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Virginia to Illinois Moving Guide

Updated June 6, 2025

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Planning a 759 mile interstate move from Virginia to Illinois? This moving guide will help you compare living in Virginia vs Illinois across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high housing costs vs lower housing costs), food & health (like Ham vs Deep-dish pizza), real estate & housing (colonial, cape cod vs prairie, farmhouse), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Virginia), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Ham and Barbecue, but get your taste buds ready for Deep-dish pizza & Italian Beef
  • Illinois housing costs are 33% less expensive than they are in Virginia
  • Rent in Illinois is 4.34% more affordable than in Virginia
  • Moving from Virginia to Illinois will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
  • Our top recommended Virginia to Illinois movers is ARS Movers

Virginia to Illinois Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Virginia to Illinois

ConsVirginia iconVirginia
  • High housing costs
  • Traffic congestion
  • Hurricane threats
  • Limited job diversity
ProsIllinois iconIllinois
  • Lower housing costs
  • Better public transit
  • Less severe weather
  • Diverse job market

Illinois iconIllinois
  • Harsh winters
  • Fewer historic sites
  • Less personal friendliness
  • No ocean access
Virginia iconVirginia
  • Mild winters
  • Historic landmarks
  • Southern hospitality
  • Ocean access

Pros of moving from Virginia to Illinois

  • Say goodbye to high housing costs and hello to lower housing costs
  • Look forward to moving away from traffic congestion and moving to Illinois with better public transit
  • Swap the hurricane threats of Virginia for less severe weather in Illinois
  • Get ready for a diverse job market in Illinois

Cons of moving from Virginia to Illinois

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from mild winters in Virginia to live with harsh winters in Illinois
  • You'll lose out on the pro of historic landmarks and have to settle for the con of fewer historic sites
  • Time to bid farewell to southern hospitality and get used to less personal friendliness in Illinois
  • Swap ocean access for no ocean access

Virginia vs. Illinois: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonVirginiaIllinois
Most iconic local food itemHamDeep-dish pizza
Most popular meat dishBarbecueItalian Beef
Most popular street food itemFood TrucksHot Dogs
Most popular vegan foodAvocado ToastSeitan Wings
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • The Inn at Little Washington
  • Lemaire
  • Zynodoa
  • Lou Malnati's Pizzeria
  • Al's Beef
  • Alinea
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 Virginia to Illinois, you will be trading the iconic Ham of Virginia for the equally delicious Deep-Dish Pizza of Illinois. And while the locals in Virginia rave about their flavorful Barbecue and sumptuous Food Trucks, Illinois residents know they have tasty Italian Beef and Hot Dogs to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Avocado Toast they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Seitan Wings of Illinois. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Virginia eateries like The Inn at Little Washington, Lemaire, and Zynodoa. 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, Al's Beef, and Alinea.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Virginia and Illinois

ComparisonVirginiaIllinois
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, Cape CodPrairie, Farmhouse
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 listingHardwood floors, waterfront viewsHardwood floors, energy efficiency
  • The Colonial and Cape Cod architecture that Virginia is known for will be replaced with the Prairie and Farmhouse architecture typical of Illinois.
  • Compared to Virginia's real estate listings that commonly reference hardwood floors and waterfront views, Illinois real estate listings often highlight features like hardwood floors and energy efficiency.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Illinois is more walkable than Virginia.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Illinois is more bike-friendly than Virginia.
  • Illinois has more of an urban feel than Virginia.
  • Illinois housing costs are 33% less expensive than they are in Virginia with a median home price of $257,738 compared to Virginia’s $385,780.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Illinois have increased 35% compared to a 42% increase in Virginia.
  • Rent in Illinois is 4.34% more affordable than in Virginia.

