Factors affecting the cost of moving from IL to OK
There are many factors that influence
Illinois moving costs.
The cost to move from Illinois to Oklahoma 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 OK
If you’re moving to Oklahoma from Illinois, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.
Cost of living: Illinois vs. Oklahoma
|
Illinois |
Oklahoma |
| Average rent cost |
$1,179 |
$934 |
| Average home cost |
$249,224 |
$205,968 |
| Average income (per capita) |
$78,433 |
$61,364 |
| Cost of Living Index |
90 |
86 |
| Unemployment rate |
5.3% |
3.3% |
| Average Sales Tax |
8.82% |
8.95% |
| State Income Tax |
4.95% |
4.75% |
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Rent is about 21% less expensive in Oklahoma than in Illinois.
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Home prices are about 17% lower in Oklahoma than in Illinois.
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The average income is about 22% lower in Oklahoma than in Illinois.
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Cost of living is 4% lower in Oklahoma than in Illinois.
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Oklahoma has a lower unemployment rate than Illinois by about 38%.
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Sales taxes are 1% higher in Oklahoma than in Illinois.
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Income taxes are 4% lower in Oklahoma than in Illinois.
How life is different in Oklahoma vs. Illinois
|
Oklahoma |
Illinois |
| Population |
4,053,824 |
12,549,689 |
| Political leaning |
Republican 66-34 |
Democratic 55-45 |
| Summer high |
93ºF |
86ºF |
| Winter low |
26ºF |
17ºF |
| Annual rain |
39" |
40" |
| Annual snow |
6" |
22" |
| Crime index |
27.52 |
19.7 |
-
The population of Oklahoma is approximately 68% lower than the population of Illinois.
-
In the last presidential election, Oklahoma voted Republican and Illinois voted Democratic.
-
The average high in the summertime in Oklahoma is 93ºF
and in Illinois, it’s 86ºF.
-
During the coldest part of the year, Oklahoma reaches the temperature of 26ºF
and Illinois gets down to 17ºF.
-
You can expect about 39 inches of annual rainfall in Oklahoma versus 40 inches of rainfall in Illinois.
-
In Oklahoma, it snows about 6 inches annually
versus 22 inches of snow in Illinois.
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Oklahoma has a higher crime rate than Illinois with a crime index
of 27.52 vs. 19.7.
Comparing the pros of Illinois vs. Oklahoma
Getting a fresh start in a new location is exciting. Here’s a side-by-side look at the perks of living in Oklahoma compared to Illinois.
| Pros of living in Illinois |
Pros of living in Oklahoma |
| Home of Chicago |
Ample economic opportunity |
| Ample economic opportunity |
Low cost of living |
| Bountiful recreational opportunities |
Delicious barbecue |
| Delicious food |
Rapid earnings growth |
Comparing the cons of living in Illinois vs. Oklahoma
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 Oklahoma.
| Cons of living in Illinois |
Cons of living in Oklahoma |
| Harsh winter weather |
Dull landscape |
| Bad traffic |
Destructive weather |
| High crime rate |
Poor education |
| Dull landscape |
Dangerous drivers |
| Strict laws |
Low diversity |
Other things to consider for your Illinois to Oklahoma move
- Weather: Oklahoma has hot and humid summers and cool to mild winters. Oklahoma is located in tornado alley and averages 62 tornadoes a year, one of the highest rates in the world.
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HOA rules:
Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
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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.
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Parking permits:
Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles, find out ahead of time with your new local rules.
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State licensing:
In Oklahoma, in-state household goods movers are certified and licensed by the Oklahoma Corporation Commission (OCC). Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
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State regulator:
You can verify a Oklahoma moving license
and its status on the state regulator's official website.
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Moving permits:
Oklahoma does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
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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 Oklahoma.
Get started here.
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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.
Opting for Released Value Protection is the most cost-effective choice since it comes at no extra expense. Movers provide this option without additional charges, but the coverage it offers is minimal. With Released Value Protection, the mover's liability is limited to 60 cents per pound per article. For example, if your mover were to lose or damage a set of fine china weighing 15 pounds, you would only be compensated $9 (60 cents x 15 pounds). If you require coverage for the full value of your items, it is advisable to discuss alternative options with the moving company or explore third-party insurance providers.
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Moving checklist:
Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.
Things to do in Oklahoma
While you’re in Oklahoma, you won’t be bored. These are some of the coolest places to visit in your new home state:
- Oklahoma City National Memorial
- Oklahoma Route 66 Museum
- Myriad Botanical Gardens
- Woolaroc Museum and Wildlife Preserve
- Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History
- Gilcrease Museum
- Turner Falls Park
- JM Davis Arms and Historical Museum
- Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge
- Oklahoma City Zoo
FAQs
What is the cheapest way to move from Illinois to Oklahoma?
Do movers transport your car from Illinois to Oklahoma?
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 Oklahoma
separately through one of the top car shipping companies.
What are the benefits of moving from Illinois to Oklahoma?
The main reasons people are moving from Illinois to Oklahoma are the amazing upsides of living in Oklahoma such as
ample economic opportunity and low cost of living.
Is it cheaper to live in Illinois or Oklahoma?
It is generally cheaper to live in Oklahoma than in Illinois.
Housing
is more affordable in Oklahoma,
with average rent about 21% less and home prices 17.4% lower than in Illinois.
Taxes are also lower in Oklahoma, most notably income taxes,
which are more than 4% less than those paid by
Illinois residents.
How much should you make a year to live comfortably in Oklahoma?
You should make approximately $64,656 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in Oklahoma.
The cost of living in Oklahoma is approximately $2,544 per month for an individual and $6,328 for a family of four.
The exact amount you’ll need to live comfortably may be more or less depending on where in Oklahoma you live
For example, larger cities like Oklahoma City and Norman will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.
Helpful moving resources
Best overall value
