Illinois to Texas Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Illinois to Texas

ConsIllinois

• Cold winters
• High taxes
• High cost of living
• Heavy traffic
• Limited BBQ offerings

ProsTexas

• Mild winters
• No state income tax
• Lower cost of living
• More open roads
• Renowned BBQ culture

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Texas

• Hot summers
• Less historical architecture
• Lack of public transport
• Limited water bodies

Illinois

• Diverse seasons
• Rich cultural history
• Public transport in Chicago
• Access to Great Lakes

Pros of moving from Illinois to Texas

• Say goodbye to cold winters and hello to mild winters
• Look forward to moving away from high taxes and moving to Texas with no state income tax
• Swap the high cost of living in Illinois for lower cost of living in Texas
• Get ready for more open roads in Texas

Cons of moving from Illinois to Texas

• Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from diverse seasons in Illinois to live with hot summers in Texas
• You'll lose out on the pro of rich cultural history and have to settle for the con of less historical architecture
• Time to bid farewell to public transport in Chicago and get used to the lack of public transport in Texas
• Swap access to the Great Lakes for limited water bodies

Illinois vs. Texas: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

If you're moving from Illinois to Texas, you will be trading the iconic Deep Dish Pizza of Illinois for the equally delicious Tex-Mex of Texas. And while the locals in Illinois rave about their flavorful Italian Beef and sumptuous Chicago-style hot dog, Texas residents know they have tasty Brisket and Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Vegan Deep Dish Pizza they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Tex-Mex vegan dishes of Texas. 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 Texas, don't wait too long before making your way to Texas' acclaimed eateries like Franklin Barbecue, Home Slice Pizza, and Hugo's.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Illinois and Texas

• The Prairie Style architecture that Illinois is known for will be replaced with the Ranch Style architecture typical of Texas.
• Compared to Illinois's real estate listings that commonly reference hardwood floors and granite countertops, Texas real estate listings often highlight features like spacious backyards and energy efficiency.
• You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Texas is less walkable than Illinois.
• You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Texas is less bike-friendly than Illinois.
• Texas has less of an urban feel than Illinois.
• Texas housing costs are 18% more expensive than they are in Illinois, with a median home price of $304,027 compared to Illinois’s $257,738.
• Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Texas have increased by 45% compared to a 35% increase in Illinois.
• Rent in Texas is 3.31% more affordable than in Illinois.

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

• Break out the sunglasses for your move from Illinois to Texas. Texas gets 23% more sunshine days than Illinois.
• Texas 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 hurricanes and tornadoes in Texas.
• Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Texas is 9 degrees warmer than in Illinois.
• The average winter lows are 20 degrees warmer than they are in Illinois.
• Your umbrella might be neglected in Texas. Texas receives 3 fewer inches of rain compared to Illinois.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Illinois and Texas

• When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Texas tend to earn about 6% less than in Illinois
• The COLI in Texas will be 3% lower than what you are used to living in Illinois
• Hooray, moving to TX means you'll no longer have state income taxes
• The affluence in Texas is high compared to moderate affluence in Illinois
• The poverty level is high in Texas compared to moderate poverty in Illinois
• In terms of homelessness, it is lower in Illinois and higher in Texas

Political and Religious Climate in Illinois vs. Texas

• Illinois tends to lean generally Democratic in its political climate
• Texas, on the other hand, is often described as historically Republican
• Texas' religious environment can be described as predominantly Christianity, with a significant Evangelical influence
• Illinois' residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christianity, with varied denominations

Education Guide When Moving from Illinois to Texas

How Much Do Illinois to Texas Movers Cost?

Moving 994 miles from Illinois to Texas will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.