Connecticut to Illinois Moving Guide
Updated June 11, 2025

Planning a 994 mile interstate move from Connecticut to Illinois? This moving guide will help you compare living in Connecticut vs Illinois across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs more affordable housing), food & health (like Lobster Roll vs Deep Dish Pizza), real estate & housing (colonial vs prairie style), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Connecticut), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Lobster Roll and Steamed Cheeseburger, but get your taste buds ready for Deep Dish Pizza & Italian Beef Sandwich
- Illinois housing costs are 35% less expensive than they are in Connecticut
- Rent in Illinois is 12.20% more affordable than Connecticut
- Moving from Connecticut to Illinois will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
- Our top recommended Connecticut to Illinois movers is 606 Movers, Inc.
Connecticut to Illinois Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Connecticut to Illinois
- High cost of living
- Harsh winters
- Traffic congestion
- Limited job market
- More affordable housing
- Milder winters
- Better public transport
- Diverse job opportunities
- No coastal views
- More spread out suburbs
- Less historical landmarks
- Less seasonal variety
- Beautiful coastline
- Close-knit communities
- Rich history
- Four distinct seasons
Pros of moving from Connecticut to Illinois
- Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to more affordable housing
- Look forward to moving away from harsh winters and moving to Illinois with milder winters
- Swap the traffic congestion of Connecticut for better public transport in Illinois
- Get ready for diverse job opportunities in Illinois
Cons of moving from Connecticut to Illinois
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the beautiful coastline in Connecticut to live with no coastal views in Illinois
- You'll lose out on the pro of close-knit communities and have to settle with the con of more spread-out suburbs
- Time to bid farewell to rich history and get used to fewer historical landmarks in Illinois
- Swap four distinct seasons for less seasonal variety
Connecticut vs. Illinois: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Connecticut | Illinois |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Lobster Roll | Deep Dish Pizza |
Most popular meat dish | Steamed Cheeseburger | Italian Beef Sandwich |
Most popular street food item | Apizza | Chicago-style Hot Dog |
Most popular vegan food | Jackfruit Tacos | Vegan Deep Dish Pizza |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± |
If you're moving from Connecticut to Illinois, you will be trading the iconic Lobster Roll of Connecticut for the equally delicious Deep Dish Pizza of Illinois. And while the locals in Connecticut rave about their flavorful Steamed Cheeseburger and sumptuous Apizza, Illinois residents know they have tasty Italian Beef Sandwich and Chicago-style Hot Dog to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Jackfruit Tacos they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegan Deep Dish Pizza of Illinois. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Connecticut eateries like Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana, Sally's Apizza, and Louis' Lunch. 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 Connecticut. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Illinois compared to what you are used to in Connecticut. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Illinois.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Connecticut and Illinois
Comparison | Connecticut | Illinois |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial | Prairie Style |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Waterfront, Stainless Steel Appliances | Energy Efficient, Hardwood Floors |
- The Colonial architecture that Connecticut is known for will be replaced with the Prairie Style architecture typical of Illinois.
- Compared to Connecticut's real estate listings that commonly reference waterfront and stainless steel appliances, Illinois real estate listings often highlight features like energy efficiency and hardwood floors.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Illinois is more walkable than Connecticut.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Illinois is more bike-friendly than Connecticut.
- Illinois has more of an urban feel than Connecticut.
- Illinois housing costs are 35% less expensive than they are in Connecticut, with a median home price of $257,738 compared to Connecticutβs $393,802.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Illinois have increased by 35% compared to a 55% increase in Connecticut.
- Rent in Illinois is 12.20% more affordable than Connecticut.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Connecticut and Illinois
Comparison | Connecticut | Illinois |
---|---|---|
Days of Sunshine per Year | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ |
Avg. Annual Humidity | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ |
Avg. UV Index | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ |
Natural Disasters | Nor'easters, Hurricanes | Tornadoes, Blizzards |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 82Β°F / 62Β°F | 85Β°F / 65Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 35Β°F / 18Β°F | 32Β°F / 18Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 50" | 39" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 37" | 22" |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Connecticut to Illinois. Illinois gets 6% fewer sunshine days than Connecticut.
