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Louisiana to Illinois Moving Guide

Updated June 15, 2025

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Planning a 835 mile interstate move from Louisiana to Illinois? This moving guide will help you compare living in Louisiana vs Illinois across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like hot, humid summers vs milder summers), food & health (like Gumbo vs Chicago-style Deep Dish Pizza), real estate & housing (french colonial, plantation vs prairie school, chicago style), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Illinois), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Gumbo and Crawfish Γ‰touffΓ©e, but get your taste buds ready for Chicago-style Deep Dish Pizza & Italian Beef Sandwich
  • Illinois housing costs are 29% more expensive than they are in Louisiana
  • Rent in Illinois is 33.04% more expensive than in Louisiana
  • Moving from Louisiana to Illinois will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
  • Our top recommended Louisiana to Illinois movers is 606 Movers, Inc.

Louisiana to Illinois Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Louisiana to Illinois

ConsLouisiana iconLouisiana
  • Hot, humid summers
  • Hurricane risk
  • Limited public transport
  • Lower job diversity
ProsIllinois iconIllinois
  • Milder summers
  • No hurricanes
  • Comprehensive transit systems
  • Diverse job market

Illinois iconIllinois
  • Cuisine less spicy
  • Less vibrant festivals
  • Cold winters
  • Higher living costs
Louisiana iconLouisiana
  • Cajun cuisine
  • Mardi Gras culture
  • Year-round outdoor activities
  • Lower cost of living

Pros of moving from Louisiana to Illinois

  • Say goodbye to hot, humid summers and hello to milder summers
  • Look forward to moving away from hurricane risk and moving to Illinois with no hurricanes
  • Swap the limited public transport of Louisiana for comprehensive transit systems in Illinois
  • Get ready for a diverse job market in Illinois

Cons of moving from Louisiana to Illinois

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from Cajun cuisine in Louisiana to live with cuisine that is less spicy in Illinois
  • You'll lose out on the pro of Mardi Gras culture and have to settle with the con of less vibrant festivals
  • Time to bid farewell to year-round outdoor activities and get used to cold winters in Illinois
  • Swap a lower cost of living for higher living costs

Louisiana vs. Illinois: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonLouisianaIllinois
Most iconic local food itemGumboChicago-style Deep Dish Pizza
Most popular meat dishCrawfish Γ‰touffΓ©eItalian Beef Sandwich
Most popular street food itemPo'boysChicago-style Hot Dog
Most popular vegan foodOkra GumboDeep Dish Vegan Pizza
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Lou Malnati's Pizzeria
  • Portillo's Hot Dogs
  • 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 Louisiana to Illinois, you will be trading the iconic Gumbo of Louisiana for the equally delicious Chicago-style Deep Dish Pizza of Illinois. And while the locals in Louisiana rave about their flavorful Crawfish Γ‰touffΓ©e and sumptuous Po'boys, Illinois residents know they have tasty Italian Beef Sandwich and Chicago-style Hot Dog to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Okra Gumbo 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 Louisiana eateries like Commander's Palace, Willie Mae's Scotch House, and Dooky Chase's Restaurant. After the boxes are unpacked in Illinois, don't wait too long before making your way to Illinois' acclaimed eateries like Lou Malnati's Pizzeria, Portillo's Hot Dogs, and Girl & The Goat.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Louisiana and Illinois

ComparisonLouisianaIllinois
Typical Architecture StyleFrench Colonial, PlantationPrairie School, Chicago Style
WalkabilityπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘Ÿ
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban LifestyleπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈ
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingSpacious yards, French doorsEnergy efficiency, Hardwood floors
  • The French Colonial and Plantation architecture that Louisiana is known for will be replaced with the Prairie School and Chicago Style architecture typical of Illinois.
  • Compared to Louisiana's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and French doors, Illinois real estate listings often highlight features like energy efficiency and hardwood floors.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Illinois is more walkable than Louisiana.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Illinois is more bike-friendly than Louisiana.
  • Illinois has more of an urban feel than Louisiana.
  • Illinois housing costs are 29% more expensive than they are in Louisiana, with a median home price of $257,738 compared to Louisiana’s $199,091.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Illinois have increased by 35% compared to a 13% increase in Louisiana.
  • Rent in Illinois is 33.04% more expensive than in Louisiana.

