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
IL to OH Relocation: Red State, Blue State — What Really Changes
Leaving the Windy City behind for the Buckeye State feels like a modest hop on the map, but the differences between Illinois and Ohio run deeper than the distance suggests. Chicago's electric skyline and dense urban energy give way to a state where mid-sized cities like Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati each carry their own distinct personality and pace. The cost of living shifts, the climate stays similarly brutal in winter, and the culture lands somewhere familiar yet refreshingly different. Our Snappy Scout team (Hannah & Heather) broke down the costs, logistics, and lifestyle changes worth knowing before you load up the moving truck.
Who's Behind This Guide
The Route from IL to Ohio
Average distance
350miles
Typical route
I-90 E, I-80 E, I-70 E
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Chicago, IL → Cleveland, OH
~350 miles
Chicago, IL → Columbus, OH
~350 miles
Springfield, IL → Cincinnati, OH
~300 miles
Rockford, IL → Toledo, OH
~300 miles
Peoria, IL → Dayton, OH
~300 miles
Should You Move From Illinois to Ohio Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to Ohio 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.
Can You Afford to Make the Move from IL to Ohio?
Moving 350 miles from Illinois to Ohio will typically cost between $2,500.00 and $6,000.00 to hire full service movers. See the breakdown below by home size.
Expected Range
$2,500.00–$6,000.00
Expected Time
2–9days
Cost by home size
Studio
$1,620.00
1 Bedroom
$2,410.00
2 Bedrooms
$3,990.00
3 Bedrooms
$5,800.00
4 Bedrooms
$8,350.00
5+ Bedrooms
$9,310.00
| Home Size | Moving Cost | Volume (ft³) | $/ft³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,620.00 | 300 | $5.4 |
| 1 Bedroom | $2,410.00 | 450 | $5.36 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $3,990.00 | 750 | $5.32 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $5,800.00 | 1,100 | $5.27 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $8,350.00 | 1,600 | $5.22 |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $9,310.00 | 1,800 | $5.17 |
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 Vibe Work in Ohio?
Well, it depends. If you're a Homesteader, Adventure Junkie, or Gamer, you'll thrive in your move to Ohio. But if you're more of a Binge Shopper, Vintage Thrifter, or Dog Momma, 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 Ohio.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from IL to OH
Adventure Activities
Illinois
6
/10
Ohio
9
/10
Illinois
Giving up
Canyons, Garden of the Gods, quick weekend escapes.
Ohio
Gaining
Hocking Hills rappels, CVNP towpath rides, Cedar Point screams (Old Man's Cave alone is worth the trip)
Recommended OH cities/areas for Adventure Junkies
LoganPeninsulaSandusky
Illinois
6
/10
Ohio
9
/10
Homesteading
Illinois
4.5
/10
Ohio
6
/10
Illinois
Giving up
Affordable acreage, but Shawnee winters and tornado nerves persist.
Ohio
Gaining
Amish bulk stores, OU farmers, cheap acreage with creeks where land still goes for under $5k an acre
Recommended OH cities/areas for Homesteaders
MillersburgAthens
Illinois
4.5
/10
Ohio
6
/10
Shopping
Illinois
8.5
/10
Ohio
5.5
/10
Illinois
Giving up
Michigan Avenue sprees, plus suburban hauls for days.
Ohio
Gaining
Easton, Kenwood, Crocker Park tempt, wallet whimpers especially during tax-free weekend
Recommended OH cities/areas for Binge Shoppers
Illinois
8.5
/10
Ohio
5.5
/10
Thrifting
Illinois
8.5
/10
Ohio
7
/10
Illinois
Giving up
Brown Elephant, Kokorokoko, hidden gems on Clark Street.
Ohio
Gaining
Waterloo antiques, Rag O Rama hauls, West Side Market finds and estate sales every weekend
Recommended OH cities/areas for Vintage Thrifters
LakewoodColumbus
Illinois
8.5
/10
Ohio
7
/10
Local Perspective
What moment, smell, or ritual captures the soul of Ohio?
The cardinals and robins chirping, and the feral howls of OSU football fans.
– Heather Taylor
Ohio Local
Lifestyle differences between living in Illinois and living in Ohio
IllinoisOhio
The Dining Divide Between IL and Ohio
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 Ohio
if you want to eat like a real Buckeye, you gotta get Cincinnati chili the right way. It’s this weird, thin, spiced-up meat sauce (cinnamon and allspice vibes, no beans in the base) served over spaghetti. Don’t call it “chili” like Texas stuff, we know it’s different. Tips on ordering it: 3-way: Spaghetti + chili + a mountain of shredded cheddar cheese.
