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 VA Relocation: What It Really Costs
Trading the flat prairie skyline of Illinois for the rolling hills and historic charm of Virginia is a bigger lifestyle shift than most people anticipate. Yes, both states sit firmly in the American heartland tradition of four seasons and Midwestern to Mid-Atlantic sensibility, but the contrasts between Chicago's grid-locked urban energy and Virginia's blend of coastal towns, mountain communities, and D.C. suburbs can catch even seasoned movers off guard. The cost of living picture changes too, with Illinois property taxes ranking among the steepest in the nation while Virginia offers a noticeably friendlier financial landscape for homeowners. Our Snappy Scout team (Hannah & Laura) dug into the real costs, logistics, and day to day lifestyle shifts you should expect before you start loading the truck.
Who's Behind This Guide
The Moving Truck Route from IL to VA
Average distance
750miles
Typical route
I-64 E and I-70 E are the major highways you'd drive to get from Illinois to Virginia
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Chicago, IL → Virginia Beach, VA
~950 miles
Chicago, IL → Richmond, VA
~800 miles
Springfield, IL → Arlington, VA
~750 miles
Rockford, IL → Norfolk, VA
~950 miles
Peoria, IL → Roanoke, VA
~700 miles
Should You Move From Illinois to Virginia Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to Virginia 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 Moving from IL to VA Cost?
Moving 750 miles from Illinois to Virginia 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.
The Personality Fit: IL vs VA
Well, it depends. If you're a Tech Bro, Adventure Junkie, or Beach Bum, you'll thrive in your move to Virginia. But if you're more of a Binge Shopper, Vintage Thrifter, or Craft Beer Fan, 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 Virginia.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from IL to VA
Adventure Activities
Illinois
6
/10
Virginia
9.5
/10
Illinois
Giving up
Canyons, Garden of the Gods, quick weekend escapes.
Virginia
Gaining
McAfee Knob, Skyline Drive, and Appalachian Trail miles.
Recommended VA cities/areas for Adventure Junkies
Shenandoah National ParkRoanokeDamascus
Illinois
6
/10
Virginia
9.5
/10
Tech Scene
Illinois
7
/10
Virginia
9
/10
Illinois
Giving up
1871, Cameo, and tasty lunch at Au Cheval.
Virginia
Gaining
AWS in Herndon, Metro Silver Line commutes.
Recommended VA cities/areas for Tech Bros
ArlingtonRestonTysons
Illinois
7
/10
Virginia
9
/10
Beach Culture
Illinois
3.5
/10
Virginia
4
/10
Illinois
Giving up
Fun summers on Lake Michigan, but winter waves slap dreams silly.
Virginia
Gaining
Boardwalk energy, but mellow surf, occasional jellyfish parades.
Recommended VA cities/areas for Beach Bums
Virginia BeachSandbridge
Illinois
3.5
/10
Virginia
4
/10
Shopping
Illinois
8.5
/10
Virginia
4.5
/10
Illinois
Giving up
Michigan Avenue sprees, plus suburban hauls for days.
Virginia
Gaining
Great malls, but wallet cries during NOVA traffic purgatory.
Recommended VA cities/areas for Binge Shoppers
TysonsShort PumpPentagon City
Illinois
8.5
/10
Virginia
4.5
/10
Thrifting
Illinois
8.5
/10
Virginia
7
/10
Illinois
Giving up
Brown Elephant, Kokorokoko, hidden gems on Clark Street.
Virginia
Gaining
Bygones Vintage, Low Vintage digs, Old Town finds.
Recommended VA cities/areas for Vintage Thrifters
Illinois
8.5
/10
Virginia
7
/10
Craft Beer Culture
Illinois
9.5
/10
Virginia
8.5
/10
Illinois
Giving up
Revolution, Half Acre, Maplewood taps flow nonstop.
Virginia
Gaining
The Veil haze, Hardywood barrels, Commonwealth pours.
Recommended VA cities/areas for Craft Beer Fans
Illinois
9.5
/10
Virginia
8.5
/10
Local Perspective
What moment, smell, or ritual captures the soul of Virginia?
