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
Making the Move from IL to Oklahoma: Red State, Blue State — What Really Changes
Leaving the Midwest for the Southern Plains brings more contrast than most people anticipate. Illinois and Oklahoma share a certain no-nonsense sensibility, but the gap between Chicago's dense urban energy and Oklahoma's wide open, slower paced lifestyle is larger than the map suggests. Winters swap lake effect snow for ice storms, the cost of living drops noticeably, and the culture shifts from big city bustle to tight knit community roots. Our Snappy Scout team (Hannah & Shana) 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 OK
Average distance
750miles
Typical route
I-55 S to I-44 W
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Chicago, IL → Oklahoma City, OK
~900 miles
Springfield, IL → Oklahoma City, OK
~700 miles
Chicago, IL → Tulsa, OK
~800 miles
Rockford, IL → Tulsa, OK
~800 miles
Peoria, IL → Oklahoma City, OK
~700 miles
Should You Move From Illinois to Oklahoma Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to Oklahoma 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 to OK from Illinois?
Moving 750 miles from Illinois to Oklahoma will typically cost between $2,500.00 and $5,000.00 to hire full service movers. See the breakdown below by home size.
Expected Range
$2,500.00–$5,000.00
Expected Time
3–10days
Cost by home size
Studio
$1,420.00
1 Bedroom
$2,120.00
2 Bedrooms
$3,490.00
3 Bedrooms
$5,070.00
4 Bedrooms
$7,300.00
5+ Bedrooms
$8,120.00
| Home Size | Moving Cost | Volume (ft³) | $/ft³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,420.00 | 300 | $4.73 |
| 1 Bedroom | $2,120.00 | 450 | $4.71 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $3,490.00 | 750 | $4.65 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $5,070.00 | 1,100 | $4.61 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $7,300.00 | 1,600 | $4.56 |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $8,120.00 | 1,800 | $4.51 |
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 Sensibilities Thrive in OK?
Well, it depends. If you're a Cowboy, Adventure Junkie, or Retired Snowbird, you'll thrive in your move to Oklahoma. But if you're more of a Binge Shopper, Foodie, or Tech Bro, 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 Oklahoma.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from IL to OK
Cowboys
Illinois
3.5
/10
Oklahoma
9.5
/10
Illinois
Giving up
Illinois State Fair rodeos scratch itch, but Fort Worth it ain't.
Oklahoma
Gaining
Stockyards City rodeos, Guymon Pioneer Days, prairie sunsets
Recommended OK cities/areas for Cowboys
Oklahoma CityGuymonWoodward
Illinois
3.5
/10
Oklahoma
9.5
/10
Adventure Activities
Illinois
6
/10
Oklahoma
9
/10
Illinois
Giving up
Canyons, Garden of the Gods, quick weekend escapes.
Oklahoma
Gaining
Wichita Mountains climbs, Broken Bow boating, Turkey Mountain trails
Recommended OK cities/areas for Adventure Junkies
LawtonBroken BowDavis
Illinois
6
/10
Oklahoma
9
/10
Snowbirds
Illinois
4.5
/10
Oklahoma
5.5
/10
Illinois
Giving up
Charming summers, but Lake Michigan winters chase you south.
Oklahoma
Gaining
Mildish winters, Medicine Park charm, not exactly Scottsdale sun
Recommended OK cities/areas for Retired Snowbirds
LawtonDuncanArdmore
Illinois
4.5
/10
Oklahoma
5.5
/10
Shopping
Illinois
8.5
/10
Oklahoma
6
/10
Illinois
Giving up
Michigan Avenue sprees, plus suburban hauls for days.
Oklahoma
Gaining
Penn Square splurges, Utica Square strolls, Quail Springs weekends
Recommended OK cities/areas for Binge Shoppers
Oklahoma CityTulsa
Illinois
8.5
/10
Oklahoma
6
/10
Foodies
Illinois
9.5
/10
Oklahoma
8
/10
Illinois
Giving up
Alinea tastings, Portillo's Hot Dogs, West Loop hype.
Oklahoma
Gaining
Nonesuch tasting menus, Mother Road Market grazing, Cattlemen's steaks
Recommended OK cities/areas for Foodies
Oklahoma CityTulsa
Illinois
9.5
/10
Oklahoma
8
/10
Tech Scene
Illinois
7
/10
Oklahoma
5.5
/10
Illinois
Giving up
1871, Cameo, and tasty lunch at Au Cheval.
