Illinois to Connecticut Moving Guide
Updated June 13, 2025

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
- High taxes
- Long commutes
- Extreme winters
- Heavy traffic
- Lower property taxes
- Shorter commute times
- Milder winters
- Less congestion
- Fewer urban centers
- Less diversity
- Lacks extensive network
- Smaller job market
- 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
Comparison | Illinois | Connecticut |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Chicago-style deep-dish pizza | White clam pizza |
Most popular meat dish | Italian beef | Lobster Roll |
Most popular street food item | Chicago-style hot dog | Steamed Cheeseburger |
Most popular vegan food | Deep-dish vegan pizza | Vegan Lobster Roll |
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 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
Comparison | Illinois | Connecticut |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Prairie, Colonial Revival | Colonial, Cape Cod |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Hardwood floors, granite countertops | Stone 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 Illinoisβs $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
Comparison | Illinois | Connecticut |
---|---|---|
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 | Tornados, floods | Storms, floods |
Air Quality | Good to Moderate | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β°F / 65Β°F | 82Β°F / 62Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 35Β°F / 18Β°F | 35Β°F / 18Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 39 | 50 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 22 | 37 |
- 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
Comparison | Illinois | Connecticut |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $76,708 | $88,429 |
Cost of Living Index | 94.25 | 122.1 |
State Income Tax | 4.95% | 3% - 6.99% |
Avg. Property Tax | 2.16% | 2.14% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 8.83% | 6.35% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Agriculture, Mining | Finance, Insurance, Real Estate |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Moderate | Low |
Homelessness | Moderate | Low |
- 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
Comparison | Illinois | Connecticut |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Dominantly Democratic | Primarily Democratic |
Local Politics | Mix of urban liberal & rural conservative areas | Liberal urban centers; moderate suburbs |
Religion | Christian (Catholic and Protestant), Jewish, Muslim | Christian (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
Comparison | Illinois | Connecticut |
---|---|---|
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 Schools | Lincoln 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 Schools | Maple 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 Schools | Illinois 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 schools | University 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 schools | University 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 Districts | Naperville 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 SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,765 | 300 ft3 | $5.88 |
1 Bedroom | $2,626 | 450 ft3 | $5.83 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,339 | 750 ft3 | $5.78 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,308 | 1100 ft3 | $5.73 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,096 | 1600 ft3 | $5.68 |
5+ Bedrooms | $10,143 | 1800 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.

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