IL to NE Moving Specialists

Illinois to Nebraska Moving Guide

Updated June 21, 2025

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Planning a 652 mile interstate move from Illinois to Nebraska? This moving guide will help you compare living in Illinois vs Nebraska across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like higher taxes vs lower taxes), food & health (like Deep-dish pizza vs Runza), real estate & housing (prairie and ranch vs craftsman and ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Illinois), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Deep-dish pizza and Italian Beef, but get your taste buds ready for Runza & Beef Steak
  • Nebraska housing costs are 0% less expensive than they are in Illinois
  • Rent in Nebraska is 27.07% more affordable than in Illinois
  • Moving from Illinois to Nebraska will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,500
  • Our top recommended Illinois to Nebraska movers is King's Moving - Moving Company in Omaha

Top Illinois to Nebraska Movers

Read our in-depth analysis of the best Illinois to Nebraska movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

TOP PICK
King's Moving - Moving Company in Omaha featured image

King's Moving - Moving Company in Omaha

Best moving company overall for Illinois to Nebraska

9.48/10
Exceptional
RUNNER-UP
10 Men Movers featured image

10 Men Movers

9.40/10
Exceptional
ALSO GREAT
606 Movers, Inc. featured image

606 Movers, Inc.

9.37/10
Exceptional

Illinois to Nebraska Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Illinois to Nebraska

ConsIllinois iconIllinois
  • Higher taxes
  • Heavy traffic
  • Urban congestion
  • Winter weather
  • Higher cost of living
ProsNebraska iconNebraska
  • Lower taxes
  • Less congestion
  • Open landscapes
  • Milder winters
  • Affordable living

Nebraska iconNebraska
  • Limited cultural venues
  • Fewer dining options
  • Fewer entertainment venues
  • Far from large metros
  • Smaller job market
Illinois iconIllinois
  • Rich culture
  • Diverse cuisine
  • Many entertainment options
  • Proximity to big cities
  • Varied job market

Pros of moving from Illinois to Nebraska

  • Say goodbye to higher taxes and hello to lower taxes
  • Look forward to moving away from heavy traffic and moving to Nebraska with less congestion
  • Swap the urban congestion of Illinois for open landscapes in Nebraska
  • Get ready for milder winters in Nebraska

Cons of moving from Illinois to Nebraska

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from rich culture in Illinois to live with limited cultural venues in Nebraska
  • You'll lose out on the pro of diverse cuisine and have to settle for the con of fewer dining options
  • Time to bid farewell to many entertainment options and get used to fewer entertainment venues in Nebraska
  • Swap proximity to big cities for being far from large metros

Illinois vs. Nebraska: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonIllinoisNebraska
Most iconic local food itemDeep-dish pizzaRunza
Most popular meat dishItalian BeefBeef Steak
Most popular street food itemChicago-style hot dogCheesesteak
Most popular vegan foodChicago Vegan Deep DishSeitan Steaks
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Lou Malnati's Pizzeria
  • Portillo's
  • Alinea
  • Runza
  • Misty's Steakhouse
  • Morrill Hall
Fitness/Health Conscientiousness (out of 10)πŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks (out of 10)🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene (out of 10)🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly (out of 10)🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

If you're moving from Illinois to Nebraska, you will be trading the iconic Deep-dish pizza of Illinois for the equally delicious Runza of Nebraska. And while the locals in Illinois rave about their flavorful Italian Beef and sumptuous Chicago-style hot dog, Nebraska residents know they have tasty Beef Steak and Cheesesteak to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Chicago Vegan Deep Dish they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Seitan Steaks of Nebraska. 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 Alinea. After the boxes are unpacked in Nebraska, don't wait too long before making your way to Nebraska's acclaimed eateries like Runza, Misty's Steakhouse, and Morrill Hall.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Illinois and Nebraska

ComparisonIllinoisNebraska
Typical Architecture StylePrairie and RanchCraftsman and Ranch
WalkabilityπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘Ÿ
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban LifestyleπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈ
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing"Near public transport", "Parks nearby""Spacious yards", "Quiet neighborhood"
  • The Prairie and Ranch architecture that Illinois is known for will be replaced with the Craftsman and Ranch architecture typical of Nebraska.
  • Compared to Illinois's real estate listings that commonly reference 'near public transport' and 'parks nearby', Nebraska real estate listings often highlight features like 'spacious yards' and 'quiet neighborhoods'.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Nebraska is less walkable than Illinois.
  • Nebraska is similarly bike-friendly to Illinois.
  • Nebraska has less of an urban feel than Illinois.
  • Nebraska housing costs are 0% less expensive than they are in Illinois, with a median home price of $257,167 compared to Illinois’s $257,738.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Nebraska have increased by 47% compared to a 35% increase in Illinois.
  • Rent in Nebraska is 27.07% more affordable than in Illinois.

