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
Moving to Utah from IL: Is It Worth What You'll Spend?
Trading the flat, sprawling expanse of the Midwest for the dramatic peaks and red rock landscapes of Utah is a lifestyle shift that goes well beyond a change of scenery. Illinois offers the electric energy of Chicago alongside quiet prairie towns, while Utah brings outdoor adventure, a tight knit community culture, and a cost of living that may pleasantly surprise you. The cold winters follow you either way, but the similarities start to thin out pretty quickly after that. Our Snappy Scout team (Hannah & Ann) dug into the costs, logistics, and daily life changes you should expect before you start loading the moving truck.
Who's Behind This Guide
Fastest Route for a Moving Truck from Illinois to UT
Average distance
1,650miles
Typical route
I-80 W and I-15 N are the major highways you'd drive to get from Illinois to Utah
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Chicago, IL → Salt Lake City, UT
~1650 miles
Springfield, IL → Salt Lake City, UT
~1600 miles
Rockford, IL → Provo, UT
~1650 miles
Peoria, IL → Ogden, UT
~1600 miles
Aurora, IL → St. George, UT
~1750 miles
Should You Move From Illinois to Utah Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to Utah 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 Does It Cost to Relocate from Illinois to UT?
Moving 1,650 miles from Illinois to Utah 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
$1,260.00
1 Bedroom
$1,860.00
2 Bedrooms
$3,070.00
3 Bedrooms
$4,450.00
4 Bedrooms
$6,400.00
5+ Bedrooms
$7,110.00
| Home Size | Moving Cost | Volume (ft³) | $/ft³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,260.00 | 300 | $4.2 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,860.00 | 450 | $4.13 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $3,070.00 | 750 | $4.09 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $4,450.00 | 1,100 | $4.05 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $6,400.00 | 1,600 | $4 |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $7,110.00 | 1,800 | $3.95 |
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.
Who Fits and Who Doesn't Moving from Illinois to UT
Well, it depends. If you're a Cowboy, Retired Snowbird, or Homesteader, you'll thrive in your move to Utah. But if you're more of a Coffee Snob, Binge Shopper, or Garden Club Lifetime Member, 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 Utah.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from IL to UT
Cowboys
Illinois
3.5
/10
Utah
8.5
/10
Illinois
Giving up
Illinois State Fair rodeos scratch itch, but Fort Worth it ain't.
Utah
Gaining
Ogden Pioneer Days, Heber rodeos, Uintah Basin ranch culture, Cross Hollow Arena, Dixie Roundup rodeo.
Recommended UT cities/areas for Cowboys
OgdenHeber CityVernalCedar City
Illinois
3.5
/10
Utah
8.5
/10
Snowbirds
Illinois
4.5
/10
Utah
8
/10
Illinois
Giving up
Charming summers, but Lake Michigan winters chase you south.
Utah
Gaining
Warm winters, Snow Canyon hikes, Tuacahn concerts under stars.
Recommended UT cities/areas for Retired Snowbirds
St. GeorgeWashingtonHurricane
Illinois
4.5
/10
Utah
8
/10
Homesteading
Illinois
4.5
/10
Utah
5.5
/10
Illinois
Giving up
Affordable acreage, but Shawnee winters and tornado nerves persist.
Utah
Gaining
Acreage, cold storage, Peach Days runs in Brigham City.
Recommended UT cities/areas for Homesteaders
LoganEphraimHeber City
Illinois
4.5
/10
Utah
5.5
/10
Coffee Culture
Illinois
9
/10
Utah
6
/10
Illinois
Giving up
Intelligentsia, Metric, Dark Matter fuel daily rituals.
Utah
Gaining
Publik roasts, La Barba, and Blue Copper cuppings.
Recommended UT cities/areas for Coffee Snobs
Salt Lake CityProvoOgden
Illinois
9
/10
Utah
6
/10
Shopping
Illinois
8.5
/10
Utah
6
/10
Illinois
Giving up
Michigan Avenue sprees, plus suburban hauls for days.
Utah
Gaining
City Creek splurges, Fashion Place hauls, Station Park therapy.
