Movers

Illinois to Connecticut Moving Guide

Updated June 13, 2025

Hero background image

Planning a 993 mile interstate move from Illinois to Connecticut? This moving guide will help you compare living in Illinois vs Connecticut across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high taxes vs lower property taxes), food & health (like Chicago-style deep-dish pizza vs White clam pizza), real estate & housing (prairie, colonial revival vs colonial, cape cod), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Connecticut), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Chicago-style deep-dish pizza and Italian beef, but get your taste buds ready for White clam pizza & Lobster Roll
  • Connecticut housing costs are 53% more expensive than they are in Illinois
  • Rent in Connecticut is 13.90% more expensive than in Illinois
  • Moving from Illinois to Connecticut will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
  • Our top recommended Illinois to Connecticut movers is 606 Movers, Inc.

Illinois to Connecticut Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Illinois to Connecticut

ConsIllinois iconIllinois
  • High taxes
  • Long commutes
  • Extreme winters
  • Heavy traffic
ProsConnecticut iconConnecticut
  • Lower property taxes
  • Shorter commute times
  • Milder winters
  • Less congestion

Connecticut iconConnecticut
  • Fewer urban centers
  • Less diversity
  • Lacks extensive network
  • Smaller job market
Illinois iconIllinois
  • Great city life
  • Diverse culture
  • Public transportation
  • Varied job market

Pros of moving from Illinois to Connecticut

  • Say goodbye to high taxes and hello to lower property taxes
  • Look forward to moving away from long commutes and moving to Connecticut with shorter commute times
  • Swap the extreme winters of Illinois for milder winters in Connecticut
  • Get ready for less congestion in Connecticut

Cons of moving from Illinois to Connecticut

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from great city life in Illinois to live with fewer urban centers in Connecticut
  • You'll lose out on the pro of diverse culture and have to settle with the con of less diversity
  • Time to bid farewell to public transportation and get used to the lack of an extensive network in Connecticut
  • Swap a varied job market for a smaller job market

Illinois vs. Connecticut: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonIllinoisConnecticut
Most iconic local food itemChicago-style deep-dish pizzaWhite clam pizza
Most popular meat dishItalian beefLobster Roll
Most popular street food itemChicago-style hot dogSteamed Cheeseburger
Most popular vegan foodDeep-dish vegan pizzaVegan Lobster Roll
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Lou Malnati's Pizzeria
  • Portillo's
  • Au Cheval
  • Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana
  • Ted's Restaurant
  • Clam Castle
Fitness/Health ConscientiousnessπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

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

ComparisonIllinoisConnecticut
Typical Architecture StylePrairie, Colonial RevivalColonial, Cape Cod
WalkabilityπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘Ÿ
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban LifestyleπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈ
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingHardwood floors, granite countertopsStone fireplaces, waterfront views
  • 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

ComparisonIllinoisConnecticut
Days of Sunshine per Yearβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈ
Avg. Annual HumidityπŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦
Avg. UV IndexπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈ
Natural DisastersTornados, floodsStorms, floods
Air QualityGood to ModerateModerate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)85Β°F / 65Β°F82Β°F / 62Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)35Β°F / 18Β°F35Β°F / 18Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)3950
Annual Snowfall (Inches)2237
  • 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

ComparisonIllinoisConnecticut
Avg. Household Income$76,708$88,429
Cost of Living Index94.25122.1
State Income Tax4.95%3% - 6.99%
Avg. Property Tax2.16%2.14%
Avg. Sales Tax8.83%6.35%
Top 3 IndustriesManufacturing, Agriculture, MiningFinance, Insurance, Real Estate
AffluenceModerateHigh
PovertyModerateLow
HomelessnessModerateLow
  • 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

ComparisonIllinoisConnecticut
Political Make-upDominantly DemocraticPrimarily Democratic
Local PoliticsMix of urban liberal & rural conservative areasLiberal urban centers; moderate suburbs
ReligionChristian (Catholic and Protestant), Jewish, MuslimChristian (Catholic and Protestant), Jewish
  • 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

Education Guide When Moving from Illinois to Connecticut

ComparisonIllinoisConnecticut
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Illinois
Northwestern University
University of Chicago
University of Connecticut
Yale University
University of Hartford
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsLincoln Elementary School
Oak Park; Meadow Glens Elementary School
Naperville; Washington Elementary School
Elmhurst
International School At Dundee
Riverside; North Mianus School
Greenwich; West School
New Canaan
Top 3 Middle SchoolsMaple School
Northbrook; Kennedy Junior High
Lisle; Daniel Wright Junior High School
Lincolnshire
Eastern Middle School
Riverside; Bedford Middle School
Westport; Middlesex Middle School
Darien
Top 3 High SchoolsIllinois Mathematics and Science Academy
Aurora; Northside College Prep
Chicago; Adlai E Stevenson High School
Lincolnshire
Connecticut IB Academy
East Hartford; Darien High School
Darien; Staples High School
Westport
Top 3 private high schoolsUniversity of Chicago Lab School
Chicago; Latin School of Chicago
Chicago; Francis W. Parker School
Chicago
Choate Rosemary Hall
Wallingford; The Hotchkiss School
Lakeville; Greenwich Academy
Greenwich
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsUniversity of Chicago Lab School
Chicago; Latin School of Chicago
Chicago; Francis W. Parker School
Chicago
King School
Stamford; Brunswick School
Greenwich; Greens Farms Academy
Westport
Top 3 School DistrictsNaperville Community Unit School District 203
Naperville; New Trier Township High School District 203
Northfield; Hinsdale Township High School District 86
Hinsdale
Westport School District
Westport; New Canaan School District
New Canaan; Greenwich School District
Greenwich

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.

  • Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-9 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: A1 Movers, Inc
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,765300 ft3$5.88
1 Bedroom$2,626450 ft3$5.83
2 Bedrooms$4,339750 ft3$5.78
3 Bedrooms$6,3081100 ft3$5.73
4 Bedrooms$9,0961600 ft3$5.68
5+ Bedrooms$10,1431800 ft3$5.63

Top Illinois to Connecticut Movers

Read our in-depth analysis of the best Illinois to Connecticut movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

TOP PICK
606 Movers, Inc. featured image

606 Movers, Inc.

Best moving company overall for Illinois to Connecticut

9.37/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Move-tastic! featured image

Move-tastic!

9.35/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
A1 Movers, Inc featured image

A1 Movers, Inc

9.34/10
ExceptionalView details
Top Illinois to Connecticut Routes

Chicago to Connecticut

Aurora to Connecticut

    Naperville to Connecticut