- Illinois has higher humidity and a similar average UV index compared to Connecticut.
- Say goodbye to the possible nor'easters and hurricanes in Connecticut, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and blizzards in Illinois.
- The average summer high temperature in Illinois is 3 degrees warmer than in Connecticut.
- The average winter lows are 0 degrees colder than they are in Connecticut.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Illinois. Illinois receives 11 fewer inches of rain compared to Connecticut.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Connecticut and Illinois
Comparison | Connecticut | Illinois |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $88,429 | $76,708 |
Cost of Living Index | 122.1 | 94.25 |
State Income Tax | 3% - 6.99% | 4.95% |
Avg. Property Tax | 2.14% | 2.16% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.35% | 6.25% - 11% |
Top 3 Industries | Finance, Insurance, Real Estate | Manufacturing, Agriculture, Services |
Affluence | High | Moderate |
Poverty | Moderate | High |
Homelessness | Low | High |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Illinois tend to earn about 13% less than those in Connecticut
- The COLI in Illinois is 23% lower than what you are used to living in Connecticut
- The state income tax in Illinois is 4.95% compared to 3% - 6.99% in Connecticut
- The affluence in Illinois is moderate compared to high in Connecticut
- The poverty level is high in Illinois compared to moderate in Connecticut
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Connecticut and high in Illinois
Political and Religious Climate in Connecticut vs. Illinois
Comparison | Connecticut | Illinois |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Largely Democratic | Largely Democratic |
Local Politics | Liberal policies in urban areas, mixed in rural | Liberal in Chicago, varies outside |
Religion | Christianity predominant, diverse religious communities | Christianity predominant, diverse in urban areas |
- Connecticut tends to lean largely Democratic in its political climate
- Illinois, on the other hand, is often described as largely Democratic
- Illinois' religious environment can be described as predominantly Christian and diverse in urban areas
- Connecticut's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christian and diverse religious communities
Education Guide When Moving from Connecticut to Illinois
Comparison | Connecticut | Illinois |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Yale University University of Connecticut Wesleyan University | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Northwestern University University of Chicago |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | West School New Canaan; North Mianus School Greenwich; International School At Dundee Greenwich | South Park Elementary Deerfield; Walden Elementary School Deerfield; Lincoln Elementary School River Forest |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Eastern Middle School Riverside; Middlesex Middle School Darien; Tomlinson Middle School Fairfield | Marie Murphy School Wilmette; Wood Oaks Junior High School Northbrook; Maple School Northbrook |
Top 3 High Schools | Staples High School Westport; Greenwich High School Greenwich; Darien High School Darien | Northside College Preparatory High School Chicago; Adlai E. Stevenson High School Lincolnshire; New Trier Township High School Winnetka |
Top 3 private high schools | Choate Rosemary Hall Wallingford; The Hotchkiss School Lakeville; The Loomis Chaffee School Windsor | University of Chicago Lab School Chicago; Francis W. Parker School Chicago; Lake Forest Academy Lake Forest |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Brunswick School Greenwich; Greens Farms Academy Westport; King School Stamford | Latin School of Chicago Chicago; The British International School of Chicago Chicago; Francis W. Parker School Chicago |
Top 3 School Districts | New Canaan School District; Greenwich School District; Darien School District | New Trier Township High School District 203; Naperville Community Unit School District 203; Niles Township Community High School District 219 |
How Much Do Connecticut to Illinois Movers Cost?
Moving 994 miles from Connecticut 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.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-9 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: A1 Movers, Inc
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,766 | 300 ft3 | $5.89 |
1 Bedroom | $2,627 | 450 ft3 | $5.84 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,340 | 750 ft3 | $5.79 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,310 | 1100 ft3 | $5.74 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,099 | 1600 ft3 | $5.69 |
5+ Bedrooms | $10,146 | 1800 ft3 | $5.64 |
Top Connecticut to Illinois Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Connecticut to Illinois movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

606 Movers, Inc.
Best moving company overall for Connecticut to Illinois