Idaho to Illinois Moving Guide
Updated June 9, 2025

Planning a 1,644 mile interstate move from Idaho to Illinois? This moving guide will help you compare living in Idaho vs Illinois across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like limited job market vs vibrant job opportunities), food & health (like Idaho Potatoes vs Chicago-style Deep Dish Pizza), real estate & housing (craftsman and ranch vs prairie and mid-century modern), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Illinois), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Idaho Potatoes and Idaho Trout, but get your taste buds ready for Chicago-style Deep Dish Pizza & Italian Beef
- Illinois housing costs are 43% less expensive than they are in Idaho
- Rent in Illinois is 8.38% more expensive than in Idaho
- Moving from Idaho to Illinois will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,500
- Our top recommended Idaho to Illinois movers is 208 Moving Company
Idaho to Illinois Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Idaho to Illinois
- Limited job market
- Harsh winters
- Rural isolation
- Lack of diversity
- Vibrant job opportunities
- Milder winters
- Active urban lifestyle
- Cultural diversity
- Industrial landscape
- Higher cost of living
- Busy lifestyle
- City noise
- Natural beauty
- Low cost of living
- Friendly communities
- Peaceful environment
Pros of moving from Idaho to Illinois
- Say goodbye to limited job market and hello to vibrant job opportunities
- Look forward to moving away from harsh winters and moving to Illinois with milder winters
- Swap the rural isolation of Idaho for an active urban lifestyle in Illinois
- Get ready for cultural diversity in Illinois
Cons of moving from Idaho to Illinois
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the natural beauty in Idaho to live with an industrial landscape in Illinois
- You'll lose out on the pro of a low cost of living and have to settle with the con of a higher cost of living
- Time to bid farewell to friendly communities and get used to a busy lifestyle in Illinois
- Swap a peaceful environment for city noise
Idaho vs. Illinois: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Idaho | Illinois |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Idaho Potatoes | Chicago-style Deep Dish Pizza |
Most popular meat dish | Idaho Trout | Italian Beef |
Most popular street food item | Finger Steaks | Chicago-style Hot Dog |
Most popular vegan food | Wild Mushroom Risotto | Seitan Wings |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness | 💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪 | 💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪 |
Abundance of Food Trucks | 🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚 | 🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚 |
Foodie Scene | 🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴 | 🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴 |
Vegan Friendly | 🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱 | 🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱 |
If you're moving from Idaho to Illinois, you will be trading the iconic Idaho Potatoes of Idaho for the equally delicious Chicago-style Deep Dish Pizza of Illinois. And while the locals in Idaho rave about their flavorful Idaho Trout and sumptuous Finger Steaks, Illinois residents know they have tasty Italian Beef and Chicago-style Hot Dog to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Wild Mushroom Risotto they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Seitan Wings of Illinois. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Idaho eateries like State & Lemp, Boise Fry Company, and Duck O'Connor's. After the boxes are unpacked in Illinois, don't wait too long before making your way to Illinois' acclaimed eateries like Lou Malnati's, Portillo's, and Girl & The Goat.
When comparing lifestyles, Illinois shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Idaho. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Illinois compared to what you are used to in Idaho. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Illinois.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Idaho and Illinois
Comparison | Idaho | Illinois |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Craftsman and Ranch | Prairie and Mid-Century Modern |
Walkability | 👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟 | 👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟 |
Bikeability | 🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲 | 🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲 |
Urban Lifestyle | 🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️ | 🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious yards, Mountain views | Close to public transport, Urban amenities |
- The Craftsman and Ranch architecture that Idaho is known for will be replaced with the Prairie and Mid-Century Modern architecture typical of Illinois.
- Compared to Idaho's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and mountain views, Illinois real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to public transport and urban amenities.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Illinois is more walkable than Idaho.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Illinois is more bike-friendly than Idaho.
- Illinois has more of an urban feel than Idaho.
- Illinois housing costs are 43% less expensive than they are in Idaho, with a median home price of $257,738 compared to Idaho’s $451,298.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Illinois have increased by 35% compared to a 69% increase in Idaho.
