Missouri to Illinois Moving Guide
Updated June 20, 2025

Planning a 273 mile interstate move from Missouri to Illinois? This moving guide will help you compare living in Missouri vs Illinois across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like severe tornadoes vs less tornado activity), food & health (like St. Louis-style pizza vs Chicago deep-dish pizza), real estate & housing (colonial, ranch vs prairie, victorian), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Illinois), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to St. Louis-style pizza and Kansas City barbecue, but get your taste buds ready for Chicago deep-dish pizza & Italian Beef
- Illinois housing costs are 6% more expensive than they are in Missouri
- Rent in Illinois is 31.18% more expensive than in Missouri
- Moving from Missouri to Illinois will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,000
- Our top recommended Missouri to Illinois movers is Sunrise Moving and Packing, LLC
Missouri to Illinois Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Missouri to Illinois
- Severe tornadoes
- Hot, humid summers
- Limited job market
- Traffic congestion
- High sales tax
- Less tornado activity
- Cooler summers
- Robust job opportunities
- Efficient public transport
- Lower overall taxes
- Higher living costs
- Flat terrain
- Less neighborly spirits
- Fewer vineyards
- No mountain ranges
- Affordable housing
- Scenic landscapes
- Warm community vibe
- Local wineries
- Unique Ozarks experience
Pros of moving from Missouri to Illinois
- Say goodbye to severe tornadoes and hello to less tornado activity
- Look forward to moving away from hot, humid summers and moving to Illinois with cooler summers
- Swap the limited job market of Missouri for robust job opportunities in Illinois
- Get ready for efficient public transport in Illinois
Cons of moving from Missouri to Illinois
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from affordable housing in Missouri to live with higher living costs in Illinois
- You'll lose out on the pro of scenic landscapes and have to settle for the con of flat terrain
- Time to bid farewell to a warm community vibe and get used to less neighborly spirits in Illinois
- Swap local wineries for fewer vineyards
Missouri vs. Illinois: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Missouri | Illinois |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | St. Louis-style pizza | Chicago deep-dish pizza |
Most popular meat dish | Kansas City barbecue | Italian Beef |
Most popular street food item | Toasted Ravioli | Chicago-style hot dog |
Most popular vegan food | Jackfruit BBQ | Seitan steak |
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 Missouri to Illinois, you will be trading the iconic St. Louis-style pizza of Missouri for the equally delicious Chicago deep-dish pizza of Illinois. And while the locals in Missouri rave about their flavorful Kansas City barbecue and sumptuous Toasted Ravioli, Illinois residents know they have tasty Italian Beef and Chicago-style hot dogs to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Jackfruit BBQ they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Seitan steak of Illinois. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Missouri eateries like Q39, Pappy's Smokehouse, and Ted Drewes Frozen Custard. 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 Alinea.
When comparing lifestyles, Illinois shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Missouri. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Illinois compared to what you are used to in Missouri. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Illinois.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Missouri and Illinois
Comparison | Missouri | Illinois |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Ranch | Prairie, Victorian |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious yards, Quiet neighborhoods | Proximity to public transportation, Energy-efficient features |
- The Colonial and Ranch architecture that Missouri is known for will be replaced with the Prairie and Victorian architecture typical of Illinois.
- Compared to Missouri's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and quiet neighborhoods, Illinois real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to public transportation and energy-efficient features.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Illinois is more walkable than Missouri.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Illinois is more bike-friendly than Missouri.
- Illinois has more of an urban feel than Missouri.
- Illinois housing costs are 6% more expensive than they are in Missouri, with a median home price of $257,738 compared to Missouriβs $243,216.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Illinois have increased by 35% compared to a 49% increase in Missouri.
- Rent in Illinois is 31.18% more expensive than in Missouri.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Missouri and Illinois
Comparison | Missouri | 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, Winter Storms |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 89/67 | 85/65 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 40/20 | 35/19 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 42 | 39 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 18 | 22 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Missouri to Illinois. Illinois gets 12% fewer sunshine days than Missouri.
- Illinois has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Missouri.
- Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Missouri, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and winter storms in Illinois.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Illinois is 4 degrees colder than in Missouri.
- The average winter lows are 1 degree colder than they are in Missouri.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Illinois. Illinois receives 3 fewer inches of rain compared to Missouri.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Missouri and Illinois
Comparison | Missouri | Illinois |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $64,811 | $76,708 |
Cost of Living Index | 91.8 | 94.25 |
State Income Tax | 5.4% | 4.95% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.93% | 2.16% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 8.25% | 8.81% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Aerospace, Manufacturing | Finance, Technology, Manufacturing |
Affluence | Moderate | Higher |
Poverty | Moderate | Urban |
Homelessness | Manageable | Higher |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Illinois tend to earn about 18% more than those in Missouri
- The COLI in Illinois is 3% higher than what you are used to living in Missouri
- The state income tax in IL is 4.95% compared to 5.4% in MO
- The affluence in Illinois is higher compared to moderate affluence in Missouri
- The poverty level is urban in Illinois compared to moderate in Missouri
- In terms of homelessness, it is manageable in Missouri and higher in Illinois
Political and Religious Climate in Missouri vs. Illinois
Comparison | Missouri | Illinois |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Leans Republican | Leans Democratic |
Local Politics | Mixed; urban areas tend to be more Democratic | Democratic strongholds in Chicago and other urban areas |
Religion | Protestant majority, with a significant Catholic population | Diverse religious landscape, strong Catholic presence in Chicago |
- Missouri tends to lean Republican in its political climate
- Illinois, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Democratic
- Illinois' religious environment can be described as a diverse religious landscape with a strong Catholic presence in Chicago
- Missouri's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a Protestant majority with a significant Catholic population
Education Guide When Moving from Missouri to Illinois
Comparison | Missouri | Illinois |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Missouri Missouri State University Washington University in St. Louis | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Illinois State University Northwestern University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Mason Ridge Elementary Town and Country; Wilson School Clayton; Vandover Early Childhood Fenton | Lincoln Elementary School Hoffman Estates; South Loop Elementary School Chicago; Meadow Glens Elementary School Naperville |
Top 3 Middle Schools | John Burroughs School St. Louis; Ladue Middle School St. Louis; Wildwood Middle School Wildwood | Marie Murphy School Wilmette; Daniel Wright Junior High School Lincolnshire; Clarendon Hills Middle School Clarendon Hills |
Top 3 High School Schools | Ladue Horton Watkins High School St. Louis; Clayton High School Clayton; Kirkwood High School Kirkwood | Adlai E. Stevenson High School Lincolnshire; Northside College Preparatory High School Chicago; New Trier Township High School Winnetka |
Top 3 private high schools | St. Louis University High School St. Louis; John Burroughs School St. Louis; Mary Institute and St. Louis Country Day School St. Louis | Phillips Academy Andover; Lake Forest Academy Lake Forest; University of Chicago Lab School Chicago |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Pembroke Hill School Kansas City; The Fulton School at St. Albans St. Albans; Thomas Jefferson School St. Louis | The Latin School of Chicago Chicago; Francis W. Parker School Chicago; North Shore Country Day School Winnetka |
Top 3 School Districts | Clayton School District Clayton; Ladue School District St. Louis; Kirkwood R-VII School District Kirkwood | New Trier Township High School District 203 Northfield; Niles Township Community High School District 219 Skokie; community Unit School District 200 Wheaton |
How Much Do Missouri to Illinois Movers Cost?
Moving 273 miles from Missouri 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: Sunrise Moving and Packing, LLC
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,357 | 300 ft3 | $4.52 |
1 Bedroom | $2,013 | 450 ft3 | $4.47 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,318 | 750 ft3 | $4.42 |
3 Bedrooms | $4,812 | 1100 ft3 | $4.37 |
4 Bedrooms | $6,919 | 1600 ft3 | $4.32 |
5+ Bedrooms | $7,694 | 1800 ft3 | $4.27 |
Top Missouri to Illinois Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Missouri to Illinois movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Sunrise Moving and Packing, LLC
Best moving company overall for Missouri to Illinois