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Illinois to Ohio Moving Guide

Updated June 6, 2025

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Planning a 410 mile interstate move from Illinois to Ohio? This moving guide will help you compare living in Illinois vs Ohio across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high taxes vs lower taxes), food & health (like Deep-dish Pizza vs Buckeye Candy), real estate & housing (prairie style, chicago bungalow vs colonial, craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Illinois), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Deep-dish Pizza and Italian Beef Sandwich, but get your taste buds ready for Buckeye Candy & Cincinnati Chili
  • Ohio housing costs are 13% less expensive than they are in Illinois
  • Rent in Ohio is 17.32% more affordable than in Illinois
  • Moving from Illinois to Ohio will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,000
  • Our top recommended Illinois to Ohio movers is Perrysburg Moving and Hauling LLC

Illinois to Ohio Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Illinois to Ohio

ConsIllinois iconIllinois
  • High taxes
  • Brutal winters
  • Costly living
  • Traffic congestion
ProsOhio iconOhio
  • Lower taxes
  • Milder winters
  • Affordable housing
  • Less traffic

Ohio iconOhio
  • Smaller cities
  • Fewer attractions
  • Limited cuisines
  • Less public transport
Illinois iconIllinois
  • Thriving cultural scene
  • World-class museums
  • Diverse dining options
  • Extensive public transit

Pros of moving from Illinois to Ohio

  • Say goodbye to high taxes and hello to lower taxes
  • Look forward to moving away from brutal winters and moving to Ohio with milder winters
  • Swap the costly living of Illinois for affordable housing in Ohio
  • Get ready for less traffic in Ohio

Cons of moving from Illinois to Ohio

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the thriving cultural scene in Illinois to live with smaller cities in Ohio
  • You'll lose out on the pro of world-class museums and have to settle for the con of fewer attractions
  • Time to bid farewell to diverse dining options and get used to limited cuisines in Ohio
  • Swap extensive public transit for less public transport

Illinois vs. Ohio: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonIllinoisOhio
Most iconic local food itemDeep-dish PizzaBuckeye Candy
Most popular meat dishItalian Beef SandwichCincinnati Chili
Most popular street food itemChicago-style Hot DogPolish Boy
Most popular vegan foodSeitanJackfruit BBQ
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Lou Malnati's Pizzeria
  • Portillo's
  • Alinea
  • Slyman's Deli
  • Skyline Chili
  • Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams
Fitness/Health Conscientiousness (out of 10)πŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks (out of 10)🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene (out of 10)🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly (out of 10)🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

If you're moving from Illinois to Ohio, you will be trading the iconic Deep-dish Pizza of Illinois for the equally delicious Buckeye Candy of Ohio. And while the locals in Illinois rave about their flavorful Italian Beef Sandwich and sumptuous Chicago-style Hot Dog, Ohio residents know they have tasty Cincinnati Chili and Polish Boy to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Seitan they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Jackfruit BBQ of Ohio. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Illinois eateries like Lou Malnati's Pizzeria, Portillo's, and Alinea. After the boxes are unpacked in Ohio, don't wait too long before making your way to Ohio's acclaimed eateries like Slyman's Deli, Skyline Chili, and Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams.

When comparing lifestyles, Ohio shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Illinois. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Ohio compared to what you are used to in Illinois. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Ohio.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Illinois and Ohio

ComparisonIllinoisOhio
Typical Architecture StylePrairie Style, Chicago BungalowColonial, Craftsman
WalkabilityπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘Ÿ
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban LifestyleπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈ
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingHardwood floors, Granite countertopsSpacious backyard, Open floor plan
  • The Prairie Style and Chicago Bungalow architecture that Illinois is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Craftsman architecture typical of Ohio.
  • Compared to Illinois's real estate listings that commonly reference hardwood floors and granite countertops, Ohio real estate listings often highlight features like spacious backyards and open floor plans.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away. Ohio is less walkable than Illinois.
  • You might want to think twice before moving your bike. Ohio is less bike-friendly than Illinois.
  • Ohio has less of an urban feel than Illinois.
  • Ohio housing costs are 13% less expensive than they are in Illinois with a median home price of $223,135 compared to Illinois’s $257,738.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Ohio have increased by 49% compared to a 35% increase in Illinois.
  • Rent in Ohio is 17.32% more affordable than in Illinois.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Illinois and Ohio

