Moving to Illinois: Pros and Cons in 2025
If you’re thinking about moving to Illinois, you’re not alone. The Land of Lincoln atttacts newcomers for good reason! With bustling metropolitan areas like Chicago and quiet rural towns, there’s a place to match your desired pace of life.
As much as there is to love about Illinois, it’s smart to weigh the good and the not-so-good before you buy a new home and pack up your belongings.
Here, we’ll walk you through what you need to know about moving to Illinois to help you decide if it’s the right fit for you.
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Pros & cons of living in Illinois
Like any big move, relocating to Illinois comes with its own upsides and potential downsides that are important to consider.
Here’s a look at some of the biggest pros and cons of living in the Land of Lincoln to help you make an informed decision.
Pros of living in IL
- ✓Home of chicago
- ✓Ample economic opportunity
- ✓Bountiful recreational opportunities
- ✓Delicious food
- ✓World-class sports culture
Cons of living in IL
- ✖Harsh winter weather
- ✖Bad traffic
- ✖High crime rate
- ✖Dull landscape
- ✖Strict laws
Things to do in Illinois
Whether you’re moving to Illinois work, family, or just a fresh start, you’ll want to get the most out of your new home state — and that includes finding fun things to do. The good news is that, no matter your interests, Illinois has lots of fun places to explore and things to do.
You can visit these places with your family or use them to meet new people if you’re alone. With so many choices, you’re sure to find something that suits you and makes you feel comfortable.
Popular Attractions in Illinois
- Millennium Park
- Navy Pier
- The Magnificent Mile
- Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
- Shedd Aquarium
- The Art Institute of Chicago
- Starved Rock State Park
- Garden of the Gods – Shawnee National Forest
- Lincoln Park Zoo
- Anderson Japanese Gardens
Museums in Illinois
- The Art Institute of Chicago
- Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
- Caterpillar Visitors Center
- Lincoln Home National Historic Site
- Museum of Hummels
- Fabyan Villa Museum & Japanese Garden
- World’s Tallest Man Statue
- Halim Time & Glass Museum
- Museum of Science and Industry
- Graue Mill & Museum
Parks in Illinois
- Starved Rock State Park
- Matthiessen State Park
- Illinois Beach State Park
- Pere Marquette State Park
- Kankakee river State Park
- Shawnee National Forest
- Castle Rock State Park
- Rock Cut State Park
- Giant city State Park
- Ferne Clyffe State Park
Fun facts about Illinois
Each state has a unique character molded by its history, culture, and residents. Learning about its small details and quirky traditions helps you understand what life there is truly like.
These fun facts about Illinois, will give you a glimpse at what makes the state unique, and may even give you a few more reasons to make the move.
- The round Silo for farm storage of silage was first constructed on a farm in Spring Grove.
- The Illinois state dance is square dancing.
- Illinois has more units of government than any other state (i.e., city, county, township, etc.). Over six thousand. One contributing reason may be the township governments, which are generally six miles square.
- The worst prison camp during the Civil War in terms of percentages of death was at Rock Island.
- Illinois boasts the highest number of personalized license plates, more than any other state.
- The University of Illinois Conservatory is 37 feet high at its apex.
- In 1905, president of the Chicago Cubs filed charges against a fan in the bleachers for catching a fly ball and keeping it.
- Chicago’s Mercantile Exchange building was built entirely without an internal steel skeleton, as most skyscrapers; it depends on its thick walls to keep itself up
- The abbreviation “ORD” for Chicago’s O’Hare airport comes from the original name Orchard Field. O’Hare Airport was named in honor of Lieutenant Commander Edward H. “Butch” O’Hare.
- The trains that pass through Chicago’s underground freight tunnels daily would extend over ten miles total in length.
- The slogan of 105.9, the classic rock radio station in Chicago: ‘Of all the radio stations in Chicago…we’re one of them.’
- In Mount Pulaski, Illinois, it is illegal for boys (and only boys) to hurl snowballs at trees. Girls are allowed to do that however.
- In Illinois Michael is the top name chosen for boys. Emily is the most chosen name for girls.
- Illinois is known for its wide variety of weather. Major winter storms, deadly tornadoes and spectacular heat and cold waves.
Illinois population and demographics
While you’re thinking about relocating to Illinois, it’s important to look beyond facts and figures to get to the story they tell about the Land of Lincoln.
A state with more people might have more jobs, entertainment, and better infrastructure. On the other hand, a state with fewer people could mean a quieter lifestyle and close-knit communities.
Average education levels show the availability of job opportunities or access to local schools and colleges. Political breakdowns may indicate a state’s values and priorities.
Understanding who lives in Illinois, how they live, and what they value can make it much easier to decide if it’s the kind of place where you’d feel comfortable and connected.
| Metric | Illinois |
|---|---|
| Population | 12,549,689 |
| Female | 50.6% |
| Male | 49.4% |
| College graduation rate | 37.14% |
| Political leaning | Democratic 55-45 |
| Crime index | 19.7 |
Illinois weather
Climate plays a huge role in shaping your day-to-day life, so it’s an important factor to consider when deciding whether Illinois is right for you. Looking at seasonal highs and lows and average rain and snowfall can help you imagine how much time you’ll be spending outdoors, preparing for storms, and adjusting to temperature extremes.
