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West Virginia to Illinois Moving Guide

Updated June 10, 2025

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Planning a 597 mile interstate move from West Virginia to Illinois? This moving guide will help you compare living in West Virginia vs Illinois across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons, food & health (like Pepperoni Roll vs Chicago-style Deep Dish Pizza), real estate & housing (colonial, ranch vs prairie, victorian), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Illinois), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Pepperoni Roll and Smoked Pork BBQ, but get your taste buds ready for Chicago-style Deep Dish Pizza & Italian Beef Sandwich
  • Illinois housing costs are 60% more expensive than they are in West Virginia
  • Rent in Illinois is 75.25% more expensive than in West Virginia
  • Moving from West Virginia to Illinois will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,500
  • Our top recommended West Virginia to Illinois movers is 606 Movers, Inc.

West Virginia vs. Illinois: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonWest VirginiaIllinois
Most iconic local food itemPepperoni RollChicago-style Deep Dish Pizza
Most popular meat dishSmoked Pork BBQItalian Beef Sandwich
Most popular street food itemHot DogsChicago-style Hot Dog
Most popular vegan foodMorel MushroomsSeitan Wings
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Tudor's Biscuit World
  • Sternwheel Regatta
  • Bluegrass Kitchen
  • Lou Malnati's Pizzeria
  • Portillo's
  • 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 West Virginia to Illinois, you will be trading the iconic Pepperoni Roll of West Virginia for the equally delicious Chicago-style Deep Dish Pizza of Illinois. And while the locals in West Virginia rave about their flavorful Smoked Pork BBQ and sumptuous Hot Dogs, 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 Morel Mushrooms 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 West Virginia eateries like Tudor's Biscuit World, Sternwheel Regatta, and Bluegrass Kitchen. 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 Alinea.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between West Virginia and Illinois

ComparisonWest VirginiaIllinois
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, RanchPrairie, Victorian
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 Scenery, PrivacyPublic Transport, Cultural attractions
  • The Colonial and Ranch architecture that West Virginia is known for will be replaced with the Prairie and Victorian architecture typical of Illinois.
  • Compared to West Virginia's real estate listings that commonly reference natural scenery and privacy, Illinois real estate listings often highlight features like public transport and cultural attractions.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Illinois is more walkable than West Virginia.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Illinois is more bike-friendly than West Virginia.
  • Illinois has more of an urban feel than West Virginia.
  • Illinois housing costs are 60% more expensive than they are in West Virginia, with a median home price of $257,738 compared to West Virginia’s $161,063.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Illinois have increased by 35% compared to a 37% increase in West Virginia.
  • Rent in Illinois is 75.25% more expensive than in West Virginia.

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

ComparisonWest VirginiaIllinois
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, landslidesTornadoes, severe storms
Air QualityGenerally goodVariable, urban areas poor
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)85Β°F / 62Β°F85Β°F / 65Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)41Β°F / 26Β°F35Β°F / 20Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)45"39"
Annual Snowfall (Inches)33"22"
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from West Virginia to Illinois. Illinois gets 17% more sunshine days than West Virginia.
  • Illinois has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to West Virginia.
  • Say goodbye to the possible floods and landslides in West Virginia, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and severe storms in Illinois.
  • The average summer high temperature in Illinois is the same as in West Virginia.
  • The average winter lows are 6 degrees colder than they are in West Virginia.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Illinois. Illinois receives 6 fewer inches of rain compared to West Virginia.

Financial & Community Snapshot: West Virginia and Illinois

ComparisonWest VirginiaIllinois
Avg. Household Income$54,329$76,708
Cost of Living Index9594.25
State Income Tax6.5%4.95%
Avg. Property Tax0.59%2.16%
Avg. Sales Tax6.5%8.83%
Top 3 IndustriesCoal, Tourism, ManufacturingFinance, Manufacturing, Agriculture
AffluenceModerateHigh
PovertyConsiderableModerate
HomelessnessLowHigh
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Illinois tend to earn about 41% more than in West Virginia
  • The COLI in Illinois is 1% lower than what you are used to living in West Virginia
  • The state income tax in IL is 4.95% compared to 6.5% in WV
  • The affluence in Illinois is high compared to moderate in West Virginia
  • The poverty level is moderate in Illinois compared to considerable in West Virginia
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in West Virginia and high in Illinois

Political and Religious Climate in West Virginia vs. Illinois

ComparisonWest VirginiaIllinois
Political Make-upLean ConservativeLean Liberal
Local PoliticsRepublican DominanceDemocratic Dominance
ReligionChristian MajorityChristian Majority with Diverse Religious Communities
  • West Virginia tends to lean Conservative in its political climate
  • Illinois, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Liberal
  • Illinois' religious environment can be described as a Christian Majority with Diverse Religious Communities
  • West Virginia's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a Christian Majority

Education Guide When Moving from West Virginia to Illinois

ComparisonWest VirginiaIllinois
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)West Virginia University
Marshall University
West Virginia State University
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Northwestern University
University of Chicago
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsSuncrest Primary School (Morgantown)
Steenrod Elementary School (Wheeling)
North Elementary School (Morgantown)
Lincoln Elementary School (Springfield)
South Loop Elementary School (Chicago)
Prairieview-Ogden North Elementary (Flatville)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsSuncrest Middle School (Morgantown)
Mountaineer Middle School (Clarksburg)
Bridgeport Middle School (Bridgeport)
Woodlawn Middle School (Long Grove)
Daniel Wright Junior High School (Lincolnshire)
Maple School (Northbrook)
Top 3 High School SchoolsGeorge Washington High School (Charleston)
Morgantown High School (Morgantown)
Bridgeport High School (Bridgeport)
Adlai E. Stevenson High School (Lincolnshire)
Payton College Preparatory High School (Chicago)
Northside College Preparatory High School (Chicago)
Top 3 private high schoolsCharleston Catholic High School (Charleston)
Parkersburg Catholic High School (Parkersburg)
Wheeling Central Catholic High School (Wheeling)
University of Chicago Lab School (Chicago)
Francis W. Parker School (Chicago)
Lake Forest Academy (Lake Forest)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsThe Linsly School (Wheeling)
Greenbrier Episcopal School (Lewisburg)
Mercer Christian Academy (Princeton)
Latin School of Chicago (Chicago)
Francis W. Parker School (Chicago)
Lake Forest Country Day School (Lake Forest)
Top 3 School DistrictsMonongalia County Schools
Ohio County Schools
Harrison County Schools
New Trier Township High School District 203 (Northfield)
Naperville Community Unit School District 203 (Naperville)
Community High School District 128 (Vernon Hills)

How Much Do West Virginia to Illinois Movers Cost?

Moving 597 miles from West Virginia to Illinois will typically cost between $2,500 and $5,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $2,500 - $5,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-9 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: A1 Movers, Inc
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,541300 ft3$5.14
1 Bedroom$2,289450 ft3$5.09
2 Bedrooms$3,777750 ft3$5.04
3 Bedrooms$5,4851100 ft3$4.99
4 Bedrooms$7,8981600 ft3$4.94
5+ Bedrooms$8,7961800 ft3$4.89

Top West Virginia to Illinois Movers

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

TOP PICK
606 Movers, Inc. featured image

606 Movers, Inc.

Best moving company overall for West Virginia to Illinois

9.37/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Move-tastic! featured image

Move-tastic!

9.35/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Country Roads Moving LLC featured image

Country Roads Moving LLC

9.26/10
ExceptionalView details
Top West Virginia to Illinois Routes

Charleston to Illinois