Montana to Illinois Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Montana to Illinois

ConsMontana

• Harsh winters
• Rural isolation
• Lack of diversity

ProsIllinois

• Milder winters
• Urban opportunities
• Cultural variety

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Illinois

• Limited green spaces
• Higher expenses
• Fast-paced lifestyle

Montana

• Nature access
• Low cost of living
• Quiet lifestyle

Pros of moving from Montana to Illinois

• Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to milder winters
• Look forward to moving away from rural isolation and moving to Illinois with urban opportunities
• Swap the lack of diversity in Montana for cultural variety in Illinois

Cons of moving from Montana to Illinois

• Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from nature access in Montana to live with limited green spaces in Illinois
• You'll lose out on the pro of low cost of living and have to settle for the con of higher expenses
• Time to bid farewell to a quiet lifestyle and get used to a fast-paced lifestyle in Illinois

Montana vs. Illinois: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

If you're moving from Montana to Illinois, you will be trading the iconic Huckleberry Pie of Montana for the equally delicious Chicago Deep Dish Pizza of Illinois. And while the locals in Montana rave about their flavorful Bison Steak and sumptuous Wild Game Brats, 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 Wild Berry Salads 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 Montana eateries like The Stockyard Café, Lockhorn Cider House, and The Luxury Diner. 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 less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Montana. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Illinois compared to what you are used to in Montana. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Illinois.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Montana and Illinois

• The Rustic and Mountain architecture that Montana is known for will be replaced with the Victorian and Modern architecture typical of Illinois.
• Compared to Montana's real estate listings that commonly reference natural landscapes and privacy, Illinois real estate listings often highlight features like accessibility and amenities.
• Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Illinois is more walkable than Montana.
• Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Illinois is more bike-friendly than Montana.
• Illinois has more of an urban feel than Montana.
• Illinois housing costs are 44% less expensive than they are in Montana, with a median home price of $257,738 compared to Montana’s $456,199.
• Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Illinois have increased by 35% compared to a 71% increase in Montana.
• Rent in Illinois is 24.23% more expensive than in Montana.

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

• The shades won't be used as much for your move from Montana to Illinois. Illinois gets 8% fewer sunshine days than Montana.
• Illinois has higher humidity and a similar average UV index compared to Montana.
• Say goodbye to the possible wildfires and flooding in Montana, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and flooding in Illinois.
• Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Illinois is 5 degrees warmer than in Montana.
• The average winter lows are 12 degrees warmer than they are in Montana.
• Your umbrella might be more overworked in Illinois. Illinois receives 24 more inches of rain compared to Montana.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Montana and Illinois

• When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Illinois tend to earn about 13% more than in Montana
• The COLI in Illinois is 5% lower than what you are used to living in Montana
• The state income tax in IL is 4.95% compared to 6.9% in MT
• The affluence in Illinois is high compared to moderate affluence in Montana
• The poverty level is higher in Illinois compared to moderate poverty in Montana
• In terms of homelessness, it is lower in Montana and higher in Illinois

Political and Religious Climate in Montana vs. Illinois

• Montana tends to lean generally Republican-leaning in its political climate and is competitive at times with a history of split-ticket voting, while urban hubs lean more Democratic.
• Illinois, on the other hand, is often described as reliably Democratic in statewide and federal races and has a strong Democratic base in the Chicago metro, with Republicans being more competitive in some suburbs and downstate.
• Illinois' religious environment can be described as a Christian majority with a large Catholic population, especially in the Chicago area, along with Protestant denominations present and significant religious diversity including Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, and Orthodox communities, as well as a growing unaffiliated share.
• Montana's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a Christian majority, notably Protestant with some Catholic, a sizable religiously unaffiliated population, as well as a smaller LDS presence and Indigenous spiritual traditions.

How Much Do Montana to Illinois Movers Cost?

Moving 1,379 miles from Montana to Illinois will typically cost between $3,000 and $7,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.