Ohio Local Expert
Heather Taylor
“I have lived in Ohio for 36 years, minus a brief three-year stint in Kentucky (thanks, parents). Born in Appalachian…”
Read more about me
OH to IL Relocation: Who Wins, Who Struggles, and Who Shouldn't Bother
The leap from Ohio to Illinois might look like a simple Midwest shuffle on paper, but the two states offer surprisingly distinct ways of life once you settle in. Ohio rewards residents with affordable housing and a slower, community rooted pace, while Illinois trades some of that breathing room for the electric pull of Chicago and a cost of living that demands a closer look at your budget. Winters are brutal in both places, but Chicago has a way of making you rethink everything you thought you knew about cold wind. Our Snappy Scout team (Heather & Hannah) dug into the real costs, moving logistics, and day to day lifestyle shifts you need to understand before the first box gets taped shut.
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The Move from OH to Illinois: Distance & Drive Time
Average distance
350miles
Typical route
The drive from Ohio to Illinois typically takes you along I-70 W or I-80 W, depending on your origin and destination cities.
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Columbus, OH → Chicago, IL
~350 miles
Cleveland, OH → Chicago, IL
~350 miles
Cincinnati, OH → Chicago, IL
~300 miles
Toledo, OH → Chicago, IL
~250 miles
Dayton, OH → Springfield, IL
~300 miles
Should You Move From Ohio to Illinois Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to Illinois from Ohio 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.
The Full Cost of a OH to Illinois Move
Moving 350 miles from Ohio to Illinois will typically cost between $2,500.00 and $6,000.00 to hire full service movers. See the breakdown below by home size.
Expected Range
$2,500.00–$6,000.00
Expected Time
2–9days
Cost by home size
Studio
$1,630.00
1 Bedroom
$2,420.00
2 Bedrooms
$4,000.00
3 Bedrooms
$5,800.00
4 Bedrooms
$8,360.00
5+ Bedrooms
$9,320.00
| Home Size | Moving Cost | Volume (ft³) | $/ft³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,630.00 | 300 | $5.43 |
| 1 Bedroom | $2,420.00 | 450 | $5.38 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $4,000.00 | 750 | $5.33 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $5,800.00 | 1,100 | $5.27 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $8,360.00 | 1,600 | $5.22 |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $9,320.00 | 1,800 | $5.18 |
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.
That's the average.
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Is Uprooting Your Life from OH to Illinois Right for Me?
Well, it depends. If you're a Garden Club Lifetime Member, Coffee Snob, or Retired Snowbird, you'll thrive in your move to Illinois. But if you're more of a DIYer, Cowboy, or Retired Military, 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 Ohio to Illinois.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from OH to IL
Gardener
Ohio
6.5
/10
Illinois
8
/10
Ohio
Giving up
Cleveland Botanical Garden, Franklin Park Conservatory classes bloom and the growing season actually cooperates
Illinois
Gaining
Glencoe blooms and Lisle trees make hearts sprout.
Recommended IL cities/areas for Garden Club Lifetime Members
Chicago Botanic GardenMorton Arboretum
Ohio
6.5
/10
Illinois
8
/10
Coffee Culture
Ohio
8
/10
Illinois
9
/10
Ohio
Giving up
Fox in the Snow (bring cash, they don't take cards), Rising Star, Deeper Roots bliss
Illinois
Gaining
Intelligentsia, Metric, Dark Matter fuel daily rituals.
Recommended IL cities/areas for Coffee Snobs
ChicagoEvanston
Ohio
8
/10
Illinois
9
/10
Snowbirds
Ohio
3.5
/10
Illinois
4.5
/10
Ohio
Giving up
Affordable burbs, OSU tailgates, but gray I-71 winters linger from November through April
Illinois
Gaining
Charming summers, but Lake Michigan winters chase you south.
Recommended IL cities/areas for Retired Snowbirds
GalenaSpringfield
Ohio
3.5
/10
Illinois
4.5
/10
DIYers
Ohio
8.5
/10
Illinois
7
/10
Ohio
Giving up
Columbus Idea Foundry, Dayton Carillon workshops spark makers and the rent on workshop space won't bankrupt you
Illinois
Gaining
Frank Lloyd Wright blocks inspire endless weekend projects.
Recommended IL cities/areas for DIYers
Oak ParkBerwyn
Ohio
8.5
/10
Illinois
7
/10
Cowboys
Ohio
4.5
/10
Illinois
3.5
/10
Ohio
Giving up
Ohio State Fair livestock thrills, not true ranch country, just scattered hobby farms and county fairs
Illinois
Gaining
Illinois State Fair rodeos scratch itch, but Fort Worth it ain't.
Recommended IL cities/areas for Cowboys
SpringfieldRockford
Ohio
4.5
/10
Illinois
3.5
/10
Military Culture
Ohio
7
/10
Illinois
6
/10
Ohio
Giving up
Wright-Patterson resources, Air Force Museum volunteer heaven with free admission and actual flight simulators
Illinois
Gaining
Naval Station Great Lakes and Scott AFB support strong.
