Indiana to Illinois Moving Guide
Updated June 20, 2025

Planning a 268 mile interstate move from Indiana to Illinois? This moving guide will help you compare living in Indiana vs Illinois across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like limited public transit vs extensive transit networks), food & health (like Pork Tenderloin Sandwich vs Chicago-style Deep Dish Pizza), real estate & housing (ranch vs prairie, chicago), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Illinois), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Pork Tenderloin Sandwich and Hoosier Chili, but get your taste buds ready for Chicago-style Deep Dish Pizza & Italian Beef
- Illinois housing costs are 9% more expensive than they are in Indiana
- Rent in Illinois is 29.75% more expensive than in Indiana
- Moving from Indiana to Illinois will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,000
- Our top recommended Indiana to Illinois movers is 606 Movers, Inc.
Indiana to Illinois Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Indiana to Illinois
- Limited public transit
- Fewer entertainment options
- Stable job market
- Lower state taxes
- Extensive transit networks
- Vibrant cultural scene
- Diverse job opportunities
- Higher average income
- Higher property costs
- High population density
- Urban sprawl
- Fast-paced lifestyle
- Affordable housing
- Quieter lifestyle
- Natural beauty
- Close-knit communities
Pros of moving from Indiana to Illinois
- Say goodbye to limited public transit and hello to extensive transit networks
- Look forward to moving away from fewer entertainment options and moving to Illinois with a vibrant cultural scene
- Swap the stable job market of Indiana for diverse job opportunities in Illinois
- Get ready for a higher average income in Illinois
Cons of moving from Indiana to Illinois
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from affordable housing in Indiana to live with higher property costs in Illinois
- You'll lose out on the pro of a quieter lifestyle and have to settle with the con of high population density
- Time to bid farewell to natural beauty and get used to urban sprawl in Illinois
- Swap close-knit communities for a fast-paced lifestyle
Indiana vs. Illinois: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Indiana | Illinois |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Pork Tenderloin Sandwich | Chicago-style Deep Dish Pizza |
Most popular meat dish | Hoosier Chili | Italian Beef |
Most popular street food item | Sugar Cream Pie | Chicago-style Hot Dog |
Most popular vegan food | Seitan BBQ Ribs | Deep Dish Vegan Pizza |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± |
If you're moving from Indiana to Illinois, you will be trading the iconic Pork Tenderloin Sandwich of Indiana for the equally delicious Chicago-style Deep Dish Pizza of Illinois. And while the locals in Indiana rave about their flavorful Hoosier Chili and sumptuous Sugar Cream Pie, Illinois residents know they have tasty Italian Beef and Chicago-style Hot Dog to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Seitan BBQ Ribs they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Deep Dish Vegan Pizza of Illinois. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Indiana eateries like St. Elmo Steak House, Bluebeard, and The Milky Way. After the boxes are unpacked in Illinois, don't wait too long before making your way to Illinois' acclaimed eateries like Lou Malnatiβs Pizzeria, Portillo's, and Alinea.
When comparing lifestyles, Illinois shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Indiana. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Illinois compared to what you are used to in Indiana. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Illinois.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Indiana and Illinois
Comparison | Indiana | Illinois |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Ranch | Prairie, Chicago |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious backyards, quiet neighborhoods | Eco-friendly features, proximity to transit |
- The Ranch architecture that Indiana is known for will be replaced with the Prairie and Chicago architecture typical of Illinois.
- Compared to Indiana's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious backyards and quiet neighborhoods, Illinois real estate listings often highlight features like eco-friendly aspects and proximity to transit.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Illinois is more walkable than Indiana.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Illinois is more bike-friendly than Indiana.
- Illinois has more of an urban feel than Indiana.
- Illinois housing costs are 9% more expensive than they are in Indiana, with a median home price of $257,738 compared to Indianaβs $236,990.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Illinois have increased by 35% compared to a 54% increase in Indiana.
