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
Moving from Illinois to CO: Head-to-Head Breakdown
Trading the flat, wind-whipped plains of the Midwest for the Rocky Mountain skyline is a dramatic change that catches plenty of relocating families off guard. Illinois and Colorado may both feel like quintessentially American places to put down roots, but the contrasts run deeper than the scenery. Chicago's dense urban energy and four seasons of extreme weather give way to Denver's outdoor culture, thinner air, and a cost of living that continues to climb alongside its mountain views. Our Snappy Scout team (Hannah & Heidi) dug into the real costs, moving logistics, and lifestyle adjustments you should plan for before the first box gets taped shut.
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IL to CO Distance Breakdown
Average distance
1,050miles
Typical route
I-80 W and I-76 W
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Chicago, IL → Denver, CO
~1000 miles
Springfield, IL → Denver, CO
~1050 miles
Rockford, IL → Colorado Springs, CO
~1050 miles
Peoria, IL → Aurora, CO
~1050 miles
Joliet, IL → Fort Collins, CO
~1100 miles
Should You Move From Illinois to Colorado Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to Colorado 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 CO from IL Really Going to Cost?
Moving 1,050 miles from Illinois to Colorado 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
$1,290.00
1 Bedroom
$1,900.00
2 Bedrooms
$3,130.00
3 Bedrooms
$4,540.00
4 Bedrooms
$6,520.00
5+ Bedrooms
$7,250.00
| Home Size | Moving Cost | Volume (ft³) | $/ft³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,290.00 | 300 | $4.3 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,900.00 | 450 | $4.22 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $3,130.00 | 750 | $4.17 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $4,540.00 | 1,100 | $4.13 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $6,520.00 | 1,600 | $4.08 |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $7,250.00 | 1,800 | $4.03 |
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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Get a personalized estimate based on the details of your Illinois → Colorado move.
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Who Finds Their People After Moving from IL to CO?
Well, it depends. If you're a Homesteader, Yoga Instructor, or Surfer Dude, you'll thrive in your move to Colorado. But if you're more of a Garden Club Lifetime Member, Vintage Thrifter, or Retired Snowbird, 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 Colorado.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from IL to CO
Homesteading
Illinois
4.5
/10
Colorado
7
/10
Illinois
Giving up
Affordable acreage, but Shawnee winters and tornado nerves persist.
Colorado
Gaining
Land available but high prices and altitude challenge newcomers.
Recommended CO cities/areas for Homesteaders
San Luis Valleyrural Western Slopes
Illinois
4.5
/10
Colorado
7
/10
Yoga
Illinois
7.5
/10
Colorado
9.5
/10
Illinois
Giving up
Sunrise at Maggie Daley, chill after at Beatrix.
Colorado
Gaining
Mountain zen and Red Rocks Yoga sessions thrive.
Recommended CO cities/areas for Yoga Instructors
BoulderAspenTelluride
Illinois
7.5
/10
Colorado
9.5
/10
Surfing
Illinois
3
/10
Colorado
4
/10
Illinois
Giving up
Closest waves are windswell on Lake Michigan, sorry brah.
Colorado
Gaining
South Platte River waves exist but it's no ocean swell (very niche).
Recommended CO cities/areas for Surfer Dudes
Denver river surfing
Illinois
3
/10
Colorado
4
/10
Gardener
Illinois
8
/10
Colorado
5.5
/10
Illinois
Giving up
Glencoe blooms and Lisle trees make hearts sprout.
Colorado
Gaining
Denver Botanic Gardens inspire but short season and altitude challenge.
Recommended CO cities/areas for Garden Club Lifetime Members
Fort CollinsDurango
Illinois
8
/10
Colorado
5.5
/10
Thrifting
Illinois
8.5
/10
Colorado
6.5
/10
Illinois
Giving up
Brown Elephant, Kokorokoko, hidden gems on Clark Street.
Colorado
Gaining
Buffalo Exchange, Decade thrift shops and Boulder’s vintage and resale scene offer mountain retro finds.
