Illinois to Minnesota Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Illinois to Minnesota

ConsIllinois

• Very high property taxes
• Budget and pension woes
• Political corruption headlines
• Heavy Chicago traffic
• Frequent toll roads
• Hot, humid summers
• Flat, less scenic
• Fewer lakes and trails
• Higher sales tax burden
• Car dependent suburbs
• Fewer state parks
• Worse urban air
• Higher parking costs
• Limited winter activities

ProsMinnesota

• Lower property taxes
• Stronger fiscal health
• Cleaner governance reputation
• Lighter Twin Cities traffic
• No toll roads
• Cooler summer temps
• More varied scenery
• Abundant lakes and trails
• No tax on clothing
• Better bike infrastructure
• Robust state parks
• Cleaner overall air
• Cheaper, easier parking
• Strong winter culture

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Minnesota

• Higher income tax
• Harsher, longer winters
• Smaller metro options
• Fewer flight options
• Less comprehensive transit
• Smaller dining scene
• Smaller job market
• More regional isolation
• Limited rail routes
• Heavier snow totals
• Shorter growing season
• Higher heating costs
• Heavier mosquito season
• Fewer big events

Illinois

• Lower income tax
• Milder winter cold
• World class city access
• More nonstop flights
• Extensive urban transit
• Broader dining variety
• More high paying jobs
• Close Midwest hubs
• Better Amtrak access
• Less snow accumulation
• Longer growing season
• Lower heating bills
• Fewer lake mosquitoes
• More entertainment choices

Pros of moving from Illinois to Minnesota

• Say goodbye to very high property taxes and hello to lower property taxes
• Look forward to moving away from budget and pension woes and moving to Minnesota with stronger fiscal health
• Swap the political corruption headlines of Illinois for a cleaner governance reputation in Minnesota
• Get ready for lighter Twin Cities traffic in Minnesota

Cons of moving from Illinois to Minnesota

• Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from lower income tax in Illinois to live with higher income tax in Minnesota
• You'll lose out on the pro of milder winter cold and have to settle for the con of harsher, longer winters
• Time to bid farewell to world-class city access and get used to smaller metro options in Minnesota
• Swap more nonstop flights for fewer flight options

Illinois vs. Minnesota: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

If you're moving from Illinois to Minnesota, you will be trading the iconic Chicago-style deep-dish pizza of Illinois for the equally delicious Hotdish of Minnesota. And while the locals in Illinois rave about their flavorful Italian Beef Sandwich and sumptuous Chicago-style hot dog, Minnesota residents know they have tasty Walleye and Juicy Lucy to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Seitan dishes they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Wild rice dishes of Minnesota. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Illinois eateries like Alinea, Giordano’s, and Portillo’s. After the boxes are unpacked in Minnesota, don't wait too long before making your way to Minnesota's acclaimed eateries like Matt’s Bar, Al’s Breakfast, and Butcher & the Boar.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Illinois and Minnesota

• The Prairie and Mid-Century Modern architecture that Illinois is known for will be replaced with the Prairie and Craftsman architecture typical of Minnesota.
• Compared to Illinois's real estate listings that commonly reference proximity to transportation and outdoor spaces, Minnesota real estate listings often highlight features like eco-friendly attributes and locations near water bodies.
• You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Minnesota is less walkable than Illinois.
• Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Minnesota is more bike-friendly than Illinois.
• Minnesota has less of an urban feel than Illinois.
• Minnesota housing costs are 28% more expensive than they are in Illinois, with a median home price of $331,117 compared to Illinois’s $257,738.
• Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Minnesota have increased by 33% compared to a 35% increase in Illinois.
• Rent in Minnesota is 4.82% more affordable than in Illinois.

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

• Break out the sunglasses for your move from Illinois to Minnesota. Minnesota gets 2% more sunshine days than Illinois.
• Minnesota has similar humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Illinois.
• Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Illinois, but be on the lookout for potential blizzards and tornadoes in Minnesota.
• The average summer high temperature in Minnesota is 2 degrees colder than in Illinois.
• The average winter lows are 14 degrees colder than they are in Illinois.
• Your umbrella might be neglected in Minnesota. Minnesota receives 9 fewer inches of rain compared to Illinois.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Illinois and Minnesota

• When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Minnesota tend to earn about 7% more than in Illinois
• The COLI in Minnesota will be 5% higher than what you are used to living in Illinois
• The state income tax in MN is 5.35 compared to 4.95 in IL
• The affluence in Minnesota is moderate compared to moderate in Illinois
• The poverty level is low in Minnesota compared to moderate in Illinois
• In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Illinois and low in Minnesota

Political and Religious Climate in Illinois vs. Minnesota

• Illinois tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
• Minnesota, on the other hand, is often described as lean Democratic
• Minnesota's religious environment can be described as Christian (74%), Unaffiliated (20%) and Other (6%)
• Illinois's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christian (70%), Unaffiliated (22%) and Other (8%)

Education Guide When Moving from Illinois to Minnesota

How Much Do Illinois to Minnesota Movers Cost?

Moving 629 miles from Illinois to Minnesota will typically cost between $2,500 and $5,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.