IL to TX Moving Specialists

Illinois to Texas Moving Guide

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Updated September 18, 2026

Planning a 994 mile interstate move from Illinois to Texas? This moving guide will help you compare living in Illinois vs Texas across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh snowy winters vs mild winter climate), food & health (like Deep dish pizza vs Tex-Mex), real estate & housing, weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes, politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Deep dish pizza and Italian Beef, but get your taste buds ready for Tex-Mex & Brisket
  • Moving from Illinois to Texas will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500 see full breakdown
  • Our top recommended Illinois to Texas movers is Phoenix Express Specialty Moving & Delivery
Illinois to Texas featured image

Top Illinois to Texas Movers

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

TOP PICK
Phoenix Express Specialty Moving & Delivery featured image

Phoenix Express Specialty Moving & Delivery

Best moving company overall for Illinois to Texas

9.74/10
Exceptional
RUNNER-UP
New Braunfels Moving Company, LLC featured image

New Braunfels Moving Company, LLC

9.60/10
Exceptional
ALSO GREAT
A1 Movers, Inc featured image

A1 Movers, Inc

9.38/10
Exceptional

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.

  • Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-8 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: New Braunfels Moving Company, LLC
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,766300 ft3$5.89
1 Bedroom$2,627450 ft3$5.84
2 Bedrooms$4,340750 ft3$5.79
3 Bedrooms$6,3101100 ft3$5.74
4 Bedrooms$9,0991600 ft3$5.69
5+ Bedrooms$10,1461800 ft3$5.64

Illinois to Texas Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Illinois to Texas

ConsIllinois iconIllinois
  • Harsh snowy winters
  • State income tax
  • Costly city living
  • Congested commutes
  • Heavy lake snowfall
  • Short patio season
  • Parking headaches
  • Older housing stock
  • Higher fuel prices
  • Slower job growth
ProsTexas iconTexas
  • Mild winter climate
  • No income tax
  • More affordable housing
  • Newer road networks
  • Rare snowfall
  • Longer outdoor season
  • Easier parking
  • Newer construction
  • Lower gas prices
  • Expanding job market

Texas iconTexas
  • Car dependent sprawl
  • Intense summer heat
  • Long driving distances
  • Fewer nearby museums
  • No Great Lake beaches
  • Fewer seasonal changes
  • Younger suburban trees
  • Uniform newer builds
  • High AC dependence
  • Limited winter sports
Illinois iconIllinois
  • Robust public transit
  • Cooler summer temps
  • Walkable neighborhoods
  • World class museums
  • Lakefront beaches
  • Four distinct seasons
  • Mature tree canopies
  • Historic architecture
  • Lower AC needs
  • Winter sports nearby

Pros of moving from Illinois to Texas

  • Say goodbye to harsh snowy winters and hello to a mild winter climate
  • Look forward to moving away from state income tax and moving to Texas with no income tax
  • Swap the costly city living of Illinois for more affordable housing in Texas
  • Get ready for newer road networks in Texas

Cons of moving from Illinois to Texas

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from robust public transit in Illinois to live with car-dependent sprawl in Texas
  • You'll lose out on the pro of cooler summer temps and have to settle for the con of intense summer heat
  • Time to bid farewell to walkable neighborhoods and get used to long driving distances in Texas
  • Swap world-class museums for fewer nearby museums

Illinois vs. Texas: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonIllinoisTexas
Most iconic local food itemDeep dish pizzaTex-Mex
Most popular meat dishItalian BeefBrisket
Most popular street food itemChicago-style hot dogTacos
Most popular vegan foodVegan deep dish pizzaTex-Mex vegan dishes
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Lou Malnati's Pizzeria
  • Portillo's
  • Girl & The Goat
Fitness/Health ConscientiousnessπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

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.