Oklahoma Local Expert
Shana Grandstaff
“I’ve been living life in Oklahoma for 43 straight years, collecting local shortcuts and moving stories along the way. I’ve…”
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Making the Move from OK to Illinois: A Complete Moving Checklist
Swapping the red dirt plains of Oklahoma for the sprawling flatlands of Illinois might seem like a modest geographic leap, but the differences in climate, cost of living, and daily life add up faster than most movers expect. Oklahoma keeps things relatively affordable with no shortage of wide open space, a relaxed pace, and mild winters compared to what awaits up north. Illinois, on the other hand, throws you into a state shaped by the gravitational pull of Chicago, where lakefront living, dense neighborhoods, and brutal winters define the experience for much of the population. Our Snappy Scout team (Shana & Hannah) dug into the costs, logistics, and lifestyle shifts you should prepare for before loading up that moving truck.
Our Local Experts Guiding Your Move
DIY Move: How Far Is the Move from OK to IL?
Average distance
700miles
Typical route
The drive from Oklahoma to Illinois typically takes you along I-44 East through Missouri, connecting to I-55 North into Illinois, or alternatively via I-40 East to I-57 North depending on your specific origin and destination cities.
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Oklahoma City, OK → Chicago, IL
~800 miles
Tulsa, OK → Chicago, IL
~700 miles
Oklahoma City, OK → Springfield, IL
~650 miles
Tulsa, OK → Peoria, IL
~600 miles
Norman, OK → Rockford, IL
~750 miles
Should You Move From Oklahoma to Illinois Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to Illinois from Oklahoma 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 Do Full-Service Movers Charge to IL from OK?
Moving 700 miles from Oklahoma to Illinois 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
$1,460.00
1 Bedroom
$2,160.00
2 Bedrooms
$3,560.00
3 Bedrooms
$5,170.00
4 Bedrooms
$7,430.00
5+ Bedrooms
$8,270.00
| Home Size | Moving Cost | Volume (ft³) | $/ft³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,460.00 | 300 | $4.87 |
| 1 Bedroom | $2,160.00 | 450 | $4.8 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $3,560.00 | 750 | $4.75 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $5,170.00 | 1,100 | $4.7 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $7,430.00 | 1,600 | $4.64 |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $8,270.00 | 1,800 | $4.59 |
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.
How Will Your Current OK Lifestyle Work in IL?
Well, it depends. If you're a Coffee Snob, Minimalist, or Craft Beer Fan, you'll thrive in your move to Illinois. But if you're more of a Homesteader, Retired Military, or DIYer, 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 Oklahoma to Illinois.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from OK to IL
Coffee Culture
Oklahoma
6.5
/10
Illinois
9
/10
Oklahoma
Giving up
Elemental espresso shots, Topeca roasts, Hoboken pour overs
Illinois
Gaining
Intelligentsia, Metric, Dark Matter fuel daily rituals.
Recommended IL cities/areas for Coffee Snobs
ChicagoEvanston
Oklahoma
6.5
/10
Illinois
9
/10
Minimalism
Oklahoma
4.5
/10
Illinois
6
/10
Oklahoma
Giving up
Clean lines meet sprawl, Plaza District apartments
Illinois
Gaining
CTA commutes and winter gear challenge clean lines.
Recommended IL cities/areas for Minimalists
StreetervilleWest Loop condos
Oklahoma
4.5
/10
Illinois
6
/10
Craft Beer Culture
Oklahoma
8.5
/10
Illinois
9.5
/10
Oklahoma
Giving up
Prairie Artisan pours, American Solera sours, COOP taproom chatter
Illinois
Gaining
Revolution, Half Acre, Maplewood taps flow nonstop.
Recommended IL cities/areas for Craft Beer Fans
Logan SquareAvondale
Oklahoma
8.5
/10
Illinois
9.5
/10
Homesteading
Oklahoma
9
/10
Illinois
4.5
/10
Oklahoma
Giving up
Acreage, chicken coops, OSU Extension knows every seed
Illinois
Gaining
Affordable acreage, but Shawnee winters and tornado nerves persist.
