Utah Local Expert
Ann Broadbent
“I have lived in Utah for nearly four decades, and never cease to be profoundly impacted by its incredible beauty.…”
Read more about me
Moving to Illinois from UT: Cost of Living Comparison
Trading red rock canyons and dry mountain air for the flat, windswept plains of the Midwest is a bigger adjustment than most people anticipate. Utah offers a laid back outdoor lifestyle, low humidity, and a cost of living that still feels manageable compared to coastal states, while Illinois pulls you into a denser, faster paced world anchored by one of the most iconic cities in the country. The culture, climate, and day to day rhythms between these two states could not be more different. Our Snappy Scout team (Ann & Hannah) dug into the costs, logistics, and lifestyle changes waiting for you on the other side of this move so you can pack with confidence.
Our Local Experts Guiding Your Move
The Moving Truck Road from UT to IL
Average distance
1,450miles
Typical route
I-80 E and I-76 E are the primary highways used when driving from Utah to Illinois, with I-80 serving as the main cross-country corridor through Wyoming, Nebraska, and Iowa before reaching Illinois.
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Salt Lake City, UT → Chicago, IL
~1450 miles
Provo, UT → Chicago, IL
~1450 miles
Salt Lake City, UT → Springfield, IL
~1550 miles
Ogden, UT → Rockford, IL
~1400 miles
St. George, UT → Chicago, IL
~1700 miles
Should You Move From Utah to Illinois Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to Illinois from Utah 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.
What to Plan for UT to IL Moving Expenses
Moving 1,450 miles from Utah 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
4–11days
Cost by home size
Studio
$1,270.00
1 Bedroom
$1,870.00
2 Bedrooms
$3,080.00
3 Bedrooms
$4,460.00
4 Bedrooms
$6,410.00
5+ Bedrooms
$7,120.00
| Home Size | Moving Cost | Volume (ft³) | $/ft³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,270.00 | 300 | $4.23 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,870.00 | 450 | $4.16 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $3,080.00 | 750 | $4.11 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $4,460.00 | 1,100 | $4.05 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $6,410.00 | 1,600 | $4.01 |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $7,120.00 | 1,800 | $3.96 |
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.
Will Your Sensibilities Translate in IL?
Well, it depends. If you're a Craft Beer Fan, Dog Momma, or Vintage Thrifter, you'll thrive in your move to Illinois. But if you're more of a Tech Bro, Adventure Junkie, 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 Utah to Illinois.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from UT to IL
Craft Beer Culture
Utah
6.5
/10
Illinois
9.5
/10
Utah
Giving up
Fisher, Kiitos taps, state store adventures, early last call, Strap Tank
Illinois
Gaining
Revolution, Half Acre, Maplewood taps flow nonstop.
Recommended IL cities/areas for Craft Beer Fans
Logan SquareAvondale
Utah
6.5
/10
Illinois
9.5
/10
Pet Friendly
Utah
7
/10
Illinois
9
/10
Utah
Giving up
Tanner Park romps, Millcreek off leash days, Rail Trail, Red Cliffs Desert Reserve
Illinois
Gaining
Parks, patios, and Montrose Dog Beach zoomies.
Recommended IL cities/areas for Dog Mommas
Lincoln ParkMontrose Dog Beach
Utah
7
/10
Illinois
9
/10
Thrifting
Utah
6.5
/10
Illinois
8.5
/10
Utah
Giving up
Deseret Industries hunts, Urban Flea Market scores at Gateway.
Illinois
Gaining
Brown Elephant, Kokorokoko, hidden gems on Clark Street.
Recommended IL cities/areas for Vintage Thrifters
AndersonvilleWicker Park
Utah
6.5
/10
Illinois
8.5
/10
Adventure Activities
Utah
9.5
/10
Illinois
6
/10
Utah
Giving up
Zion slots, Moab slickrock, Wasatch powder days galore, Snow Canyon
Illinois
Gaining
Canyons, Garden of the Gods, quick weekend escapes.
Recommended IL cities/areas for Adventure Junkies
Starved RockShawnee National Forest
Utah
9.5
/10
Illinois
6
/10
Tech Scene
Utah
9
/10
Illinois
7
/10
Utah
Giving up
Silicon Slopes startups, VC meetups, near freeway offices.
Illinois
Gaining
1871, Cameo, and tasty lunch at Au Cheval.
Recommended IL cities/areas for Tech Bros
Fulton MarketRiver North
Utah
9
/10
Illinois
7
/10
Military Culture
Utah
7
/10
Illinois
6
/10
Utah
Giving up
Hill Air Force Base neighbors, VA Salt Lake support, St. George VA Center.
Illinois
Gaining
Naval Station Great Lakes and Scott AFB support strong.
Recommended IL cities/areas for Retired Militaries
Great LakesO'Fallon
Utah
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 Utah and living in Illinois
UtahIllinois
The Eating Scene Between UT and IL
Eating Like a Local in Utah
Steak, french fries with fry sauce.
Sweet Pork Burrito Supreme with rice and beans, sour cream and guacamole
Ann BroadbentUtah 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 ExpertWhat the Move to IL from UT Means for Your Tax Life
Utah
Illinois
UtahvsIllinois
State Income Tax
State Income TaxFlat 4.55 percent statewide
Flat 4.95% statewide
Utah
Flat 4.55 percent statewide
VS
Illinois
Flat 4.95% statewide
Property Taxes
Property TaxesModerate effective rates, Salt Lake County higher, Park City pricier, rural counties lowest
Among highest nationally, Cook County complex, suburban collar counties high, downstate generally lower
Utah
Moderate effective rates, Salt Lake County higher, Park City pricier, rural counties lowest
VS
Illinois
Among highest nationally, Cook County complex, suburban collar counties high, downstate generally lower
How UT and IL Differ on People, Politics, & Religion
Utah
Illinois
UtahvsIllinois
People
PeopleFamously friendly, family centered, outdoorsy, earnest, neighbor helpful
Polite Midwesterners, Chicago hustle, small town neighborly, sports obsessed, weather tough
Utah
Famously friendly, family centered, outdoorsy, earnest, neighbor helpful
VS
Illinois
Polite Midwesterners, Chicago hustle, small town neighborly, sports obsessed, weather tough
Politics
Deep red statewide, Salt Lake City and Moab bluer, college towns lean progressive
Reliably blue statewide, Chicago deep Democratic, suburbs trend blue, downstate more conservative
Utah
Deep red statewide, Salt Lake City and Moab bluer, college towns lean progressive
VS
Illinois
Reliably blue statewide, Chicago deep Democratic, suburbs trend blue, downstate more conservative
Religion
ReligionPredominantly LDS, then other Christians, rising unaffiliated, small Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist communities
Mostly Christian, strong Catholic in Chicago, notable evangelical downstate, sizable Muslim and Jewish, rising unaffiliated
Utah
Predominantly LDS, then other Christians, rising unaffiliated, small Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist communities
VS
Illinois
Mostly Christian, strong Catholic in Chicago, notable evangelical downstate, sizable Muslim and Jewish, rising unaffiliated
Weather in UT vs IL: A Local's Honest Opinion
SUMMER
Utah
Red rock broiler mode (triple digits in St. George, asphalt shimmer in Moab), cool mornings and evenings in northern climbs.
Illinois
Cornfield steam bath - sticky 90s from Chicago to Carbondale, perfect for iced coffee and complaining about humidity
WINTER
Utah
Mountain freezer (wear that puffy coat along with hat & gloves (Wasatch nights bite, St. George keeps golfing).
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 Utah, 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