Recommended UT cities/areas for Binge Shoppers
Salt Lake CityMurrayFarmington
Illinois
8.5
/10
Utah
6
/10
Gardener
Illinois
8
/10
Utah
6
/10
Illinois
Giving up
Glencoe blooms and Lisle trees make hearts sprout.
Utah
Gaining
Thanksgiving Point Tulip Festival, Red Butte tours, Ogden blooms
Recommended UT cities/areas for Garden Club Lifetime Members
LehiSalt Lake CityOgdenSt. George
Illinois
8
/10
Utah
6
/10
Local Perspective
What moment, smell, or ritual captures the soul of Utah?
Stunning mountain vistas, unrivaled fine art culture, red rocks and the smell of sage after rain!
– Ann Broadbent
Utah Local
Lifestyle differences between living in Illinois and living in Utah
IllinoisUtah
Illinois to UT: A Local's Guide to Local Food
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 Utah
Steak, french fries with fry sauce.
Sweet Pork Burrito Supreme with rice and beans, sour cream and guacamole
Ann BroadbentUtah Local ExpertWhat the Move from Illinois to UT Costs You for Your Tax Burden
Illinois
Utah
IllinoisvsUtah
State Income Tax
State Income TaxFlat 4.95% statewide
Flat 4.55 percent statewide
Illinois
Flat 4.95% statewide
VS
Utah
Flat 4.55 percent statewide
Property Taxes
Property TaxesAmong highest nationally, Cook County complex, suburban collar counties high, downstate generally lower
Moderate effective rates, Salt Lake County higher, Park City pricier, rural counties lowest
Illinois
Among highest nationally, Cook County complex, suburban collar counties high, downstate generally lower
VS
Utah
Moderate effective rates, Salt Lake County higher, Park City pricier, rural counties lowest
Illinois vs UT: Culture, Politics, & Faith
Illinois
Utah
IllinoisvsUtah
People
PeoplePolite Midwesterners, Chicago hustle, small town neighborly, sports obsessed, weather tough
Famously friendly, family centered, outdoorsy, earnest, neighbor helpful
Illinois
Polite Midwesterners, Chicago hustle, small town neighborly, sports obsessed, weather tough
VS
Utah
Famously friendly, family centered, outdoorsy, earnest, neighbor helpful
Politics
Reliably blue statewide, Chicago deep Democratic, suburbs trend blue, downstate more conservative
Deep red statewide, Salt Lake City and Moab bluer, college towns lean progressive
Illinois
Reliably blue statewide, Chicago deep Democratic, suburbs trend blue, downstate more conservative
VS
Utah
Deep red statewide, Salt Lake City and Moab bluer, college towns lean progressive
Religion
ReligionMostly Christian, strong Catholic in Chicago, notable evangelical downstate, sizable Muslim and Jewish, rising unaffiliated
Predominantly LDS, then other Christians, rising unaffiliated, small Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist communities
Illinois
Mostly Christian, strong Catholic in Chicago, notable evangelical downstate, sizable Muslim and Jewish, rising unaffiliated
VS
Utah
Predominantly LDS, then other Christians, rising unaffiliated, small Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist communities
The No-Nonsense Climate Reality: Illinois vs UT
SUMMER
Illinois
Cornfield steam bath - sticky 90s from Chicago to Carbondale, perfect for iced coffee and complaining about humidity
Utah
Red rock broiler mode (triple digits in St. George, asphalt shimmer in Moab), cool mornings and evenings in northern climbs.
WINTER
Illinois
Face-numbing cold (lakefront stings)
Utah
Mountain freezer (wear that puffy coat along with hat & gloves (Wasatch nights bite, St. George keeps golfing).
My Favorite Thing About Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall in Utah
Spring blooms in Southern Utah, cool summer evenings in Northern Utah, stunning fall colors in Central and Northern Utah, winter snow covered mountains throughout the state, music fests, Peach Days, farmers markets, indoor and outdoor theater, friendly people, breathtaking geography
Ann BroadbentUtah Local ExpertNext Steps
Learn More About Moving to Utah
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 Utah. No boring census stats... we promise! Just practical real advice from Utah local experts.
