Illinois to Utah Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Illinois to Utah

ConsIllinois

• High property taxes
• Heavy Chicago traffic
• High summer humidity
• Flat landscapes
• Limited outdoor access
• Frequent tollways
• Gray winter skies
• Higher urban crime
• State fiscal woes
• Long commute times
• Expensive city parking
• Tornado risk

ProsUtah

• Lower property taxes
• Lighter metro traffic
• Drier summer heat
• Mountain recreation nearby
• Trails minutes away
• Few toll roads
• More sunny days
• Lower crime rates
• Strong state economy
• Shorter commutes
• Cheaper parking
• Lower tornado risk

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Utah

• No Great Lakes
• Limited transit coverage
• Smaller museum scene
• Fewer pro teams
• Smaller dining scene
• Earlier closing times
• Higher elevation adjustment
• Drier browner summers
• Fewer direct flights
• Fewer natural lakes
• Winter inversion smog
• Stronger UV radiation

Illinois

• Lake Michigan beaches
• Robust public transit
• World-class museums
• Major league teams
• Renowned food scene
• Late-night nightlife
• Sea-level altitude
• Lush green summers
• Global flight connections
• Abundant freshwater lakes
• Less inversion smog
• Lower UV intensity

Pros of moving from Illinois to Utah

• Say goodbye to high property taxes and hello to lower property taxes
• Look forward to moving away from heavy Chicago traffic and moving to Utah with lighter metro traffic
• Swap the high summer humidity of Illinois for drier summer heat in Utah
• Get ready for mountain recreation nearby in Utah

Cons of moving from Illinois to Utah

• Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from Lake Michigan beaches in Illinois to live with no Great Lakes in Utah
• You'll lose out on the pro of robust public transit and have to settle for the con of limited transit coverage
• Time to bid farewell to world-class museums and get used to a smaller museum scene in Utah
• Swap major league teams for fewer professional teams

Illinois vs. Utah: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

If you're moving from Illinois to Utah, you will be trading the iconic Deep-dish pizza of Illinois for the equally delicious Jell-O of Utah. And while the locals in Illinois rave about their flavorful Italian Beef and sumptuous Chicago-style hot dog, Utah residents know they have tasty Utah Scones with honey butter and Fry sauce with everything to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Chicago Diner’s Vegan Milkshake they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Zest Kitchen & Bar’s Vegan dishes of Utah. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Illinois eateries like Au Cheval, Lou Malnati's Pizzeria, and Frontera Grill. After the boxes are unpacked in Utah, don't wait too long before making your way to Utah's acclaimed eateries like Red Iguana, The Roof Restaurant, and Log Haven.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Illinois and Utah

• The Prairie School and Chicago Bungalow architecture that Illinois is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Craftsman architecture typical of Utah.
• Compared to Illinois's real estate listings that commonly reference hardwood floors and waterfront, Utah real estate listings often highlight features like mountain views and open floor plans.
• You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Utah is less walkable than Illinois.
• Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Utah is more bike-friendly than Illinois.
• Utah has less of an urban feel than Illinois.
• Utah housing costs are 101% more expensive than they are in Illinois, with a median home price of $519,182 compared to Illinois’s $257,738.
• Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Utah have increased by 56% compared to a 35% increase in Illinois.
• Rent in Utah is 3.81% more affordable than in Illinois.

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

• Break out the sunglasses for your move from Illinois to Utah. Utah gets 26% more sunshine days than Illinois.
• Utah has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Illinois.
• Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and severe storms in Illinois, but be on the lookout for potential earthquakes and wildfires in Utah.
• Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Utah is 5 degrees warmer than in Illinois.
• The average winter lows are 2 degrees warmer than they are in Illinois.
• Your umbrella might be neglected in Utah. Utah receives 19 fewer inches of rain compared to Illinois.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Illinois and Utah

• When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Utah tend to earn about 16% more than in Illinois
• The COLI in Utah is 2% higher than what you are used to living in Illinois
• The state income tax in UT is 4.85% compared to 4.95% in IL
• The affluence in Utah is high compared to moderate affluence in Illinois
• The poverty level is low in Utah compared to moderate poverty in Illinois
• In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Illinois and low in Utah

Political and Religious Climate in Illinois vs. Utah

• Illinois tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
• Utah, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Republican
• Utah's religious environment can be described as dominantly LDS (Mormon)
• Illinois' residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as mixed, with a significant Catholic presence

Education Guide When Moving from Illinois to Utah

How Much Do Illinois to Utah Movers Cost?

Moving 1,375 miles from Illinois to Utah will typically cost between $3,000 and $7,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.