Movers

Washington to Illinois Moving Guide

Updated June 21, 2025

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Planning a 1,948 mile interstate move from Washington to Illinois? This moving guide will help you compare living in Washington vs Illinois across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like rainy weather vs sunny summers), food & health (like Salmon vs Deep-dish pizza), real estate & housing (modern & craftsman vs colonial & ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Washington), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Salmon and Grilled Salmon, but get your taste buds ready for Deep-dish pizza & Italian Beef Sandwiches
  • Illinois housing costs are 56% less expensive than they are in Washington
  • Rent in Illinois is 11.20% more affordable than in Washington
  • Moving from Washington to Illinois will cost on average between $2,500 - $8,500
  • Our top recommended Washington to Illinois movers is Seattle Moves & More

Washington to Illinois Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Washington to Illinois

ConsWashington iconWashington
  • Rainy weather
  • High cost of living
  • Dense traffic
  • Earthquake risk
ProsIllinois iconIllinois
  • Sunny summers
  • Lower cost of living
  • Less congestion
  • Minimal seismic activity

Illinois iconIllinois
  • Flat terrain
  • Fewer tech opportunities
  • Limited outdoor options
  • Conservative culture
Washington iconWashington
  • Beautiful landscapes
  • High-tech jobs
  • Rich outdoor activities
  • Progressive culture

Pros of moving from Washington to Illinois

  • Say goodbye to rainy weather and hello to sunny summers
  • Look forward to moving away from the high cost of living and moving to Illinois with a lower cost of living
  • Swap the dense traffic of Washington for less congestion in Illinois
  • Get ready for minimal seismic activity in Illinois

Cons of moving from Washington to Illinois

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the beautiful landscapes in Washington to live with flat terrain in Illinois
  • You'll lose out on the pro of high-tech jobs and have to settle for the con of fewer tech opportunities
  • Time to bid farewell to rich outdoor activities and get used to limited outdoor options in Illinois
  • Swap progressive culture for conservative culture

Washington vs. Illinois: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonWashingtonIllinois
Most iconic local food itemSalmonDeep-dish pizza
Most popular meat dishGrilled SalmonItalian Beef Sandwiches
Most popular street food itemTacosChicago-style hot dogs
Most popular vegan foodQuinoa SaladDeep-dish vegan pizza
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Canlis
  • The Herb Farm
  • Salumi
  • Lou Malnati's
  • Alinea
  • Portillo's
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 Washington to Illinois, you will be trading the iconic Salmon of Washington for the equally delicious Deep-dish Pizza of Illinois. And while the locals in Washington rave about their flavorful Grilled Salmon and sumptuous Tacos, Illinois residents know they have tasty Italian Beef Sandwiches and Chicago-style Hot Dogs to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Quinoa Salad they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Deep-dish Vegan Pizza of Illinois. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Washington eateries like Canlis, The Herb Farm, and Salumi. After the boxes are unpacked in Illinois, don't wait too long before making your way to Illinois' acclaimed eateries like Lou Malnati's, Alinea, and Portillo's.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Washington and Illinois

ComparisonWashingtonIllinois
Typical Architecture StyleModern & CraftsmanColonial & Ranch
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 listingNatural light, energy efficiencyClassical features, ample parking
  • The Modern and Craftsman architecture that Washington is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Ranch architecture typical of Illinois.
  • Compared to Washington's real estate listings that commonly reference natural light and energy efficiency, Illinois real estate listings often highlight features like classical details and ample parking.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Illinois is more walkable than Washington.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Illinois is more bike-friendly than Washington.
  • Illinois has less of an urban feel than Washington.
  • Illinois housing costs are 56% less expensive than they are in Washington, with a median home price of $257,738 compared to Washington’s $591,148.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Illinois have increased by 35% compared to a 49% increase in Washington.
  • Rent in Illinois is 11.20% more affordable than in Washington.

