Photo: FASTILY, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Moving to Reno from Illinois
About 3,100 people living in Nevada in 2024 had lived in Illinois a year earlier, and Illinois taxes income at a flat 4.95 percent. Nevada has no state personal income tax, and gives new residents 30 days for a license and vehicle registration.
Illinois is one of the larger sources of Nevada newcomers in the Midwest, and a large share of movers leave from the Chicago area. The route is long and mostly flat until the last few hundred miles, so it helps to plan the mountain end of the trip as carefully as the start.
Truckee River / Riverwalk in downtown Reno Photo: Fastily, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Illinois deadlines and what you leave behind
The Illinois Secretary of State gives new residents 30 days to apply for an Illinois title and registration, and lets them drive on a valid out-of-state license for up to 90 days. Those rules apply to people moving in. When you leave, turn in Illinois plates after Nevada registration, cancel any city vehicle sticker, and check how your county handles property tax proration on a home you sell.
Chicago households also have city items to close out, such as a residential parking permit and a toll account tied to your address.
The tax comparison: flat 4.95 percent versus none
Illinois's individual income tax is a flat 4.95 percent, and its state sales tax is 6.25 percent before local additions. Nevada collects no state income tax from wages. Illinois property tax is a larger cost for many homeowners than income tax is, so compare the property tax bill on your Illinois home with an estimate for a Reno home.
The Census ACS tables in our cost-of-living compare tool show median home values and rents side by side for the two areas.
How the move works from Illinois
You book the move with O'Brien's, and we coordinate it from your Illinois home through the Bekins network. In Sparks, our crews handle delivery, unpacking and, if you need it, storage. The Chicago to Reno route page shows the drive and the numbers at both ends. Your written estimate sets the delivery window.
Illinois basements, attics and garages hold years of belongings. A sorting pass before the in-home estimate lowers the shipping weight, and the free estimate comes with 10 free heavy-duty boxes to start packing.
Reno skyline (mountains behind)
Nevada in one paragraph
Nevada expects a license and registration within 30 days of arrival, and no state income tax is withheld from wages. The longer list of arrival steps is in the moving to Reno guide.
Winter driving on both ends
Illinois movers know winter, but crossing the Sierra is a different kind of cold: chain controls and closures can affect a truck on I-80 between Reno and Sacramento, and even more on routes through the Rockies. Read the best-time-to-move guide, and ask the estimator how seasons influence your pickup and delivery windows.
How a long-distance move works with a Bekins agent
O'Brien's Moving & Storage has been an agent for Bekins Van Lines since 1955. On an interstate move the Bekins network carries your shipment under the van line's interstate system; O'Brien's books the move in either direction. Leaving Northern Nevada, we give the free in-home estimate, pack, store in our Sparks warehouse if you need it, and load. Moving here from another state, you book with us and we coordinate the move from your origin through the Bekins network, then handle delivery, unpacking and storage in Sparks. Your written estimate sets the delivery window. What being a Bekins agent means.
Your rights on an interstate move
Federal booklets every interstate mover must give you
How long can I drive on my Illinois license in Nevada?
Nevada gives new residents 30 days to get a Nevada license. Illinois's own 90-day allowance applies to people moving into Illinois.
Does Illinois tax my income after I leave?
Illinois taxes income earned while a resident, so a part-year return is common in the year you move. Nevada has no state personal income tax. Ask a tax professional about your dates.
Can O'Brien's store belongings if my Illinois house sells first?
Yes. Vault storage in Sparks starts from $40 per month, short or long term, with about two to three weeks of notice to ship stored goods.
Talk about organized people. I peeked in the truck about an hour into the job and was amazed at how well organized it was and how many of my things had protective coverings. Our bed is a mechanical one and a nightmare to us, but these guys had no issue with it at all. Although I have no desire to ever move again--but if I did, I would be calling these guys for sure!!!
J
Jennifer C.
Customer service, packers, and loaders were very responsive, professional, and did an overall great job.
C
Christy R.
All of the above! Have used o'briens several times in the past and always had great timely service!
Owner's reply
Christy thank you so much, not just for the 5 star review but also for continuing to stay a O'Brien's Customer. We appreciate your repeat business and you know we love talking with you anytime! You know where to find us when you need us!
Get a long-distance estimate
Tell us where you are going. The estimate for a long-distance move starts with a survey of your Reno-area home.