Illinois to Utah Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Illinois to Utah

ConsIllinois

• High property taxes
• Extreme winter weather
• Dense urban areas
• Traffic congestion
• High cost of living

ProsUtah

• Lower taxes
• Moderate winters
• Expansive outdoor spaces
• Less traffic
• Affordable living

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Utah

• Less cultural diversity
• Fewer museums
• Limited dining options
• Smaller art scene
• Fewer professional teams

Illinois

• Diverse cultural scene
• World-class museums
• Renowned restaurants
• Thriving arts community
• Major sports teams

Pros of moving from Illinois to Utah

• Say goodbye to high property taxes and hello to lower taxes
• Look forward to moving away from extreme winter weather and moving to Utah with moderate winters
• Swap the dense urban areas of Illinois for expansive outdoor spaces in Utah
• Get ready for less traffic in Utah

Cons of moving from Illinois to Utah

• Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a diverse cultural scene in Illinois to live with less cultural diversity in Utah
• You'll lose out on the pro of world-class museums and have to settle for the con of fewer museums
• Time to bid farewell to renowned restaurants and get used to limited dining options in Utah
• Swap a thriving arts community for a smaller art scene

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.