($1,057) Moving From Illinois to Virginia

Quick answer: The average cost to move from Illinois to Virginia ranges from $579 to $5,598 and takes two-seven days. The top cost factors are how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the move yourself.

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  • Family owned
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  • Certified crews
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  • Family-owned

Hiring a full-service Illinois moving company will be on the more expensive side, while a rental truck or a moving container is usually cheaper but requires more work.

You may also want to consider the potential added cost of getting your vehicle or boat to your new home as part of your move. 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 Virginia separately through one of the top car shipping companies.

Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our moving from Virginia to Illinois guide.

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The best Illinois to Virginia movers

Hiring an interstate moving company from Illinois to Virginia is a big deal.

There are more than 8,000 moving companies in the U.S. But don’t worry, you won’t have to filter through all of them. We’ve done the research for you and narrowed the list based on customer satisfaction, cost, and services.

Here are the best long-distance moving companies serving Illinois to Virginia:

Best Overall Value
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.85 / 5
(855) 650-0657
At A Glance
  • GPS tracking en route
  • Veteran-owned
  • Dedicated move coordinator
  • Flat-rate pricing
  • Donates a portion of moves to charity
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(855) 650-0657
Best for personalized service
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
(980) 217-6841
At A Glance
  • Family-owned, with locations covering the East Coast
  • Full refund if you cancel within 7 days of your move
  • Hands-on customer service
  • 24/7 support
  • Price-matching policy
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(980) 217-6841
Best for Quick Quotes
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 5
(844) 794-6004
At A Glance
  • Family owned & operated
  • Affordable pricing
  • Binding estimates
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(844) 794-6004
Best Nationwide Coverage
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.8 / 5
At A Glance
  • 30 days storage included
  • Local and long distance moving options
  • Unlimited loading/unloading time
  • Store on property or at a facility
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
(866) 835-2392
At A Glance
  • Experienced & fully trained moving crews
  • Specializes in moving art & antiques
  • Competitive pricing
  • Can handle last-minute moves
  • Climate-controlled storage
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(866) 835-2392

If you’re just trying to ship a few items, here’s a list of our recommended services for small moves.

Looking for local Illinois movers?

Company Quote Rating Contact
STI Moving & Storage Inc. Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.96 overall rating
7400 Niles Center Rd, Skokie, IL, 60077
(847) 675-1223
Mid-West Moving & Storage Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.96 overall rating
1255 Tonne Rd, Elk Grove Village, IL, 60007
(847) 593-7201

Visit our Best Movers in Illinois page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.

How much does it cost to move from Illinois to Virginia?

The table below lays out average cost ranges to move from Illinois to Virginia for different moving services depending on the size of your home.

Move size Moving company Moving container Rental truck
Studio / 1 Bedroom $1,057 - $3,837 $767 - $1,804 $548 - $960
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,234 - $5,598 $1,287 - $2,554 $579 - $1,152
4+ bedrooms $3,618 - $7,208 $1,779 - $3,325 $712 - $1,382

*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 761 miles and historical averages. The actual size of your move, additional services required, truck parking access, market conditions, and availability can greatly affect your final costs.

Factors affecting the cost of moving from IL to VA

There are many factors that influence Illinois moving costs. The cost to move from Illinois to Virginia 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.

How much does it cost to hire movers from Illinois to Virginia?

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Illinois to Virginia will cost between $1,057 and $3,837. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from IL to VA will range from $2,234 to $5,598, and a large move from Illinois to Virginia will cost from $3,618 to $7,208.

How much are moving containers like PODS from Illinois to Virginia?

Moving containers from Illinois to Virginia will cost you $767 to $1,804 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,287 to $2,554. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $1,779 to $3,325. Learn more about PODS cost.

Here are the cheapest moving container companies when moving out of Illinois.

How much is a moving truck from Illinois to Virginia?

A moving rental truck is generally the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor.

Moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $548 to $960. A two to three-bedroom move will cost $579 to $1,152, and moving a home with four or more bedrooms or from Illinois to Virginia costs from $712 to $1,382.
These estimates include the estimated fuel cost.

Is moving from Illinois to Virginia a good idea?

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

Cost of living: Illinois vs. Virginia

Illinois Virginia
Average rent cost $1,179 $1,440
Average home cost $249,224 $392,682
Average income (per capita) $78,433 $87,249
Cost of Living Index 90 0
Unemployment rate 5.3% 2.9%
Average Sales Tax 8.82% 5.73%
State Income Tax 4.95% 5.75%
  • Rent is about 22% more expensive in Virginia than in Illinois.
  • Home prices are about 58% higher in Virginia than in Illinois.
  • The average income is about 11% higher in Virginia than in Illinois.
  • Cost of living is 100% lower in Virginia than in Illinois.
  • Virginia has a lower unemployment rate than Illinois by about 45%.
  • Sales taxes are 35% lower in Virginia than in Illinois.
  • Income taxes are 16% higher in Virginia than in Illinois.

