Movers

Missouri to Illinois Moving Guide

Updated June 20, 2025

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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

ConsMissouri iconMissouri
  • Severe tornadoes
  • Hot, humid summers
  • Limited job market
  • Traffic congestion
  • High sales tax
ProsIllinois iconIllinois
  • Less tornado activity
  • Cooler summers
  • Robust job opportunities
  • Efficient public transport
  • Lower overall taxes

Illinois iconIllinois
  • Higher living costs
  • Flat terrain
  • Less neighborly spirits
  • Fewer vineyards
  • No mountain ranges
Missouri iconMissouri
  • 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

ComparisonMissouriIllinois
Most iconic local food itemSt. Louis-style pizzaChicago deep-dish pizza
Most popular meat dishKansas City barbecueItalian Beef
Most popular street food itemToasted RavioliChicago-style hot dog
Most popular vegan foodJackfruit BBQSeitan steak
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Q39
  • Pappy's Smokehouse
  • Ted Drewes Frozen Custard
  • Lou Malnati's Pizzeria
  • Portillo's
  • Alinea
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 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

ComparisonMissouriIllinois
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, RanchPrairie, Victorian
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, Quiet neighborhoodsProximity 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 Missouri’s $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

ComparisonMissouriIllinois
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 DisastersTornadoes, FloodsTornadoes, Winter Storms
Air QualityGoodModerate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)89/6785/65
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)40/2035/19
Annual Rainfall (Inches)4239
Annual Snowfall (Inches)1822
  • 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

ComparisonMissouriIllinois
Avg. Household Income$64,811$76,708
Cost of Living Index91.894.25
State Income Tax5.4%4.95%
Avg. Property Tax0.93%2.16%
Avg. Sales Tax8.25%8.81%
Top 3 IndustriesAgriculture, Aerospace, ManufacturingFinance, Technology, Manufacturing
AffluenceModerateHigher
PovertyModerateUrban
HomelessnessManageableHigher
  • 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

ComparisonMissouriIllinois
Political Make-upLeans RepublicanLeans Democratic
Local PoliticsMixed; urban areas tend to be more DemocraticDemocratic strongholds in Chicago and other urban areas
ReligionProtestant majority, with a significant Catholic populationDiverse 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

ComparisonMissouriIllinois
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 SchoolsMason 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 SchoolsJohn 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 SchoolsLadue 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 schoolsSt. 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 schoolsThe 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 DistrictsClayton 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 - $5,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-9 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Sunrise Moving and Packing, LLC
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,357300 ft3$4.52
1 Bedroom$2,013450 ft3$4.47
2 Bedrooms$3,318750 ft3$4.42
3 Bedrooms$4,8121100 ft3$4.37
4 Bedrooms$6,9191600 ft3$4.32
5+ Bedrooms$7,6941800 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.

TOP PICK
Sunrise Moving and Packing, LLC featured image

Sunrise Moving and Packing, LLC

Best moving company overall for Missouri to Illinois

9.62/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
606 Movers, Inc. featured image

606 Movers, Inc.

9.37/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Move-tastic! featured image

Move-tastic!

9.35/10
ExceptionalView details