Idaho Local Expert
Chandi Lyn
“She adores arthropods, which explains why spiders get house tours instead of screams.”
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ID to IL Relocation: Was It Worth It?
Trading the Gem State for the Land of Lincoln brings more contrast than most people anticipate. Idaho's open skies, mountain backdrops, and relatively laid back pace of life feel worlds apart from Illinois's dense urban energy, flat prairie stretches, and the relentless pull of Chicago on everything around it. The cost of living, the climate, and even the culture shift more dramatically than a quick map glance might suggest. Our Snappy Scout team (Chandi & 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
Could You Drive a Moving Truck from ID to IL?
Average distance
1,750miles
Typical route
The drive from Idaho to Illinois typically follows I-84 E to I-80 E, cutting across Wyoming and Nebraska before entering Illinois.
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Boise, ID → Chicago, IL
~1750 miles
Idaho Falls, ID → Chicago, IL
~1650 miles
Pocatello, ID → Springfield, IL
~1700 miles
Twin Falls, ID → Rockford, IL
~1750 miles
Coeur d'Alene, ID → Aurora, IL
~1900 miles
Should You Move From Idaho to Illinois Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to Illinois from Idaho 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.
What to Budget for ID to IL Moving Quotes
Moving 1,750 miles from Idaho 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
4–11days
Cost by home size
Studio
$1,260.00
1 Bedroom
$1,860.00
2 Bedrooms
$3,070.00
3 Bedrooms
$4,450.00
4 Bedrooms
$6,400.00
5+ Bedrooms
$7,110.00
| Home Size | Moving Cost | Volume (ft³) | $/ft³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,260.00 | 300 | $4.2 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,860.00 | 450 | $4.13 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $3,070.00 | 750 | $4.09 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $4,450.00 | 1,100 | $4.05 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $6,400.00 | 1,600 | $4 |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $7,110.00 | 1,800 | $3.95 |
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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Is IL Right for Your Life?
Well, it depends. If you're a Binge Shopper, Garden Club Lifetime Member, or Minimalist, you'll thrive in your move to Illinois. But if you're more of a Cowboy, Adventure Junkie, or DIYer, 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 Idaho to Illinois.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from ID to IL
Shopping
Idaho
4
/10
Illinois
8.5
/10
Idaho
Giving up
Boise Towne Square scratches itch, but luxury flagships rarely land
Illinois
Gaining
Michigan Avenue sprees, plus suburban hauls for days.
Recommended IL cities/areas for Binge Shoppers
Magnificent MileOakbrook CenterWoodfield Mall
Idaho
4
/10
Illinois
8.5
/10
Gardener
Idaho
6
/10
Illinois
8
/10
Idaho
Giving up
Julia Davis roses, Idaho Falls greenbelt strolls, dahlia contests
Illinois
Gaining
Glencoe blooms and Lisle trees make hearts sprout.
Recommended IL cities/areas for Garden Club Lifetime Members
Chicago Botanic GardenMorton Arboretum
Idaho
6
/10
Illinois
8
/10
Minimalism
Idaho
4.5
/10
Illinois
6
/10
Idaho
Giving up
Minimalism exists, but gear-heavy Idaho adventure nudges toward clutter
Illinois
Gaining
CTA commutes and winter gear challenge clean lines.
Recommended IL cities/areas for Minimalists
StreetervilleWest Loop condos
Idaho
4.5
/10
Illinois
6
/10
Cowboys
Idaho
8
/10
Illinois
3.5
/10
Idaho
Giving up
Snake River Stampede, county fairs, boot stores everywhere
Illinois
Gaining
Illinois State Fair rodeos scratch itch, but Fort Worth it ain't.
Recommended IL cities/areas for Cowboys
SpringfieldRockford
Idaho
8
/10
Illinois
3.5
/10
Adventure Activities
Idaho
9.5
/10
Illinois
6
/10
Idaho
Giving up
Sawtooth trails, Brundage powder, Perrine Bridge jumps, South Fork of the Salmon River
Illinois
Gaining
Canyons, Garden of the Gods, quick weekend escapes.
Recommended IL cities/areas for Adventure Junkies
Starved RockShawnee National Forest
Idaho
9.5
/10
Illinois
6
/10
DIYers
Idaho
7.5
/10
Illinois
7
/10
Idaho
Giving up
D&B Supply aisles, ReStore finds, fixer dreams
Illinois
Gaining
Frank Lloyd Wright blocks inspire endless weekend projects.
Recommended IL cities/areas for DIYers
Oak ParkBerwyn
Idaho
7.5
/10
Illinois
7
/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 Idaho and living in Illinois
IdahoIllinois
ID vs IL: Eating Local
Eating Like a Local in Idaho
Many restaurants have Navajo tacos on the menu. It's a Western favorite and there's nothing special to ordering it — though you should ask what the spice level is if you're sensitive to that.
Chandi LynIdaho 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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From ID to IL: How Your Tax Return Looks
Idaho
Illinois
IdahovsIllinois
State Income Tax
State Income TaxFlat 5.8% statewide, grocery tax credit helps offset food sales tax
Flat 4.95% statewide
Idaho
Flat 5.8% statewide, grocery tax credit helps offset food sales tax
VS
Illinois
Flat 4.95% statewide
Property Taxes
Property TaxesAda and Kootenai higher with rapid growth, Eastern Idaho lower, homestead exemption helps
Among highest nationally, Cook County complex, suburban collar counties high, downstate generally lower
Idaho
Ada and Kootenai higher with rapid growth, Eastern Idaho lower, homestead exemption helps
VS
Illinois
Among highest nationally, Cook County complex, suburban collar counties high, downstate generally lower
The Straight People, Politics, & Religion Breakdown: ID vs IL
Idaho
Illinois
IdahovsIllinois
People
PeopleOutdoorsy, neighborly, generally welcoming, always willing to pitch in and help
Polite Midwesterners, Chicago hustle, small town neighborly, sports obsessed, weather tough
Idaho
Outdoorsy, neighborly, generally welcoming, always willing to pitch in and help
VS
Illinois
Polite Midwesterners, Chicago hustle, small town neighborly, sports obsessed, weather tough
Politics
Deep red statewide, Boise city tilts blue, Moscow and Sun Valley are progressive pockets
Reliably blue statewide, Chicago deep Democratic, suburbs trend blue, downstate more conservative
Idaho
Deep red statewide, Boise city tilts blue, Moscow and Sun Valley are progressive pockets
VS
Illinois
Reliably blue statewide, Chicago deep Democratic, suburbs trend blue, downstate more conservative
Religion
ReligionMostly Christian, strong LDS in eastern Idaho, evangelicals statewide, unaffiliated rising in Boise
Mostly Christian, strong Catholic in Chicago, notable evangelical downstate, sizable Muslim and Jewish, rising unaffiliated
Idaho
Mostly Christian, strong LDS in eastern Idaho, evangelicals statewide, unaffiliated rising in Boise
VS
Illinois
Mostly Christian, strong Catholic in Chicago, notable evangelical downstate, sizable Muslim and Jewish, rising unaffiliated
What Changes About the Seasons When You Move to IL from ID
SUMMER
Idaho
High desert broiler mode (triple digits in Treasure Valley, breezy at the lakes up north).
Illinois
Cornfield steam bath - sticky 90s from Chicago to Carbondale, perfect for iced coffee and complaining about humidity
WINTER
Idaho
Icebox roulette vibe (Idaho Falls and Rexburg bitter cold, Boise inversion gloom, Panhandle snow globe).
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 Idaho, 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