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

ComparisonWashingtonIllinois
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 DisastersEarthquakes, VolcanoesTornadoes, Floods
Air QualityGoodModerate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)75Β°F/55Β°F85Β°F/65Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)47Β°F/37Β°F35Β°F/22Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)38"39"
Annual Snowfall (Inches)5"22"
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Washington to Illinois. Illinois gets 24% more sunshine days than Washington.
  • Illinois has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Washington.
  • Say goodbye to the possible earthquakes and volcanoes in Washington, 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 10 degrees warmer than in Washington.
  • The average winter lows are 15 degrees colder than they are in Washington.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in Illinois. Illinois receives 1 more inch of rain compared to Washington.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Washington and Illinois

ComparisonWashingtonIllinois
Avg. Household Income$91,306$76,708
Cost of Living Index104.194.25
State Income Tax04.95
Avg. Property Tax0.932.16
Avg. Sales Tax6.58.83
Top 3 IndustriesTechnology, Aerospace, AgricultureManufacturing, Agriculture, Finance
AffluenceHighModerate
PovertyLowModerate
HomelessnessModerateLow
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Illinois tend to earn about 16% less than in Washington
  • The COLI in Illinois will be 9% lower than what you are used to living in Washington
  • Bummer, by moving from WA to IL, you'll now have a state income tax of 4.95
  • The affluence in Illinois is moderate compared to high in Washington
  • The poverty level is moderate in Illinois compared to low in Washington
  • In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Washington and low in Illinois

Political and Religious Climate in Washington vs. Illinois

ComparisonWashingtonIllinois
Political Make-upLiberal/DemocraticModerately Liberal/Democratic
Local PoliticsProgressive urban centers, conservative rural areasDiverse, with liberal urban areas and conservative rural regions
ReligionLess religiously affiliated overallHigher religious affiliation, diverse religious communities
  • Washington tends to lean Liberal/Democratic in its political climate
  • Illinois, on the other hand, is often described as moderately Liberal/Democratic
  • Illinois' religious environment can be described as having a higher religious affiliation and diverse religious communities
  • Washington's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as less religiously affiliated overall

Education Guide When Moving from Washington to Illinois

ComparisonWashingtonIllinois
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Washington
Washington State University
Seattle University
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Northwestern University
University of Chicago
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsCascade K-8 (Shoreline)
Challenge Elementary (Bellevue)
Bertschi School (Seattle)
Lincoln Elementary (River Forest)
South Park Elementary (Deerfield)
Prairieview-Ogden North Elementary (Flatville)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsInternational School (Bellevue)
Washington Middle School (Olympia)
Lakeside Middle School (Seattle)
Maple School (Northbrook)
Daniel Wright Junior High School (Lincolnshire)
Kennedy Junior High (Lisle)
Top 3 High SchoolsInternational School (Bellevue)
Newport High School (Bellevue)
Camas High School (Camas)
Northside College Preparatory High School (Chicago)
Adlai E. Stevenson High School (Lincolnshire)
New Trier Township High School (Winnetka)
Top 3 private high schoolsLakeside School (Seattle)
The Overlake School (Redmond)
The Bush School (Seattle)
University of Chicago Lab School (Chicago)
North Shore Country Day School (Winnetka)
Lake Forest Academy (Lake Forest)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsThe Bear Creek School (Redmond)
Eastside Preparatory School (Kirkland)
Seattle Academy (Seattle)
Francis W. Parker School (Chicago)
Latin School of Chicago (Chicago)
Morgan Park Academy (Chicago)
Top 3 School DistrictsBellevue School District
Lake Washington School District
Mercer Island School District
New Trier Township HSD 203
Northfield Township HSD 225
Naperville Community Unit School District 203

How Much Do Washington to Illinois Movers Cost?

Moving 1,948 miles from Washington to Illinois 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.

  • Expected Range: $3,500 - $8,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-8 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: John Volken Academy Movers
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$2,307300 ft3$7.69
1 Bedroom$3,438450 ft3$7.64
2 Bedrooms$5,692750 ft3$7.59
3 Bedrooms$8,2931100 ft3$7.54
4 Bedrooms$11,9831600 ft3$7.49
5+ Bedrooms$13,3911800 ft3$7.44

Top Washington to Illinois Movers

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

TOP PICK
Seattle Moves & More

Seattle Moves & More

Best moving company overall for Washington to Illinois

9.55/10
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

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