Illinois to Georgia Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Illinois to Georgia

ConsIllinois

• Harsh snowy winters
• High property taxes
• Higher living costs
• Flat landscape monotony
• Limited beach access
• Short growing season
• Older housing stock
• Frequent lake-effect snow
• Heavy toll highways
• Budget pension worries

ProsGeorgia

• Mild short winters
• Lower property taxes
• Lower cost of living
• Scenic North Georgia
• Atlantic coast in-state
• Longer growing season
• Newer developments
• Rare snowfall
• Fewer toll roads
• Business friendly climate

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Georgia

• Limited transit coverage
• Fewer major museums
• Car dependent sprawl
• Beaches farther away
• Fewer global headquarters
• Fewer elite universities
• Hot, humid summers
• Smaller dining scene
• Limited intercity rail
• Higher tropical storm risk

Illinois

• Excellent public transit
• World class museums
• Walkable neighborhoods
• Great lakefront beaches
• Diverse job market
• Strong higher education
• Four distinct seasons
• Iconic food scene
• Extensive rail access
• Lower hurricane risk

Pros of moving from Illinois to Georgia

• Say goodbye to harsh snowy winters and hello to mild short winters
• Look forward to moving away from high property taxes and moving to Georgia with lower property taxes
• Swap the higher living costs of Illinois for a lower cost of living in Georgia
• Get ready for scenic North Georgia in Georgia

Cons of moving from Illinois to Georgia

• Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from excellent public transit in Illinois to live with limited transit coverage in Georgia
• You'll lose out on the pro of world-class museums and have to settle for the con of fewer major museums
• Time to bid farewell to walkable neighborhoods and get used to car-dependent sprawl in Georgia
• Swap great lakefront beaches for beaches that are farther away

Illinois vs. Georgia: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

If you're moving from Illinois to Georgia, you will be trading the iconic Chicago-style deep dish pizza of Illinois for the equally delicious peach cobbler of Georgia. And while the locals in Illinois rave about their flavorful Italian beef sandwich and sumptuous Chicago-style hot dog, Georgia residents know they have tasty fried chicken and boiled peanuts to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the seitan they've grown to love, they can get ready for the collard greens of Georgia. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Illinois eateries like Lou Malnati's Pizzeria, Alinea, and Portillo's. After the boxes are unpacked in Georgia, don't wait too long before making your way to Georgia's acclaimed eateries like The Varsity, Mary Mac's Tea Room, and The Fox Theatre's Marquee Club.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Illinois and Georgia

• The Prairie and Colonial architecture that Illinois is known for will be replaced with the Antebellum and Craftsman architecture typical of Georgia.
• Compared to Illinois's real estate listings that commonly reference hardwood floors and granite countertops, Georgia real estate listings often highlight features like stainless steel appliances and open floor plans.
• You can keep your walking shoes packed away. Georgia is less walkable than Illinois.
• You might want to think twice before moving your bike. Georgia is less bike-friendly than Illinois.
• Georgia has less of an urban feel than Illinois.
• Georgia housing costs are 27% more expensive than they are in Illinois with a median home price of $327,174 compared to Illinois’s $257,738.
• Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Georgia have increased by 64% compared to a 35% increase in Illinois.
• Rent in Georgia is 3.70% more expensive than in Illinois.

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

• Break out the sunglasses for your move from Illinois to Georgia. Georgia gets 15% more sunshine days than Illinois.
• Georgia has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Illinois.
• Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and severe storms in Illinois, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and severe storms in Georgia.
• Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Georgia is 4 degrees warmer than in Illinois.
• The average winter lows are 12 degrees warmer than they are in Illinois.
• Your umbrella might be more overworked in Georgia. Georgia receives 11 more inches of rain compared to Illinois.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Illinois and Georgia

• When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Georgia tend to earn about 5% less than in Illinois
• The COLI in Georgia will be 1% lower than what you are used to living in Illinois
• The state income tax in GA is 5.75% compared to 4.95% in IL
• The affluence in Georgia is growing compared to moderate affluence in Illinois
• The poverty level is concerning in Georgia compared to noticeable poverty in Illinois
• In terms of homelessness, it is considerable in Illinois and manageable in Georgia

Political and Religious Climate in Illinois vs. Georgia

• Illinois tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
• Georgia, on the other hand, is often described as a swing state, recently leaning Democratic
• Georgia's religious environment can be described as strongly Christian, particularly Evangelical
• Illinois' residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as dominated by Christianity, with diverse religious communities

How Much Do Illinois to Georgia Movers Cost?

Moving 849 miles from Illinois to Georgia will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.