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Oregon to Illinois Moving Guide

Updated June 21, 2025

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Planning a 1,906 mile interstate move from Oregon to Illinois? This moving guide will help you compare living in Oregon vs Illinois across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like higher living costs vs lower living costs), food & health (like Dungeness Crab vs Chicago-style Deep Dish Pizza), real estate & housing (craftsman vs queen anne), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Oregon), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Dungeness Crab and Grilled Salmon, but get your taste buds ready for Chicago-style Deep Dish Pizza & Italian Beef Sandwich
  • Illinois housing costs are 48% less expensive than they are in Oregon
  • Rent in Illinois is 0.83% more affordable than in Oregon
  • Moving from Oregon to Illinois will cost on average between $2,500 - $8,000
  • Our top recommended Oregon to Illinois movers is Pacific Northwest Moving

Oregon to Illinois Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Oregon to Illinois

ConsOregon iconOregon
  • Higher living costs
  • Volcanic activity
  • Frequent rain
  • Earthquake risk
ProsIllinois iconIllinois
  • Lower living costs
  • Stable geography
  • More sunshine
  • Less natural disasters

Illinois iconIllinois
  • Flat terrain
  • Bitter cold winters
  • Less seafood variety
  • Less scenic landscapes
Oregon iconOregon
  • Massive forests
  • Mild winters
  • Vibrant seafood
  • Natural beauty

Pros of moving from Oregon to Illinois

  • Say goodbye to higher living costs and hello to lower living costs
  • Look forward to moving away from volcanic activity and moving to Illinois with stable geography
  • Swap the frequent rain of Oregon for more sunshine in Illinois
  • Get ready for fewer natural disasters in Illinois

Cons of moving from Oregon to Illinois

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from massive forests in Oregon to live with flat terrain in Illinois
  • You'll lose out on the pro of mild winters and have to settle for the con of bitter cold winters
  • Time to bid farewell to vibrant seafood and get used to less seafood variety in Illinois
  • Swap natural beauty for less scenic landscapes

Oregon vs. Illinois: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonOregonIllinois
Most iconic local food itemDungeness CrabChicago-style Deep Dish Pizza
Most popular meat dishGrilled SalmonItalian Beef Sandwich
Most popular street food itemPok Pok WingsChicago-style Hot Dog
Most popular vegan foodTempeh ReubenVegan Deep Dish Pizza
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Pok Pok
  • Heart Coffee Roasters
  • Salt & Straw
  • Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria
  • Portillo's
  • Garrett Popcorn Shops
Fitness/Health ConscientiousnessπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

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

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Oregon and Illinois

ComparisonOregonIllinois
Typical Architecture StyleCraftsmanQueen Anne
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 listingGreen space, Eco-friendly featuresProximity to Chicago, Historical features
  • The Craftsman architecture that Oregon is known for will be replaced with the Queen Anne architecture typical of Illinois.
  • Compared to Oregon's real estate listings that commonly reference green space and eco-friendly features, Illinois real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to Chicago and historical elements.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Illinois is more walkable than Oregon.
  • You might want to think twice before moving your bike. Illinois is less bike-friendly than Oregon.
  • Illinois has less of an urban feel than Oregon.
  • Illinois housing costs are 48% less expensive than they are in Oregon, with a median home price of $257,738 compared to Oregon’s $497,946.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Illinois have increased 35% compared to a 39% increase in Oregon.
  • Rent in Illinois is 0.83% more affordable than in Oregon.