- Rent in Illinois is 8.38% more expensive than in Idaho.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Idaho and Illinois
Comparison | Idaho | Illinois |
---|---|---|
Days of Sunshine per Year | ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️ | ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️ |
Avg. Annual Humidity | 💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦 | 💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦 |
Avg. UV Index | 🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️ | 🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️ |
Natural Disasters | Wildfires, Earthquakes | Tornadoes, Floods |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (°F) | 85°F / 40°F | 85°F / 65°F |
Average Winter High/Low (°F) | 35°F / 15°F | 35°F / 22°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 12-20" | 36-48" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 20-60" | 22-26" |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Idaho to Illinois. Illinois gets 3% fewer sunshine days than Idaho.
- Illinois has higher humidity and a similar average UV index compared to Idaho.
- Say goodbye to the possible wildfires and earthquakes in Idaho, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and floods in Illinois.
- The average summer high temperature in Illinois is the same as in Idaho.
- The average winter lows are 7 degrees warmer than they are in Idaho.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Illinois. Illinois receives 24 more inches of rain compared to Idaho.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Idaho and Illinois
Comparison | Idaho | Illinois |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $72,785 | $76,708 |
Cost of Living Index | 91.5 | 94.25 |
State Income Tax | 6.925 | 4.95 |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.69 | 2.27 |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.02 | 8.81 |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Tourism, Manufacturing | Manufacturing, Finance, Healthcare |
Affluence | Moderate | Varied |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Illinois tend to earn about 5% more than in Idaho
- The COLI in Illinois will be 3% higher than what you are used to living in Idaho
- The state income tax in IL is 4.95 compared to 6.925 in ID
- The affluence in Illinois is varied compared to moderate in Idaho
- The poverty level is moderate in Illinois compared to low in Idaho
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Idaho and moderate in Illinois
Political and Religious Climate in Idaho vs. Illinois
Comparison | Idaho | Illinois |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Conservative | Liberal |
Local Politics | Republican-dominated | Democratic-leaning |
Religion | Christian, with a significant Mormon presence | Diverse, with a large Christian community but greater religious diversity |
- Idaho tends to lean conservative in its political climate
- Illinois, on the other hand, is often described as liberal
- Illinois' religious environment can be described as diverse, with a large Christian community and greater religious diversity
- Idaho's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christian, with a significant Mormon presence
Education Guide When Moving from Idaho to Illinois
Comparison | Idaho | Illinois |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Boise State University University of Idaho Idaho State University | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Northwestern University University of Chicago |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Longfellow Elementary (Boise) Adams Elementary (Boise) Roosevelt Elementary (Boise) | Lincoln Elementary (River Forest) South Park Elementary (Deerfield) Willowbrook Elementary (Glenview) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | North Junior High (Boise) East Junior High (Boise) Lake Hazel Middle (Boise) | Marie Murphy School (Wilmette) Twin Groves Middle (Buffalo Grove) Maple School (Northbrook) |
Top 3 High Schools | Boise High (Boise) Eagle High (Eagle) Timberline High (Boise) | Northside College Prep (Chicago) Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (Aurora) New Trier Township H.S. (Winnetka) |
Top 3 private high schools | The Ambrose School (Meridian) Bishop Kelly High School (Boise) Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy (Coeur d'Alene) | University of Chicago Lab School (Chicago) Francis W. Parker School (Chicago) Lake Forest Academy (Lake Forest) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Ambrose School (Meridian) Riverstone International School (Boise) Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy (Coeur d'Alene) | University of Chicago Lab School (Chicago) Francis W. Parker School (Chicago) Morgan Park Academy (Chicago) |
Top 3 School Districts | Boise Independent School District Blaine County School District Coeur d'Alene School District | New Trier Township H.S. District 203 (Northfield) Naperville Community Unit School District 203 Evanston Township High School District 202 |
How Much Do Idaho to Illinois Movers Cost?
Moving 1,644 miles from Idaho to Illinois will typically cost between $3,000 and $7,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,000 - $7,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-9 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Valley Custom Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,135 | 300 ft3 | $7.12 |
1 Bedroom | $3,179 | 450 ft3 | $7.07 |
2 Bedrooms | $5,261 | 750 ft3 | $7.02 |
3 Bedrooms | $7,662 | 1100 ft3 | $6.97 |
4 Bedrooms | $11,064 | 1600 ft3 | $6.92 |
5+ Bedrooms | $12,357 | 1800 ft3 | $6.87 |
Top Idaho to Illinois Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Idaho to Illinois movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.