Texas to Illinois Moving Guide
Updated June 11, 2025

Planning a 994 mile interstate move from Texas to Illinois? This moving guide will help you compare living in Texas vs Illinois across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like blistering summer heat vs milder summer temperatures), food & health (like Brisket vs Chicago-style Deep Dish Pizza), real estate & housing (ranch, modern vs prairie, colonial), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Illinois), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Brisket and Tex-Mex Fajitas, but get your taste buds ready for Chicago-style Deep Dish Pizza & Italian Beef Sandwich
- Illinois housing costs are 15% less expensive than they are in Texas
- Rent in Illinois is 3.42% more expensive than in Texas
- Moving from Texas to Illinois will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
- Our top recommended Texas to Illinois movers is Phoenix Express Specialty Moving & Delivery
Texas to Illinois Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Texas to Illinois
- Blistering summer heat
- Limited public transit
- Hurricane risks
- Sparse greenery
- Higher property taxes
- Milder summer temperatures
- Comprehensive transit systems
- No hurricane threats
- Lush landscapes
- Slightly lower property taxes
- Higher urban living costs
- Harsh winter temperatures
- Limited outdoor space
- Less diverse food scene
- Quieter cultural vibe
- Spacious suburban homes
- Year-round warmth
- Large yard spaces
- Rich Tex-Mex culture
- Vibrant music scene
Pros of moving from Texas to Illinois
- Say goodbye to blistering summer heat and hello to milder summer temperatures
- Look forward to moving away from limited public transit and moving to Illinois with comprehensive transit systems
- Swap the hurricane risks of Texas for no hurricane threats in Illinois
- Get ready for lush landscapes in Illinois
Cons of moving from Texas to Illinois
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from spacious suburban homes in Texas to live with higher urban living costs in Illinois
- You'll lose out on the pro of year-round warmth and have to settle for the con of harsh winter temperatures
- Time to bid farewell to large yard spaces and get used to limited outdoor space in Illinois
- Swap rich Tex-Mex culture for a less diverse food scene
Texas vs. Illinois: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Texas | Illinois |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Brisket | Chicago-style Deep Dish Pizza |
Most popular meat dish | Tex-Mex Fajitas | Italian Beef Sandwich |
Most popular street food item | Tacos | Chicago-style Hot Dogs |
Most popular vegan food | Jackfruit BBQ | Vegan Deep Dish Pizza |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness (out of 10) | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks (out of 10) | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene (out of 10) | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly (out of 10) | 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 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
Comparison | Texas | Illinois |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Ranch, Modern | Prairie, Colonial |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious yards, Open floor plans | Access to public transportation, Historic features |
- 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 Texasβs $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
Comparison | Texas | 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 | Hurricanes, Tornadoes | Tornadoes, Winter Storms |
Air Quality | Varies by City | Varies by City |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 94Β°F / 72Β°F | 85Β°F / 65Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 60Β°F / 38Β°F | 35Β°F / 22Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 36 | 39 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 0.1 | 22 |
- 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
Comparison | Texas | Illinois |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $72,284 | $76,708 |
Cost of Living Index | 91.1 | 94.25 |
State Income Tax | 0% | 4.95% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.80% | 2.31% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 8.20% | 8.81% |
Top 3 Industries | Energy, Technology, Agriculture | Manufacturing, Healthcare, Financial Services |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Moderate | Higher |
Homelessness | Moderate | High |
- 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
Comparison | Texas | Illinois |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Republican | Lean Democratic |
Local Politics | Conservative in rural areas, liberal in urban areas | Liberal in urban areas, mix in rural areas |
Religion | Evangelical Protestants prominent | Catholicism and Protestantism common |
- 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
Education Guide When Moving from Texas to Illinois
Comparison | Texas | Illinois |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Texas Texas A&M Texas Tech | University of Illinois Northwestern University of Chicago |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | William B Travis Acad/Vangrd for Academically Tag Dallas Canyon Creek Elementary Austin Walnut Springs Elementary Dripping Springs | Skinner North Classical School Chicago Lincoln Elementary School Springfield Meadow Glens Elementary School Naperville |
Top 3 Middle Schools | William B Travis Acad/Vangrd for the Academically Tag Dallas Canyon Ridge Middle School Austin West Ridge Middle School Austin | Skinner North Classical School Chicago Daniel Wright Junior High School Lincolnshire Kennedy Junior High School Lisle |
Top 3 High Schools | School for the Talented & Gifted Dallas School of Science & Engineering Dallas Liberal Arts & Science Academy Austin | Northside College Preparatory High School Chicago Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy Aurora Walter Payton College Preparatory High School Chicago |
Top 3 private high schools | St. Mark's School of Texas Dallas The Kinkaid School Houston Greenhill School Addison | University of Chicago Lab School Chicago Francis W. Parker School Chicago Latin School of Chicago Chicago |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Hockaday School Dallas St. Stephen's Episcopal School Austin Trinity Valley School Fort Worth | Lake Forest Academy Lake Forest Morgan Park Academy Chicago North Shore Country Day Winnetka |
Top 3 School Districts | Eanes Independent School District Austin Carroll Independent School District Southlake Coppell Independent School District Coppell | New Trier Township High School District 203 Northfield Community High School District 128 Vernon Hills Naperville Community Unit School District 203 Naperville |
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.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-7 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: New Braunfels Moving Company, LLC
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,766 | 300 ft3 | $5.89 |
1 Bedroom | $2,627 | 450 ft3 | $5.84 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,340 | 750 ft3 | $5.79 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,310 | 1100 ft3 | $5.74 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,099 | 1600 ft3 | $5.69 |
5+ Bedrooms | $10,146 | 1800 ft3 | $5.64 |
Top Texas to Illinois Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Texas to Illinois movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Phoenix Express Specialty Moving & Delivery
Best moving company overall for Texas to Illinois