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
IL to ID Relocation: How Much You'll Actually Spend
Trading the flat, windswept plains of the Midwest for the rugged mountain terrain of the Pacific Northwest is a move that looks dramatic on a map and feels even more dramatic in person. Illinois and Idaho sit worlds apart in climate, culture, and cost of living, and the differences go well beyond swapping Chicago deep dish for famous Idaho potatoes. Many newcomers expect the slower pace and open land to feel like an immediate upgrade, only to find that the lifestyle adjustment runs much deeper than they anticipated. Our Snappy Scout team (Hannah & Chandi) dug into the real costs, moving logistics, and day to day changes you should prepare for before loading up the truck and heading west.
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Our Local Experts Guiding Your Move
Driving a Moving Truck from Illinois to ID
Average distance
1,650miles
Typical route
I-80 W and I-84 W
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Chicago, IL → Boise, ID
~1750 miles
Springfield, IL → Boise, ID
~1750 miles
Rockford, IL → Idaho Falls, ID
~1650 miles
Peoria, IL → Pocatello, ID
~1600 miles
Aurora, IL → Twin Falls, ID
~1700 miles
Should You Move From Illinois to Idaho Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to Idaho 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 Relocating to ID from Illinois Going to Set You Back?
Moving 1,650 miles from Illinois to Idaho 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
$1,270.00
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.
What about your move?
Get a personalized estimate based on the details of your Illinois → Idaho move.
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Who Is the Illinois to ID Move Really For?
Well, it depends. If you're a Homesteader or Retired Military, you'll thrive in your move to Idaho. But if you're more of a Vintage Thrifter, PTA President, or Stay at Home Mom, 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 Idaho.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from IL to ID
Homesteading
Illinois
4.5
/10
Idaho
9
/10
Illinois
Giving up
Affordable acreage, but Shawnee winters and tornado nerves persist.
Idaho
Gaining
Acreage, Snake River water, Caldwell farm auctions, supportive laws
Recommended ID cities/areas for Homesteaders
EmmettCaldwellBonners FerrySandpoint
Illinois
4.5
/10
Idaho
9
/10
Military Culture
Illinois
6
/10
Idaho
8
/10
Illinois
Giving up
Naval Station Great Lakes and Scott AFB support strong.
Idaho
Gaining
Mountain Home AFB nearby, veteran networks, calm commutes
Recommended ID cities/areas for Retired Militaries
Mountain HomeMeridianPocatello
Illinois
6
/10
Idaho
8
/10
Thrifting
Illinois
8.5
/10
Idaho
6
/10
Illinois
Giving up
Brown Elephant, Kokorokoko, hidden gems on Clark Street.
Idaho
Gaining
Vintage Boise market, Caldwell Goodwill bins, Vandal era finds
Recommended ID cities/areas for Vintage Thrifters
Illinois
8.5
/10
Idaho
6
/10
PTA Life
Illinois
8
/10
Idaho
6
/10
Illinois
Giving up
Top rated schools, Naperville Centennial Beach, weekend carpool Olympics.
Idaho
Gaining
High school spirit, Friday nights, West Ada spreadsheets
Recommended ID cities/areas for PTA Presidents
Illinois
8
/10
Idaho
6
/10
Stay At Home Moms
Illinois
8
/10
Idaho
6.5
/10
Illinois
Giving up
Playdate heaven, quaint downtowns, Metra into Chicago.
Idaho
Gaining
Top-rated Meridian schools and safe neighborhoods
Recommended ID cities/areas for Stay at Home Moms
MeridianNampaEagle
Illinois
8
/10
Idaho
6.5
/10
Local Perspective
What moment, smell, or ritual captures the soul of Idaho?
Ashton and Island Park area are where I call home. I know I'm here when I smell the fresh pines. In the Idaho Falls area, it's sage after a rain storm. And my pre-hike ritual always ends with grabbing bear spray on my way out the door.
