Colorado to Illinois Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Colorado to Illinois

ConsColorado

• High altitude
• Harsh winters
• Cost of living
• Traffic congestion
• Wildfires

ProsIllinois

• Lower altitude
• Milder winters
• More affordable
• Better public transit
• Less wildfire risk

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Illinois

• Lack of mountains
• Less outdoor focus
• Humid summers
• Fewer local festivals
• Less emphasis on fitness

Colorado

• Scenic mountains
• Outdoor activities
• Dry climate
• Cultural events
• Healthy lifestyle

Pros of moving from Colorado to Illinois

• Say goodbye to high altitude and hello to lower altitude
• Look forward to moving away from harsh winters and moving to Illinois with milder winters
• Swap the cost of living in Colorado for a more affordable option in Illinois
• Get ready for better public transit in Illinois

Cons of moving from Colorado to Illinois

• Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from scenic mountains in Colorado to live with a lack of mountains in Illinois
• You'll lose out on the pro of outdoor activities and have to settle for the con of less outdoor focus
• Time to bid farewell to the dry climate and get used to humid summers in Illinois
• Swap cultural events for fewer local festivals

Colorado vs. Illinois: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

If you're moving from Colorado to Illinois, you will be trading the iconic Rocky Mountain Oysters of Colorado for the equally delicious Chicago-style Deep Dish Pizza of Illinois. And while the locals in Colorado rave about their flavorful Bison Burgers and sumptuous Tacos, Illinois residents know they have tasty Italian Beef Sandwiches and Hot Dogs to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Quinoa Salad they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Seitan Sandwich of Illinois. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Colorado eateries like Frasca Food and Wine, Ophelia's Electric Soapbox, and Beast + Bottle. After the boxes are unpacked in Illinois, don't wait too long before making your way to Illinois' acclaimed eateries like Lou Malnati's Pizzeria, Portillo's, and Alinea.

When comparing lifestyles, Illinois shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Colorado. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Illinois compared to what you are used to in Colorado. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Illinois.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Colorado and Illinois

• The Mountain and Modern architecture that Colorado is known for will be replaced with the Prairie and Traditional architecture typical of Illinois.
• Compared to Colorado's real estate listings that commonly reference mountain views and open floor plans, Illinois real estate listings often highlight features like accessibility to Chicago and vintage charm.
• Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Illinois is more walkable than Colorado.
• You might want to think twice before moving your bike. Illinois is less bike-friendly than Colorado.
• Illinois has more of an urban feel than Colorado.
• Illinois housing costs are 53% less expensive than they are in Colorado, with a median home price of $257,738 compared to Colorado’s $549,126.
• Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Illinois have increased by 35% compared to a 40% increase in Colorado.
• Rent in Illinois is 13.61% more affordable than in Colorado.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Colorado and Illinois

• The shades won't be used as much for your move from Colorado to Illinois. Illinois gets 23% fewer sunshine days than Colorado.
• Illinois has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Colorado.
• Say goodbye to the possible wildfires and snowstorms in Colorado, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and floods in Illinois.
• The average summer high temperature in Illinois is the same as in Colorado.
• The average winter lows are 4 degrees warmer than they are in Colorado.
• Your umbrella might be more overworked in Illinois. Illinois receives 23.4 more inches of rain compared to Colorado.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Colorado and Illinois

• When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Illinois tend to earn about 14% less than in Colorado
• The COLI in Illinois is 4% lower than what you are used to living in Colorado
• The state income tax in IL is 4.95% compared to 4.55% in CO
• The affluence in Illinois is moderate compared to prosperous in Colorado
• The poverty level is low in Illinois compared to moderate in Colorado
• In terms of homelessness, it is increasing in Colorado and stable in Illinois

Political and Religious Climate in Colorado vs. Illinois

• Colorado tends to lean mixed and leans Democratic in recent elections in its political climate
• Illinois, on the other hand, is often described as leans Democratic, especially in urban areas
• Illinois' religious environment can be described as having higher religious observance and a strong Catholic presence in Chicago
• Colorado's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as less religious overall and featuring diverse religious communities

Education Guide When Moving from Colorado to Illinois

How Much Do Colorado to Illinois Movers Cost?

Moving 1,011 miles from Colorado to Illinois will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.