Michigan to Illinois Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Michigan to Illinois

ConsMichigan

• Harsh winters
• Limited job market
• Rural isolation
• Lesser cultural events
• Higher property taxes

ProsIllinois

• Milder winters
• Diverse job opportunities
• Urban conveniences
• Vibrant cultural scene
• Competitive property taxes

---

Illinois

• Limited lake access
• Flat terrain
• Higher cost of living
• Busier lifestyle
• Less community focused

Michigan

• Great Lakes access
• Beautiful landscapes
• Lower cost of living
• Quieter lifestyle
• Community feel

Pros of moving from Michigan to Illinois

• Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to milder winters
• Look forward to moving away from a limited job market and moving to Illinois with diverse job opportunities
• Swap the rural isolation of Michigan for urban conveniences in Illinois
• Get ready for a vibrant cultural scene in Illinois

Cons of moving from Michigan to Illinois

• Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from great Lakes access in Michigan to live with limited lake access in Illinois
• You'll lose out on the pro of beautiful landscapes and have to settle for the con of flat terrain
• Time to bid farewell to a lower cost of living and get used to a higher cost of living in Illinois
• Swap a quieter lifestyle for a busier lifestyle

Michigan vs. Illinois: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

If you're moving from Michigan to Illinois, you will be trading the iconic Pasties of Michigan for the equally delicious Chicago-style Deep Dish Pizza of Illinois. And while the locals in Michigan rave about their flavorful Detroit-style Coney Dogs and sumptuous Food Truck Tacos, Illinois residents know they have tasty Italian Beef Sandwiches and Chicago-style Hot Dogs to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Vegan Pasties they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Seitan Wings of Illinois. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Michigan eateries like Zingerman's Deli, Slows Bar BQ, and The Oyster Bar. 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, and Au Cheval.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Michigan and Illinois

• The Craftsman and Ranch architecture that Michigan is known for will be replaced with the Prairie Style and Victorian architecture typical of Illinois.
• Compared to Michigan's real estate listings that commonly reference lakefront and spacious yards, Illinois real estate listings often highlight features like historical aspects and proximity to transit.
• Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Illinois is more walkable than Michigan.
• Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Illinois is more bike-friendly than Michigan.
• Illinois has more of an urban feel than Michigan.
• Illinois housing costs are 7% more expensive than they are in Michigan, with a median home price of $257,738 compared to Michigan’s $239,770.
• Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Illinois have increased by 35% compared to a 45% increase in Michigan.
• Rent in Illinois is 20.70% more expensive than in Michigan.

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

• Break out the sunglasses for your move from Michigan to Illinois. Illinois gets 11% more sunshine days than Michigan.
• Illinois has lower humidity and a similar average UV index compared to Michigan.
• Say goodbye to the possible snowstorms and tornadoes in Michigan, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and floods in Illinois.
• Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Illinois is 4 degrees warmer than in Michigan.
• The average winter lows are 5 degrees warmer than they are in Michigan.
• Your umbrella might be more overworked in Illinois. Illinois receives 6.4 more inches of rain compared to Michigan.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Michigan and Illinois

• When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Illinois tend to earn about 15% more than in Michigan
• The COLI in Illinois is 3% higher than what you are used to living in Michigan
• The state income tax in IL is 4.95 compared to 4.25 in MI
• The affluence in Illinois is above average compared to average in Michigan
• The poverty level is moderate in Illinois compared to moderate in Michigan
• In terms of homelessness, it is low in Michigan and low in Illinois

Political and Religious Climate in Michigan vs. Illinois

• Michigan tends to lean generally as a swing state with close statewide races and recent cycles have leaned Democratic at the statewide level. Urban centers like Detroit and Ann Arbor are strongly Democratic, while many rural and northern/western areas lean Republican in its political climate
• Illinois, on the other hand, is often described as reliably Democratic statewide. Chicago and Cook County deliver large Democratic margins while many downstate and rural counties lean Republican but are outpaced by the Chicago metro population
• Illinois' religious environment can be described as religiously diverse. Christians remain the largest group with a strong Catholic presence in Chicagoland along with Protestant denominations, sizeable Jewish and Muslim communities in the Chicago area, and a significant and growing religiously unaffiliated population
• Michigan's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as religiously diverse. Christians, including Catholic, mainline, and evangelical Protestant, make up the largest share with notable Muslim and Jewish communities, especially in metro Detroit, and a significant and growing religiously unaffiliated population

How Much Do Michigan to Illinois Movers Cost?

Moving 408 miles from Michigan 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.