Moving from Chicago to Phoenix
A climate comparison of two homes: Illinois to Arizona. The dates below come from the nearest official weather station to each place.
Climate Match
Your growing season runs 153 days longer, 201 days becomes 354 days.
Chicago, IL to Phoenix, AZ
The full comparison
| Measure | From | To | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frost-free season | 201 days | 354 days | 153 days longer |
| Last spring frost | April 11 | January 8 | 93 days earlier |
| Coldest month | 26F in January | 53F in December | 27F warmer |
| Months below freezing | 3 months | 0 months | 3 fewer |
| Warmest month | 76F in July | 92F in July | 16F hotter |
Moving from Chicago to Phoenix reshapes the home year. The coldest month is 27F warmer. Summers get 16F hotter. Your growing season is 153 days longer. Plan on a new rhythm for the house and garden.
What changes about the house
- Coldest month: it is warmer at the destination, though unusual cold can still occur.
- Freezing months: there are fewer at the destination, though individual cold snaps can still occur.
- Cooling: hotter peaks make air conditioning or shading more important. Check attic insulation and window sealing so the house does not trap heat.
- Garden: the frost-free season is longer or the last spring frost is earlier. Check both dates when planning crops and succession sowings.
Season by season
Spring starts earlier
Your last spring frost moves from April 11 to January 8, 93 days earlier. Start planting and outdoor prep sooner.
Summers run hotter
The warmest month goes from 76F in July to 92F in July. Air conditioning, shading, and cooling-load planning matter more.
Winters look milder
Winter coldest month goes from 26F in January to 53F in December; freezing months go from 3 months to 0 months. The winter measures point to a milder season, though unusual cold and ice can still occur.
Tools for both places
Moving from Chicago to Phoenix, answered
What is the biggest climate change from Chicago to Phoenix?
Your growing season runs 153 days longer, 201 days becomes 354 days. That is the largest shift in the 30-year climate record.
How are these numbers computed?
From official 30-year climate normals at the nearest station to each place: Chicago Midway Ap 72534 near Chicago and Phoenix Deer Valley Muni Ap near Phoenix. They are planning averages, not forecasts; local microclimates can run a week or two off the station record.
Does the comparison work in reverse?
Yes. Open the comparison tool and swap the two places; the deltas reverse direction but the match score stays the same.
Method and sources
Temperatures and frost dates are from the 30-year climate normals at Chicago Midway Ap 72534 (near Chicago, IL) and Phoenix Deer Valley Muni Ap (near Phoenix, AZ). Canadian data is from Environment and Climate Change Canada; United States data is from NOAA NCEI. These are planning averages, not forecasts. See themethodology page for the full calculation.