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Factors affecting the cost of moving from VA to IL
There are many factors that influence Virginia moving costs. The cost to move from Virginia to Illinois will depend on these factors:
- Move size: Moving a large home costs more than moving a studio apartment.
- Time of year: The peak moving season in Virginia is in the summer, so moving companies will likely charge more.
- DIY vs. professional mover: DIY moving services are cheaper but you do all the heavy lifting compared to letting the pros handle your move.
What to know before moving from VA to IL
If you’re moving to Illinois from Virginia, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.
Cost of living: Virginia vs. Illinois
| Virginia | Illinois | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,440 | $1,179 |
| Average home cost | $392,682 | $249,224 |
| Average income (per capita) | $87,249 | $78,433 |
| Cost of Living Index | 0 | 90 |
| Unemployment rate | 2.9% | 5.3% |
| Average Sales Tax | 5.73% | 8.82% |
| State Income Tax | 5.75% | 4.95% |
- Rent is about 18% less expensive in Illinois than in Virginia.
- Home prices are about 37% lower in Illinois than in Virginia.
- The average income is about 10% lower in Illinois than in Virginia.
- Cost of living is inf% lower in Illinois than in Virginia.
- Illinois has a higher unemployment rate than Virginia by about 83%.
- Sales taxes are 54% higher in Illinois than in Virginia.
- Income taxes are 14% lower in Illinois than in Virginia.
How life is different in Illinois vs. Virginia
| Illinois | Virginia | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 12,549,689 | 8,715,698 |
| Political leaning | Democratic 55-45 | Democratic 52-48 |
| Summer high | 86ºF | 87ºF |
| Winter low | 17ºF | 25ºF |
| Annual rain | 40" | 44" |
| Annual snow | 22" | 14" |
| Crime index | 19.7 | 19.3 |
- The population of Illinois is approximately 44% greater than the population of Virginia.
- In the last presidential election, Illinois voted Democratic and Virginia voted Democratic.
- The average high in the summertime in Illinois is 86ºF and in Virginia, it’s 87ºF.
- During the coldest part of the year, Illinois reaches the temperature of 17ºF and Virginia gets down to 25ºF.
- You can expect about 40 inches of annual rainfall in Illinois versus 44 inches of rainfall in Virginia.
- In Illinois, it snows about 22 inches annually versus 14 inches of snow in Virginia.
- Illinois has a higher crime rate than Virginia with a crime index of 19.7 vs. 19.3.
Comparing the pros of Virginia vs. Illinois
Getting a fresh start in a new location is exciting. Here’s a side-by-side look at the perks of living in Illinois compared to Virginia.
| Pros of living in Virginia | Pros of living in Illinois |
|---|---|
| Strong economy | Home of Chicago |
| Beautiful scenery | Ample economic opportunity |
| Abundance of outdoor activities | Bountiful recreational opportunities |
| Enjoyable four season weather | Delicious food |
| Strong military presence | World-class sports culture |
Comparing the cons of living in Virginia vs. Illinois
Everything can’t be sunshine and rainbows all the time, no matter where you live. Here are some things to be aware of when leaving Virginia for Illinois.
| Cons of living in Virginia | Cons of living in Illinois |
|---|---|
| High cost of living | Harsh winter weather |
| Unpredictable weather | Bad traffic |
| Bad traffic congestion | High crime rate |
| Lack of public transportation | Dull landscape |
| Air noise pollution | Strict laws |
Other things to consider for your Virginia to Illinois move
- Weather: Illinois' climate is clearly different in the northern and southern halves of the state. The northern half experiences cold winters and mild summers whereas the southern half experiences mild winters and hot and humid summers. Illinois is a part of "tornado alley"
- 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: In Illinois, regulations on in-state moves and local movers are set forth by the Illinois Commerce Commission. To move household goods locally and intrastate, companies need to have a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity, so make sure the companies you’re considering have one and that it’s current. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
- State regulator: You can verify a Illinois moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
- Moving permits: Illinois 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 so that all your mail will get properly forwarded to Illinois. Get started here.
- Mover's insurance: Interstate moving companies are required under federal law to provide basic insurance — also called “released value protection” — free of charge to all moving customers. Choose cost-free Released Value Protection from movers for basic coverage at 60 cents per pound. For more extensive protection matching your items' full value, consult your moving company for alternative options or consider a third-party insurance provider.
- Moving checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.
Things to do in Illinois
While you’re in Illinois, you won’t be bored. These are some of the coolest places to visit in your new home state:
- Millennium Park
- Navy Pier
- The Magnificent Mile
- Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
- Shedd Aquarium
- The Art Institute of Chicago
- Starved Rock State Park
- Garden of the Gods - Shawnee National Forest
- Lincoln Park Zoo
- Anderson Japanese Gardens
- Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site
- Dana-Thomas House
- Ulysses S. Grant Home State Historic Site
- Discovery Center Museum
- Buffalo Rock State Park
- Museum of Science and Industry
- Illinois Beach State Park
- Grand View Drive
- Mississippi Palisades State Park
- Matthiessen State Park
FAQs
What is the cheapest way to move from Virginia to Illinois?
Hiring a full-service Virginia moving company will be on the more expensive side, while a rental truck or a moving container is usually the cheaper way to go, but requires more work. Here’s our guide for the cheapest way to move out of state.
Do movers transport your car from Virginia to Illinois?
Some full-service movers can coordinate auto transport for you as part of your relocation package for an additional fee. But you can also handle vehicle transport from Virginia to Illinois separately through one of the top car shipping companies.
What are the benefits of moving from Virginia to Illinois?
The main reasons people are moving from Virginia to Illinois are the amazing upsides of living in Illinois such as home of Chicago and ample economic opportunity.
Is it cheaper to live in Virginia or Illinois?
It is generally cheaper to live in Virginia than in Illinois. Housing is much more affordable in Illinois, with average rent about 18% less and home prices 36.5% lower than in Virginia. Taxes are also lower in Illinois, most notably income taxes, which are more than 10% less than those paid by Virginia residents.
How much should you make a year to live comfortably in Illinois?
You should make approximately $80,838 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in Illinois. The cost of living in Illinois is approximately $3,569 per month for an individual and $7,930 for a family of four. The exact amount you’ll need to live comfortably may be more or less depending on where in Illinois you live For example, larger cities like Chicago and Aurora will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.