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

ComparisonLouisianaIllinois
Days of Sunshine per Yearβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈ
Avg. Annual HumidityπŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦
Avg. UV IndexπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈ
Natural DisastersHurricanes, FloodsTornadoes, Blizzards
Air QualityVariableGood to Moderate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)91/7385/65
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)62/4235/20
Annual Rainfall (Inches)6039
Annual Snowfall (Inches)<122
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from Louisiana to Illinois. Illinois gets 13% fewer sunshine days than Louisiana.
  • Illinois has lower humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Louisiana.
  • Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and floods in Louisiana, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and blizzards in Illinois.
  • Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Illinois is 6 degrees colder than in Louisiana.
  • The average winter lows are 22 degrees colder than they are in Louisiana.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Illinois. Illinois receives 21 fewer inches of rain compared to Louisiana.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Louisiana and Illinois

ComparisonLouisianaIllinois
Avg. Household Income$55,416$76,708
Cost of Living Index9694.25
State Income Tax2-64.95
Avg. Property Tax0.552.16
Avg. Sales Tax9.458.82
Top 3 IndustriesPetrochemical, Tourism, AgricultureFinancial Services, Manufacturing, Agriculture
AffluenceModerateHigh
PovertyHighModerate
HomelessnessModerateHigher
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Illinois tend to earn about 38% more than in Louisiana
  • The COLI in Illinois is 2% lower than what you are used to living in Louisiana
  • The state income tax in IL is 4.95 compared to 2-6 in LA
  • The affluence in Illinois is high compared to moderate in Louisiana
  • The poverty level is moderate in Illinois compared to high in Louisiana
  • In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Louisiana and higher in Illinois

Political and Religious Climate in Louisiana vs. Illinois

ComparisonLouisianaIllinois
Political Make-upTraditionally leans conservativeGenerally leans liberal
Local PoliticsStrong emphasis on local governanceHighly focused on urban-centric policies
ReligionHighly religious, predominantly ChristianReligiously diverse, with a significant Christian population
  • Louisiana tends to lean traditionally conservative in its political climate
  • Illinois, on the other hand, is often described as generally leaning liberal
  • Illinois' religious environment can be described as religiously diverse, with a significant Christian population
  • Louisiana's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as highly religious and predominantly Christian

Education Guide When Moving from Louisiana to Illinois

ComparisonLouisianaIllinois
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)Louisiana State University
Tulane University
University of Louisiana
University of Illinois
Northwestern University
University of Chicago
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsLusher Charter School - New Orleans
Baton Rouge Magnet High School - Baton Rouge
Haynes Academy School for Advanced Studies - Metairie
Lincoln Elementary School - Chicago
South Loop Elementary School - Chicago
Meadow Glens Elementary School - Naperville
Top 3 Middle SchoolsYoung Audiences Charter School - Gretna
Glasgow Middle School - Baton Rouge
Patrick F. Taylor Science & Technology Academy - Jefferson
Springman Middle School - Glenview
Maple School - Northbrook
Daniel Wright Junior High School - Lincolnshire
Top 3 High SchoolsBenjamin Franklin High School - New Orleans
Baton Rouge Magnet High School - Baton Rouge
Haynes Academy - Metairie
Northside College Preparatory High School - Chicago
Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy - Aurora
Payton College Preparatory High School - Chicago
Top 3 private high schoolsIsidore Newman School - New Orleans
Metairie Park Country Day School - Metairie
Episcopal School of Baton Rouge - Baton Rouge
Lake Forest Academy - Lake Forest
The Latin School of Chicago - Chicago
University of Chicago Laboratory Schools - Chicago
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsRunnels School - Baton Rouge
Metairie Park Country Day School - Metairie
Episcopal School of Baton Rouge - Baton Rouge
The Latin School of Chicago - Chicago
University of Chicago Laboratory Schools - Chicago
Francis W. Parker School - Chicago
Top 3 School DistrictsZachary Community School District
Central Community School System
Livingston Parish Public Schools
New Trier Township High School District 203
Naperville Community Unit School District 203
Community High School District 128

How Much Do Louisiana to Illinois Movers Cost?

Moving 835 miles from Louisiana to Illinois will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-9 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: A1 Movers, Inc
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,676300 ft3$5.59
1 Bedroom$2,491450 ft3$5.54
2 Bedrooms$4,115750 ft3$5.49
3 Bedrooms$5,9801100 ft3$5.44
4 Bedrooms$8,6181600 ft3$5.39
5+ Bedrooms$9,6051800 ft3$5.34

Top Louisiana to Illinois Movers

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

TOP PICK
606 Movers, Inc. featured image

606 Movers, Inc.

Best moving company overall for Louisiana to Illinois

9.37/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Move-tastic! featured image

Move-tastic!

9.35/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Henry Hauling LLC featured image

Henry Hauling LLC

9.22/10
ExceptionalView details
Top Louisiana to Illinois Routes