Moving from Illinois to Colorado
Moving from Illinois to Colorado covers about 1,017 miles — a mid-distance interstate move. Whether you drive a rental truck or hire movers, this checklist keeps every step on track.
Generate My ChecklistIL vs CO at a Glance
Income Tax
Sales Tax
Time Zone
You'll be changing time zones
Distance
Moving Cost
Professional move, 2–3 BR home. Summer +20–30%.
What This Move Means for You
Modest cost-of-living shift
Overall costs in Colorado are about 7% higher than in Illinois — enough to notice on housing, but not a dramatic change.
Lower property taxes
Colorado's effective property tax rate (0.5%) is lower than Illinois's (1.88%) — a plus if you're buying a home.
Much drier climate
Colorado is far drier than Illinois — roughly 22" less precipitation a year. Expect to adjust to lower humidity and drier air.
Before You Leave Illinois
File a part-year IL-1040 with Schedule NR
For the year you move, file Form IL-1040 with Schedule NR. Illinois taxes all income you received while you lived here. After you move, it taxes only income from Illinois sources. On Schedule NR, enter the dates you lived in Illinois and in your new state. If your new state also taxed income you earned as an Illinois resident, you may get a credit on Schedule CR.
Source: Illinois Department of Revenue, Schedule NR InstructionsRent from a house you kept stays taxable
After you move, keep reporting net income from real estate located in Illinois on Schedule NR. If you sell Illinois real estate, report that gain too. Illinois does not tax a nonresident on nonbusiness gains from intangibles, such as stock.
Source: Illinois Department of Revenue, Schedule NR InstructionsIn Cook County, remove a homestead exemption you no longer qualify for
You can get a homestead exemption only on your main residence. If the house is no longer your main residence, apply to the Cook County Assessor to remove the exemption. The Assessor audits exemptions. If you kept one you were not entitled to, it bills the tax, interest, and penalties. It can also put a lien on the property.
Source: Cook County Assessor, Erroneous ExemptionsReport the sale if you sell the car before you move
If you sell your vehicle, tell the Secretary of State. Do it at a DMV, or mail the Seller's Report of Sale form. Until the record changes, emissions test notices keep coming to you.
Source: Illinois Air Team (Illinois EPA), FAQsIllinois does not issue clearance letters
Your new state may ask for proof that your Illinois license is valid. Illinois stopped issuing clearance letters in 1997. Other states check your record through the Problem Driver Pointer System. If your new state still wants written proof, order a copy of your Illinois driving record.
Source: Illinois Secretary of State, Drivers FAQDestroy your FOID card if it is revoked after the move
A FOID card can be revoked when the holder no longer lives in Illinois. If yours is revoked for that reason, destroy the card. Follow the firearm laws of your new state.
Source: Illinois State Police, Office of Firearms Safety FAQsAfter You Arrive in Colorado
Get a Colorado driver license within 30 days of residency
You become a Colorado resident when you take a job here or own or run a business here. You also become a resident after you live here 90 days in a row. After that, you have 30 days to transfer your driver license. You have 90 days to register your vehicle.
Source: Colorado DMV, Welcome to ColoradoMake an appointment for the license
Every applicant needs an appointment at a driver license office. Bring your identification and proof of address documents. Bring your out-of-state license, valid or expired less than one year. A driving record dated within 30 days also works. The office punches a hole in your old license. You may have to take tests.
Source: Colorado DMV, Welcome to ColoradoPass an emissions test before you register the vehicle
You need the test if you live in a designated emissions county. Vehicles seven model years old or newer do not need it. The counties are Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, and Jefferson, plus parts of Adams, Arapahoe, Larimer, and Weld.
Source: Colorado DMV, Vehicle RegistrationTitle and register the vehicle at your county motor vehicle office
First, get a VIN verification on form DR 2698. Law enforcement, a Colorado dealer, or an emissions station can do it. Then go in person to the county motor vehicle office where you live. State driver license offices do not register vehicles. Bring the out-of-state title. If a lender holds it, bring your most recent out-of-state registration and the lender's name and address. Also bring proof of Colorado insurance, your ID, and form DR 2504 with a proof of residency.
Source: Colorado DMV, Vehicle RegistrationExpect a vehicle tax based on the original price
The largest part of the registration cost is the Specific Ownership Tax. For most passenger vehicles, the taxable value is 85 percent of the original MSRP. The rate starts at 2.1 percent of that value in the first year and drops as the vehicle ages. Fees also vary by county. You cannot register without proof of Colorado insurance. The minimum is $25,000 for injury to one person, $50,000 per accident, and $15,000 for property damage.
Source: Colorado DMV, Taxes and FeesRegister to vote, and check the 22-day rule
To vote in a Colorado election, you must live here for the 22 days right before it. Register online at GoVoteColorado.gov through the 8th day before Election Day. You need a Colorado driver license or ID card, or the last four digits of your Social Security number. After that day, register in person at a voter service and polling center in your county. You can do this through Election Day.
Source: Colorado Secretary of State, Voter Registration FAQsYour Moving Timeline
8 Weeks Before
At about 1,017 miles (~18.5 hours), you can drive a rental truck or hire movers — compare both. If you drive, plan an overnight stop and factor in fuel and lodging.
4 Weeks Before
Notify your utility providers, update your address with USPS, and begin packing non-essential items.
1 Week Before
Confirm with your movers, finish packing, clean your home, and prepare a moving day essentials bag.
Moving Day
Supervise loading, do a final walkthrough of your old home, and hand over the keys.
After the Move
Update your driver's license at the Colorado DMV, register to vote in CO, and set up your new utilities.
Free to use — $2.99 to print
Climate Comparison
Illinois
Humid continental with cold winters and hot, humid summers.
Colorado
Semi-arid and alpine with cold winters, abundant sunshine, and warm summers.
Utilities & Cost of Living
Illinois
Colorado
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is it from Illinois to Colorado?
The driving distance from Illinois to Colorado is approximately 1,017 miles — about 18.5 hours of driving at highway speeds.
How much does it cost to move from Illinois to Colorado?
A professional interstate move from Illinois to Colorado typically costs between $4,000 and $7,500, depending on the size of your home and time of year.
- Summer moves (May–September) tend to cost 20–30% more.
What is the cost of living difference between Illinois and Colorado?
Illinois has a cost of living index of 95.1 versus 101.8 for Colorado (US average = 100).
- Overall, Colorado is about 7% higher than Illinois.
How do property taxes compare between Illinois and Colorado?
Illinois's effective property tax rate is about 1.88%, versus 0.5% in Colorado.
- On a typical home that difference lowers your annual holding costs, so factor it in if you plan to buy.
How soon do I need to update my driver's license after moving to Colorado?
After establishing residency in Colorado, you have 30 days to update your driver's license at a Colorado DMV office.
- Vehicle registration is a separate transaction with its own deadline, which in most states differs from the license deadline — confirm both with the Colorado DMV before you go.
What is the climate like in Colorado?
Colorado has semi-arid and alpine with cold winters, abundant sunshine, and warm summers.
- The annual average temperature is 45°F, with about 17 inches of precipitation per year.
- Average monthly electricity bills run around $101.