Illinois to Vermont Moving Guide
Updated June 8, 2025

Planning a 1,082 mile interstate move from Illinois to Vermont? This moving guide will help you compare living in Illinois vs Vermont across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs scenic landscapes), food & health (like Deep-dish pizza vs Maple syrup), real estate & housing (prairie and chicago school vs colonial and cape cod), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Vermont), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Deep-dish pizza and Italian beef sandwich, but get your taste buds ready for Maple syrup & Maple-cured ham
- Vermont housing costs are 48% more expensive than they are in Illinois
- Rent in Vermont is 17.49% more expensive than in Illinois
- Moving from Illinois to Vermont will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
- Our top recommended Illinois to Vermont movers is 606 Movers, Inc.
Illinois to Vermont Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Illinois to Vermont
- Harsh winters
- High property taxes
- Heavy traffic congestion
- Limited outdoor activities
- Scenic landscapes
- Lower tax burden
- Less crowded roads
- Abundant outdoor recreation
- Fewer job opportunities
- Less cultural diversity
- Limited public transportation
- Fewer urban attractions
- Diverse job market
- Rich cultural history
- Robust public transit
- Numerous entertainment options
Pros of moving from Illinois to Vermont
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to scenic landscapes
- Look forward to moving away from high property taxes and moving to Vermont with a lower tax burden
- Swap the heavy traffic congestion of Illinois for less crowded roads in Vermont
- Get ready for abundant outdoor recreation in Vermont
Cons of moving from Illinois to Vermont
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a diverse job market in Illinois to live with fewer job opportunities in Vermont
- You'll lose out on the pro of a rich cultural history and have to settle with the con of less cultural diversity
- Time to bid farewell to robust public transit and get used to limited public transportation in Vermont
- Swap numerous entertainment options for fewer urban attractions
Illinois vs. Vermont: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Illinois | Vermont |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Deep-dish pizza | Maple syrup |
Most popular meat dish | Italian beef sandwich | Maple-cured ham |
Most popular street food item | Chicago-style hot dog | Maple creemee |
Most popular vegan food | Vegetarian deep-dish pizza | Maple glazed vegetables |
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 Vermont, you will be trading the iconic deep-dish pizza of Illinois for the equally delicious maple syrup of Vermont. And while the locals in Illinois rave about their flavorful Italian beef sandwich and sumptuous Chicago-style hot dog, Vermont residents know they have tasty maple-cured ham and maple creemee to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the vegetarian deep-dish pizza they've grown to love, they can get ready for the maple-glazed vegetables of Vermont. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Illinois eateries like Lou Malnati's Pizzeria, Alinea, and Portillo's. After the boxes are unpacked in Vermont, don't wait too long before making your way to Vermont's acclaimed eateries like Hen of the Wood, Piecasso Pizzeria and Lounge, and The Maple Creemee Stand.
When comparing lifestyles, Vermont shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Illinois. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Vermont compared to what you are used to in Illinois. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Vermont.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Illinois and Vermont
Comparison | Illinois | Vermont |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Prairie and Chicago School | Colonial and Cape Cod |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Hardwood floors, stainless steel appliances | Natural woodwork, access to nature |
- The Prairie and Chicago School architecture that Illinois is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Cape Cod architecture typical of Vermont.
- Compared to Illinois's real estate listings that commonly reference hardwood floors and stainless steel appliances, Vermont real estate listings often highlight features like natural woodwork and access to nature.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away. Vermont is less walkable than Illinois.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike. Vermont is less bike-friendly than Illinois.
- Vermont has less of an urban feel than Illinois.
- Vermont housing costs are 48% more expensive than they are in Illinois, with a median home price of $381,042 compared to Illinoisβs $257,738.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Vermont have increased by 50% compared to a 35% increase in Illinois.
- Rent in Vermont is 17.49% more expensive than in Illinois.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Illinois and Vermont
Comparison | Illinois | Vermont |
---|---|---|
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 | Snowstorms, Floods |
Air Quality | Good to Moderate | Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β°F/65Β°F | 80Β°F/59Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 35Β°F/18Β°F | 27Β°F/10Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 39 | 37 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 22 | 89 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Illinois to Vermont. Vermont gets 16% fewer sunshine days than Illinois.
