Illinois to Virginia Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Illinois to Virginia

ConsIllinois

• Higher property taxes
• Harsh snowy winters
• Heavy lake-effect snow
• Flat prairie scenery
• State budget woes
• Limited mountain access
• No ocean beaches
• Fewer federal jobs
• Outbound population trend
• Higher sales tax

ProsVirginia

• Lower property taxes
• Milder winter climate
• Lighter overall snowfall
• Mountains and coastline
• Stronger state finances
• Blue Ridge hiking
• Atlantic beach access
• Federal and defense jobs
• Growing job markets
• Lower base sales tax

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Virginia

• Limited transit coverage
• Fewer direct flights
• Higher top tax rate
• Costly NOVA housing
• Fewer major teams
• More car dependence
• No Great Lakes coast
• Fewer flagship museums
• Fewer Michelin restaurants
• Winding road networks

Illinois

• Extensive public transit
• O'Hare flight options
• Lower income tax rate
• Cheaper city housing
• Major league sports
• Walkable urban districts
• Great Lakes shoreline
• World-class museums
• Michelin dining scene
• Grid street navigation

Pros of moving from Illinois to Virginia

• Say goodbye to higher property taxes and hello to lower property taxes
• Look forward to moving away from harsh snowy winters and moving to Virginia with a milder winter climate
• Swap the heavy lake-effect snow of Illinois for lighter overall snowfall in Virginia
• Get ready for mountains and coastline in Virginia

Cons of moving from Illinois to Virginia

• Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from extensive public transit in Illinois to live with limited transit coverage in Virginia
• You'll lose out on the pro of O'Hare flight options and have to settle for the con of fewer direct flights
• Time to bid farewell to a lower income tax rate and get used to a higher top tax rate in Virginia
• Swap cheaper city housing for costly NOVA housing

Illinois vs. Virginia: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

If you're moving from Illinois to Virginia, you will be trading the iconic Chicago-style deep-dish pizza of Illinois for the equally delicious Virginia ham of Virginia. And while the locals in Illinois rave about their flavorful Italian Beef and sumptuous Hot Dogs, Virginia residents know they have tasty Country Ham Biscuits and Peanuts 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 Brunswick Stew of Virginia. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Illinois eateries like Lou Malnati's Pizzeria, Au Cheval, and Portillo's. After the boxes are unpacked in Virginia, don't wait too long before making your way to Virginia's acclaimed eateries like Tupelo Honey, Leesburg Public House, and The Inn at Little Washington.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Illinois and Virginia

• The Prairie style and Chicago bungalows architecture that Illinois is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Cape Cod architecture typical of Virginia.
• Compared to Illinois's real estate listings that commonly reference hardwood floors and stainless steel appliances, Virginia real estate listings often highlight features like energy efficiency and outdoor spaces.
• You can keep your walking shoes packed away. Virginia is less walkable than Illinois.
• Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Virginia is more bike-friendly than Illinois.
• Virginia has less of an urban feel than Illinois.
• Virginia housing costs are 50% more expensive than they are in Illinois, with a median home price of $385,780 compared to Illinois’s $257,738.
• Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Virginia have increased by 42% compared to a 35% increase in Illinois.
• Rent in Virginia is 4.54% more expensive than in Illinois.

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

• Break out the sunglasses for your move from Illinois to Virginia. Virginia gets 8% more sunshine days than Illinois.
• Virginia has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Illinois.
• Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and winter storms in Illinois, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and flooding in Virginia.
• The average summer high temperature in Virginia is 2 degrees warmer than in Illinois.
• The average winter lows are 10 degrees warmer than they are in Illinois.
• Your umbrella might be more overworked in Virginia. Virginia receives 5 more inches of rain compared to Illinois.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Illinois and Virginia

• When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Virginia tend to earn about 12% more than in Illinois
• The COLI in Virginia will be 2% higher than what you are used to living in Illinois
• The state income tax in VA is 2% to 5.75% compared to 4.95% in IL
• The affluence in Virginia is high compared to moderate affluence in Illinois
• The poverty level is low in Virginia compared to moderate poverty in Illinois
• In terms of homelessness, it is concerning in Illinois and manageable in Virginia

Political and Religious Climate in Illinois vs. Virginia

• Illinois tends to lean Liberal/Democratic in its political climate
• Virginia, on the other hand, is often described as moderate with a slight lean towards Democratic in recent years
• Virginia's religious environment can be described as primarily Christian (Evangelical Protestant) with a growing diversity in urban centers
• Illinois' residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christian (Catholic and Protestant) and also diverse in urban areas

How Much Do Illinois to Virginia Movers Cost?

Moving 759 miles from Illinois to Virginia 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.