Things to know before moving from Illinois to Tacoma, WA

Cost of living: Illinois vs Tacoma, WA

Illinois Tacoma
Average rent cost $1,179 $1,650
Average home value $249,224 $477,289
Average income (per capita) $78,433 $73,341
Unemployment rate 5% 7%
State income tax 5% 0%
  • Rent is about 40% more expensive in Tacoma than in Illinois.
  • Home prices are about 92% higher in Tacoma than in Illinois.
  • The average income is about 6% lower in Tacoma than in Illinois.
  • Tacoma has a higher unemployment rate than Illinois by about 38%.
  • Income taxes are 100% lower in Tacoma than in Illinois.

How life is different in Tacoma from Illinois

Tacoma Illinois
Population 223,968 12,549,689
Political leaning Democratic 54-43 Democratic 55-45
Summer high 77ºF 86ºF
Winter low 35ºF 17ºF
Annual rain 41" 40"
Annual snow 4" 22"
Crime index 55.55 19.7
  • The population of Tacoma is approximately 98% lower than the population of Illinois.
  • In the last presidential election, Tacoma voted Democratic and Illinois voted Democratic.
  • The average high in the summertime in Tacoma is 77ºF and in Illinois, it’s 86ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Tacoma reaches the temperature of 35ºF and Illinois gets down to 17ºF.
  • You can expect about 41 inches of annual rainfall in Tacoma vs 40 inches of rainfall in Illinois.
  • In Tacoma, it snows about 4 inches annually vs 22 inches of snow in Illinois.
  • Tacoma has a higher crime rate than Illinois with a crime index of 55.55 vs 19.7.

Things to do in Tacoma

Whether you’re looking for parks, museums, sports, or even universities, you’ll be happy to find a plethora of these in Tacoma.

Museums in Tacomatoggle

  • LeMay - America's Car Museum
  • Museum of Glass
  • LeMay Collections at Marymount
  • Washington State History Museum
  • Tacoma Art Museum
  • Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum
  • Tacoma Pioneer Telephone Museum
  • Tacoma Glassblowing Studio

Parks in Tacomatoggle

  • Point Defiance Park
  • Tacoma Chinese Reconciliation Park
  • 5 Mile Drive & Trails
  • Wright Park
  • W.W. Seymour Botanical Conservatory

Sports Teams in Tacomatoggle

  • Tacoma Defiance (Soccer)
  • Tacoma Rainiers (Baseball)

Universities in Tacomatoggle

  • Pacific Lutheran University
  • University of Puget Sound
  • University of Washington-Tacoma Campus

Other considerations when moving to Tacoma, WA

  • Weather: Tacoma has one of the best weather in the state of Washington which is a desirable feature for residence. Humidity in Tacoma is generally tolerable. The most humid months are August, July and September which are the best months to schedule a move to avoid rainfall and snow.
  • HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
  • Elevator reservation: One common and important example of something that should be handled ahead of time is reserving the building's elevator and finding out their rules for using the elevator.
  • Parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles, find out ahead of time with your new local rules.
  • State licensing: Movers operating within Washington DC city limits are subject to regulation by the Utilities and Transportation Commission, which issues operating permits to household goods moving companies. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Washington moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
  • Moving permits: Washington does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
  • Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Washington. Get started here.
  • Mover's insurance: Every state has their own requirements when it comes to insurance. When planning a move in Washington state, explore movers' insurance options for added peace of mind. Many moving companies offer Released Value Protection at no extra cost, covering items at 60 cents per pound. Enhance your protection by discussing Full Value Protection with the moving company or exploring personalized plans with third-party insurance providers. Understand coverage limits, potential extra costs, and read reviews to make an informed decision on your Washington state moving insurance.
  • Moving checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.

FAQ

How long does a move from Illinois to Tacoma take?

The time frame for a move from Illinois to Tacoma, WA, varies based on your moving method and starting location. The actual loading up of your items should not take more than a day, even with DIY moves.

Obviously, the further upstate you are in Illinois, the longer the drive time to Tacoma will be. If you’re driving a rental truck, the move could be completed in one or two days, on average, depending on your route and how often you stop.

With professional movers or moving containers, delivery times to Tacoma from Illinois can range from a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the company’s schedule and transit logistics. You can always ask for a general timeline before booking.

How far in advance should I book movers when moving from Illinois to Tacoma?

Because of the 2029-mile move, it’s best to book your move from Illinois to Tacoma as soon as you have your moving details. Ideally, you’d book your move two to three months ahead of time.

What time of year is the cheapest to move to Tacoma, WA?

With the summer highs of 77ºF and the winter lows of 35ºF, most people move to Tacoma from Illinois during the spring and fall months. To avoid competing during those busy moving seasons, you could save some money by booking your move to Tacoma during summer or winter.

Helpful moving resources