Illinois to Oregon Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Illinois to Oregon

ConsIllinois

• Harsh winters
• Flat terrain
• Higher sales tax
• Heavy traffic in Chicago

ProsOregon

• Mild coastal climate
• Mountainous landscapes
• No state sales tax
• Less congestion

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Oregon

• Fewer major cities
• Limited restaurant options
• Far from East Coast
• More rain

Illinois

• Chicago's cultural scene
• Food diversity
• Central US location
• Plentiful lakes

Pros of moving from Illinois to Oregon

• Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to a mild coastal climate
• Look forward to moving away from flat terrain and moving to Oregon with mountainous landscapes
• Swap the higher sales tax of Illinois for no state sales tax in Oregon
• Get ready for less congestion in Oregon

Cons of moving from Illinois to Oregon

• Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from Chicago's cultural scene in Illinois to live with fewer major cities in Oregon
• You'll lose out on the pro of food diversity and have to settle for the con of limited restaurant options
• Time to bid farewell to a central US location and get used to being far from the East Coast in Oregon
• Swap plentiful lakes for more rain

Illinois vs. Oregon: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

If you're moving from Illinois to Oregon, you will be trading the iconic Chicago-style Deep Dish Pizza of Illinois for the equally delicious Marionberry Pie of Oregon. And while the locals in Illinois rave about their flavorful Italian Beef Sandwich and sumptuous Chicago-style Hot Dog, Oregon residents know they have tasty Dungeness Crab and Food Truck Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Deep Dish Vegan Pizza they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegan Ramen of Oregon. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Illinois eateries like Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria, Al’s Beef, and Portillo’s. After the boxes are unpacked in Oregon, don't wait too long before making your way to Oregon's acclaimed eateries like Pok Pok, Salt & Straw, and Screen Door.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Illinois and Oregon

• The Prairie Style and Chicago Bungalow architecture that Illinois is known for will be replaced with the Craftsman and Northwest Style architecture typical of Oregon.
• Compared to Illinois's real estate listings that commonly reference hardwood floors and expansive yards, Oregon real estate listings often highlight features like eco-friendly solutions and close-to-nature locales.
• Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Oregon is more walkable than Illinois.
• Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Oregon is more bike-friendly than Illinois.
• Oregon has more of an urban feel than Illinois.
• Oregon housing costs are 93% more expensive than they are in Illinois, with a median home price of $497,946 compared to Illinois’s $257,738.
• Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Oregon have increased by 39% compared to a 35% increase in Illinois.
• Rent in Oregon is 0.84% more expensive than in Illinois.

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

• The shades won't be used as much for your move from Illinois to Oregon. Oregon gets 24% fewer sunshine days than Illinois.
• Oregon has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Illinois.
• Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Illinois, but be on the lookout for potential earthquakes and floods in Oregon.
• Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Oregon is 4 degrees colder than in Illinois.
• The average winter lows in Oregon are 13 degrees warmer than they are in Illinois.
• Your umbrella might be more overworked in Oregon. Oregon receives 4 more inches of rain compared to Illinois.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Illinois and Oregon

• When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Oregon tend to earn about 1% less than in Illinois
• The COLI in Oregon will be 17% higher than what you are used to living in Illinois
• The state income tax in OR is 4.75% to 9.9% compared to 4.95% in IL
• The affluence in Oregon is moderate compared to moderate in Illinois
• The poverty level is noticeable in Oregon compared to significant in Illinois
• In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Illinois and high in Oregon

Political and Religious Climate in Illinois vs. Oregon

• Illinois tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
• Oregon, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Democratic
• Oregon's religious environment can be described as less religious overall, with a strong presence of non-affiliated individuals, alongside Christian, Jewish, and Buddhist communities
• Illinois' residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christianity being predominant, followed by Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, and Hindu communities

Education Guide When Moving from Illinois to Oregon

How Much Do Illinois to Oregon Movers Cost?

Moving 1,906 miles from Illinois to Oregon will typically cost between $3,500 and $8,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.