– Chandi Lyn
Idaho Local
Lifestyle differences between living in Illinois and living in Idaho
IllinoisIdaho
From Illinois to ID: How the Food Scene Looks Different
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 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 ExpertIdaho looking like
the right move?
There’s one more number worth knowing: what it’ll cost to get there.
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Real prices not guesswork
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What the Move from Illinois to ID Does for Your Tax Bill
Illinois
Idaho
IllinoisvsIdaho
State Income Tax
State Income TaxFlat 4.95% statewide
Flat 5.8% statewide, grocery tax credit helps offset food sales tax
Illinois
Flat 4.95% statewide
VS
Idaho
Flat 5.8% statewide, grocery tax credit helps offset food sales tax
Property Taxes
Property TaxesAmong highest nationally, Cook County complex, suburban collar counties high, downstate generally lower
Ada and Kootenai higher with rapid growth, Eastern Idaho lower, homestead exemption helps
Illinois
Among highest nationally, Cook County complex, suburban collar counties high, downstate generally lower
VS
Idaho
Ada and Kootenai higher with rapid growth, Eastern Idaho lower, homestead exemption helps
Moving from Illinois to ID: The People, Politics, & Religion Change
Illinois
Idaho
IllinoisvsIdaho
People
PeoplePolite Midwesterners, Chicago hustle, small town neighborly, sports obsessed, weather tough
Outdoorsy, neighborly, generally welcoming, always willing to pitch in and help
Illinois
Polite Midwesterners, Chicago hustle, small town neighborly, sports obsessed, weather tough
VS
Idaho
Outdoorsy, neighborly, generally welcoming, always willing to pitch in and help
Politics
Reliably blue statewide, Chicago deep Democratic, suburbs trend blue, downstate more conservative
Deep red statewide, Boise city tilts blue, Moscow and Sun Valley are progressive pockets
Illinois
Reliably blue statewide, Chicago deep Democratic, suburbs trend blue, downstate more conservative
VS
Idaho
Deep red statewide, Boise city tilts blue, Moscow and Sun Valley are progressive pockets
Religion
ReligionMostly Christian, strong Catholic in Chicago, notable evangelical downstate, sizable Muslim and Jewish, rising unaffiliated
Mostly Christian, strong LDS in eastern Idaho, evangelicals statewide, unaffiliated rising in Boise
Illinois
Mostly Christian, strong Catholic in Chicago, notable evangelical downstate, sizable Muslim and Jewish, rising unaffiliated
VS
Idaho
Mostly Christian, strong LDS in eastern Idaho, evangelicals statewide, unaffiliated rising in Boise
The Real Climate Comparison: Illinois vs ID
SUMMER
Illinois
Cornfield steam bath - sticky 90s from Chicago to Carbondale, perfect for iced coffee and complaining about humidity
Idaho
High desert broiler mode (triple digits in Treasure Valley, breezy at the lakes up north).
WINTER
Illinois
Face-numbing cold (lakefront stings)
Idaho
Icebox roulette vibe (Idaho Falls and Rexburg bitter cold, Boise inversion gloom, Panhandle snow globe).
My Favorite Thing About Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall in Idaho
WINTER — the views. The fresh snow covers everything and makes it feel magical. During particularly cold nights, I love to go outside and shine my flashlight on the trees and rocks. The whole world is covered in fairy dust.
SPRING — the crocus. They push up through the snow and offer color to the slushy.
SUMMER — the weather! It's perfect and beautiful.
FALL — bottling my harvest for the year. Fresh jams, peaches, salsa, and everything else! Also hunting. I love having a freezer full of elk.
Chandi LynIdaho Local Expert✧ You've researched the move ✧
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Next Steps
Learn More About Moving to Idaho
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 Idaho. No boring census stats... we promise! Just practical real advice from Idaho local experts.
Moving toBoise
Blue Turf Brags, Basque Bites, Built-In Bragging Rights
Moving toIdaho Falls
INL Tech By Day, Greenbelt Tacos By Night.
