Texas to Illinois Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Texas to Illinois

ConsTexas

• Sweltering summer heat
• Hurricanes and hailstorms
• Car-dependent sprawl
• Long driving commutes
• Water scarcity concerns
• High cooling bills
• Drought and burn bans
• Limited renter protections
• Fire ants, scorpions
• Sparse intercity rail
• Allergies from cedar
• Heat-limited outdoor time

ProsIllinois

• Cooler summer temps
• Minimal hurricane risk
• Robust public transit
• Walkable neighborhoods
• Abundant freshwater
• Lower cooling costs
• Regular rainfall
• Stronger renter rights
• Fewer venomous pests
• Extensive Amtrak service
• Less cedar pollen
• Pleasant summer outdoors

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Illinois

• State income tax
• Harsh snowy winters
• Higher housing costs
• Smaller urban lots
• Costly winter heating
• Higher fuel costs
• Expensive city parking
• Frequent toll roads
• Slower job growth
• Older housing stock
• Congested expressways
• Seasonal outdoor use
• More permitting steps
• Cloudier winter skies

Texas

• No state income tax
• Mild winter weather
• Lower housing costs
• Bigger home lots
• Lower heating bills
• Cheaper gasoline prices
• Ample free parking
• Fewer toll highways
• Rapid job growth
• Newer housing stock
• Wide freeway network
• Year-round outdoor grilling
• Business-friendly permits
• More sunny days

Pros of moving from Texas to Illinois

• Say goodbye to sweltering summer heat and hello to cooler summer temps
• Look forward to moving away from hurricanes and hailstorms and moving to Illinois with minimal hurricane risk
• Swap the car-dependent sprawl of Texas for robust public transit in Illinois
• Get ready for walkable neighborhoods in Illinois

Cons of moving from Texas to Illinois

• Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from no state income tax in Texas to live with state income tax in Illinois
• You'll lose out on the pro of mild winter weather and have to settle for the con of harsh snowy winters
• Time to bid farewell to lower housing costs and get used to higher housing costs in Illinois
• Swap bigger home lots for smaller urban lots

Texas vs. Illinois: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

If you're moving from Texas to Illinois, you will be trading the iconic Brisket of Texas for the equally delicious Chicago-style Deep Dish Pizza of Illinois. And while the locals in Texas rave about their flavorful Tex-Mex Fajitas and sumptuous 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 Jackfruit BBQ 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 Texas eateries like Franklin Barbecue, Cafe Modern, and The Salt Lick. 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, Alinea, and Portillo's.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Texas and Illinois

• The Ranch and Modern architecture that Texas is known for will be replaced with the Prairie and Colonial architecture typical of Illinois.
• Compared to Texas's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and open floor plans, Illinois real estate listings often highlight features like access to public transportation and historic features.
• Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Illinois is more walkable than Texas.
• Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Illinois is more bike-friendly than Texas.
• Illinois has more of an urban feel than Texas.
• Illinois housing costs are 15% less expensive than they are in Texas, with a median home price of $257,738 compared to Texas’s $304,027.
• Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Illinois have increased by 35% compared to a 45% increase in Texas.
• Rent in Illinois is 3.42% more expensive than in Texas.

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

• The shades won't be used as much for your move from Texas to Illinois. Illinois gets 19% fewer sunshine days than Texas.
• Illinois has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Texas.
• Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and tornadoes in Texas, 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 9 degrees colder than in Texas.
• The average winter lows are 16 degrees colder than they are in Texas.
• Your umbrella might be more overworked in Illinois. Illinois receives 3 more inches of rain compared to Texas.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Texas and Illinois

• When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Illinois tend to earn about 6% more than those in Texas
• The COLI in Illinois will be 3% higher than what you are used to living in Texas
• Bummer... By moving from Texas to Illinois, you'll now have a state income tax of 4.95%
• The affluence in Illinois is high compared to moderate affluence in Texas
• The poverty level is higher in Illinois compared to moderate poverty in Texas
• In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Texas and high in Illinois

Political and Religious Climate in Texas vs. Illinois

• Texas tends to lean Republican in its political climate
• Illinois, on the other hand, is often described as lean Democratic
• Illinois' religious environment can be described as Catholicism and Protestantism common
• Texas' residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as evangelical Protestants prominent

How Much Do Texas to Illinois Movers Cost?

Moving 994 miles from Texas to Illinois will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.