.1) | Lower |
| Berwyn | 5.5 mi | 29.0 minutes (±1.6) | Lower |
| Berwyn Township | 5.5 mi | 29.0 minutes (±1.6) | Lower |
| Stickney Township | 6.4 mi | 29.9 minutes (±1.2) | Lower |
| Oak Park | 6.4 mi | 31.6 minutes (±1.2) | Lower |
Nearby places with a measurably lower figure: Cicero, IL (29.3 minutes), Cicero Township, IL (29.3 minutes), Stickney, IL (25.7 minutes).
Distance is measured in a straight line between the Census Bureau’s internal points for each place.
Average commute across Cook County, place by place
| Rank | Place | Average commute |
|---|---|---|
| 18 | Riverdale | 33.9 minutes (±3.3) |
| 19 (tie) | Matteson | 33.8 minutes (±2.7) |
| 19 (tie) | Orland Park | 33.8 minutes (±1.7) |
| 21 | Tinley Park | 33.7 minutes (±1.3) |
| 22 | Orland Township | 33.6 minutes (±1.1) |
| 23 | Bloom Township | 33.4 minutes (±2.0) |
| 24 (tie) | Chicago | 33.1 minutes (±0.2) |
| 24 (tie) | Homewood | 33.1 minutes (±3.3) |
| 24 (tie) | Richton Park | 33.1 minutes (±2.8) |
| 24 (tie) | Palos Township | 33.1 minutes (±1.8) |
| 28 (tie) | Flossmoor | 32.9 minutes (±6.3) |
| 28 (tie) | Rich Township | 32.9 minutes (±1.3) |
| 30 | Calumet Township | 32.8 minutes (±3.0) |
Showing 13 of 148 places in Cook County, ranked from highest to lowest.
Survey years: 2020–2024 (American Community Survey 5-year estimates).
Margins of error are at the 90% confidence level.
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Questions about Chicago
How long is the average commute in Chicago?
Workers who live in Chicago, IL take an average of 33.1 minutes each way (2020–2024 American Community Survey).
Can you live in Chicago without a car?
26.6% of households in Chicago have no vehicle, and 17.7% of workers commute by public transportation.
How many people work from home in Chicago?
21.0% (±0.4 points) of workers who live in Chicago worked from home, and 89.1% of households have a broadband subscription.
Sources
- Selected Economic Characteristics (DP03), 2020–2024 ACS 5-year estimates — Chicago city, Illinois
- Selected Housing Characteristics (DP04), 2020–2024 ACS 5-year estimates — Chicago city, Illinois
- Selected Social Characteristics (DP02), 2020–2024 ACS 5-year estimates — Chicago city, Illinois
To check these figures in the Census Bureau’s own API, request the variables below from the 2024 ACS 5-year data profile (acs/acs5/profile) for Chicago city, Illinois (place:14000, in state:17).
Each estimate (E or PE) has a margin of error beside it (M or PM).
The API needs a free key.
DP03_0018E, DP03_0018M, DP03_0025E, DP03_0025M, DP03_0019PE, DP03_0019PM, DP03_0020PE, DP03_0020PM, DP03_0021PE, DP03_0021PM, DP03_0022PE, DP03_0022PM, DP03_0023PE, DP03_0023PM, DP03_0024PE, DP03_0024PM, DP04_0058PE, DP04_0058PM, DP04_0059PE, DP04_0059PM, DP04_0060PE, DP04_0060PM, DP04_0061PE, DP04_0061PM, DP02_0153PE, DP02_0153PM, DP02_0154PE, DP02_0154PM
This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.
Figures are published by the US Census Bureau, HUD, the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the FBI; Seayora reproduces them and does not adjust them, except where a sentence says it compares dollar figures after inflation. They describe the whole place, not any one building or street, and are not an appraisal, a rent determination, a tax bill, a safety rating or legal advice.
Figures last updated on .
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