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 WVMoving to West Virginia|Illinois → West Virginia
Leaving Illinois for West Virginia: How to Find the Best Movers
Illinois and West Virginia sit closer on the map than most people realize, yet the two states feel worlds apart once you settle in. Chicago's skyline and suburban sprawl give way to Appalachian ridges, winding two lane roads, and a pace of life that runs on its own schedule. The cost of living drops noticeably, the crowds thin out, and the outdoor scenery picks up considerably. Our Snappy Scout team (Hannah & Hannah) dug into the costs, logistics, and lifestyle shifts you should prepare for before you load up that first moving truck.
Who's Behind This Guide
The Moving Truck Road from Illinois to WV
Average distance
650miles
Typical route
I-70 E and I-79 N or I-77 N
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Chicago, IL → Charleston, WV
~650 miles
Springfield, IL → Charleston, WV
~600 miles
Rockford, IL → Huntington, WV
~700 miles
Peoria, IL → Morgantown, WV
~650 miles
Aurora, IL → Parkersburg, WV
~650 miles
Should You Move From Illinois to West Virginia Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to West 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 Relocating from Illinois to WV Cost?
Moving 650 miles from Illinois to West Virginia will typically cost between $2,500.00 and $5,500.00 to hire full service movers. See the breakdown below by home size.
Expected Range
$2,500.00–$5,500.00
Expected Time
3–10days
Cost by home size
Studio
$1,480.00
1 Bedroom
$2,190.00
2 Bedrooms
$3,620.00
3 Bedrooms
$5,260.00
4 Bedrooms
$7,570.00
5+ Bedrooms
$8,420.00
| Home Size | Moving Cost | Volume (ft³) | $/ft³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,480.00 | 300 | $4.93 |
| 1 Bedroom | $2,190.00 | 450 | $4.87 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $3,620.00 | 750 | $4.83 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $5,260.00 | 1,100 | $4.78 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $7,570.00 | 1,600 | $4.73 |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $8,420.00 | 1,800 | $4.68 |
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 Culture Fit: Illinois vs WV
Well, it depends. If you're a Homesteader, Cowboy, or Garden Club Lifetime Member, you'll thrive in your move to West Virginia. But if you're more of a Binge Shopper, Tech Bro, 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 West Virginia.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from IL to WV
Homesteading
Illinois
4.5
/10
West Virginia
9
/10
Illinois
Giving up
Affordable acreage, but Shawnee winters and tornado nerves persist.
West Virginia
Gaining
Monroe County hollers, WVU Extension workshops, the annual WV Strawberry Festival
Recommended WV cities/areas for Homesteaders
MoorefieldUnionBuckhannon
Illinois
4.5
/10
West Virginia
9
/10
Cowboys
Illinois
3.5
/10
West Virginia
5
/10
Illinois
Giving up
Illinois State Fair rodeos scratch itch, but Fort Worth it ain't.
West Virginia
Gaining
Horseback riding, State Fair rodeos
Recommended WV cities/areas for Cowboys
Berkeley SpringsFairlea
Illinois
3.5
/10
West Virginia
5
/10
Gardener
Illinois
8
/10
West Virginia
8.5
/10
Illinois
Giving up
Glencoe blooms and Lisle trees make hearts sprout.
West Virginia
Gaining
Oglebay gardens, WV Botanic Garden, Capitol Market
Recommended WV cities/areas for Garden Club Lifetime Members
Illinois
8
/10
West Virginia
8.5
/10
Shopping
Illinois
8.5
/10
West Virginia
4
/10
Illinois
Giving up
Michigan Avenue sprees, plus suburban hauls for days.
West Virginia
Gaining
Huntington Mall scratches itch, but fewer luxury flagships than big metros
Recommended WV cities/areas for Binge Shoppers
Illinois
8.5
/10
West Virginia
4
/10
Tech Scene
Illinois
7
/10
West Virginia
4
/10
Illinois
Giving up
1871, Cameo, and tasty lunch at Au Cheval.
West Virginia
Gaining
Morgantown's startups exist, but it's no Silicon Valley
Recommended WV cities/areas for Tech Bros
Illinois
7
/10
West Virginia
4
/10
Craft Beer Culture
Illinois
9.5
/10
West Virginia
8
/10
Illinois
Giving up
Revolution, Half Acre, Maplewood taps flow nonstop.
