Illinois to Washington Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Illinois to Washington

ConsIllinois

• Harsh winters
• Flat terrain
• Dense urban areas
• High taxes

ProsWashington

• Mild climate
• Scenic landscapes
• Outdoor recreation
• No state income tax

---

Washington

• Traffic congestion
• Higher cost of living
• Frequent rainfall

Illinois

• Vibrant city life
• Diverse culture
• Rich history

Pros of moving from Illinois to Washington

• Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to a mild climate
• Look forward to moving away from flat terrain and moving to Washington with scenic landscapes
• Swap the dense urban areas of Illinois for outdoor recreation in Washington
• Get ready for no state income tax in Washington

Cons of moving from Illinois to Washington

• Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from vibrant city life in Illinois to live with traffic congestion in Washington
• You'll lose out on the pro of diverse culture and have to settle for the con of higher cost of living
• Time to bid farewell to rich history and get used to frequent rainfall in Washington

Illinois vs. Washington: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

If you're moving from Illinois to Washington, you will be trading the iconic Deep Dish Pizza of Illinois for the equally delicious Salmon of Washington. And while the locals in Illinois rave about their flavorful Italian Beef and sumptuous Chicago-style Hot Dog, Washington residents know they have tasty Cedar Plank Salmon and Fish Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Chicago Vegan Deep Dish they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Quinoa Salad of Washington. 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 Washington, don't wait too long before making your way to Washington's acclaimed eateries like Canlis, Pike Place Chowder, and Salumi.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Illinois and Washington

• The Prairie Style architecture that Illinois is known for will be replaced with the Northwest Contemporary architecture typical of Washington.
• Compared to Illinois's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and basements, Washington real estate listings often highlight features like eco-friendly designs and views.
• Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Washington is more walkable than Illinois.
• Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Washington is more bike-friendly than Illinois.
• Washington has more of an urban feel than Illinois.
• Washington housing costs are 129% more expensive than they are in Illinois, with a median home price of $591,148 compared to Illinois’s $257,738.
• Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Washington have increased by 49% compared to a 35% increase in Illinois.
• Rent in Washington is 12.61% more expensive than in Illinois.

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

• The shades won't be used as much for your move from Illinois to Washington. Washington gets 20% fewer sunshine days than Illinois.
• Washington 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 volcanoes in Washington.
• Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Washington is 10 degrees colder than in Illinois.
• The average winter lows are 15 degrees warmer than they are in Illinois.
• Your umbrella might be neglected in Washington. Washington receives 4 fewer inches of rain compared to Illinois.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Illinois and Washington

• When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Washington tend to earn about 19% more than those in Illinois
• The COLI in Washington is 10% higher than what you are used to living in Illinois
• Hooray, moving to WA means you'll no longer have state income taxes
• The affluence in Washington is high compared to moderate affluence in Illinois
• The poverty level is moderate in Washington compared to notable poverty in Illinois
• In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Illinois and significant in Washington

Political and Religious Climate in Illinois vs. Washington

• Illinois tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
• Washington, on the other hand, is often described as lean Democratic
• Washington's religious environment can be described as less religiously affiliated and diverse in spiritual practices
• Illinois' residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christianity, with diverse religious communities

Education Guide When Moving from Illinois to Washington

How Much Do Illinois to Washington Movers Cost?

Moving 1,946 miles from Illinois to Washington will typically cost between $3,500 and $8,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.