Illinois to Colorado Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Illinois to Colorado

ConsIllinois

• Harsh winters
• High state taxes
• Flat landscape
• Limited outdoor recreation

ProsColorado

• Milder winter temperatures
• Lower state taxes
• Mountainous terrain
• Abundant outdoor activities

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Colorado

• Higher cost of living
• Altitude adjustment required
• Heavy snowfall
• Landlocked state

Illinois

• Vibrant urban life
• Rich cultural scene
• Renowned restaurants
• Lake Michigan beaches

Pros of moving from Illinois to Colorado

• Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to milder winter temperatures
• Look forward to moving away from high state taxes and moving to Colorado with lower state taxes
• Swap the flat landscape of Illinois for mountainous terrain in Colorado
• Get ready for abundant outdoor activities in Colorado

Cons of moving from Illinois to Colorado

• Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from vibrant urban life in Illinois to live with a higher cost of living in Colorado
• You'll lose out on the pro of a rich cultural scene and have to settle for the con of altitude adjustment required
• Time to bid farewell to renowned restaurants and get used to heavy snowfall in Colorado
• Swap Lake Michigan beaches for a landlocked state

Illinois vs. Colorado: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

If you're moving from Illinois to Colorado, you will be trading the iconic Chicago-style deep dish pizza of Illinois for the equally delicious Rocky Mountain Oysters of Colorado. And while the locals in Illinois rave about their flavorful Italian Beef and sumptuous Chicago-style hot dogs, Colorado residents know they have tasty Bison burgers and tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the deep-dish vegan pizza they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Jackfruit BBQ sandwiches of Colorado. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Illinois eateries like Lou Malnati's Pizzeria, Portillo's, and Alinea. After the boxes are unpacked in Colorado, don't wait too long before making your way to Colorado's acclaimed eateries like The Buckhorn Exchange, Snooze, an A.M. Eatery, and Frasca Food and Wine.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Illinois and Colorado

• The Prairie and Chicago Bungalow architecture that Illinois is known for will be replaced with the Mountain and Modern Farmhouse architecture typical of Colorado.
• Compared to Illinois's real estate listings that commonly reference hardwood floors and granite countertops, Colorado real estate listings often highlight features like views and sustainability.
• You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Colorado is less walkable than Illinois.
• Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Colorado is more bike-friendly than Illinois.
• Colorado has less of an urban feel than Illinois.
• Colorado housing costs are 113% more expensive than they are in Illinois, with a median home price of $549,126 compared to Illinois’s $257,738.
• Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Colorado have increased by 40%, compared to a 35% increase in Illinois.
• Rent in Colorado is 15.75% more expensive than in Illinois.

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

• Break out the sunglasses for your move from Illinois to Colorado. Colorado gets 30% more sunshine days than Illinois.
• Colorado 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 avalanches in Colorado.
• The average summer high temperature in Colorado is the same as in Illinois.
• The average winter lows are 0 degrees colder in Colorado than they are in Illinois.
• Your umbrella might be neglected in Colorado. Colorado receives 22 fewer inches of rain compared to Illinois.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Illinois and Colorado

• When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Colorado tend to earn about 16% more than those in Illinois
• The COLI in Colorado will be 4% higher than what you are used to living in Illinois
• The state income tax in CO is 4.55% compared to 4.95% in IL
• The affluence in Colorado is high compared to moderate affluence in Illinois
• The poverty level is low in Colorado compared to moderate poverty in Illinois
• In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Illinois and high in Colorado

Political and Religious Climate in Illinois vs. Colorado

• Illinois tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
• Colorado, on the other hand, is often described as a swing state, recently leaning Democratic
• Colorado's religious environment can be described as mixed, with a higher percentage of unaffiliated or non-religious residents
• Illinois' residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as largely Christian, with significant Catholic and Protestant populations

Education Guide When Moving from Illinois to Colorado

How Much Do Illinois to Colorado Movers Cost?

Moving 1,010 miles from Illinois to Colorado 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.