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

ComparisonOregonIllinois
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 DisastersFloods, EarthquakesTornadoes, Floods
Air QualityGoodVaries, urban areas have poorer quality
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)81Β°F / 51Β°F85Β°F / 65Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)47Β°F / 35Β°F35Β°F / 22Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)4339
Annual Snowfall (Inches)422
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Oregon to Illinois. Illinois gets 31% more sunshine days than Oregon.
  • Illinois has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Oregon.
  • Say goodbye to the possible floods and earthquakes in Oregon, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and floods in Illinois.
  • Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Illinois is 4 degrees warmer than Oregon.
  • The average winter lows in Illinois are 13 degrees colder than they are in Oregon.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Illinois. Illinois receives 4 fewer inches of rain compared to Oregon.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Oregon and Illinois

ComparisonOregonIllinois
Avg. Household Income$75,657$76,708
Cost of Living Index110.5594.25
State Income Tax9.94.95
Avg. Property Tax0.92.3
Avg. Sales Tax08.82
Top 3 IndustriesTechnology, Agriculture, TourismManufacturing, Finance, Agriculture
AffluenceModerateConsiderable
PovertyModerateSignificant
HomelessnessVisibleConcerning
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Illinois tend to earn about 1% more than in Oregon
  • The COLI in Illinois will be 15% lower than what you are used to living in Oregon
  • The state income tax in IL is 4.95 compared to 9.9 in OR
  • The affluence in Illinois is considerable compared to moderate affluence in Oregon
  • The poverty level is significant in Illinois compared to moderate poverty in Oregon
  • In terms of homelessness, it is visible in Oregon and concerning in Illinois

Political and Religious Climate in Oregon vs. Illinois

ComparisonOregonIllinois
Political Make-upLean DemocraticLean Democratic
Local PoliticsMix of progressive urban & conservative ruralDemocratic urban centers, Republican rural areas
ReligionChristianity, unaffiliatedChristianity, unaffiliated
  • Oregon tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
  • Illinois, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Democratic
  • Illinois' religious environment can be described as Christianity and unaffiliated
  • Oregon's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christianity and unaffiliated

Education Guide When Moving from Oregon to Illinois

ComparisonOregonIllinois
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Oregon
Oregon State University
Portland State University
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Northwestern University
University of Chicago
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsBethany Elementary (Bethany)
Findley Elementary (Portland)
Oak Creek Elementary (Lake Oswego)
Lincoln Elementary (River Forest)
South Park Elementary (Deerfield)
Meadow Glens Elementary (Naperville)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsStoller Middle School (Portland)
Lake Oswego Junior High (Lake Oswego)
Cedar Park Middle School (Beaverton)
Wood Oaks Junior High (Northbrook)
Marie Murphy School (Wilmette)
Kennedy Junior High (Lisle)
Top 3 High School SchoolsBeaverton High School (Beaverton)
Sunset High School (Portland)
Lake Oswego High School (Lake Oswego)
Adlai E. Stevenson High School (Lincolnshire)
Northside College Preparatory High School (Chicago)
New Trier High School (Winnetka)
Top 3 private high schoolsCatlin Gabel School (Portland)
Oregon Episcopal School (Portland)
The Delphian School (Sheridan)
University of Chicago Lab School (Chicago)
Phillips Academy (Andover)
Francis Parker School (Chicago)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsValley Catholic School (Beaverton)
Portland Jewish Academy (Portland)
Delphian School (Sheridan)
Latin School of Chicago (Chicago)
Francis W. Parker School (Chicago)
Morgan Park Academy (Chicago)
Top 3 School DistrictsLake Oswego School District
Beaverton School District
Riverdale School District
New Trier Township High School District 205
Naperville Community Unit School District 203
Community High School District 128

How Much Do Oregon to Illinois Movers Cost?

Moving 1,906 miles from Oregon to Illinois 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.

  • Expected Range: $3,500 - $8,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-8 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: A1 Movers, Inc
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$2,283300 ft3$7.61
1 Bedroom$3,402450 ft3$7.56
2 Bedrooms$5,633750 ft3$7.51
3 Bedrooms$8,2061100 ft3$7.46
4 Bedrooms$11,8561600 ft3$7.41
5+ Bedrooms$13,2481800 ft3$7.36

Top Oregon to Illinois Movers

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

TOP PICK
Pacific Northwest Moving featured image

Pacific Northwest Moving

Best moving company overall for Oregon to Illinois

9.49/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
606 Movers, Inc. featured image

606 Movers, Inc.

9.37/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Move-tastic! featured image

Move-tastic!

9.35/10
ExceptionalView details
Top Oregon to Illinois Routes