Illinois to Arizona Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Illinois to Arizona

ConsIllinois

• Brutal winter cold
• High property taxes
• Heavy summer humidity
• Lake-effect snowstorms
• Frequent potholes
• Fewer sunny days
• Chicago-area toll roads
• Flat landscapes
• Short outdoor season
• Ice scraping daily
• Higher state tax
• Gray winter skies

ProsArizona

• Mild winter temps
• Lower property taxes
• Dry desert air
• Rare lowland snow
• Less freeze-thaw damage
• Abundant sunshine
• Few toll roads
• Mountain vistas
• Year-round outdoor time
• No snow shoveling
• Lower state tax
• Bright blue skies

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Arizona

• Limited public transit
• Extreme summer heat
• Long hot season
• Limited freshwater access
• Sparse desert vegetation
• Ongoing drought concerns
• Car-dependent sprawl
• Higher UV exposure
• Dust storms
• High cooling costs
• Scorpions and snakes
• Smaller museum footprint

Illinois

• Robust public transit
• Milder summer highs
• Four distinct seasons
• Lake Michigan access
• Lush green parks
• Abundant freshwater
• Walkable neighborhoods
• Lower UV exposure
• Fewer dust events
• Lower summer AC use
• Fewer venomous pests
• Established cultural scene

Pros of moving from Illinois to Arizona

• Say goodbye to brutal winter cold and hello to mild winter temps
• Look forward to moving away from high property taxes and moving to Arizona with lower property taxes
• Swap the heavy summer humidity of Illinois for dry desert air in Arizona
• Get ready for rare lowland snow in Arizona

Cons of moving from Illinois to Arizona

• Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from robust public transit in Illinois to live with limited public transit in Arizona
• You'll lose out on the pro of milder summer highs and have to settle for the con of extreme summer heat
• Time to bid farewell to four distinct seasons and get used to a long hot season in Arizona
• Swap Lake Michigan access for limited freshwater access

Illinois vs. Arizona: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

If you're moving from Illinois to Arizona, you will be trading the iconic deep-dish pizza of Illinois for the equally delicious Sonoran hot dog of Arizona. And while the locals in Illinois rave about their flavorful Italian beef and sumptuous Chicago-style hot dog, Arizona residents know they have tasty carne asada and tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the seitan wings they've grown to love, they can get ready for the veggie tacos of Arizona. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Illinois eateries like Lou Malnati's Pizzeria, Alinea, and Portillo's. After the boxes are unpacked in Arizona, don't wait too long before making your way to Arizona's acclaimed eateries like Pizzeria Bianco, El Charro Café, and FnB.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Illinois and Arizona

• The Prairie and Victorian architecture that Illinois is known for will be replaced with the Spanish Mission and Ranch architecture typical of Arizona.
• Compared to Illinois's real estate listings that commonly reference hardwood floors and granite countertops, Arizona real estate listings often highlight features like swimming pools and outdoor living.
• You can keep your walking shoes packed away. Arizona is less walkable than Illinois.
• Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Arizona is more bike-friendly than Illinois.
• Arizona has less of an urban feel than Illinois.
• Arizona housing costs are 67% more expensive than they are in Illinois, with a median home price of $430,827 compared to Illinois’s $257,738.
• Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Arizona have increased by 63% compared to a 35% increase in Illinois.
• Rent in Arizona is 9.30% more expensive than in Illinois.

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

• Break out the sunglasses for your move from Illinois to Arizona. Arizona gets 58% more sunshine days than Illinois.
• Arizona has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Illinois.
• Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Illinois, but be on the lookout for potential wildfires and heatwaves in Arizona.
• Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Arizona is 19 degrees warmer than in Illinois.
• The average winter lows are 24 degrees warmer than they are in Illinois.
• Your umbrella might be neglected in Arizona. Arizona receives 26 inches less rain compared to Illinois.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Illinois and Arizona

• When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Arizona tend to earn about 3% less than in Illinois
• The COLI in Arizona will be 7% higher than what you are used to living in Illinois
• The state income tax in AZ is 2.59-4.5 compared to 4.95 in IL
• The affluence in Arizona is growing compared to moderate in Illinois
• The poverty level is considerable in Arizona compared to notable in Illinois
• In terms of homelessness, it is managed in Illinois and challenging in Arizona

Political and Religious Climate in Illinois vs. Arizona

• Illinois tends to lean Democratic-leaning in its political climate
• Arizona, on the other hand, is often described as a swing state, trending Republican
• Arizona's religious environment can be described as Christians, non-religious, and other faiths
• Illinois' residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christians, non-religious, and other faiths

How Much Do Illinois to Arizona Movers Cost?

Moving 1,534 miles from Illinois to Arizona will typically cost between $3,000 and $7,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.