Tennessee to Illinois Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Tennessee to Illinois

ConsTennessee

• Humidity
• Tornado risk
• Limited public transport
• Hot summers
• Rural isolation

ProsIllinois

• Less humid
• Lower tornado threat
• Extensive public transport
• Milder summers
• Urban convenience

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Illinois

• State income tax
• Higher living expenses
• Cold, snowy winters
• Harsh urban attitude
• Dense urban areas

Tennessee

• No state income tax
• Lower cost of living
• Warm winters
• Friendly locals
• Natural landscapes

Pros of moving from Tennessee to Illinois

• Say goodbye to humidity and hello to less humid
• Look forward to moving away from tornado risk and moving to Illinois with a lower tornado threat
• Swap the limited public transport of Tennessee for extensive public transport in Illinois
• Get ready for milder summers in Illinois

Cons of moving from Tennessee to Illinois

• Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from no state income tax in Tennessee to live with state income tax in Illinois
• You'll lose out on the pro of a lower cost of living and have to settle with the con of higher living expenses
• Time to bid farewell to warm winters and get used to cold, snowy winters in Illinois
• Swap friendly locals for a harsh urban attitude

Tennessee vs. Illinois: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

If you're moving from Tennessee to Illinois, you will be trading the iconic Barbecue Ribs of Tennessee for the equally delicious Chicago-style Deep Dish Pizza of Illinois. And while the locals in Tennessee rave about their flavorful Hot Chicken and sumptuous Barbecue Nachos, 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 BBQ Jackfruit they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegan Deep Dish Pizza of Illinois. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Tennessee eateries like The Loveless Cafe, Arnold's Country Kitchen, and Prince's Hot Chicken Shack. 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 Tennessee. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Illinois compared to what you are used to in Tennessee. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Illinois.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Tennessee and Illinois

• The Traditional and Colonial architecture that Tennessee is known for will be replaced with the Prairie Style and Chicago Bungalow architecture typical of Illinois.
• Compared to Tennessee's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious backyards and mountain views, Illinois real estate listings often highlight features like lake views and proximity to Chicago.
• Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Illinois is more walkable than Tennessee.
• Illinois is similarly bike-friendly to Tennessee.
• Illinois has more of an urban feel than Tennessee.
• Illinois housing costs are 19% less expensive than they are in Tennessee with a median home price of $257,738 compared to Tennessee’s $317,482.
• Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Illinois have increased by 35% compared to a 63% increase in Tennessee.
• Rent in Illinois is 4.14% more expensive than in Tennessee.

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

• The shades won't be used as much for your move from Tennessee to Illinois. Illinois gets 9% fewer sunshine days than Tennessee.
• Illinois has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Tennessee.
• Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Tennessee, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and severe winter weather in Illinois.
• Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Illinois is 4 degrees colder than in Tennessee.
• The average winter lows are 8 degrees colder than they are in Tennessee.
• Your umbrella might be neglected in Illinois. Illinois receives 15 fewer inches of rain compared to Tennessee.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Tennessee and Illinois

• When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Illinois tend to earn about 18% more than in Tennessee
• The COLI in Illinois is 6% higher than what you are used to living in Tennessee
• Bummer... By moving from TN to IL, you'll now have a state income tax of 4.95%
• The affluence in Illinois is high compared to moderate in Tennessee
• The poverty level is significant in Illinois compared to notable in Tennessee
• In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Tennessee and prevalent in Illinois

Political and Religious Climate in Tennessee vs. Illinois

• Tennessee tends to lean Conservative in its political climate
• Illinois, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Liberal
• Illinois' religious environment can be described as diverse and less religious overall
• Tennessee's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as highly religious and predominantly Christian

Education Guide When Moving from Tennessee to Illinois

How Much Do Tennessee to Illinois Movers Cost?

Moving 511 miles from Tennessee to Illinois will typically cost between $2,000 and $5,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.