ComparisonIllinoisOhio
Days of Sunshine per Yearβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈ
Avg. Annual HumidityπŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦
Avg. UV IndexπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈ
Natural DisastersTornadoes, stormsTornadoes, floods
Air QualityModerateModerate to Good
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)85/6583/63
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)35/1836/20
Annual Rainfall (Inches)3942
Annual Snowfall (Inches)2228
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from Illinois to Ohio. Ohio gets 7% fewer sunshine days than Illinois.
  • Ohio has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Illinois.
  • Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and storms in Illinois, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and floods in Ohio.
  • The average summer high temperature in Ohio is 2 degrees colder than in Illinois.
  • The average winter lows are 2 degrees warmer than they are in Illinois.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in Ohio. Ohio receives 3 more inches of rain compared to Illinois.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Illinois and Ohio

ComparisonIllinoisOhio
Avg. Household Income$76,708$65,720
Cost of Living Index94.2592.85
State Income Tax4.95%2.85% - 3.99%
Avg. Property Tax2.16%1.56%
Avg. Sales Tax8.81%7.17%
Top 3 IndustriesManufacturing, Agriculture, EnergyHealthcare, Manufacturing, Financial Services
AffluenceModerateAverage
PovertyHighModerate
HomelessnessModerateLow
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Ohio tend to earn about 14% less than those in Illinois
  • The COLI in Ohio is 1% lower than what you are used to living in Illinois
  • The state income tax in OH is 2.85% - 3.99% compared to 4.95% in IL
  • The affluence in Ohio is average compared to moderate in Illinois
  • The poverty level is moderate in Ohio compared to high in Illinois
  • In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Illinois and low in Ohio

Political and Religious Climate in Illinois vs. Ohio

ComparisonIllinoisOhio
Political Make-upLean DemocraticSwing State
Local PoliticsLarge urban areas skew DemocraticMixed, with urban areas leaning Democratic & rural areas conservative
ReligionChristianity is predominant, diverse religious communitiesChristianity is majority, with a notable presence of other religious groups
  • Illinois tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
  • Ohio, on the other hand, is often described as a swing state
  • Ohio's religious environment can be described as Christianity being the majority, with a notable presence of other religious groups
  • Illinois' residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christianity being predominant and diverse religious communities

Education Guide When Moving from Illinois to Ohio

ComparisonIllinoisOhio
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Northwestern University
University of Chicago
Ohio State University
University of Cincinnati
Miami University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsSkinner North Classical School
Chicago; Lincoln Elementary School
Springfield; Keller Elementary Gifted Magnet School
Chicago
Indian Hill Elementary
Cincinnati; Oakwood Elementary School
Dayton; Granville Elementary School
Granville
Top 3 Middle SchoolsSkinner North Classical School
Chicago; Payton College Preparatory High School
Chicago; Lane Tech College Prep High School
Chicago
Bexley Middle School
Bexley; Hudson Middle School
Hudson; Solon Middle School
Solon
Top 3 High School SchoolsWalter Payton College Prep
Chicago; Northside College Preparatory High School
Chicago; Adlai E. Stevenson High School
Lincolnshire
Walnut Hills High School
Cincinnati; Bexley High School
Bexley; Solon High School
Solon
Top 3 private high schoolsThe University of Chicago Laboratory Schools
Chicago; Francis W. Parker School
Chicago; Lake Forest Academy
Lake Forest
Hawken School
Gates Mills; University School
Hunting Valley; The Seven Hills School
Cincinnati
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsFox Valley Montessori School
Aurora; Avery Coonley School
Downers Grove; Science & Arts Academy
Des Plaines
The Columbus Academy
Gahanna; Cincinnati Country Day School
Cincinnati; Hathaway Brown School
Shaker Heights
Top 3 School DistrictsNew Trier Township High School District 203
Northfield; Naperville Community Unit School District 203
Naperville; Evanston Township High School District 202
Evanston
Indian Hill Exempted Village School District
Cincinnati; Solon City School District
Solon; Ottawa Hills Local School District
Ottawa Hills

How Much Do Illinois to Ohio Movers Cost?

Moving 410 miles from Illinois to Ohio will typically cost between $2,000 and $5,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $2,000 - $5,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-8 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Perrysburg Moving and Hauling LLC
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,435300 ft3$4.78
1 Bedroom$2,130450 ft3$4.73
2 Bedrooms$3,512750 ft3$4.68
3 Bedrooms$5,0961100 ft3$4.63
4 Bedrooms$7,3331600 ft3$4.58
5+ Bedrooms$8,1601800 ft3$4.53

Top Illinois to Ohio Movers

Read our in-depth analysis of the best Illinois to Ohio movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

TOP PICK
Perrysburg Moving and Hauling LLC featured image

Perrysburg Moving and Hauling LLC

Best moving company overall for Illinois to Ohio

9.81/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Blue Men Moving LLC featured image

Blue Men Moving LLC

9.57/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
606 Movers, Inc. featured image

606 Movers, Inc.

9.37/10
ExceptionalView details