Illinois Local Expert
Hannah Swieczka
“She read "Weird Illinois" as a kid and is now convinced most things have a haunted history.”
See full bio
JourneysMoving Journeys|From ILMoving from Illinois|To MAMoving to Massachusetts|Illinois → Massachusetts
From Illinois to Massachusetts: Is This Move Right for Your Personality?
Trading the flat Midwestern plains for the rocky New England coastline is a bigger adjustment than most people anticipate. Illinois offers affordable suburbs, a famously bold food scene, and the kind of space that lets you breathe, while Massachusetts packs centuries of history, elite universities, and a noticeably faster pace of life into a much smaller footprint. The cost of living jump alone is enough to catch newcomers off guard, and that is before you factor in the brutal winters on both ends of the move. Our Snappy Scout team (Hannah & Candice) dug into the costs, logistics, and lifestyle changes you should expect before packing the first box.
Who's Behind This Guide
The Drive from Illinois to Massachusetts: What to Plan For
Average distance
1,050miles
Typical route
I-90 E (Ohio Turnpike and Massachusetts Turnpike) is the primary corridor, with I-80 E and I-76 E as common alternates depending on your starting point in Illinois.
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Chicago, IL → Boston, MA
~1000 miles
Springfield, IL → Boston, MA
~1150 miles
Rockford, IL → Worcester, MA
~1000 miles
Peoria, IL → Springfield, MA
~1150 miles
Aurora, IL → Cambridge, MA
~1000 miles
What Does It Actually Cost to Relocate from Illinois to Massachusetts?
Moving 1,050 miles from Illinois to Massachusetts 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.
Will Your Personality Thrive in Massachusetts?
Well, it depends. If you're a Wall Street Exec, Tech Bro, or Beach Bum, you'll thrive in your move to Massachusetts. But if you're more of a Binge Shopper, Retired Military, 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 Illinois to Massachusetts.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from IL to MA
Wall Street Life
Illinois
4
/10
Massachusetts
6.5
/10
Illinois
Giving up
LaSalle Street deals exist, but not Manhattan bonus culture.
Massachusetts
Gaining
Financial District thrives, State Street and Fidelity reign.
Recommended MA cities/areas for Wall Street Execs
Boston
Illinois
4
/10
Massachusetts
6.5
/10
Tech Scene
Illinois
7
/10
Massachusetts
9
/10
Illinois
Giving up
1871, Cameo, and tasty lunch at Au Cheval.
Massachusetts
Gaining
Kendall Square software and biotech startups. A bit of a 'bro' vibe. Becoming more inclusive though.
Recommended MA cities/areas for Tech Bros
CambridgeBoston
Illinois
7
/10
Massachusetts
9
/10
Beach Culture
Illinois
3.5
/10
Massachusetts
4.5
/10
Illinois
Giving up
Fun summers on Lake Michigan, but winter waves slap dreams silly.
Massachusetts
Gaining
Beaches beautiful but cold water, short swim season.
Recommended MA cities/areas for Beach Bums
Cape CodGloucester
Illinois
3.5
/10
Massachusetts
4.5
/10
Shopping
Illinois
8.5
/10
Massachusetts
6.5
/10
Illinois
Giving up
Michigan Avenue sprees, plus suburban hauls for days.
Massachusetts
Gaining
Newbury Street boutiques and Burlington Mall sprees.
Recommended MA cities/areas for Binge Shoppers
BostonBurlington
Illinois
8.5
/10
Massachusetts
6.5
/10
Military Culture
Illinois
6
/10
Massachusetts
4
/10
Illinois
Giving up
Naval Station Great Lakes and Scott AFB support strong.
Massachusetts
Gaining
VA services solid, but fewer bases than elsewhere.
Recommended MA cities/areas for Retired Militaries
SpringfieldBoston
Illinois
6
/10
Massachusetts
4
/10
Fitness
Illinois
8
/10
Massachusetts
7
/10
Illinois
Giving up
Boxes everywhere and Murphs before Cubs games.
Massachusetts
Gaining
Gyms packed with competitive fitness junkies.