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

ComparisonIllinoisNebraska
Days of Sunshine per Yearβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈ
Avg. Annual HumidityπŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦
Avg. UV IndexπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈ
Natural DisastersTornadoes, FloodsTornadoes, Blizzards
Air QualityModerateBetter
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)85/6587/63
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)35/2032/13
Annual Rainfall (Inches)3930
Annual Snowfall (Inches)2228
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Illinois to Nebraska. Nebraska gets 16% more sunshine days than Illinois.
  • Nebraska 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 and blizzards in Nebraska.
  • The average summer high temperature in Nebraska is 2 degrees warmer than in Illinois.
  • The average winter lows in Nebraska are 7 degrees colder than they are in Illinois.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Nebraska. Nebraska receives 9 fewer inches of rain compared to Illinois.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Illinois and Nebraska

ComparisonIllinoisNebraska
Avg. Household Income$76,708$69,597
Cost of Living Index94.2590.85
State Income Tax4.95%6.84%
Avg. Property Tax2.16%1.73%
Avg. Sales Tax8.81%6.94%
Top 3 IndustriesFinance, Manufacturing, AgricultureAgriculture, Manufacturing, Health Care
AffluenceModerateModerate
PovertySignificantMinimal
HomelessnessNoticeableRare
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Nebraska tend to earn about 9% less than those in Illinois
  • The COLI in Nebraska is 4% lower than what you are used to living in Illinois
  • The state income tax in Nebraska is 6.84% compared to 4.95% in Illinois
  • The affluence in Nebraska is moderate compared to moderate affluence in Illinois
  • The poverty level is minimal in Nebraska compared to significant poverty in Illinois
  • In terms of homelessness, it is noticeable in Illinois and rare in Nebraska

Political and Religious Climate in Illinois vs. Nebraska

ComparisonIllinoisNebraska
Political Make-upDemocratic-leaningRepublican-leaning
Local PoliticsLiberal cities with conservative rural areasConservative, with some liberal enclaves
ReligionMixed, with a significant Catholic presencePredominantly Protestant
  • Illinois tends to lean Democratic-leaning in its political climate
  • Nebraska, on the other hand, is often described as Republican-leaning
  • Nebraska's religious environment can be described as predominantly Protestant
  • Illinois' residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as mixed, with a significant Catholic presence

Education Guide When Moving from Illinois to Nebraska

ComparisonIllinoisNebraska
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Illinois
Northwestern University
University of Chicago
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Creighton University
University of Nebraska at Omaha
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsLincoln Elementary School
Naperville; South Loop Elementary School
Chicago; Meadow Glens Elementary School
Naperville
Brownell Elementary School
Omaha; Pyrtle Elementary School
Lincoln; Prairie Lane Elementary School
Omaha
Top 3 Middle SchoolsWood Oaks Junior High School
Northbrook; Marie Murphy School
Wilmette; Maple School
Northbrook
Elkhorn Ridge Middle School
Elkhorn; Russell Middle School
Millard; Kiewit Middle School
Omaha
Top 3 High School SchoolsAdlai E. Stevenson High School
Lincolnshire; New Trier High School
Winnetka; Northside College Preparatory High School
Chicago
Millard North High School
Omaha; Lincoln East High School
Lincoln; Elkhorn South High School
Elkhorn
Top 3 private high schoolsUniversity of Chicago Lab School
Chicago; North Shore Country Day School
Winnetka; Francis W. Parker School
Chicago
Brownell Talbot School
Omaha; Mount Michael Benedictine School
Elkhorn; Marian High School
Omaha
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsLatin School of Chicago
Chicago; Lake Forest Academy
Lake Forest; Morgan Park Academy
Chicago
Brownell Talbot School
Omaha; Omaha Christian Academy
Omaha; Cornerstone Christian School
Bellevue
Top 3 School DistrictsNew Trier Township HSD 203
Northfield; Community HS District 128
Vernon Hills; Naperville Community Unit School District 203
Naperville
Elkhorn Public Schools
Elkhorn; Millard Public Schools
Omaha; Lincoln Public Schools
Lincoln

How Much Do Illinois to Nebraska Movers Cost?

Moving 652 miles from Illinois to Nebraska 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.

  • Expected Range: $2,500 - $5,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-9 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: King's Moving - Moving Company in Omaha
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,572300 ft3$5.24
1 Bedroom$2,336450 ft3$5.19
2 Bedrooms$3,855750 ft3$5.14
3 Bedrooms$5,5991100 ft3$5.09
4 Bedrooms$8,0651600 ft3$5.04
5+ Bedrooms$8,9831800 ft3$4.99