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

ComparisonVirginiaIllinois
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 DisastersHurricanes, floodsTornados, floods
Air QualityModerateVariable
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)85Β°F / 66Β°F85Β°F / 65Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)47Β°F / 27Β°F35Β°F / 18Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)44"39"
Annual Snowfall (Inches)14"22"
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from Virginia to Illinois. Illinois gets 8% fewer sunshine days than Virginia.
  • Illinois has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Virginia.
  • Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and floods in Virginia, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and floods in Illinois.
  • The average summer high temperature in Illinois is the same as in Virginia.
  • The average winter lows are 9 degrees colder than they are in Virginia.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Illinois. Illinois receives 5 fewer inches of rain compared to Virginia.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Virginia and Illinois

ComparisonVirginiaIllinois
Avg. Household Income$85,873$76,708
Cost of Living Index96.694.25
State Income Tax5.75%4.95%
Avg. Property Tax0.80%2.16%
Avg. Sales Tax6.00%8.82%
Top 3 IndustriesGovernment, Military, AgricultureManufacturing, Finance, Agriculture
AffluenceModerateDiverse
PovertyLowerAverage
HomelessnessLowerHigher
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Illinois tend to earn about 11% less than in Virginia
  • The COLI in Illinois is 2% lower than what you are used to living in Virginia
  • The state income tax in IL is 4.95% compared to 5.75% in VA
  • The affluence in Illinois is diverse compared to moderate in Virginia
  • The poverty level is average in Illinois compared to lower in Virginia
  • In terms of homelessness, it is lower in Virginia and higher in Illinois

Political and Religious Climate in Virginia vs. Illinois

ComparisonVirginiaIllinois
Political Make-upMixed, leans slightly DemocraticStrongly Democratic
Local PoliticsVaries widely by regionUrban areas lean Democratic, rural areas more Republican
ReligionChristianity predominant, with a mix of other faithsPrimarily Christian, diverse religious communities in urban centers
  • Virginia tends to lean mixed and leans slightly Democratic in its political climate
  • Illinois, on the other hand, is often described as strongly Democratic
  • Illinois' religious environment can be described as primarily Christian with diverse religious communities in urban centers
  • Virginia's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christianity with a mix of other faiths

Education Guide When Moving from Virginia to Illinois

ComparisonVirginiaIllinois
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Virginia
Virginia Tech
James Madison University
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Northwestern University
University of Chicago
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsArlington Science Focus School (Arlington)
Stenwood Elementary (Vienna)
Lucketts Elementary (Leesburg)
Lincoln Elementary School (River Forest)
Prairieview-Ogden North Elementary (Flatville)
Meadow Glens Elementary School (Naperville)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsLongfellow Middle School (Falls Church)
Cooper Middle School (McLean)
Frost Middle School (Fairfax)
Woodlawn Middle School (Long Grove)
Daniel Wright Junior High School (Lincolnshire)
Maple School (Northbrook)
Top 3 High SchoolsThomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (Alexandria)
McLean High School (McLean)
Langley High School (McLean)
Northside College Preparatory High School (Chicago)
Adlai E. Stevenson High School (Lincolnshire)
New Trier Township High School (Winnetka)
Top 3 private high schoolsThe Potomac School (McLean)
Episcopal High School (Alexandria)
St. Stephen's & St. Agnes School (Alexandria)
University of Chicago Lab School (Chicago)
Francis W. Parker School (Chicago)
Lake Forest Academy (Lake Forest)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsThe Madeira School (McLean)
Norfolk Academy (Norfolk)
Collegiate School (Richmond)
Latin School of Chicago (Chicago)
Francis W. Parker School (Chicago)
Morgan Park Academy (Chicago)
Top 3 School DistrictsLoudoun County Public Schools
Fairfax County Public Schools
Arlington Public Schools
New Trier Township High School District 203 (Northfield)
Naperville Community Unit School District 203
Community High School District 128 (Vernon Hills)

How Much Do Virginia to Illinois Movers Cost?

Moving 759 miles from Virginia to Illinois 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.

  • Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-8 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Estes SureMove
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,633300 ft3$5.44
1 Bedroom$2,427450 ft3$5.39
2 Bedrooms$4,007750 ft3$5.34
3 Bedrooms$5,8221100 ft3$5.29
4 Bedrooms$8,3881600 ft3$5.24
5+ Bedrooms$9,3471800 ft3$5.19

Top Virginia to Illinois Movers

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

TOP PICK
ARS Movers featured image

ARS Movers

Best moving company overall for Virginia to Illinois

9.64/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
A Change of Place Movers

A Change of Place Movers

9.59/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Matthew's Nationwide Moving featured image

Matthew's Nationwide Moving

9.49/10
ExceptionalView details

Chesapeake to Illinois

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Alexandria to Illinois