- Rent in Illinois is 29.75% more expensive than in Indiana.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Indiana and Illinois
Comparison | Indiana | Illinois |
---|---|---|
Days of Sunshine per Year | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ |
Avg. Annual Humidity | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ |
Avg. UV Index | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ |
Natural Disasters | Tornadoes, Floods | Tornadoes, Floods |
Air Quality | Moderate | Moderate to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85/64 | 85/65 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 36/18 | 35/20 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 42 | 39 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 22 | 24 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Indiana to Illinois. Illinois gets 2% more sunshine days than Indiana.
- Illinois has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Indiana.
- Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Indiana, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and floods in Illinois.
- The average summer high temperature in Illinois is the same as in Indiana.
- The average winter lows are 2 degrees warmer than they are in Indiana.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Illinois. Illinois receives 3 fewer inches of rain compared to Indiana.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Indiana and Illinois
Comparison | Indiana | Illinois |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $66,785 | $76,708 |
Cost of Living Index | 92.95 | 94.25 |
State Income Tax | 3.23% | 4.95% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.87% | 2.16% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7% | 8.81% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Agriculture, Healthcare | Finance, Manufacturing, Real Estate |
Affluence | Moderate | Higher |
Poverty | Moderate | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Higher |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Illinois tend to earn about 15% more than in Indiana
- The COLI in Illinois will be 1% higher than what you are used to living in Indiana
- The state income tax in IL is 4.95% compared to 3.23% in IN
- The affluence in Illinois is higher compared to moderate affluence in Indiana
- The poverty level is moderate in Illinois compared to moderate poverty in Indiana
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Indiana and higher in Illinois
Political and Religious Climate in Indiana vs. Illinois
Comparison | Indiana | Illinois |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Conservative | Lean Liberal |
Local Politics | Republican Dominance in Rural Areas | Democratic Stronghold in Urban Centers |
Religion | Higher evangelical Christian presence | Greater diversity in religious beliefs |
- Indiana tends to lean Conservative in its political climate
- Illinois, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Liberal
- Illinois' religious environment can be described as having greater diversity in religious beliefs
- Indiana's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as having a higher evangelical Christian presence
Education Guide When Moving from Indiana to Illinois
Comparison | Indiana | Illinois |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Indiana University Purdue University Ball State University | University of Illinois Northwestern University University of Chicago |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | School 84 Indianapolis School 91 Indianapolis West Clay Elementary Carmel | Lincoln Elementary River Forest South Park Elementary Deerfield Willowbrook Elementary Glenview |
Top 3 Middle Schools | West Lafayette Jr/Sr High West Lafayette Brown County Junior High Nashville Fall Creek Junior High Fishers | Marie Murphy School Wilmette Twin Groves Middle School Buffalo Grove Maple School Northbrook |
Top 3 High School Schools | Carmel High School Carmel Signature School Evansville West Lafayette Jr/Sr High West Lafayette | Northside College Prep Chicago Payton College Prep Chicago Stevenson High School Lincolnshire |
Top 3 private high schools | Culver Academies Culver Park Tudor School Indianapolis Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School Indianapolis | University of Chicago Lab School Chicago Latin School of Chicago Chicago Francis W. Parker School Chicago |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Traders Point Christian Academy Whitestown Heritage Christian School Indianapolis Park Tudor School Indianapolis | University of Chicago Lab School Chicago Lake Forest Country Day School Lake Forest Francis W. Parker School Chicago |
Top 3 School Districts | Carmel Clay Schools Carmel West Lafayette Community School Corporation West Lafayette Zionsville Community Schools Zionsville | New Trier Township High School District 203 Northfield North Shore School District 112 Highland Park Naperville Community Unit School District 203 Naperville |
How Much Do Indiana to Illinois Movers Cost?
Moving 268 miles from Indiana to Illinois will typically cost between $2,000 and $5,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,000 - $5,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-9 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: A1 Movers, Inc
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,354 | 300 ft3 | $4.51 |
1 Bedroom | $2,009 | 450 ft3 | $4.46 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,311 | 750 ft3 | $4.41 |
3 Bedrooms | $4,801 | 1100 ft3 | $4.36 |
4 Bedrooms | $6,904 | 1600 ft3 | $4.31 |
5+ Bedrooms | $7,677 | 1800 ft3 | $4.26 |
Top Indiana to Illinois Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Indiana to Illinois movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.