- Vermont 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 snowstorms and floods in Vermont.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Vermont is 5 degrees colder than Illinois.
- The average winter lows are 8 degrees colder than they are in Illinois.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Vermont. Vermont receives 2 fewer inches of rain compared to Illinois.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Illinois and Vermont
Comparison | Illinois | Vermont |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $76,708 | $73,991 |
Cost of Living Index | 94.25 | 120.5 |
State Income Tax | 4.95% | 8.75% |
Avg. Property Tax | 2.16% | 1.91% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 8.83% | 6.24% |
Top 3 Industries | Finance, Manufacturing, Agriculture | Agriculture, Education, Healthcare |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Noticeable | Minimal |
Homelessness | Moderate | Rare |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Vermont tend to earn about 4% less than in Illinois
- The COLI in Vermont is 28% higher than what you are used to living in Illinois
- The state income tax in VT is 8.75% compared to 4.95% in IL
- The affluence in Vermont is moderate compared to moderate in Illinois
- The poverty level is minimal in Vermont compared to noticeable in Illinois
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Illinois and rare in Vermont
Political and Religious Climate in Illinois vs. Vermont
Comparison | Illinois | Vermont |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Diverse, with a strong Democratic presence in urban areas like Chicago | Liberal, with a consistent leaning towards Democratic candidates in statewide and national elections |
Local Politics | Mix of Democrats and Republicans, with significant political activity in Chicago | Progressive, with active involvement in local issues and a tendency toward environmental and social justice causes |
Religion | A mix of religious beliefs, with a significant Catholic population | Less religiously affiliated overall, with a higher percentage of non-religious residents |
- Illinois tends to lean diverse, with a strong Democratic presence in urban areas like Chicago in its political climate
- Vermont, on the other hand, is often described as liberal, with a consistent leaning towards Democratic candidates in statewide and national elections
- Vermont's religious environment can be described as less religiously affiliated overall, with a higher percentage of non-religious residents
- Illinois' residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a mix of religious beliefs, with a significant Catholic population
Education Guide When Moving from Illinois to Vermont
Comparison | Illinois | Vermont |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Illinois Northwestern University University of Chicago | University of Vermont Middlebury College Champlain College |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Lincoln Elementary Glenview; South Loop Elementary Chicago; Meadowbrook Elementary Northbrook | Richmond Elementary Richmond; Orchard School South Burlington; Jericho Elementary Jericho |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Maple School Northbrook; Kennedy Junior High Lisle; Daniel Wright Junior High Lincolnshire | Shelburne Community School Shelburne; Albert D. Lawton Intermediate Essex Junction; Williston Central School Williston |
Top 3 High Schools | Adlai E. Stevenson High Lincolnshire; Northside College Prep Chicago; New Trier High Winnetka | Champlain Valley Union High Hinesburg; Essex High Essex; South Burlington High South Burlington |
Top 3 private high schools | Lake Forest Academy Lake Forest; University of Chicago Lab School Chicago; Francis W. Parker School Chicago | The Putney School Putney; Burr and Burton Academy Manchester; St. Johnsbury Academy St. Johnsbury |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Lake Forest Country Day School Lake Forest; Latin School of Chicago Chicago; Francis W. Parker School Chicago | The Putney School Putney; St. Johnsbury Academy St. Johnsbury; Vermont Academy Saxtons River |
Top 3 School Districts | New Trier Township HSD 203 Northfield; Naperville Community Unit School District 203 Naperville; Community High School District 128 Vernon Hills | Chittenden South Supervisory Union Shelburne; Essex Town School District Essex; South Burlington School District South Burlington |
How Much Do Illinois to Vermont Movers Cost?
Moving 1,082 miles from Illinois to Vermont will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-9 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: A1 Movers, Inc
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,816 | 300 ft3 | $6.05 |
1 Bedroom | $2,701 | 450 ft3 | $6.00 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,465 | 750 ft3 | $5.95 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,493 | 1100 ft3 | $5.90 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,365 | 1600 ft3 | $5.85 |
5+ Bedrooms | $10,445 | 1800 ft3 | $5.80 |
Top Illinois to Vermont Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Illinois to Vermont movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.