Colorado Local Expert
Heidi Lim
“She's a blossoming plant nerd.”
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Moving from Colorado to IL: A Side-by-Side Comparison
Trading the Rocky Mountains for the vast flatlands of the Midwest is a bigger adjustment than most people anticipate. Colorado spoils residents with dry, sunny weather and an outdoor lifestyle that is practically built into the culture, while Illinois swaps the altitude for humidity, harsh winters, and the electric energy of Chicago. The cost of living picture shifts considerably too, with Colorado's booming Front Range cities pushing housing prices sky high in recent years, whereas Illinois offers more affordability in many areas outside of the Chicago metro. Our Snappy Scout team (Heidi & Hannah) dug into the costs, logistics, and lifestyle changes you should expect before packing the first box.
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Who's Behind This Guide
Colorado to IL: Distance, Route, and Drive Time
Average distance
1,050miles
Typical route
The drive from Colorado to Illinois typically takes you along I-76 E to I-80 E or I-70 E, crossing through Nebraska or Kansas and Missouri before entering Illinois.
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Denver, CO → Chicago, IL
~1000 miles
Colorado Springs, CO → Chicago, IL
~1050 miles
Aurora, CO → Chicago, IL
~1000 miles
Denver, CO → Springfield, IL
~1050 miles
Fort Collins, CO → Chicago, IL
~1050 miles
Should You Move From Colorado to Illinois Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to Illinois from Colorado is the right call for your lifestyle and preferences.
Progress1 of 10 questions
Question 1 of 10
What kind of weather makes you happiest?
0/10answered
Live score
Collecting your answers and forming an opinion. Answer another question to see the results.
Unpacking the Cost of a Colorado to IL Move
Moving 1,050 miles from Colorado to Illinois will typically cost between $2,500.00 and $4,500.00 to hire full service movers. See the breakdown below by home size.
Expected Range
$2,500.00–$4,500.00
Expected Time
3–10days
Cost by home size
Studio
$1,280.00
1 Bedroom
$1,900.00
2 Bedrooms
$3,130.00
3 Bedrooms
$4,530.00
4 Bedrooms
$6,510.00
5+ Bedrooms
$7,240.00
| Home Size | Moving Cost | Volume (ft³) | $/ft³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,280.00 | 300 | $4.27 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,900.00 | 450 | $4.22 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $3,130.00 | 750 | $4.17 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $4,530.00 | 1,100 | $4.12 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $6,510.00 | 1,600 | $4.07 |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $7,240.00 | 1,800 | $4.02 |
How we calculated these numbers: We reached out to the owners and operators of more than a dozen nationwide moving companies to figure out how they factor in mileage, weight, volume, timing, origin & termination locations, and approximate home sizes to determine a moving estimate. The results above are what the data nerds at Snappy Scout created based on that info.
That's the average.
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Who Wins After Moving from Colorado to IL?
Well, it depends. If you're a Binge Shopper, PTA President, or Foodie, you'll thrive in your move to Illinois. But if you're more of a Minimalist, Adventure Junkie, or CrossFit Regular, settling into your new home state may be a bit of a challenge. We scored a variety of different “personalities” on a 10-point scale to show you what to expect from a lifestyle perspective with a relocation from Colorado to Illinois.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from CO to IL
Shopping
Colorado
4.5
/10
Illinois
8.5
/10
Colorado
Giving up
Cherry Creek Shopping Center works but lacks major fashion capitals.
Illinois
Gaining
Michigan Avenue sprees, plus suburban hauls for days.
Recommended IL cities/areas for Binge Shoppers
Magnificent MileOakbrook CenterWoodfield Mall
Colorado
4.5
/10
Illinois
8.5
/10
PTA Life
Colorado
6
/10
Illinois
8
/10
Colorado
Giving up
Good schools exist but housing costs strain family finances.
Illinois
Gaining
Top rated schools, Naperville Centennial Beach, weekend carpool Olympics.
Recommended IL cities/areas for PTA Presidents
NapervilleNorthbrook
Colorado
6
/10
Illinois
8
/10
Foodies
Colorado
8
/10
Illinois
9.5
/10
Colorado
Giving up
Mercantile Dining and farm-to-table spots deliver mountain cuisine.
Illinois
Gaining
Alinea tastings, Portillo's Hot Dogs, West Loop hype.
Recommended IL cities/areas for Foodies
ChicagoWest Loop
Colorado
8
/10
Illinois
9.5
/10
Adventure Activities
Colorado
10
/10
Illinois
6
/10
Colorado
Giving up
Rocky Mountain peaks, endless trails, world-class skiing await.
Illinois
Gaining
Canyons, Garden of the Gods, quick weekend escapes.
Recommended IL cities/areas for Adventure Junkies
Starved RockShawnee National Forest
Colorado
10
/10
Illinois
6
/10
Minimalism
Colorado
8.5
/10
Illinois
6
/10
Colorado
Giving up
Tiny homes meet mountain living simplicity and purpose.
Illinois
Gaining
CTA commutes and winter gear challenge clean lines.
Recommended IL cities/areas for Minimalists
StreetervilleWest Loop condos
Colorado
8.5
/10
Illinois
6
/10
Fitness
Colorado
9
/10
Illinois
8
/10
Colorado
Giving up
High altitude training and Olympic Training Center fuel gains.