Recommended IL cities/areas for Retired Militaries
Great LakesO'Fallon
Ohio
7
/10
Illinois
6
/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 Ohio and living in Illinois
OhioIllinois
How the Local Food Culture Has Changed Between OH and Illinois
Eating Like a Local in Ohio
if you want to eat like a real Buckeye, you gotta get Cincinnati chili the right way. It’s this weird, thin, spiced-up meat sauce (cinnamon and allspice vibes, no beans in the base) served over spaghetti. Don’t call it “chili” like Texas stuff, we know it’s different. Tips on ordering it: 3-way: Spaghetti + chili + a mountain of shredded cheddar cheese.
4-way: Add onions or beans.
5-way: All of it, cheese, onions, and beans.
Always ask for oyster crackers on the side and hit it with hot sauce. And whatever you do, don’t put beans on first if you’re ordering a 4-way, locals will side-eye you hard.
Heather TaylorOhio 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 ExpertIllinois looking like
the right move?
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The Full Tax Shift of Moving from OH to Illinois
Ohio
Illinois
OhiovsIllinois
State Income Tax
State Income TaxGraduated, roughly 0 to 3.99%. Many cities levy 1 to 3%. Columbus is 2.5%, so budget accordingly if you work in the city
Flat 4.95% statewide
Ohio
Graduated, roughly 0 to 3.99%. Many cities levy 1 to 3%. Columbus is 2.5%, so budget accordingly if you work in the city
VS
Illinois
Flat 4.95% statewide
Property Taxes
Property TaxesHigher in Cuyahoga, Franklin, Hamilton, Delaware, lower in many Appalachian counties. Delaware County property taxes fund those top-rated schools everyone moves there for
Among highest nationally, Cook County complex, suburban collar counties high, downstate generally lower
Ohio
Higher in Cuyahoga, Franklin, Hamilton, Delaware, lower in many Appalachian counties. Delaware County property taxes fund those top-rated schools everyone moves there for
VS
Illinois
Among highest nationally, Cook County complex, suburban collar counties high, downstate generally lower
The Values, Beliefs, & Politics Comparison Between OH and Illinois
Ohio
Illinois
OhiovsIllinois
People
PeopleMidwestern nice, sports obsessed, weather tough, proudly local, big on neighborly favors. They'll help you shovel out after a snowstorm without being asked
Polite Midwesterners, Chicago hustle, small town neighborly, sports obsessed, weather tough
Ohio
Midwestern nice, sports obsessed, weather tough, proudly local, big on neighborly favors. They'll help you shovel out after a snowstorm without being asked
VS
Illinois
Polite Midwesterners, Chicago hustle, small town neighborly, sports obsessed, weather tough
Politics
Once swingy, trending red statewide, Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Toledo reliably blue. But Athens and Oberlin punch way above their weight for progressive pockets
Reliably blue statewide, Chicago deep Democratic, suburbs trend blue, downstate more conservative
Ohio
Once swingy, trending red statewide, Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Toledo reliably blue. But Athens and Oberlin punch way above their weight for progressive pockets
VS
Illinois
Reliably blue statewide, Chicago deep Democratic, suburbs trend blue, downstate more conservative
Religion
ReligionMostly Christian, Protestant and Catholic strong, notable Amish in Holmes and Geauga, where you can still buy furniture built without power tools, rising nones
Mostly Christian, strong Catholic in Chicago, notable evangelical downstate, sizable Muslim and Jewish, rising unaffiliated
Ohio
Mostly Christian, Protestant and Catholic strong, notable Amish in Holmes and Geauga, where you can still buy furniture built without power tools, rising nones
VS
Illinois
Mostly Christian, strong Catholic in Chicago, notable evangelical downstate, sizable Muslim and Jewish, rising unaffiliated
A Local's Perspective on the Climate in OH and Illinois
SUMMER
Ohio
cornfield sauna vibes (sticky 90s in Cincinnati, lake breeze up north). Though Cleveland can hit 85 and feel like 95 with the humidity rolling off the lake
Illinois
Cornfield steam bath - sticky 90s from Chicago to Carbondale, perfect for iced coffee and complaining about humidity
WINTER
Ohio
gray hoodie chill (Snowbelt gets lake effect wallops, southern Ohio mostly slush). Chardon and Ashtabula regularly bury under feet while Columbus gets a dusting
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 Expert✧ You've researched the move ✧
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Next 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 Ohio, 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 toAurora
Prepare for Cornfields, Metra Commutes, and Taco Runs
Moving toChicago
Dibs, Divvy, Chicago Dogs
Moving toBolingbrook
Prepare for Strip Malls, Suburbs… and the Weirdly Persistent UFO Stories
