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Moving from Washington to Illinois

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Tech (Amazon, MS), no income tax, rainy West side. vs. Chicago global city, second-highest property taxes in US.

WA state flag
Living now

Washington

Capital: Olympia

Median household income $90,325 · winter low 35°F · 152 sunny days

Tech (Amazon, MS), no income tax, rainy West side.

IL state flag
Moving to

Illinois

Capital: Springfield

Median household income $78,433 · winter low 19°F · 189 sunny days

Chicago global city, second-highest property taxes in US.

Illinois has an overall price level 100.0 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
Washington
107.0
Illinois
100.0
Illinois has 6.6% lower overall price level
Housing index
Washington
126.0
Illinois
93.9
Illinois has 25% lower housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
Washington
101.8
Illinois
100.0
Illinois has 1.7% lower groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
Washington
101.1
Illinois
100.0
Illinois has 1.0% lower utilities
Electricity rate
Washington
14.4 ¢/kWh
Illinois
18.9 ¢/kWh
Illinois has 31% higher electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
Washington
101.4
Illinois
100.0
Illinois has 1.4% lower transportation
Median home value
Washington
$602,200
Illinois
$280,700
Illinois is 53% cheaper to buy a home
Median monthly rent
Washington
$1,641/mo
Illinois
$1,169/mo
Illinois is 29% cheaper to rent

Sources: NOAA Climate Normals · EPA AirNow (live) state-level

Summer high 85°F · Winter low 19°F · 189 sunny days/yr.

Avg summer high
Washington
79°F
Illinois
85°F
Illinois is 7.6% more summer highs
Avg winter low
Washington
35°F
Illinois
19°F
Illinois is 46% less winter lows
Avg annual temperature
Washington
50°F
Illinois
52°F
Illinois is 4.6% more annual temperature
Sunny days / year
Washington
152
Illinois
189
Illinois has 24% higher sunny days
Annual precipitation
Washington
40 in
Illinois
40 in
Air quality (live AQI)
Washington
39
Illinois
40
Illinois has 2.6% higher AQI
Snow / year
Washington
29 in
Illinois
19 in
Illinois is 34% less annual snowfall

Get the full WashingtonIllinois report

Schools, healthcare, taxes, transportation, lifestyle, crime, family fit, move logistics, AI assistant, and 90-day timeline.

See the full comparison

Frequently asked

Is it cheaper to live in Illinois than Washington?

Illinois's overall price level is roughly 99.4 (US avg = 100), vs about 105.8 for Washington — based on BEA Regional Price Parities. Housing is the dominant driver of the difference. Run a comparison for the full, current breakdown.

What's the income tax difference?

Washington tops out at 0% income tax. Illinois tops out at 4.95%.

How long do I have to register my vehicle in Illinois?

Most Illinois residents must register a vehicle within 30-60 days of moving. Check the piomover report for state-specific deadlines.

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