Illinois to Florida Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Illinois to Florida

ConsIllinois

• Brutal winters
• High property taxes
• Limited beach access
• Potholed roads

ProsFlorida

• Year-round warmth
• No state income tax
• Beautiful beaches
• Generally smoother roads

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Florida

• Hot, humid summers
• Hurricane risk
• Tourist congestion
• Lack of seasonal change

Illinois

• Rich culture in Chicago
• Excellent schools
• Diverse job market
• Four seasons

Pros of moving from Illinois to Florida

• Say goodbye to brutal winters and hello to year-round warmth
• Look forward to moving away from high property taxes and moving to Florida with no state income tax
• Swap the limited beach access of Illinois for beautiful beaches in Florida
• Get ready for generally smoother roads in Florida

Cons of moving from Illinois to Florida

• Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the rich culture in Chicago, Illinois to live with hot, humid summers in Florida
• You'll lose out on the pro of excellent schools and have to settle for the con of hurricane risk
• Time to bid farewell to a diverse job market and get used to tourist congestion in Florida
• Swap four seasons for a lack of seasonal change

Illinois vs. Florida: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

If you're moving from Illinois to Florida, you will be trading the iconic Chicago-style deep-dish pizza of Illinois for the equally delicious Key lime pie of Florida. And while the locals in Illinois rave about their flavorful Italian Beef and sumptuous hot dog (Chicago style), Florida residents know they have tasty Cuban Sandwich and empanadas to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Chicago-style vegan deep-dish pizza they've grown to love, they can get ready for the vegan ceviche of Florida. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Illinois eateries like Lou Malnati's Pizzeria, Portillo's Hot Dogs, and Alinea. After the boxes are unpacked in Florida, don't wait too long before making your way to Florida's acclaimed eateries like Joe's Stone Crab, Versailles Restaurant, and Bern's Steak House.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Illinois and Florida

• The Prairie and Craftsman architecture that Illinois is known for will be replaced with the Mediterranean and Modern architecture typical of Florida.
• Compared to Illinois's real estate listings that commonly reference hardwood floors and granite countertops, Florida real estate listings often highlight features like swimming pools and waterfront properties.
• You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Florida is less walkable than Illinois.
• Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Florida is more bike-friendly than Illinois.
• Florida has less of an urban feel than Illinois.
• Florida housing costs are 54% more expensive than they are in Illinois, with a median home price of $397,137 compared to Illinois’s $257,738.
• Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Florida have increased by 66% compared to a 35% increase in Illinois.
• Rent in Florida is 27.07% more expensive than in Illinois.

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

• Break out the sunglasses for your move from Illinois to Florida. Florida gets 25% more sunshine days than Illinois.
• Florida has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Illinois.
• Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and snowstorms in Illinois, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and tropical storms in Florida.
• Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Florida is 5 degrees warmer than in Illinois.
• The average winter lows are 28 degrees warmer than they are in Illinois.
• Your umbrella might be more overworked in Florida. Florida receives 15 more inches of rain compared to Illinois.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Illinois and Florida

• When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Florida tend to earn about 10% less than in Illinois
• The COLI in Florida will be 4% higher than what you are used to living in Illinois
• Hooray, moving to FL means you will no longer have state income taxes
• The affluence in Florida is flourishing compared to variable in Illinois
• The poverty level is manageable in Florida compared to concerning in Illinois
• In terms of homelessness, it is visible in Illinois and moderate in Florida

Political and Religious Climate in Illinois vs. Florida

• Illinois tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
• Florida, on the other hand, is often described as a swing state that trended Republican in recent elections
• Florida's religious environment can be described as diverse with significant Catholic and Protestant presences
• Illinois' residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as diverse with a strong Catholic presence

Education Guide When Moving from Illinois to Florida

How Much Do Illinois to Florida Movers Cost?

Moving 1,190 miles from Illinois to Florida will typically cost between $3,000 and $6,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.