Moving from Illinois to Massachusetts
Moving from Illinois to Massachusetts covers about 1,227 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 MA 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
Higher cost of living
Massachusetts runs about 55% more expensive than Illinois overall. Budget extra for housing, groceries, and day-to-day costs before committing to a new place.
Lower property taxes
Massachusetts's effective property tax rate (1%) is lower than Illinois's (1.88%) — a plus if you're buying a home.
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 Massachusetts
Transfer your driver's license at an RMV Service Center
Make an appointment at an RMV Service Center. You can start the application online, but you cannot finish it online. A Class D conversion costs $115. If your license is active or expired less than one year, you skip the written and road tests. If it expired more than one year ago, you take the written, road, and eye tests. If you do not have your old license, bring a certified driving record not more than 30 days old.
Source: Mass RMV, Transfer your out-of-state licenseBring original documents for a REAL ID
A REAL ID needs one document that proves lawful presence and one that proves your full Social Security number. It also needs two documents that prove you live in Massachusetts. Bring originals. The RMV does not accept laminated documents.
Source: Mass RMV, Identification requirementsRegister your car as soon as you become a resident
Massachusetts gives no grace period to register a car. First buy a Massachusetts policy. The insurance agent stamps and signs your Registration and Title Application. If you owned and registered the car in another state for more than 6 months, fill out Form MVU-29 for the sales tax exemption. Take the forms and your out-of-state title to the RMV. The title fee is $75.
Source: Mass RMV, Transfer your registration and titleGet an inspection sticker within 7 days
Get a vehicle inspection within 7 days of the registration date. Most vehicles pay $35. After that, the vehicle needs an inspection every year. Vehicles less than 15 years old with onboard diagnostics also take an emissions test each year.
Source: Mass RMV, Vehicle inspectionsBuy the four compulsory insurance coverages
Your policy must include bodily injury to others of at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. It must include the same limits for injury caused by an uninsured auto. Property damage must be at least $30,000. Personal injury protection covers up to $8,000. These limits apply to policies issued or renewed on or after July 1, 2025.
Source: Mass Division of Insurance, Basics of auto insuranceRegister to vote at least 10 days before an election
The deadline is 10 days before any election or town meeting. You can register online if the RMV has your signature on file. When you get your license at the RMV, you can also be registered automatically.
Source: Secretary of the Commonwealth, Registering to voteYour Moving Timeline
8 Weeks Before
At about 1,227 miles (~22.5 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 Massachusetts DMV, register to vote in MA, 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.
Massachusetts
Humid continental with cold winters and warm, humid summers.
Utilities & Cost of Living
Illinois
Massachusetts
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is it from Illinois to Massachusetts?
The driving distance from Illinois to Massachusetts is approximately 1,227 miles — about 22.5 hours of driving at highway speeds.
How much does it cost to move from Illinois to Massachusetts?
A professional interstate move from Illinois to Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts?
Illinois has a cost of living index of 95.1 versus 147.8 for Massachusetts (US average = 100).
- Overall, Massachusetts is about 55% higher than Illinois.
How do property taxes compare between Illinois and Massachusetts?
Illinois's effective property tax rate is about 1.88%, versus 1% in Massachusetts.
- 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 Massachusetts?
After establishing residency in Massachusetts, you have 30 days to update your driver's license at a Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts DMV before you go.
What is the climate like in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts has humid continental with cold winters and warm, humid summers.
- The annual average temperature is 47°F, with about 48 inches of precipitation per year.
- Average monthly electricity bills run around $167.