Recommended CO cities/areas for Vintage Thrifters
Denver's South BroadwayBoulder
Illinois
8.5
/10
Colorado
6.5
/10
Snowbirds
Illinois
4.5
/10
Colorado
3
/10
Illinois
Giving up
Charming summers, but Lake Michigan winters chase you south.
Colorado
Gaining
Winters too harsh and snowy for those seeking sunshine.
Recommended CO cities/areas for Retired Snowbirds
Grand Junction
Illinois
4.5
/10
Colorado
3
/10
Local Perspective
What moment, smell, or ritual captures the soul of Colorado?
It’s the first breath when I get back from traveling. Colorado air is thin and dry, but it somehow feels lighter and cleaner. Everywhere else feels heavier, and coming home makes it feel easier to breathe again.
– Heidi Lim
Colorado Local
Lifestyle differences between living in Illinois and living in Colorado
IllinoisColorado
Food Culture: IL vs CO
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 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 ExpertColorado looking like
the right move?
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What the Move from IL to CO Means for Your Tax Life
Illinois
Colorado
IllinoisvsColorado
State Income Tax
State Income TaxFlat 4.95% statewide
Flat 4.4% on all income
Illinois
Flat 4.95% statewide
VS
Colorado
Flat 4.4% on all income
Property Taxes
Property TaxesAmong highest nationally, Cook County complex, suburban collar counties high, downstate generally lower
Broomfield and Boulder areas higher, rural counties lower
Illinois
Among highest nationally, Cook County complex, suburban collar counties high, downstate generally lower
VS
Colorado
Broomfield and Boulder areas higher, rural counties lower
What Hits Different About Values, Beliefs, & Politics When You Move to CO from IL
Illinois
Colorado
IllinoisvsColorado
People
PeoplePolite Midwesterners, Chicago hustle, small town neighborly, sports obsessed, weather tough
Casual and low-key, friendly but hands-off, and deeply appreciative of sunshine and flexible plans
Illinois
Polite Midwesterners, Chicago hustle, small town neighborly, sports obsessed, weather tough
VS
Colorado
Casual and low-key, friendly but hands-off, and deeply appreciative of sunshine and flexible plans
Politics
Reliably blue statewide, Chicago deep Democratic, suburbs trend blue, downstate more conservative
Purple turned blue, Front Range liberal, Western Slope conservative
Illinois
Reliably blue statewide, Chicago deep Democratic, suburbs trend blue, downstate more conservative
VS
Colorado
Purple turned blue, Front Range liberal, Western Slope conservative
Religion
ReligionMostly Christian, strong Catholic in Chicago, notable evangelical downstate, sizable Muslim and Jewish, rising unaffiliated
Mostly Christian with large unaffiliated population, growing secular
Illinois
Mostly Christian, strong Catholic in Chicago, notable evangelical downstate, sizable Muslim and Jewish, rising unaffiliated
VS
Colorado
Mostly Christian with large unaffiliated population, growing secular
The Honest Seasonal Picture: IL vs CO
SUMMER
Illinois
Cornfield steam bath - sticky 90s from Chicago to Carbondale, perfect for iced coffee and complaining about humidity
Colorado
crispy mornings, scorching afternoons (90s on the Front Range)
WINTER
Illinois
Face-numbing cold (lakefront stings)
Colorado
bluebird perfection interrupted by arctic blasts (mountains stay frozen)
My Favorite Thing About Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall in Colorado
The transition from summer to fall is one of my favorite times of year. The leaves turn, the air cools just enough, and driving through the mountains for leaf peeping feels like a warm, cozy hug before winter settles in.
Heidi LimColorado Local Expert✧ You've researched the move ✧
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Next Steps
Learn More About Moving to Colorado
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 Colorado. No boring census stats... we promise! Just practical real advice from Colorado local experts.
Moving toAurora
Pack Your Subaru and Learn to Love Havana Street
Moving toLoveland
Prepare for Sculpture Parks and Wind
