($1,295) Moving From West Virginia to Illinois
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: The average cost to move from West Virginia to Illinois ranges from $523 to $6,269 and takes one-six days. The top cost factors are how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the move yourself.
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Hiring a full-service West Virginia moving company will be on the more expensive side, while a rental truck or a moving container is usually cheaper but requires more work.
You may also want to consider the potential added cost of getting your vehicle or boat to your new home as part of your move. 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 West Virginia to Illinois separately through one of the top car shipping companies.
Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our moving from Illinois to West Virginia guide.
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The best West Virginia to Illinois movers
Hiring an interstate moving company from West Virginia to Illinois is a big deal.
There are more than 8,000 moving companies in the U.S. But don’t worry, you won’t have to filter through all of them. We’ve done the research for you and narrowed the list based on customer satisfaction, cost, and services.
Here are the best long-distance moving companies serving West Virginia to Illinois:
- Safeway Moving: Best overall value
- American Van Lines: Most experienced mover
- Mayzlin Relocation: Best for personalized service
- North American Van Lines: Best customized plans
- JK Moving Services: Best for high-end moves
- GPS tracking en route
- Veteran-owned
- Dedicated move coordinator
- Flat-rate pricing
- Donates a portion of moves to charity
- Experienced & fully trained moving crews
- Specializes in moving art & antiques
- Competitive pricing
- Can handle last-minute moves
- Climate-controlled storage
- Family-owned, with locations covering the East Coast
- Full refund if you cancel within 7 days of your move
- Hands-on customer service
- 24/7 support
- Price-matching policy
- Custom crates for electronics & art
- Satellite shipment tracking
- 1,500 local agents covering all 50 states
- Self-packing option
- No deposit required
- White-glove handling of fragile & high-end items
- Guaranteed pickup & delivery
- $250 deposit for interstate moves
- Mobile app with 24/7 customer service
- Financing available
If you’re just trying to ship a few items, here’s a list of our recommended services for small moves.
Looking for local West Virginia movers?
| Company | Quote | Rating | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
most popular
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Get A Quote |
 
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37 Jacobson Drive, Charleston, WV, 25159 (800) 753-1898 |
| Watts Brothers Moving and Storage Systems | Get A Quote |
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1301 7th Ave # A, Huntington, WV, 25701 (304) 529-2360 |
| Dunbar Transfer | Get A Quote |
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134 Bel Aire Dr, Tornado, WV, 25202 (304) 722-1003 |
Visit our Best Movers in West Virginia page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.
How much does it cost to move from West Virginia to Illinois?
The table below lays out average cost ranges to move from West Virginia to Illinois for different moving services depending on the size of your home.
| Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 Bedroom | $1,295 - $3,886 | $711 - $1,806 | $504 - $868 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,343 - $6,269 | $1,391 - $2,677 | $523 - $1,116 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,977 - $8,640 | $1,892 - $3,219 | $666 - $1,269 |
*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 598 miles and historical averages. The actual size of your move, additional services required, truck parking access, market conditions, and availability can greatly affect your final costs.
Factors affecting the cost of moving from WV to IL
There are many factors that influence West Virginia moving costs. The cost to move from West 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 West 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.
How much does it cost to hire movers from West Virginia to Illinois?
Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from West Virginia to Illinois will cost between $1,295 and $3,886. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from WV to IL will range from $2,343 to $6,269, and a large move from West Virginia to Illinois will cost from $3,977 to $8,640.
How much are moving containers like PODS from West Virginia to Illinois?
Moving containers from West Virginia to Illinois will cost you $711 to $1,806 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,391 to $2,677. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $1,892 to $3,219. Learn more about PODS cost.
Here are the cheapest moving container companies when moving out of West Virginia.
How much is a moving truck from West Virginia to Illinois?
A moving rental truck is generally the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor.
Moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around
$504 to $868.
A two to three-bedroom move will cost
$523 to $1,116,
and moving a home with four or more bedrooms or from West Virginia to Illinois costs from
$666 to $1,269.
