Illinois to DC Moving Guide
Updated June 6, 2025

Planning a 768 mile interstate move from Illinois to DC? This moving guide will help you compare living in Illinois vs DC across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons, food & health (like Deep-dish pizza vs Half-smoke), real estate & housing (prairie, modern vs victorian, federal), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in DC), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Deep-dish pizza and Italian Beef, but get your taste buds ready for Half-smoke & Mumbo Sauce Wings
- DC housing costs are 140% more expensive than they are in Illinois
- Rent in DC is 37.05% more expensive than in Illinois
- Moving from Illinois to DC will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
- Our top recommended Illinois to DC movers is Bookstore Movers
Illinois vs. DC: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Illinois | DC |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Deep-dish pizza | Half-smoke |
Most popular meat dish | Italian Beef | Mumbo Sauce Wings |
Most popular street food item | Hot dogs | Falafel |
Most popular vegan food | Seitan dishes | Jackfruit tacos |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± |
If you're moving from Illinois to DC, you will be trading the iconic Deep-dish pizza of Illinois for the equally delicious Half-smoke of DC. And while the locals in Illinois rave about their flavorful Italian Beef and sumptuous Hot dogs, DC residents know they have tasty Mumbo Sauce Wings and Falafel to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Seitan dishes they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Jackfruit tacos of DC. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Illinois eateries like Lou Malnatiβs Pizzeria, Portillo's, and Alinea. After the boxes are unpacked in DC, don't wait too long before making your way to DC's acclaimed eateries like Benβs Chili Bowl, Zaytinya, and Rose's Luxury.
When comparing lifestyles, DC shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Illinois. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in DC, compared to what you are used to in Illinois. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in DC.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Illinois and DC
Comparison | Illinois | DC |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Prairie, Modern | Victorian, Federal |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Suburban communities, spacious yards | Proximity to Metro, vibrant neighborhoods |
- The Prairie and Modern architecture that Illinois is known for will be replaced with the Victorian and Federal architecture typical of DC.
- Compared to Illinois's real estate listings that commonly reference suburban communities and spacious yards, DC real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to metro and vibrant neighborhoods.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; DC is more walkable than Illinois.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike; DC is more bike-friendly than Illinois.
- DC has more of an urban feel than Illinois.
- DC housing costs are 140% more expensive than they are in Illinois, with a median home price of $619,320 compared to Illinoisβs $257,738.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in DC have increased 8% compared to a 35% increase in Illinois.
- Rent in DC is 37.05% more expensive than in Illinois.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Illinois and DC
Comparison | Illinois | DC |
---|---|---|
Days of Sunshine per Year | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ |
Avg. Annual Humidity | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ |
Avg. UV Index | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ |
Natural Disasters | Tornadoes, Floods | Hurricanes, Floods |
Air Quality | Moderate | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85/65 | 89/71 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 35/20 | 47/28 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 39 | 40 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 22 | 15 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Illinois to DC. DC gets 7% more sunshine days than Illinois.
- DC has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Illinois.
- Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Illinois, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and floods in DC.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in DC is 4 degrees warmer than in Illinois.
- The average winter lows are 8 degrees warmer than they are in Illinois.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in DC. DC receives 1 more inch of rain compared to Illinois.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Illinois and DC
Comparison | Illinois | DC |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $76,708 | $101,027 |
Cost of Living Index | 94.25 | 140.1 |
State Income Tax | 4.95% | 10.75% |
Avg. Property Tax | 2.27% | 0.55% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 10.02% | 6.00% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Agriculture, Insurance | Public Administration, Education, Professional Services |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Notable | Moderate |
Homelessness | Moderate | Noticeable |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in DC tend to earn about 32% more than those in Illinois
- The COLI in DC is 49% higher than what you are used to living in Illinois
- The state income tax in DC is 10.75% compared to 4.95% in IL
- The affluence in DC is high compared to moderate in Illinois
- The poverty level is moderate in DC compared to notable in Illinois
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Illinois and noticeable in DC
Political and Religious Climate in Illinois vs. DC
Comparison | Illinois | DC |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Democratic-leaning | Strongly Democratic |
Local Politics | Chicago's urban policies influential | D.C. local government's federal oversight |
Religion | Christianity dominant, diverse religious presence | Christianity prevalent, significant non-religious segment |
- Illinois tends to lean Democratic-leaning in its political climate
- D.C., on the other hand, is often described as strongly Democratic
- D.C.'s religious environment can be described as predominantly Christianity with a significant non-religious segment
- Illinois' residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christianity dominant with a diverse religious presence
Education Guide When Moving from Illinois to DC
Comparison | Illinois | DC |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Illinois Northwestern University University of Chicago | Georgetown University George Washington University American University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Lincoln Elementary School Chicago South Loop Elementary School Chicago Skinner North Classical School Chicago | Janney Elementary School Washington D.C. Lafayette Elementary School Washington D.C. Mann Elementary School Washington D.C. |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Thayer J. Hill Middle School Naperville Woodlawn Middle School Long Grove Maple School Northbrook | Deal Middle School Washington D.C. Hardy Middle School Washington D.C. Ellington School of the Arts Washington D.C. |
Top 3 High School Schools | Adlai E. Stevenson High School Lincolnshire Northside College Preparatory High School Chicago Walter Payton College Prep Chicago | Benjamin Banneker Academic High School Washington D.C. School Without Walls High School Washington D.C. Wilson High School Washington D.C. |
Top 3 private high schools | University of Chicago Laboratory Schools Chicago Latin School of Chicago Chicago Francis W. Parker School Chicago | Georgetown Day School Washington D.C. Sidwell Friends School Washington D.C. St. Albans School Washington D.C. |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Latin School of Chicago Chicago University of Chicago Laboratory Schools Chicago Francis W. Parker School Chicago | Georgetown Day School Washington D.C. Sidwell Friends School Washington D.C. National Cathedral School Washington D.C. |
Top 3 School Districts | New Trier Township High School District Northfield Community High School District 128 Vernon Hills Naperville Community Unit School District 203 Naperville | District of Columbia Public Schools |
How Much Do Illinois to DC Movers Cost?
Moving 768 miles from Illinois to DC will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-8 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: A1 Movers, Inc
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,638 | 300 ft3 | $5.46 |
1 Bedroom | $2,434 | 450 ft3 | $5.41 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,020 | 750 ft3 | $5.36 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,841 | 1100 ft3 | $5.31 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,415 | 1600 ft3 | $5.26 |
5+ Bedrooms | $9,377 | 1800 ft3 | $5.21 |
Top Illinois to DC Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Illinois to DC movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.