Massachusetts Local Expert
Candice Hallsett
“I have called Massachusetts home for 15 years, which started with a Texas to New England road trip in a…”
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JourneysMoving Journeys|From MAMoving from Massachusetts|To ILMoving to Illinois|Massachusetts → Illinois
From Massachusetts to Illinois: Why So Many People Are Doing It
Trading New England winters for Midwest winters might not sound like much of a change, but the lifestyle, cost of living, and cultural shift between Massachusetts and Illinois runs deeper than the weather forecast suggests. Massachusetts carries the weight of centuries of history in its compact cities and tight-knit towns, while Illinois stretches out across flat plains with Chicago commanding the horizon like a skyline built for ambition. The pace, the politics, and even the way neighbors interact can feel like an entirely different world once you settle in. Our Snappy Scout team (Candice & Hannah) dug into the real costs, the moving logistics, and the daily lifestyle adjustments you should prepare for before the first box gets packed.
Our Local Experts Guiding Your Move
Hauling Your Own Move from Massachusetts to Illinois
Average distance
1,000miles
Typical route
The drive from Massachusetts to Illinois typically takes you along I-90 West (the Massachusetts Turnpike) through New York and across Pennsylvania, then connecting to I-80 West or I-90 West through Ohio and Indiana before reaching Illinois.
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Boston, MA → Chicago, IL
~1000 miles
Worcester, MA → Chicago, IL
~950 miles
Springfield, MA → Chicago, IL
~900 miles
Boston, MA → Rockford, IL
~1050 miles
Boston, MA → Springfield, IL
~1100 miles
How Much Will Relocating to Illinois from Massachusetts Cost?
Moving 1,000 miles from Massachusetts to Illinois 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
3–10days
Cost by home size
Studio
$1,310.00
1 Bedroom
$1,940.00
2 Bedrooms
$3,190.00
3 Bedrooms
$4,630.00
4 Bedrooms
$6,650.00
5+ Bedrooms
$7,390.00
| Home Size | Moving Cost | Volume (ft³) | $/ft³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,310.00 | 300 | $4.37 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,940.00 | 450 | $4.31 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $3,190.00 | 750 | $4.25 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $4,630.00 | 1,100 | $4.21 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $6,650.00 | 1,600 | $4.16 |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $7,390.00 | 1,800 | $4.11 |
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.
What Happens to Your Personality When You Move from Massachusetts to Illinois?
Well, it depends. If you're a Garden Club Lifetime Member, Craft Beer Fan, or DIYer, you'll thrive in your move to Illinois. But if you're more of a Surfer Dude, Minimalist, or College Student, 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 Massachusetts to Illinois.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from MA to IL
Gardener
Massachusetts
6
/10
Illinois
8
/10
Massachusetts
Giving up
Berkshire Botanical Garden, historic town greens.
Illinois
Gaining
Glencoe blooms and Lisle trees make hearts sprout.
Recommended IL cities/areas for Garden Club Lifetime Members
Chicago Botanic GardenMorton Arboretum
Massachusetts
6
/10
Illinois
8
/10
Craft Beer Culture
Massachusetts
8.5
/10
Illinois
9.5
/10
Massachusetts
Giving up
Sam Adams birthplace plus endless taprooms.
Illinois
Gaining
Revolution, Half Acre, Maplewood taps flow nonstop.
Recommended IL cities/areas for Craft Beer Fans
Logan SquareAvondale
Massachusetts
8.5
/10
Illinois
9.5
/10
DIYers
Massachusetts
6
/10
Illinois
7
/10
Massachusetts
Giving up
Affordable fixers, creative warehouse spaces available.
Illinois
Gaining
Frank Lloyd Wright blocks inspire endless weekend projects.
Recommended IL cities/areas for DIYers
Oak ParkBerwyn
Massachusetts
6
/10
Illinois
7
/10
Surfing
Massachusetts
5
/10
Illinois
3
/10
Massachusetts
Giving up
Waves exist at Marconi Beach, not California quality though.
Illinois
Gaining
Closest waves are windswell on Lake Michigan, sorry brah.
Recommended IL cities/areas for Surfer Dudes
Indiana DunesMontrose Beach
Massachusetts
5
/10
Illinois
3
/10
Minimalism
Massachusetts
7.5
/10
Illinois
6
/10
Massachusetts
Giving up
Small spaces force simplicity, urban living thrives.
Illinois
Gaining
CTA commutes and winter gear challenge clean lines.
Recommended IL cities/areas for Minimalists
StreetervilleWest Loop condos
Massachusetts
7.5
/10
Illinois
6
/10
University Life
Massachusetts
10
/10
Illinois
9
/10
Massachusetts
Giving up
Harvard, MIT, and UMass dominate campus culture.
