Factors affecting the cost of moving from IL to OHtoggle

There are many factors that influence Illinois moving costs. The cost to move from Illinois to Ohio will depend on these factors:

  • Move size: Moving a large home costs more than moving a studio apartment.
  • Time of year: The peak moving season in Illinois is in the summer, so moving companies will likely charge more.
  • DIY vs. professional mover: DIY moving services are cheaper but you do all the heavy lifting compared to letting the pros handle your move.

What to know before moving from IL to OH

If you’re moving to Ohio from Illinois, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.

Cost of living: Illinois vs. Ohio

Illinois Ohio
Average rent cost $1,179 $945
Average home cost $249,224 $230,798
Average income (per capita) $78,433 $66,990
Cost of Living Index 90 94
Unemployment rate 5.3% 3.6%
Average Sales Tax 8.82% 7.23%
State Income Tax 4.95% 3.5%
source: World Population Review, Zillow, US Census Bureau, US BLS, Tax Foundation
  • Rent is about 20% less expensive in Ohio than in Illinois.
  • Home prices are about 7% lower in Ohio than in Illinois.
  • The average income is about 15% lower in Ohio than in Illinois.
  • Cost of living is 4% lower in Ohio than in Illinois.
  • Ohio has a lower unemployment rate than Illinois by about 32%.
  • Sales taxes are 18% lower in Ohio than in Illinois.
  • Income taxes are 29% lower in Ohio than in Illinois.

How life is different in Ohio vs. Illinois

Ohio Illinois
Population 11,785,935 12,549,689
Political leaning Republican 55-45 Democratic 55-45
Summer high 84ºF 86ºF
Winter low 20ºF 17ºF
Annual rain 40" 40"
Annual snow 28" 22"
Crime index 20.76 19.7
source: US Census Bureau, 270TOWIN, NeighborhoodScout, BestPlaces
  • The population of Ohio is approximately 6% lower than the population of Illinois.
  • In the last presidential election, Ohio voted Republican and Illinois voted Democratic.
  • The average high in the summertime in Ohio is 84ºF and in Illinois, it’s 86ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Ohio reaches the temperature of 20ºF and Illinois gets down to 17ºF.
  • You can expect about 40 inches of annual rainfall in Ohio versus 40 inches of rainfall in Illinois.
  • In Ohio, it snows about 28 inches annually versus 22 inches of snow in Illinois.
  • Ohio has a higher crime rate than Illinois with a crime index of 20.76 vs. 19.7.

Comparing the pros of Illinois vs. Ohio

Getting a fresh start in a new location is exciting. Here’s a side-by-side look at the perks of living in Ohio compared to Illinois.

Pros of living in Illinois Pros of living in Ohio
Home of Chicago Ample economic opportunity
Ample economic opportunity Low cost of living
Bountiful recreational opportunities Bountiful recreational opportunities
Delicious food Famously delicious beer
World-class sports culture Amazing food

Comparing the cons of living in Illinois vs. Ohio

Everything can’t be sunshine and rainbows all the time, no matter where you live. Here are some things to be aware of when leaving Illinois for Ohio.

Cons of living in Illinois Cons of living in Ohio
Harsh winter weather Low happiness
Bad traffic Limited diversity
High crime rate Political division
Dull landscape Harsh weather
Strict laws Weird laws

Other things to consider for your Illinois to Ohio movetoggle

  • Weather: Ohio forms a part of what's considered both the snowbelt and the tornado alley which means your move may be affected if either of these are impacting the state on your move day.
  • HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
  • Elevator reservation: One common and important example of something that should be handled ahead of time is reserving the building's elevator and finding out their rules for using the elevator.
  • Parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles, find out ahead of time with your new local rules.
  • State licensing: Although a local license is not required in Ohio, make sure the moving company you’ll be hiring is registered with U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). To verify if you’re dealing with a legal and licensed mover, you may ask them their USDOT registration number. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Ohio moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
  • Moving permits: Ohio does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
  • Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form so that all your mail will get properly forwarded to Ohio. Get started here.
  • Mover's insurance: Interstate moving companies are required under federal law to provide basic insurance — also called “released value protection” — free of charge to all moving customers. Opt for cost-free Released Value Protection from movers, offering minimal coverage with a maximum liability of 60 cents per pound per article. For comprehensive coverage, explore alternatives with your chosen moving company or consider a third-party insurance provider.
  • Moving checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.

Things to do in Ohiotoggle

While you’re in Ohio, you won’t be bored. These are some of the coolest places to visit in your new home state:

  • Cedar Point Amusement Park/Resort
  • Cleveland Museum of Art
  • Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum
  • Hocking Hills State Park
  • National Museum of the U.S. Air Force
  • Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens
  • Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal
  • Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
  • Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Gardens
  • Toledo Museum of Art
  • Fountain Square
  • Cuyahoga Valley National Park
  • Wright Memorial – Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park
  • National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
  • Ohio State Reformatory
  • West Side Market
  • American Sign Museum
  • A Christmas Story House
  • German Village
  • Greater Cleveland Aquarium
source: AttractionsofAmerica

FAQs

What is the cheapest way to move from Illinois to Ohio?toggle

Hiring a full-service Illinois moving company will be on the more expensive side, while a rental truck or a moving container is usually the cheaper way to go, but requires more work. Here’s our guide for the cheapest way to move out of state.

Do movers transport your car from Illinois to Ohio?toggle

Some full-service movers can coordinate auto transport for you as part of your relocation package for an additional fee. But you can also handle vehicle transport from Illinois to Ohio separately through one of the top car shipping companies.

What are the benefits of moving from Illinois to Ohio?toggle

The main reasons people are moving from Illinois to Ohio are the amazing upsides of living in Ohio such as ample economic opportunity and low cost of living.

Is it cheaper to live in Illinois or Ohio?toggle

It is generally cheaper to live in Illinois than in Ohio. Housing is more affordable in Ohio, with average rent about 20% less and home prices 7.4% lower than in Illinois. Taxes are also lower in Ohio, most notably income taxes, which are more than 20% less than those paid by Illinois residents.

How much should you make a year to live comfortably in Ohio?toggle

You should make approximately $65,020 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in Ohio. The cost of living in Ohio is approximately $2,637 per month for an individual and $6,989 for a family of four. The exact amount you’ll need to live comfortably may be more or less depending on where in Ohio you live For example, larger cities like Columbus and Cleveland will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.

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