Recommended MA cities/areas for CrossFit Regulars
BostonCambridge
Illinois
8
/10
Massachusetts
7
/10
Local Perspective
What moment, smell, or ritual captures the soul of Massachusetts?
This is a tough one, but I have to fall back to the annual voyage to the Cape. This is a pretty standard trip for folks every summer. And no matter which route you choose, you'll be sure to sit in heavy traffic. But it's the quintessential road trip. Plenty of time to enjoy your best CDs and snacks along the way.
– Candice Hallsett
Massachusetts Local
Lifestyle differences between living in Illinois and living in Massachusetts
IllinoisMassachusetts
The Food Scene Between Illinois and Massachusetts
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 Massachusetts
We have some really fabulous local ethnic restaurants. Any type of food you desire, you're sure to find it. From Cambodian, Ghanaian, to Brazilian, you'll find some excellent dishes to try. Grab a pupusa from a Salvadorean spot. It's cheap and delish!
Candice HallsettMassachusetts Local ExpertWhat the Move from Illinois to Massachusetts Looks Like for Your Taxes
Illinois
Massachusetts
IllinoisvsMassachusetts
State Income Tax
State Income TaxFlat 4.95% statewide
Flat 5% on most income, 9% on short-term capital gains
Illinois
Flat 4.95% statewide
VS
Massachusetts
Flat 5% on most income, 9% on short-term capital gains
Property Taxes
Property TaxesAmong highest nationally, Cook County complex, suburban collar counties high, downstate generally lower
Among highest nationally, Boston suburbs especially steep
Illinois
Among highest nationally, Cook County complex, suburban collar counties high, downstate generally lower
VS
Massachusetts
Among highest nationally, Boston suburbs especially steep
Moving to Massachusetts from Illinois: The Cultural, Political, & Religious Difference
Illinois
Massachusetts
IllinoisvsMassachusetts
People
PeoplePolite Midwesterners, Chicago hustle, small town neighborly, sports obsessed, weather tough
Direct and blunt but loyal, wicked smart, passionate about sports
Illinois
Polite Midwesterners, Chicago hustle, small town neighborly, sports obsessed, weather tough
VS
Massachusetts
Direct and blunt but loyal, wicked smart, passionate about sports
Politics
Reliably blue statewide, Chicago deep Democratic, suburbs trend blue, downstate more conservative
Solidly blue statewide, though fiscally moderate with Republican governors occasionally
Illinois
Reliably blue statewide, Chicago deep Democratic, suburbs trend blue, downstate more conservative
VS
Massachusetts
Solidly blue statewide, though fiscally moderate with Republican governors occasionally
Religion
ReligionMostly Christian, strong Catholic in Chicago, notable evangelical downstate, sizable Muslim and Jewish, rising unaffiliated
Historically Catholic stronghold, growing secular population, diverse faith communities
Illinois
Mostly Christian, strong Catholic in Chicago, notable evangelical downstate, sizable Muslim and Jewish, rising unaffiliated
VS
Massachusetts
Historically Catholic stronghold, growing secular population, diverse faith communities
The Real Seasonal Picture: Illinois vs Massachusetts
SUMMER
Illinois
Cornfield steam bath - sticky 90s from Chicago to Carbondale, perfect for iced coffee and complaining about humidity
Massachusetts
sticky brick oven vibes (humid 90s along the coast)
WINTER
Illinois
Face-numbing cold (lakefront stings)
Massachusetts
layered like a human onion (single digits with windchill in January)
My Favorite Thing About Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall in Massachusetts
Winter: If I had to find something positive to say about our winters, I'd say official Snow Days! Otherwise, it's pretty bleak. I guess it also looks pretty before the snow plows get dirty snow everywhere.
Spring: Winter's over! And we have GORGEOUS weather.
Summer: The fact that we have the Cape. Everyone travels there (unless they already live there) in the summer.
Fall: No brainer...the foliage. Even on your everyday commute in town, it's breathtaking to witness.
Candice HallsettMassachusetts Local ExpertNext Steps
Learn More About Moving to Massachusetts
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 Massachusetts. No boring census stats... we promise! Just practical real advice from Massachusetts local experts.