How does life in Virginia differ from Illinois?

Virginia Illinois
Population 8,715,698 12,549,689
Political leaning Democratic 52-48 Democratic 55-45
Summer high 87ºF 86ºF
Winter low 25ºF 17ºF
Annual rain 44" 40"
Annual snow 14" 22"
Crime index 19.3 19.7
  • The population of Virginia is approximately 31% lower than the population of Illinois.
  • In the last presidential election, Virginia voted Democratic and Illinois voted Democratic.
  • The average high in the summertime in Virginia is 87ºF and in Illinois, it’s 86ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Virginia reaches the temperature of 25ºF and Illinois gets down to 17ºF.
  • You can expect about forty-four inches of annual rainfall in Virginia versus forty inches of rainfall in Illinois.
  • In Virginia, it snows about fourteen inches annually versus twenty-two inches of snow in Illinois.
  • Virginia has a lower crime rate than Illinois with a crime index of 19.7 vs 19.3.

Comparing the pros of Illinois vs. Virginia

There are always a lot of reasons to get excited about living somewhere new. These are the best parts of living in Illinois versus Virginia side by side.

Pros of living in Illinois Pros of living in Virginia
Home of Chicago Strong economy
Ample economic opportunity Beautiful scenery
Bountiful recreational opportunities Abundance of outdoor activities
Delicious food Enjoyable four season weather
World-class sports culture Strong military presence

Comparing the cons of living in Illinois vs. Virginia

Not everything is sunshine and rainbows all the time, no matter where you live. Here are some things to be aware of when leaving Illinois for Virginia.

Cons of living in Illinois Cons of living in Virginia
Harsh winter weather High cost of living
Bad traffic Unpredictable weather
High crime rate Bad traffic congestion
Dull landscape Lack of public transportation
Strict laws Air noise pollution

What to know before your move to Virginia

  • Weather: Virginia has humid hot and humid summers and cool to mild winters. The Atlantic Ocean and Gulf Stream have a strong effect on eastern and southeastern coastal areas of the Commonwealth, making the climate there warmer and more constant.
  • 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: In addition to filing tariffs and complying with insurance, bond, and highway safety requirements, all intrastate moving companies in Virginia must have a certificate from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (VaDMV). Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State Regulator: You can verify a Virginia moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
  • Moving Permits: Virginia 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 Virginia. 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. In Virginia, movers commonly offer Released Value Protection at no additional cost, providing coverage at 60 cents per pound. For increased protection, consider discussing Full Value Protection options with the moving company. Alternatively, explore third-party insurance providers for personalized plans. It's essential to understand coverage limits, potential additional costs, and read reviews to make an informed decision about your moving insurance in Virginia.
  • Moving Checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.

Things to do in Virginia

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

  • Virginia Beach
  • Colonial Williamsburg
  • Arlington National Cemetery
  • Busch Gardens
  • The Natural Bridge
  • Manassas National Battlefield Park
  • Thomas Jefferson's Monticello
  • George Washington's Mount Vernon
  • Shenandoah National Park / Skyline Drive
  • Richmond Canal Walk
  • Luray Caverns
  • Chincoteague and Assateague Islands
  • Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center
  • Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
  • Historic Jamestowne
  • Maymont Park
  • Nauticus
  • Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
  • Military Aviation Museum
  • Virginia State Capitol

FAQs

What is the cheapest way to move from Illinois to Virginia?

The cheapest way to move from Illinois to Virginia is with a DIY move. Here’s our guide for the cheapest way to move out of state.

What are the benefits of moving from Illinois to Virginia?

The main reasons people are moving from Illinois to Virginia are the amazing upsides of living in Virginia such as strong economy and beautiful scenery.

Is it cheaper to live in Illinois or Virginia?

It is generally cheaper to live in Illinois than in Virginia. Housing is much more affordable in Illinois, with average rent about 18% less and home prices 37% lower than in Virginia. Taxes are also lower in Illinois, most notably income taxes, which are more than 10% less than those paid by Virginia residents.

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

You should make approximately $0 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in Arizona. The cost of living in Arizona is approximately $0 per month for an individual and $0 for a family of four. The exact amount you’ll need to live comfortably may be more or less depending on where in Virginia you live For example, larger cities like Alexandria and Annandale will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.

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