Illinois to Tennessee Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Illinois to Tennessee

ConsIllinois

• High property taxes
• Higher income taxes
• Cold, snowy winters
• Lake-effect snowstorms
• Costly city living
• Traffic congestion
• Costly parking fees
• Flat prairie scenery
• Toll road expenses
• Older infrastructure
• Higher utility rates
• Higher car insurance
• Fewer waterfalls, trails
• Shorter growing season

ProsTennessee

• Lower property taxes
• No wage income tax
• Milder winter climate
• Longer outdoor season
• Lower housing costs
• Easier driving, parking
• Free parking common
• Smoky Mountains nearby
• Few or no tolls
• Newer infrastructure growth
• Lower electric rates
• Lower insurance premiums
• Abundant trails, waterfalls
• Longer growing season

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Tennessee

• Car-dependent commuting
• Fewer corporate HQs
• Lower average wages
• Fewer major museums
• Fewer research campuses
• Longer specialist drives
• Fewer global nonstops
• More sprawl, driving
• Fewer pro franchises
• Smaller food variety
• Hotter, humid summers
• No Great Lake shoreline
• Limited rail options
• Fewer marquee events

Illinois

• Robust public transit
• Major job market
• Higher average salaries
• World-class museums
• Prestigious universities
• Top-ranked hospitals
• International flights access
• Walkable neighborhoods
• Big-league sports teams
• Diverse dining scene
• Cooler lake breezes
• Great Lake shoreline
• Extensive commuter rail
• Dense cultural calendar

Pros of moving from Illinois to Tennessee

• Say goodbye to high property taxes and hello to lower property taxes
• Look forward to moving away from higher income taxes and moving to Tennessee with no wage income tax
• Swap the cold, snowy winters of Illinois for a milder winter climate in Tennessee
• Get ready for a longer outdoor season in Tennessee

Cons of moving from Illinois to Tennessee

• Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from robust public transit in Illinois to live with car-dependent commuting in Tennessee
• You'll lose out on the pro of a major job market and have to settle for the con of fewer corporate HQs
• Time to bid farewell to higher average salaries and get used to lower average wages in Tennessee
• Swap world-class museums for fewer major museums

Illinois vs. Tennessee: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

If you're moving from Illinois to Tennessee, you will be trading the iconic Chicago-style deep dish pizza of Illinois for the equally delicious Memphis-style barbecue of Tennessee. And while the locals in Illinois rave about their flavorful Italian Beef Sandwich and sumptuous Chicago-style hot dog, Tennessee residents know they have tasty Hot Chicken and Pulled Pork Sandwich 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 Tennessee. 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 Tennessee, don't wait too long before making your way to Tennessee's acclaimed eateries like Central BBQ, Prince's Hot Chicken, and Husk Nashville.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Illinois and Tennessee

• The Prairie and Victorian architecture that Illinois is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Craftsman architecture typical of Tennessee.
• Compared to Illinois's real estate listings that commonly reference hardwood floors and granite countertops, Tennessee real estate listings often highlight features like outdoor living spaces and large kitchens.
• You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Tennessee is less walkable than Illinois.
• Tennessee is similarly bike-friendly to Illinois.
• Tennessee has less of an urban feel than Illinois.
• Tennessee housing costs are 23% more expensive than they are in Illinois, with a median home price of $317,482 compared to Illinois’s $257,738.
• Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Tennessee have increased by 63% compared to a 35% increase in Illinois.
• Rent in Tennessee is 3.98% more affordable than in Illinois.

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

• Break out the sunglasses for your move from Illinois to Tennessee. Tennessee gets 10% more sunshine days than Illinois.
• Tennessee has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Illinois.
• Say goodbye to the possible snowstorms and tornadoes in Illinois, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and floods in Tennessee.
• Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Tennessee is 4 degrees warmer than in Illinois.
• The average winter lows are 10 degrees warmer than they are in Illinois.
• Your umbrella might be more overworked in Tennessee. Tennessee receives 14 more inches of rain compared to Illinois.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Illinois and Tennessee

• When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Tennessee tend to earn about 15% less than those in Illinois
• The COLI in Tennessee will be 6% lower than what you are used to living in Illinois
• Hooray, moving to TN means you'll no longer have state income taxes
• The affluence in Tennessee is moderate compared to high in Illinois
• The poverty level is high in Tennessee compared to moderate in Illinois
• In terms of homelessness, it is low in Illinois and low in Tennessee

Political and Religious Climate in Illinois vs. Tennessee

• Illinois tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
• Tennessee, on the other hand, is often described as Republican
• Tennessee's religious environment can be described as strongly religious and Christian predominant
• Illinois' residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as mixed, with a slightly higher population of non-religious people

How Much Do Illinois to Tennessee Movers Cost?

Moving 508 miles from Illinois to Tennessee will typically cost between $2,000 and $5,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.