Recommended IL cities/areas for Homesteaders
Southern IllinoisPontiac
Oklahoma
9
/10
Illinois
4.5
/10
Military Culture
Oklahoma
9
/10
Illinois
6
/10
Oklahoma
Giving up
Fort Sill camaraderie, Tinker AFB support, Thunder nights
Illinois
Gaining
Naval Station Great Lakes and Scott AFB support strong.
Recommended IL cities/areas for Retired Militaries
Great LakesO'Fallon
Oklahoma
9
/10
Illinois
6
/10
DIYers
Oklahoma
7.5
/10
Illinois
7
/10
Oklahoma
Giving up
ReStores galore, Habitat sales, lumber at Mill Creek
Illinois
Gaining
Frank Lloyd Wright blocks inspire endless weekend projects.
Recommended IL cities/areas for DIYers
Oak ParkBerwyn
Oklahoma
7.5
/10
Illinois
7
/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 Oklahoma and living in Illinois
OklahomaIllinois
OK to IL: A Local's Guide to Local Food
Eating Like a Local in Oklahoma
Our state dish was selected because it is the truth. We eat chicken fried steak, usually served with mashed potatoes and fried okra, and covered in cream gravy.
Shana GrandstaffOklahoma 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 Unfiltered Tax Picture of Moving to IL from OK
Oklahoma
Illinois
OklahomavsIllinois
State Income Tax
State Income TaxProgressive brackets, top rate 4.75%
Flat 4.95% statewide
Oklahoma
Progressive brackets, top rate 4.75%
VS
Illinois
Flat 4.95% statewide
Property Taxes
Property TaxesLow statewide, higher in OKC metro (Oklahoma County) and Tulsa County, rural lowest
Among highest nationally, Cook County complex, suburban collar counties high, downstate generally lower
Oklahoma
Low statewide, higher in OKC metro (Oklahoma County) and Tulsa County, rural lowest
VS
Illinois
Among highest nationally, Cook County complex, suburban collar counties high, downstate generally lower
From OK to IL: How Values, Beliefs, & Politics Compare
Oklahoma
Illinois
OklahomavsIllinois
People
PeoplePlainspoken, neighborly, tornado tough, Friday night lights faithful
Polite Midwesterners, Chicago hustle, small town neighborly, sports obsessed, weather tough
Oklahoma
Plainspoken, neighborly, tornado tough, Friday night lights faithful
VS
Illinois
Polite Midwesterners, Chicago hustle, small town neighborly, sports obsessed, weather tough
Politics
Deep red statewide, OKC and Tulsa trend moderate blue, tribal governance distinct
Reliably blue statewide, Chicago deep Democratic, suburbs trend blue, downstate more conservative
Oklahoma
Deep red statewide, OKC and Tulsa trend moderate blue, tribal governance distinct
VS
Illinois
Reliably blue statewide, Chicago deep Democratic, suburbs trend blue, downstate more conservative
Religion
ReligionMostly Christian Protestant, strong Baptist and Pentecostal, some Catholic, tribal traditions
Mostly Christian, strong Catholic in Chicago, notable evangelical downstate, sizable Muslim and Jewish, rising unaffiliated
Oklahoma
Mostly Christian Protestant, strong Baptist and Pentecostal, some Catholic, tribal traditions
VS
Illinois
Mostly Christian, strong Catholic in Chicago, notable evangelical downstate, sizable Muslim and Jewish, rising unaffiliated
Seasons in OK vs IL: A Local's No-Nonsense Perspective
SUMMER
Oklahoma
windy oven, extra crispy (triple digits happen all over the state)
Illinois
Cornfield steam bath - sticky 90s from Chicago to Carbondale, perfect for iced coffee and complaining about humidity
WINTER
Oklahoma
frigid sneak attacks (OKC shivers, Panhandle blizzards, Tulsa mostly slush)
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 Oklahoma, 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