Oklahoma
Gaining
36 Degrees North, fintech meetups, cheap Bricktown lofts
Recommended OK cities/areas for Tech Bros
TulsaOklahoma City
Illinois
7
/10
Oklahoma
5.5
/10
Local Perspective
What moment, smell, or ritual captures the soul of Oklahoma?
Being able to see farmland, animals, and open sky from just about anywhere.
– Shana Grandstaff
Oklahoma Local
Lifestyle differences between living in Illinois and living in Oklahoma
IllinoisOklahoma
Illinois to OK: A Food Lover's Guide to Eating
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 Oklahoma
Our state dish was selected because it is the truth. We eat chicken fried steak, usually served with mashed potatoes and fried okra, and covered in cream gravy.
Shana GrandstaffOklahoma Local ExpertWhat the Move from Illinois to OK Feels Like for Your Tax Life
Illinois
Oklahoma
IllinoisvsOklahoma
State Income Tax
State Income TaxFlat 4.95% statewide
Progressive brackets, top rate 4.75%
Illinois
Flat 4.95% statewide
VS
Oklahoma
Progressive brackets, top rate 4.75%
Property Taxes
Property TaxesAmong highest nationally, Cook County complex, suburban collar counties high, downstate generally lower
Low statewide, higher in OKC metro (Oklahoma County) and Tulsa County, rural lowest
Illinois
Among highest nationally, Cook County complex, suburban collar counties high, downstate generally lower
VS
Oklahoma
Low statewide, higher in OKC metro (Oklahoma County) and Tulsa County, rural lowest
How Culture, Politics, & Faith Stack Up Between Illinois and OK
Illinois
Oklahoma
IllinoisvsOklahoma
People
PeoplePolite Midwesterners, Chicago hustle, small town neighborly, sports obsessed, weather tough
Plainspoken, neighborly, tornado tough, Friday night lights faithful
Illinois
Polite Midwesterners, Chicago hustle, small town neighborly, sports obsessed, weather tough
VS
Oklahoma
Plainspoken, neighborly, tornado tough, Friday night lights faithful
Politics
Reliably blue statewide, Chicago deep Democratic, suburbs trend blue, downstate more conservative
Deep red statewide, OKC and Tulsa trend moderate blue, tribal governance distinct
Illinois
Reliably blue statewide, Chicago deep Democratic, suburbs trend blue, downstate more conservative
VS
Oklahoma
Deep red statewide, OKC and Tulsa trend moderate blue, tribal governance distinct
Religion
ReligionMostly Christian, strong Catholic in Chicago, notable evangelical downstate, sizable Muslim and Jewish, rising unaffiliated
Mostly Christian Protestant, strong Baptist and Pentecostal, some Catholic, tribal traditions
Illinois
Mostly Christian, strong Catholic in Chicago, notable evangelical downstate, sizable Muslim and Jewish, rising unaffiliated
VS
Oklahoma
Mostly Christian Protestant, strong Baptist and Pentecostal, some Catholic, tribal traditions
The Unfiltered Seasonal Picture: Illinois vs OK
SUMMER
Illinois
Cornfield steam bath - sticky 90s from Chicago to Carbondale, perfect for iced coffee and complaining about humidity
Oklahoma
windy oven, extra crispy (triple digits happen all over the state)
WINTER
Illinois
Face-numbing cold (lakefront stings)
Oklahoma
frigid sneak attacks (OKC shivers, Panhandle blizzards, Tulsa mostly slush)
My Favorite Thing About Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall in Oklahoma
Spring: Seeing tulips, daffodils, and irises emerge as everything becomes green again
Summer: Warm nights looking at the stars while listening to music and drinking iced tea
Fall: Looking at the changing leaves on Turkey Mountain, football gameday energy everywhere you go
Winter: Christmas lights everywhere, especially in small towns on Main Street
Shana GrandstaffOklahoma Local ExpertNext Steps
Learn More About Moving to Oklahoma
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 Oklahoma. No boring census stats... we promise! Just practical real advice from Oklahoma local experts.
Moving toTulsa
Deco Nights, Tulsa Tough Rides, QuikTrip At 2am