Smell: Pig slow-cooking in the cooker
Sound: Rolling waves at the beach, and even an occasional beach day in December or January
Event: Blue Angel and Thunderbird Air Show
– Laura Gray
Virginia Local
Lifestyle differences between living in Illinois and living in Virginia
IllinoisVirginia
IL to VA: A Hungry Person's Guide to the Food Scene
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 Virginia
What do locals actually order in the Hampton Roads area: White dip with their Mexican chips, She Crab Soup, and an Orange Crush, a one-of-a-kind kind of drink.
Laura GrayVirginia Local ExpertWhat the Move from IL to VA Costs You for Your Tax Life
Illinois
Virginia
IllinoisvsVirginia
State Income Tax
State Income TaxFlat 4.95% statewide
Progressive 2% to 5.75%, top rate over $17k income
Illinois
Flat 4.95% statewide
VS
Virginia
Progressive 2% to 5.75%, top rate over $17k income
Property Taxes
Property TaxesAmong highest nationally, Cook County complex, suburban collar counties high, downstate generally lower
Higher in Northern Virginia suburbs, lower in Shenandoah, Southside, Eastern Shore
Illinois
Among highest nationally, Cook County complex, suburban collar counties high, downstate generally lower
VS
Virginia
Higher in Northern Virginia suburbs, lower in Shenandoah, Southside, Eastern Shore
IL vs VA: The People, the Politics, & the Faith
Illinois
Virginia
IllinoisvsVirginia
People
PeoplePolite Midwesterners, Chicago hustle, small town neighborly, sports obsessed, weather tough
Polite, history obsessed, NOVA fast paced, coastal easygoing, mountain neighborly, military strong
Illinois
Polite Midwesterners, Chicago hustle, small town neighborly, sports obsessed, weather tough
VS
Virginia
Polite, history obsessed, NOVA fast paced, coastal easygoing, mountain neighborly, military strong
Politics
Reliably blue statewide, Chicago deep Democratic, suburbs trend blue, downstate more conservative
Purple statewide, NOVA, Richmond, Hampton Roads blue, Southwest, Shenandoah, Southside reliably red
Illinois
Reliably blue statewide, Chicago deep Democratic, suburbs trend blue, downstate more conservative
VS
Virginia
Purple statewide, NOVA, Richmond, Hampton Roads blue, Southwest, Shenandoah, Southside reliably red
Religion
ReligionMostly Christian, strong Catholic in Chicago, notable evangelical downstate, sizable Muslim and Jewish, rising unaffiliated
Mostly Christian, Baptist and Catholic strong, rising unaffiliated, notable Muslim and Hindu in NOVA
Illinois
Mostly Christian, strong Catholic in Chicago, notable evangelical downstate, sizable Muslim and Jewish, rising unaffiliated
VS
Virginia
Mostly Christian, Baptist and Catholic strong, rising unaffiliated, notable Muslim and Hindu in NOVA
The No-Nonsense Climate Picture: IL vs VA
SUMMER
Illinois
Cornfield steam bath - sticky 90s from Chicago to Carbondale, perfect for iced coffee and complaining about humidity
Virginia
sweet tea sauna (Chesapeake breathes on you, Roanoke bakes by noon)
WINTER
Illinois
Face-numbing cold (lakefront stings)
Virginia
coat roulette (Blue Ridge bites, Hampton Roads shrugs and rains)
My Favorite Thing About Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall in Virginia
Spring: Burnside Farm's Tulip Festival (Holland in our own backyard)
Summer: Acres of sunflower fields and festivals
Fall: Fall foliage along the Skyline Drive and Blue Ridge Parkway
Winter: A 1/4" of snow for a snow day off school
Laura GrayVirginia Local ExpertNext Steps
Learn More About Moving to Virginia
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 Virginia. No boring census stats... we promise! Just practical real advice from Virginia local experts.
Moving toCharlottesville
Prep for Wine, Jeffersonian Guilt
Moving toHampton
Pack Sunscreen, Crab Crackers, and Patience
Moving toNorfolk
HRBT Jams, King Tides, And Mermaid Happy Hours
