Illinois to Missouri Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Illinois to Missouri

ConsIllinois

• High taxes
• Harsh winters
• Heavy traffic
• Expensive housing

ProsMissouri

• Lower taxes
• Milder winters
• Less congestion
• Affordable housing

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Missouri

• No major lake
• Cultural variety
• Lacks urban excitement
• Limited fine dining

Illinois

• Lake Michigan
• Rich culture
• Chicago attractions
• Diverse cuisine

Pros of moving from Illinois to Missouri

• Say goodbye to high taxes and hello to lower taxes
• Look forward to moving away from harsh winters and moving to Missouri with milder winters
• Swap the heavy traffic of Illinois for less congestion in Missouri
• Get ready for affordable housing in Missouri

Cons of moving from Illinois to Missouri

• Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from Lake Michigan in Illinois to live with no major lake in Missouri
• You'll lose out on the pro of rich culture and have to settle for the con of limited cultural variety
• Time to bid farewell to Chicago attractions and get used to the lack of urban excitement in Missouri
• Swap diverse cuisine for limited fine dining

Illinois vs. Missouri: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

If you're moving from Illinois to Missouri, you will be trading the iconic Chicago-style deep-dish pizza of Illinois for the equally delicious St. Louis-style barbecue of Missouri. And while the locals in Illinois rave about their flavorful Italian Beef and sumptuous Chicago-style hot dog, Missouri residents know they have tasty Kansas City-style ribs and toasted ravioli 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 BBQ jackfruit sandwich of Missouri. 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 Girl & The Goat. After the boxes are unpacked in Missouri, don't wait too long before making your way to Missouri's acclaimed eateries like Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que, Pappy's Smokehouse, and Ted Drewes Frozen Custard.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Illinois and Missouri

• The Prairie School and Chicago School architecture that Illinois is known for will be replaced with the French Colonial and Craftsman architecture typical of Missouri.
• Compared to Illinois's real estate listings that commonly reference hardwood floors and granite countertops, Missouri real estate listings often highlight features like spacious backyards and updated kitchens.
• You can keep your walking shoes packed away. Missouri is less walkable than Illinois.
• You might want to think twice before moving your bike. Missouri is less bike-friendly than Illinois.
• Missouri has less of an urban feel than Illinois.
• Missouri housing costs are 6% less expensive than they are in Illinois with a median home price of $243,216 compared to Illinois’s $257,738.
• Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Missouri have increased by 49% compared to a 35% increase in Illinois.
• Rent in Missouri is 23.77% more affordable than in Illinois.

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

• Break out the sunglasses for your move from Illinois to Missouri. Missouri gets 8% more sunshine days than Illinois.
• Missouri 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 tornadoes, floods, and earthquakes in Missouri.
• Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Missouri is 5 degrees warmer than in Illinois.
• The average winter lows are 0 degrees colder than they are in Illinois.
• Your umbrella might be more overworked in Missouri. Missouri receives 3 more inches of rain compared to Illinois.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Illinois and Missouri

• When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Missouri tend to earn about 16% less than in Illinois
• The COLI in Missouri will be 3% lower than what you are used to living in Illinois
• The state income tax in MO is 5.4% compared to 4.95% in IL
• The affluence in Missouri is moderate compared to wealthy in Illinois
• The poverty level is prevalent in Missouri compared to moderate in Illinois
• In terms of homelessness, it is low in Illinois and moderate in Missouri

Political and Religious Climate in Illinois vs. Missouri

• Illinois tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
• Missouri, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Republican
• Missouri's religious environment can be described as a Christian majority with Baptist and Methodist strongholds
• Illinois' residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as diverse with a Christian majority

Education Guide When Moving from Illinois to Missouri

How Much Do Illinois to Missouri Movers Cost?

Moving 273 miles from Illinois to Missouri will typically cost between $2,000 and $5,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.