Illinois to Connecticut Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Illinois to Connecticut

ConsIllinois

• Brutal wind chills
• Heat-humidity summers
• Tornado outbreaks
• Flat, prairie scenery
• Limited ocean access
• Higher violent crime
• Budget uncertainty
• Frequent tollways
• Limited fall foliage
• Fewer maritime activities

ProsConnecticut

• Milder coastal winters
• Cooler summer breezes
• Fewer tornadoes
• Coastline and hills
• Direct ocean access
• Lower crime rates
• Stronger rainy-day fund
• No highway tolls
• Iconic fall foliage
• Sailing and beaches

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Connecticut

• Higher cost of living
• Smaller urban scene
• Fewer pro teams
• Fewer nonstop flights
• Less variety nearby
• Quieter evenings
• Smaller job market
• Higher utility rates
• Pricier gasoline
• Smaller sandy beaches

Illinois

• Lower cost of living
• Big-city amenities
• Major sports teams
• O'Hare connectivity
• Diverse dining options
• Extensive nightlife
• Broad job market
• Lower utility rates
• Cheaper gasoline
• Lake Michigan beaches

Pros of moving from Illinois to Connecticut

• Say goodbye to brutal wind chills and hello to milder coastal winters
• Look forward to moving away from heat-humidity summers and moving to Connecticut with cooler summer breezes
• Swap the tornado outbreaks of Illinois for fewer tornadoes in Connecticut
• Get ready for coastline and hills in Connecticut

Cons of moving from Illinois to Connecticut

• Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the lower cost of living in Illinois to live with the higher cost of living in Connecticut
• You'll lose out on the pro of big-city amenities and have to settle for the con of a smaller urban scene
• Time to bid farewell to major sports teams and get used to fewer pro teams in Connecticut
• Swap O'Hare connectivity for fewer nonstop flights

Illinois vs. Connecticut: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

If you're moving from Illinois to Connecticut, you will be trading the iconic Chicago-style deep-dish pizza of Illinois for the equally delicious White clam pizza of Connecticut. And while the locals in Illinois rave about their flavorful Italian beef and sumptuous Chicago-style hot dog, Connecticut residents know they have tasty Lobster Roll and Steamed Cheeseburger 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 Vegan Lobster Roll of Connecticut. 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 Au Cheval. After the boxes are unpacked in Connecticut, don't wait too long before making your way to Connecticut's acclaimed eateries like Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana, Ted's Restaurant, and Clam Castle.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Illinois and Connecticut

• The Prairie and Colonial Revival architecture that Illinois is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Cape Cod architecture typical of Connecticut.
• Compared to Illinois's real estate listings that commonly reference hardwood floors and granite countertops, Connecticut real estate listings often highlight features like stone fireplaces and waterfront views.
• Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Connecticut is more walkable than Illinois.
• Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Connecticut is more bike-friendly than Illinois.
• Connecticut has more of an urban feel than Illinois.
• Connecticut housing costs are 53% more expensive than they are in Illinois, with a median home price of $393,802 compared to Illinois’s $257,738.
• Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Connecticut have increased by 55% compared to a 35% increase in Illinois.
• Rent in Connecticut is 13.90% more expensive than in Illinois.

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

• Break out the sunglasses for your move from Illinois to Connecticut. Connecticut gets 7% more sunshine days than Illinois.
• Connecticut 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 storms and floods in Connecticut.
• The average summer high temperature in Connecticut is 3 degrees cooler than in Illinois.
• The average winter lows in Connecticut are 0 degrees colder than they are in Illinois.
• Your umbrella might be more overworked in Connecticut. Connecticut receives 11 more inches of rain compared to Illinois.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Illinois and Connecticut

• When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Connecticut tend to earn about 15% more than those in Illinois
• The COLI in Connecticut will be 30% higher than what you are used to living in Illinois
• The state income tax in CT is 3% to 6.99% compared to 4.95% in IL
• The affluence in Connecticut is high compared to moderate affluence in Illinois
• The poverty level is low in Connecticut compared to moderate poverty in Illinois
• In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Illinois and low in Connecticut

Political and Religious Climate in Illinois vs. Connecticut

• Illinois tends to lean dominantly Democratic in its political climate
• Connecticut, on the other hand, is often described as primarily Democratic
• Connecticut's religious environment can be described as Christian (Catholic and Protestant) and Jewish
• Illinois' residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christian (Catholic and Protestant), Jewish, and Muslim

How Much Do Illinois to Connecticut Movers Cost?

Moving 993 miles from Illinois to Connecticut 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.