Illinois
Gaining
UIUC, Northwestern, UChicago campuses buzzing with life.
Recommended IL cities/areas for College Students
Champaign-UrbanaEvanstonHyde Park
Massachusetts
10
/10
Illinois
9
/10
Local Perspective
What moment, smell, or ritual captures the soul of Illinois?
You'll know you're in Illinois when locals start discussing corn sweat season! You smell it in the air and feel it on your skin... and unfortunately it's not sweet like the corn in fall. Corn sweat is essentially humidity season and the closer you are to a corn field, the worse this humidity - and your allergies - flare.
– Hannah Swieczka
Illinois Local
Lifestyle differences between living in Massachusetts and living in Illinois
MassachusettsIllinois
How the Local Food Culture Differs Between Massachusetts and Illinois
Eating Like a Local in Massachusetts
We have some really fabulous local ethnic restaurants. Any type of food you desire, you're sure to find it. From Cambodian, Ghanaian, to Brazilian, you'll find some excellent dishes to try. Grab a pupusa from a Salvadorean spot. It's cheap and delish!
Candice HallsettMassachusetts Local ExpertEating 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 ExpertThe Straight Tax Change of Moving from Massachusetts to Illinois
Massachusetts
Illinois
MassachusettsvsIllinois
State Income Tax
State Income TaxFlat 5% on most income, 9% on short-term capital gains
Flat 4.95% statewide
Massachusetts
Flat 5% on most income, 9% on short-term capital gains
VS
Illinois
Flat 4.95% statewide
Property Taxes
Property TaxesAmong highest nationally, Boston suburbs especially steep
Among highest nationally, Cook County complex, suburban collar counties high, downstate generally lower
Massachusetts
Among highest nationally, Boston suburbs especially steep
VS
Illinois
Among highest nationally, Cook County complex, suburban collar counties high, downstate generally lower
What Shifts About Values, Beliefs, & Politics When You Move from Massachusetts to Illinois
Massachusetts
Illinois
MassachusettsvsIllinois
People
PeopleDirect and blunt but loyal, wicked smart, passionate about sports
Polite Midwesterners, Chicago hustle, small town neighborly, sports obsessed, weather tough
Massachusetts
Direct and blunt but loyal, wicked smart, passionate about sports
VS
Illinois
Polite Midwesterners, Chicago hustle, small town neighborly, sports obsessed, weather tough
Politics
Solidly blue statewide, though fiscally moderate with Republican governors occasionally
Reliably blue statewide, Chicago deep Democratic, suburbs trend blue, downstate more conservative
Massachusetts
Solidly blue statewide, though fiscally moderate with Republican governors occasionally
VS
Illinois
Reliably blue statewide, Chicago deep Democratic, suburbs trend blue, downstate more conservative
Religion
ReligionHistorically Catholic stronghold, growing secular population, diverse faith communities
Mostly Christian, strong Catholic in Chicago, notable evangelical downstate, sizable Muslim and Jewish, rising unaffiliated
Massachusetts
Historically Catholic stronghold, growing secular population, diverse faith communities
VS
Illinois
Mostly Christian, strong Catholic in Chicago, notable evangelical downstate, sizable Muslim and Jewish, rising unaffiliated
What Hits Different About the Weather When You Move from Massachusetts to Illinois
SUMMER
Massachusetts
sticky brick oven vibes (humid 90s along the coast)
Illinois
Cornfield steam bath - sticky 90s from Chicago to Carbondale, perfect for iced coffee and complaining about humidity
WINTER
Massachusetts
layered like a human onion (single digits with windchill in January)
Illinois
Face-numbing cold (lakefront stings)
My Favorite Thing About Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall in Illinois
Memorial Day in Illinois is the official start of summer! With so many activities dependent on the weather, Illinois doesn't wait for the solstice. Summer here runs from Memorial Day (or Memorial Day Weekend - "MDW") to Labor Day Weekend ("LDW"), no questions asked. MDW marks the opening of many beaches, parks, and seasonal restaurants, plus that first real stretch of weekends where everybody suddenly remembers how to be outside. It's when grills reappear and the propane is refilled, lake plans are penciled in planners, and the whole state has one discussion regarding our winter experiences.
Hannah SwieczkaIllinois Local ExpertNext Steps
Learn More About Moving to Illinois
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 Massachusetts, take a deeper dive into the specifics of moving to Illinois. No boring census stats... we promise! Just practical real advice from Illinois local experts.
Moving toChicago
Dibs, Divvy, Chicago Dogs
Moving toAurora
Prepare for Cornfields, Metra Commutes, and Taco Runs
Moving toBolingbrook
Prepare for Strip Malls, Suburbs… and the Weirdly Persistent UFO Stories