These estimates include the estimated fuel cost.
Is moving from West Virginia to Illinois a good idea?
If you’re moving to Illinois from West Virginia, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.
Cost of living: West Virginia vs. Illinois
| West Virginia | Illinois | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $725 | $1,038 |
| Average home cost | $129,659 | $249,224 |
| Average income (per capita) | $48,037 | $78,433 |
| Cost of Living Index | 91 | 90 |
| Unemployment rate | 4.1% | 4.6% |
| Average Sales Tax | 6.5% | 8.82% |
| State Income Tax | 6.5% | 4.95% |
- Rent is about 43% more expensive in Illinois than in West Virginia.
- Home prices are about 92% higher in Illinois than in West Virginia.
- The average income is about 63% higher in Illinois than in West Virginia.
- Cost of living is 1% lower in Illinois than in West Virginia.
- Illinois has a higher unemployment rate than West Virginia by about 12%.
- Sales taxes are 36% higher in Illinois than in West Virginia.
- Income taxes are 24% lower in Illinois than in West Virginia.
How does life in Illinois differ from West Virginia?
| Illinois | West Virginia | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 12,582,032 | 1,782,959 |
| Political leaning | Democrat 58-41 | Republican 69-30 |
| Summer high | 86ºF | 83ºF |
| Winter low | 17ºF | 21ºF |
| Annual rain | 40" | 45" |
| Annual snow | 22" | 33" |
| Crime index | 18.79 | 17.47 |
- The population of Illinois is approximately 606% greater than the population of West Virginia.
- In the last presidential election, Illinois voted Democrat and West Virginia voted Republican.
- The average high in the summertime in Illinois is 86ºF and in West Virginia, it’s 83ºF.
- During the coldest part of the year, Illinois reaches the temperature of 17ºF and West Virginia gets down to 21ºF.
- You can expect about forty inches of annual rainfall in Illinois versus forty-five inches of rainfall in West Virginia.
- In Illinois, it snows about twenty-two inches annually versus thirty-three inches of snow in West Virginia.
- Illinois has a higher crime rate than West Virginia with a crime index of 18.79 vs 17.47.
Comparing the pros of West Virginia vs. Illinois
There are always a lot of reasons to get excited about living somewhere new. These are the best parts of living in West Virginia versus Illinois side by side.
| Pros of living in West Virginia | Pros of living in Illinois |
|---|---|
| Low cost of living | Home of Chicago |
| Abundant outdoor activities | Ample economic opportunity |
| 4 distinct seasons of weather | Bountiful recreational opportunities |
| Immense natural beauty | Delicious food |
| Relaxed small cities and towns | World-class sports culture |
Comparing the cons of living in West Virginia vs. Illinois
Not everything is sunshine and rainbows all the time, no matter where you live. Here are some things to be aware of when leaving West Virginia for Illinois.
| Cons of living in West Virginia | Cons of living in Illinois |
|---|---|
| Dismal economy | Harsh winter weather |
| High rates of crime | Bad traffic |
| High rates of drug abuse | High crime rate |
| Shrinking population | Dull landscape |
| Lack of diversity | Strict laws |
What to know before your move to Illinois
- 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 West Virginia to Illinois?
The cheapest way to move from West Virginia to Illinois is with a DIY move. Here’s our guide for the cheapest way to move out of state.
What are the benefits of moving from West Virginia to Illinois?
The main reasons people are moving from West 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 West Virginia or Illinois?
It is generally cheaper to live in West Virginia than in Illinois. While the overall cost of living is similar for both states, housing is much more affordable in West Virginia, with average rent about 30% less and home prices 48% lower than in Illinois. However, taxes are lower in Illinois, most notably income taxes, which are more than 20% less than those paid by West Virginia residents.
How much should you make a year to live comfortably in Illinois?
You should make approximately $0 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in Arizona. The cost of living in Arizona is approximately $0 per month for an individual and $0 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 Addison and Algonquin will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.