Summer highs can influence your energy bills and how much time you spend away from the AC. Winter lows determine the type of wardrobe and heating system you’ll need. Annual snowfall can range from light flurries to major storms that affect travel and daily life.
Whether you love sunshine, prefer cooler temps, or want to avoid snow altogether, knowing the climate can help you decide if Illinois aligns with your lifestyle and comfort level.
| Metric | Illinois |
|---|---|
| Summer high | 86ºF |
| Winter low | 17ºF |
| Annual rain | 40″ |
| Annual snow | 22″ |
Income and cost of living in Illinois
A look at major industries, average income, housing costs, and the overall cost of living gives you a clearer picture of how affordable and sustainable life will likely be in Illinois.
Knowing which industries boost the economy can help you evaluate job prospects in your field or foresee job market stability. If you’re thinking about renting or buying a home, housing costs are probably a major factor when deciding whether to move.
The cost of living index shows how much your money is worth compared to the national average. A lower index usually means daily expenses such as groceries, transportation, and housing are cheaper.
These numbers are more than just statistics. They’re practical tools that help you compare your current lifestyle to what’s possible in Illinois and make a confident, informed decision about your move.
The main economic industries in the state include:
- Manufacturing ($37.6 billion)
- Real estate and rental and leasing ($23.6 billion)
- Professional and business services ($22 billion)
- Educational services, health care, and social assistance ($17.7 billion)
- Retail trade ($15.3 billion)
- Finance and insurance ($13.2 billion)
- Wholesale trade ($12.4 billion)
- Construction ($7.8 billion)
- Arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation, and food services ($7.2 billion)
- Utilities ($6.5 billion)
| Metric | Illinois |
|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,179 |
| Average home cost | $249,224 |
| Average income (per capita) | $78,433 |
| Cost of living index* | 90 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.3% |
| Average sales tax | Not available |
| State income tax | 4.95% |
*To figure out the cost of living in each state, there’s a 100-point index, known as the cost of living index. This metric starts with a baseline number of 100. States with a number below that are less expensive to live in while states with numbers higher than 100 are more expensive to live in.
Top schools in Illinois
If education influences your decision to move, a state’s schools reflect its career opportunities and community resources.
Whether you’re planning to go back to school yourself, have kids nearing graduation, or just want to live in a state with strong academic options, it’s worth checking out what Illinois has to offer.
Here are some of the top schools in Illinois:
- University of Chicago
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Northwestern University
- University of Illinois at Chicago
- Northern Illinois University
- DePaul University
- Illinois Institute of Technology
- Loyola University Chicago
- Southern Illinois University Carbondale
- Illinois State University
- Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
- Western Illinois University
Finding the best moving company for your relocation to Illinois
We’ve reviewed hundreds of moving companies and worked directly with customers to identify the top movers across the country.
If you’re planning on moving to the Land of Lincoln, here are the best moving companies to help you transport your belongings to your new home wherever you are headed from.
- Alabama to IL
- Arkansas to IL
- Arizona to IL
- California to IL
- Colorado to IL
- Connecticut to IL
- Delaware to IL
- Florida to IL
- Georgia to IL
- Iowa to IL
- Idaho to IL
- Indiana to IL
- Kansas to IL
- Kentucky to IL
- Louisiana to IL
- Massachusetts to IL
- Maryland to IL
- Maine to IL
- Michigan to IL
- Minnesota to IL
- Missouri to IL
- Mississippi to IL
- Montana to IL
- North Carolina to IL
- North Dakota to IL
- Nebraska to IL
- New Hampshire to IL
- New Jersey to IL
- New Mexico to IL
- Nevada to IL
- New York to IL
- Ohio to IL
- Oklahoma to IL
- Oregon to IL
- Pennsylvania to IL
- Rhode Island to IL
- South Carolina to IL
- South Dakota to IL
- Tennessee to IL
- Texas to IL
- Utah to IL
- Virginia to IL
- Vermont to IL
- Washington to IL
- Wisconsin to IL
- West Virginia to IL
- Wyoming to IL
Cost of moving to Illinois
Before you take the leap to Illinois, it’s a good idea to get a handle on moving costs. On average, hiring professional movers will run you about $131 per hour. The total cost depends on how much stuff you have and how far you’re moving. Cross-country moves, for example, will definitely hit your wallet harder than a quick hop across state lines.
The type of move you choose can make a big difference in cost, too.
To keep costs down, choose one of the best moving container companies. You do the packing and loading and they handle the driving for you, so it’s kind of like a middle ground between DIY and full-service.
Want to save even more? The most affordable option is to get a rental truck. With this options, you’ll do all of the heavy lifting, including packing, loading, driving, and unloading.
But if you’d rather not break a sweat, professional interstate movers can do all the work for you. Just keep in mind that this convenience comes at a price. Be sure to get quotes from several different movers to find one that fits your budget and moving needs.
| Company | Quote | Rating |
|---|---|---|
Safeway Moving
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Mayzlin Relocation
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BLVD Moving
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PODS
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American Van Lines
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Cost to bring your car to Illinois
Bringing a car with you? Use our car shipping calculator below to estimate how much it’ll cost to transport your vehicle to Illinois.
Illinois car insurance requirements
Illinois drivers license requirements
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