4-way: Add onions or beans.
5-way: All of it, cheese, onions, and beans.
Always ask for oyster crackers on the side and hit it with hot sauce. And whatever you do, don’t put beans on first if you’re ordering a 4-way, locals will side-eye you hard.
Heather TaylorOhio Local ExpertWhat the Move from IL to Ohio Feels Like for Your Tax Return
Illinois
Ohio
IllinoisvsOhio
State Income Tax
State Income TaxFlat 4.95% statewide
Graduated, roughly 0 to 3.99%. Many cities levy 1 to 3%. Columbus is 2.5%, so budget accordingly if you work in the city
Illinois
Flat 4.95% statewide
VS
Ohio
Graduated, roughly 0 to 3.99%. Many cities levy 1 to 3%. Columbus is 2.5%, so budget accordingly if you work in the city
Property Taxes
Property TaxesAmong highest nationally, Cook County complex, suburban collar counties high, downstate generally lower
Higher in Cuyahoga, Franklin, Hamilton, Delaware, lower in many Appalachian counties. Delaware County property taxes fund those top-rated schools everyone moves there for
Illinois
Among highest nationally, Cook County complex, suburban collar counties high, downstate generally lower
VS
Ohio
Higher in Cuyahoga, Franklin, Hamilton, Delaware, lower in many Appalachian counties. Delaware County property taxes fund those top-rated schools everyone moves there for
How Culture, Politics, & Faith Compare Between IL and Ohio
Illinois
Ohio
IllinoisvsOhio
People
PeoplePolite Midwesterners, Chicago hustle, small town neighborly, sports obsessed, weather tough
Midwestern nice, sports obsessed, weather tough, proudly local, big on neighborly favors. They'll help you shovel out after a snowstorm without being asked
Illinois
Polite Midwesterners, Chicago hustle, small town neighborly, sports obsessed, weather tough
VS
Ohio
Midwestern nice, sports obsessed, weather tough, proudly local, big on neighborly favors. They'll help you shovel out after a snowstorm without being asked
Politics
Reliably blue statewide, Chicago deep Democratic, suburbs trend blue, downstate more conservative
Once swingy, trending red statewide, Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Toledo reliably blue. But Athens and Oberlin punch way above their weight for progressive pockets
Illinois
Reliably blue statewide, Chicago deep Democratic, suburbs trend blue, downstate more conservative
VS
Ohio
Once swingy, trending red statewide, Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Toledo reliably blue. But Athens and Oberlin punch way above their weight for progressive pockets
Religion
ReligionMostly Christian, strong Catholic in Chicago, notable evangelical downstate, sizable Muslim and Jewish, rising unaffiliated
Mostly Christian, Protestant and Catholic strong, notable Amish in Holmes and Geauga, where you can still buy furniture built without power tools, rising nones
Illinois
Mostly Christian, strong Catholic in Chicago, notable evangelical downstate, sizable Muslim and Jewish, rising unaffiliated
VS
Ohio
Mostly Christian, Protestant and Catholic strong, notable Amish in Holmes and Geauga, where you can still buy furniture built without power tools, rising nones
The Unfiltered Seasonal Truth: IL vs Ohio
SUMMER
Illinois
Cornfield steam bath - sticky 90s from Chicago to Carbondale, perfect for iced coffee and complaining about humidity
Ohio
cornfield sauna vibes (sticky 90s in Cincinnati, lake breeze up north). Though Cleveland can hit 85 and feel like 95 with the humidity rolling off the lake
WINTER
Illinois
Face-numbing cold (lakefront stings)
Ohio
gray hoodie chill (Snowbelt gets lake effect wallops, southern Ohio mostly slush). Chardon and Ashtabula regularly bury under feet while Columbus gets a dusting
My Favorite Thing About Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall in Ohio
Spring. This is when the flowers bloom, migratory birds start coming home, nature wakes up, everything starts to open again, people are outside again. I love the spring season in Ohio.
Heather TaylorOhio Local ExpertNext Steps
Learn More About Moving to Ohio
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 Ohio. No boring census stats... we promise! Just practical real advice from Ohio local experts.
Moving toCincinnati
Chili 3-Ways, Seven Hills, Rheingeist Roofs
Moving toCleveland
Parka On, Pierogi Up, Avoid Dead Man's Curve
Moving toColumbus
Jeni's, The Shoe, Pop Up Storms. Pack Layers
