Illinois Local Expert
Hannah Swieczka
“I have spent my entire life in Illinois, learning early that the state is equal parts cornfields, quiet downtowns, and…”
Read more about me
From Illinois to California: Pros, Cons & Everything Between
Trading the flat Midwestern plains for Pacific coastline sounds like an obvious upgrade, but the reality of relocating from Illinois to California catches plenty of newcomers off guard. Illinois gives you affordable housing, four distinct seasons, and a slower pace outside of Chicago, while California answers back with year-round sunshine, staggering home prices, and a cost of living that demands a second look before you commit. Our Snappy Scout team (Hannah & Jessica) dug into the costs, logistics, and lifestyle shifts you need to understand before you start loading the truck.
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Illinois to California: How Far Is the Move?
Average distance
2,050miles
Typical route
I-80 W, I-40 W, and I-70 W are the major highways you'd drive to get from Illinois to California.
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Chicago, IL → Los Angeles, CA
~2050 miles
Chicago, IL → San Francisco, CA
~2150 miles
Springfield, IL → San Diego, CA
~2000 miles
Rockford, IL → Sacramento, CA
~2100 miles
Peoria, IL → San Jose, CA
~2050 miles
Should You Move From Illinois to California Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to California from Illinois 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.
How Much Is Moving to California from Illinois Going to Run You?
Moving 2,050 miles from Illinois to California 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
5–12days
Cost by home size
Studio
$1,270.00
1 Bedroom
$1,870.00
2 Bedrooms
$3,080.00
3 Bedrooms
$4,460.00
4 Bedrooms
$6,410.00
5+ Bedrooms
$7,120.00
| Home Size | Moving Cost | Volume (ft³) | $/ft³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,270.00 | 300 | $4.23 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,870.00 | 450 | $4.16 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $3,080.00 | 750 | $4.11 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $4,460.00 | 1,100 | $4.05 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $6,410.00 | 1,600 | $4.01 |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $7,120.00 | 1,800 | $3.96 |
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 Fits In After Moving from Illinois to California?
Well, it depends. If you're a Beach Bum, Retired Snowbird, or Yoga Instructor, you'll thrive in your move to California. But if you're more of a Garden Club Lifetime Member, Binge Shopper, or Craft Beer Fan, 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 Illinois to California.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from IL to CA
Beach Culture
Illinois
3.5
/10
California
9
/10
Illinois
Giving up
Fun summers on Lake Michigan, but winter waves slap dreams silly.
California
Gaining
Santa Monica Pier sunsets, PCH cruising, sleepy Santa Barbara shoreline hideaways
Recommended CA cities/areas for Beach Bums
Illinois
3.5
/10
California
9
/10
Snowbirds
Illinois
4.5
/10
California
7.5
/10
Illinois
Giving up
Charming summers, but Lake Michigan winters chase you south.
California
Gaining
Palm Springs pools, Torrey Pines walks, SoCal’s gentle winters
Recommended CA cities/areas for Retired Snowbirds
Illinois
4.5
/10
California
7.5
/10
Yoga
Illinois
7.5
/10
California
9
/10
Illinois
Giving up
Sunrise at Maggie Daley, chill after at Beatrix.
California
Gaining
YogaWorks roots, Self Realization gardens, beach sun salutations
Recommended CA cities/areas for Yoga Instructors
Illinois
7.5
/10
California
9
/10
Gardener
Illinois
8
/10
California
6
/10
Illinois
Giving up
Glencoe blooms and Lisle trees make hearts sprout.
California
Gaining
Huntington Library blooms, Filoli tours, Luther Burbank roses
Recommended CA cities/areas for Garden Club Lifetime Members
PasadenaCarmel-by-the-SeaSanta Rosa
Illinois
8
/10
California
6
/10
Shopping
Illinois
8.5
/10
California
8
/10
Illinois
Giving up
Michigan Avenue sprees, plus suburban hauls for days.
California
Gaining
Rodeo struts, South Coast Plaza splurges, Valley Fair’s quiet luxury
Recommended CA cities/areas for Binge Shoppers
South Coast PlazaRodeo DriveValley Fair
Illinois
8.5
/10
California
8
/10
Craft Beer Culture
Illinois
9.5
/10
California
9
/10
Illinois
Giving up
Revolution, Half Acre, Maplewood taps flow nonstop.
California
Gaining
Stone pours, Pliny hype, Sierra Nevada tours
Recommended CA cities/areas for Craft Beer Fans
San DiegoSanta RosaChico
Illinois
9.5
/10
California
9
/10
Local Perspective
What moment, smell, or ritual captures the soul of California?
