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Idaho to Illinois Moving Guide

Updated June 9, 2025

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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

ConsIdaho iconIdaho
  • Limited job market
  • Harsh winters
  • Rural isolation
  • Lack of diversity
ProsIllinois iconIllinois
  • Vibrant job opportunities
  • Milder winters
  • Active urban lifestyle
  • Cultural diversity

Illinois iconIllinois
  • Industrial landscape
  • Higher cost of living
  • Busy lifestyle
  • City noise
Idaho iconIdaho
  • 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

ComparisonIdahoIllinois
Most iconic local food itemIdaho PotatoesChicago-style Deep Dish Pizza
Most popular meat dishIdaho TroutItalian Beef
Most popular street food itemFinger SteaksChicago-style Hot Dog
Most popular vegan foodWild Mushroom RisottoSeitan Wings
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • State & Lemp
  • Boise Fry Company
  • Duck O'Connor's
  • Lou Malnati's
  • Portillo's
  • Girl & The Goat
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

ComparisonIdahoIllinois
Typical Architecture StyleCraftsman and RanchPrairie and Mid-Century Modern
Walkability👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban Lifestyle🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingSpacious yards, Mountain viewsClose 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

ComparisonIdahoIllinois
Days of Sunshine per Year☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️
Avg. Annual Humidity💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦
Avg. UV Index🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️
Natural DisastersWildfires, EarthquakesTornadoes, Floods
Air QualityGoodModerate
Average Summer High/Low (°F)85°F / 40°F85°F / 65°F
Average Winter High/Low (°F)35°F / 15°F35°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

ComparisonIdahoIllinois
Avg. Household Income$72,785$76,708
Cost of Living Index91.594.25
State Income Tax6.9254.95
Avg. Property Tax0.692.27
Avg. Sales Tax6.028.81
Top 3 IndustriesAgriculture, Tourism, ManufacturingManufacturing, Finance, Healthcare
AffluenceModerateVaried
PovertyLowModerate
HomelessnessLowModerate
  • 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

ComparisonIdahoIllinois
Political Make-upConservativeLiberal
Local PoliticsRepublican-dominatedDemocratic-leaning
ReligionChristian, with a significant Mormon presenceDiverse, 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

ComparisonIdahoIllinois
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 SchoolsLongfellow Elementary (Boise)
Adams Elementary (Boise)
Roosevelt Elementary (Boise)
Lincoln Elementary (River Forest)
South Park Elementary (Deerfield)
Willowbrook Elementary (Glenview)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsNorth 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 SchoolsBoise 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 schoolsThe 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 schoolsThe 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 DistrictsBoise 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 - $7,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-9 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Valley Custom Moving
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$2,135300 ft3$7.12
1 Bedroom$3,179450 ft3$7.07
2 Bedrooms$5,261750 ft3$7.02
3 Bedrooms$7,6621100 ft3$6.97
4 Bedrooms$11,0641600 ft3$6.92
5+ Bedrooms$12,3571800 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.

TOP PICK
208 Moving Company featured image

208 Moving Company

Best moving company overall for Idaho to Illinois

9.49/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Valley Custom Moving featured image

Valley Custom Moving

9.41/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
606 Movers, Inc. featured image

606 Movers, Inc.

9.37/10
ExceptionalView details
Top Idaho to Illinois Routes

Boise to Illinois