West Virginia to Illinois Moving Guide
Updated June 10, 2025

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
Comparison | West Virginia | Illinois |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Pepperoni Roll | Chicago-style Deep Dish Pizza |
Most popular meat dish | Smoked Pork BBQ | Italian Beef Sandwich |
Most popular street food item | Hot Dogs | Chicago-style Hot Dog |
Most popular vegan food | Morel Mushrooms | Seitan Wings |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± |
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
Comparison | West Virginia | Illinois |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Ranch | Prairie, Victorian |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Natural Scenery, Privacy | Public 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 Virginiaβs $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
Comparison | West Virginia | Illinois |
---|---|---|
Days of Sunshine per Year | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ |
Avg. Annual Humidity | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ |
Avg. UV Index | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ |
Natural Disasters | Floods, landslides | Tornadoes, severe storms |
Air Quality | Generally good | Variable, urban areas poor |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β°F / 62Β°F | 85Β°F / 65Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 41Β°F / 26Β°F | 35Β°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
Comparison | West Virginia | Illinois |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $54,329 | $76,708 |
Cost of Living Index | 95 | 94.25 |
State Income Tax | 6.5% | 4.95% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.59% | 2.16% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.5% | 8.83% |
Top 3 Industries | Coal, Tourism, Manufacturing | Finance, Manufacturing, Agriculture |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Considerable | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | High |
- 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
Comparison | West Virginia | Illinois |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Conservative | Lean Liberal |
Local Politics | Republican Dominance | Democratic Dominance |
Religion | Christian Majority | Christian 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
Comparison | West Virginia | Illinois |
---|---|---|
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 Schools | Suncrest 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 Schools | Suncrest 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 Schools | George 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 schools | Charleston 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 schools | The 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 Districts | Monongalia 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 SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,541 | 300 ft3 | $5.14 |
1 Bedroom | $2,289 | 450 ft3 | $5.09 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,777 | 750 ft3 | $5.04 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,485 | 1100 ft3 | $4.99 |
4 Bedrooms | $7,898 | 1600 ft3 | $4.94 |
5+ Bedrooms | $8,796 | 1800 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.

606 Movers, Inc.
Best moving company overall for West Virginia to Illinois