I adore the smell of pine when I’m camping away from the city. It’s a reminder that even with all the traffic, commotion, overcrowding, pollution, and noise, there are places for stillness and quiet reflection. Before I unload the car and set up at the campsite, I take a few minutes to fill my lungs with the fresh air.
– Jessica Montes
California Local
Lifestyle differences between living in Illinois and living in California
IllinoisCalifornia
What Life at the Table Looks Like in Illinois vs California
Eating 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 ExpertEating Like a Local in California
You can start the morning with an iced oat latte, grab an double-double with animal style fries (cheese, onions, and special sauce) from In-and-Out for lunch, and end with street dogs after a show. Also know as danger dogs, these bun-wrapped meals are topped with grilled onions and bell peppers. You can find the vendors outside of clubs/ bars on the weekends or by the dozens in concert parking lots. Why waste time driving when dinner is right in front of you?
Jessica MontesCalifornia Local ExpertCalifornia looking like
the right move?
There’s one more number worth knowing: what it’ll cost to get there.
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What the Move from Illinois to California Means for Your Tax Return
Illinois
California
IllinoisvsCalifornia
State Income Tax
State Income TaxFlat 4.95% statewide
Progressive 1% to 12.3%, plus 1% mental health surcharge over $1M
Illinois
Flat 4.95% statewide
VS
California
Progressive 1% to 12.3%, plus 1% mental health surcharge over $1M
Property Taxes
Property TaxesAmong highest nationally, Cook County complex, suburban collar counties high, downstate generally lower
Prop 13 around 1% base, bigger add ons in LA and SF, lower inland
Illinois
Among highest nationally, Cook County complex, suburban collar counties high, downstate generally lower
VS
California
Prop 13 around 1% base, bigger add ons in LA and SF, lower inland
What Hits Different About Values, Beliefs, & Politics When You Move from Illinois to California
Illinois
California
IllinoisvsCalifornia
People
PeoplePolite Midwesterners, Chicago hustle, small town neighborly, sports obsessed, weather tough
Laid back yet hustling, diverse, outdoorsy, friendly, occasionally impatient behind the wheel
Illinois
Polite Midwesterners, Chicago hustle, small town neighborly, sports obsessed, weather tough
VS
California
Laid back yet hustling, diverse, outdoorsy, friendly, occasionally impatient behind the wheel
Politics
Reliably blue statewide, Chicago deep Democratic, suburbs trend blue, downstate more conservative
Solidly blue statewide, coastal cities are progressive, inland valleys and Sierras lean conservative
Illinois
Reliably blue statewide, Chicago deep Democratic, suburbs trend blue, downstate more conservative
VS
California
Solidly blue statewide, coastal cities are progressive, inland valleys and Sierras lean conservative
Religion
ReligionMostly Christian, strong Catholic in Chicago, notable evangelical downstate, sizable Muslim and Jewish, rising unaffiliated
No majority, many unaffiliated, big Catholic share, notable Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh
Illinois
Mostly Christian, strong Catholic in Chicago, notable evangelical downstate, sizable Muslim and Jewish, rising unaffiliated
VS
California
No majority, many unaffiliated, big Catholic share, notable Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh
The Honest Seasonal Truth: Illinois vs California
SUMMER
Illinois
Cornfield steam bath - sticky 90s from Chicago to Carbondale, perfect for iced coffee and complaining about humidity
California
microclimate roulette wheel (June gloom hugs the coast, blast furnace rules the Central Valley)
WINTER
Illinois
Face-numbing cold (lakefront stings)
California
dress in layers, call it winter (Bay gets nippy, Sierras turns icebox, desert nights bite)
My Favorite Thing About Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall in California
I love apple picking in Fall in Oakglen. Most farms make it a whole, family-friendly event where you can poke through corn mazes, ride tractors, and make your own cider. You’ll try apple varieties you’ve never heard of that have the perfect crunch.
Jessica MontesCalifornia Local Expert✧ You've researched the move ✧
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Next Steps
Learn More About Moving to California
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 Illinois, take a deeper dive into the specifics of moving to California. No boring census stats... we promise! Just practical real advice from California local experts.
Moving toAnaheim
Trade Your Wallet for a Mouse Ears Passport
Moving toBakersfield
Brace for Heat, Basque Food & Buck Owens
Moving toIndio
Pack Sunscreen and Lower Your Coffee Standards