West Virginia
Gaining
Fayetteville's Bridge Brew Works, Big Timber brewing Co. in Elkins, The Brew Pub in Morgantown
Recommended WV cities/areas for Craft Beer Fans
Illinois
9.5
/10
West Virginia
8
/10
Local Perspective
What moment, smell, or ritual captures the soul of West Virginia?
For me, West Virginia is so hard to encapsulate with one image or experience, but I'm always reminded of West Virginia as home when driving on I-79, when I can wind through the hillsides and see cows grazing.
– Hannah Wyatt
West Virginia Local
Lifestyle differences between living in Illinois and living in West Virginia
IllinoisWest Virginia
How Food Culture Changes When You Move from Illinois to WV
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 West Virginia
Everybody talks about pepperoni rolls when the topic of West Virginia food comes up. But there's so much more to enjoy - from springtime ramps to autumn pawpaw fruit, apple butter festivals, and more! In Helvetia - a Swiss-settled town in Randolph County - you can enjoy Swiss Appalachian cuisine in The Hütte.
Hannah WyattWest Virginia Local ExpertWhat the Move from Illinois to WV Costs You for Your Tax Reality
Illinois
West Virginia
IllinoisvsWest Virginia
State Income Tax
State Income TaxFlat 4.95% statewide
Graduated rates, recently reduced, top bracket just around 5 percent
Illinois
Flat 4.95% statewide
VS
West Virginia
Graduated rates, recently reduced, top bracket just around 5 percent
Property Taxes
Property TaxesAmong highest nationally, Cook County complex, suburban collar counties high, downstate generally lower
Generally low statewide, Eastern Panhandle towns slightly higher, rural counties very low
Illinois
Among highest nationally, Cook County complex, suburban collar counties high, downstate generally lower
VS
West Virginia
Generally low statewide, Eastern Panhandle towns slightly higher, rural counties very low
The People, Politics, & Religion Breakdown Between Illinois and WV
Illinois
West Virginia
IllinoisvsWest Virginia
People
PeoplePolite Midwesterners, Chicago hustle, small town neighborly, sports obsessed, weather tough
Mountain proud, unfussy, neighborly, wave-from-the-porch friendly
Illinois
Polite Midwesterners, Chicago hustle, small town neighborly, sports obsessed, weather tough
VS
West Virginia
Mountain proud, unfussy, neighborly, wave-from-the-porch friendly
Politics
Reliably blue statewide, Chicago deep Democratic, suburbs trend blue, downstate more conservative
Deep red statewide, with Morgantown, Charleston, and Shepherdstown pockets of blue
Illinois
Reliably blue statewide, Chicago deep Democratic, suburbs trend blue, downstate more conservative
VS
West Virginia
Deep red statewide, with Morgantown, Charleston, and Shepherdstown pockets of blue
Religion
ReligionMostly Christian, strong Catholic in Chicago, notable evangelical downstate, sizable Muslim and Jewish, rising unaffiliated
Mostly Christian, strong Baptist and Methodist, notable Catholic in Wheeling
Illinois
Mostly Christian, strong Catholic in Chicago, notable evangelical downstate, sizable Muslim and Jewish, rising unaffiliated
VS
West Virginia
Mostly Christian, strong Baptist and Methodist, notable Catholic in Wheeling
The No-Nonsense Seasonal Breakdown: Illinois vs WV
SUMMER
Illinois
Cornfield steam bath - sticky 90s from Chicago to Carbondale, perfect for iced coffee and complaining about humidity
West Virginia
porch swing sauna (muggy in river valleys, pleasant and more breezy on high ridges)
WINTER
Illinois
Face-numbing cold (lakefront stings)
West Virginia
flannel-mandatory, with the most frigid weather in higher-elevation counties like Tucker County, home to Canaan Valley
My Favorite Thing About Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall in West Virginia
Each summer, the color of west Virginia comes alive. There's a haziness to the trees and flowers, and driving down the Interstate, you can see rows of mountain ridges against the horizon. It's a special, natural beauty unlike anything you'll find elsewhere.
Hannah WyattWest Virginia Local ExpertNext Steps
Learn More About Moving to West 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 West Virginia. No boring census stats... we promise! Just practical real advice from West Virginia local experts.
Moving toBeckley
Pack Your Parking Brake and Prepare for a Slower Pace of Life
Moving toCharleston
Trails, Taps, Gold Dome Views, Flood Checks
Moving toClarksburg