Illinois
Gaining
Boxes everywhere and Murphs before Cubs games.
Recommended IL cities/areas for CrossFit Regulars
River NorthNaperville
Colorado
9
/10
Illinois
8
/10
Local Perspective
What moment, smell, or ritual captures the soul of Illinois?
You'll know you're in Illinois when locals start discussing corn sweat season! You smell it in the air and feel it on your skin... and unfortunately it's not sweet like the corn in fall. Corn sweat is essentially humidity season and the closer you are to a corn field, the worse this humidity - and your allergies - flare.
– Hannah Swieczka
Illinois Local
Lifestyle differences between living in Colorado and living in Illinois
ColoradoIllinois
The Unwritten Dining Rules of Eating Like a Local in Colorado and IL
Eating Like a Local in Colorado
Order cautiously: Rocky Mountain Oysters are NOT oysters. They’re bull testicles. But they’re deep-fried, and let’s be honest, anything deep-fried has a fighting chance.
Heidi LimColorado Local ExpertEating Like a Local in Illinois
While Chicago is all about deep dish pizza and Italian beef, Illinois has a much more mature palate. Depending on which exact city or suburb you find yourself in, the locals may eat differently. Rule #1, avoid chain restaurants (with the exception of Chicago-based chains, such as Portillo's Hot Dogs). Otherwise, find the mom & pop restaurant and trust your instinct! Any place named after a person won't steer you wrong.
Hannah SwieczkaIllinois Local ExpertIllinois looking like
the right move?
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The Straight Tax Breakdown of Moving to IL from Colorado
Colorado
Illinois
ColoradovsIllinois
State Income Tax
State Income TaxFlat 4.4% on all income
Flat 4.95% statewide
Colorado
Flat 4.4% on all income
VS
Illinois
Flat 4.95% statewide
Property Taxes
Property TaxesBroomfield and Boulder areas higher, rural counties lower
Among highest nationally, Cook County complex, suburban collar counties high, downstate generally lower
Colorado
Broomfield and Boulder areas higher, rural counties lower
VS
Illinois
Among highest nationally, Cook County complex, suburban collar counties high, downstate generally lower
What Sets Apart Colorado and IL: Values, Beliefs, & Politics
Colorado
Illinois
ColoradovsIllinois
People
PeopleCasual and low-key, friendly but hands-off, and deeply appreciative of sunshine and flexible plans
Polite Midwesterners, Chicago hustle, small town neighborly, sports obsessed, weather tough
Colorado
Casual and low-key, friendly but hands-off, and deeply appreciative of sunshine and flexible plans
VS
Illinois
Polite Midwesterners, Chicago hustle, small town neighborly, sports obsessed, weather tough
Politics
Purple turned blue, Front Range liberal, Western Slope conservative
Reliably blue statewide, Chicago deep Democratic, suburbs trend blue, downstate more conservative
Colorado
Purple turned blue, Front Range liberal, Western Slope conservative
VS
Illinois
Reliably blue statewide, Chicago deep Democratic, suburbs trend blue, downstate more conservative
Religion
ReligionMostly Christian with large unaffiliated population, growing secular
Mostly Christian, strong Catholic in Chicago, notable evangelical downstate, sizable Muslim and Jewish, rising unaffiliated
Colorado
Mostly Christian with large unaffiliated population, growing secular
VS
Illinois
Mostly Christian, strong Catholic in Chicago, notable evangelical downstate, sizable Muslim and Jewish, rising unaffiliated
Leaving Colorado Winters Behind: What IL Seasons Actually Feels Like
SUMMER
Colorado
crispy mornings, scorching afternoons (90s on the Front Range)
Illinois
Cornfield steam bath - sticky 90s from Chicago to Carbondale, perfect for iced coffee and complaining about humidity
WINTER
Colorado
bluebird perfection interrupted by arctic blasts (mountains stay frozen)
Illinois
Face-numbing cold (lakefront stings)
My Favorite Thing About Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall in Illinois
Memorial Day in Illinois is the official start of summer! With so many activities dependent on the weather, Illinois doesn't wait for the solstice. Summer here runs from Memorial Day (or Memorial Day Weekend - "MDW") to Labor Day Weekend ("LDW"), no questions asked. MDW marks the opening of many beaches, parks, and seasonal restaurants, plus that first real stretch of weekends where everybody suddenly remembers how to be outside. It's when grills reappear and the propane is refilled, lake plans are penciled in planners, and the whole state has one discussion regarding our winter experiences.
Hannah SwieczkaIllinois Local Expert✧ You've researched the move ✧
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Next Steps
Learn More About Moving to Illinois
By now, you're hopefully fully aware that at Snappy Scout, our moving guides aren't like the rest! Now that you've compared the aspects of leaving behind Colorado, take a deeper dive into the specifics of moving to Illinois. No boring census stats... we promise! Just practical real advice from Illinois local experts.
Moving toAurora
Prepare for Cornfields, Metra Commutes, and Taco Runs
Moving toChicago
Dibs, Divvy, Chicago Dogs
Moving toBolingbrook
Prepare for Strip Malls, Suburbs… and the Weirdly Persistent UFO Stories
