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Things to know before moving from Illinois to Chattanooga, TN
Cost of living: Illinois vs Chattanooga, TN
| Illinois | Chattanooga | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,179 | $1,475 |
| Average home value | $249,224 | $302,565 |
| Average income (per capita) | $78,433 | $60,164 |
| Unemployment rate | 5% | 6% |
| State income tax | 5% | 0% |
Chattanooga sources: Zumper, Zillow, Numbeo
- Rent is about 25% more expensive in Chattanooga than in Illinois.
- Home prices are about 21% higher in Chattanooga than in Illinois.
- The average income is about 23% lower in Chattanooga than in Illinois.
- Chattanooga has a higher unemployment rate than Illinois by about 6%.
- Income taxes are 100% lower in Chattanooga than in Illinois.
How life is different in Chattanooga from Illinois
| Chattanooga | Illinois | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 181,099 | 12,549,689 |
| Political leaning | Republican 53.8-44.1 | Democratic 55-45 |
| Summer high | 89ºF | 86ºF |
| Winter low | 28ºF | 17ºF |
| Annual rain | 51" | 40" |
| Annual snow | 2" | 22" |
| Crime index | 53.89 | 19.7 |
Chattanooga sources: Wikipedia, AllTransit, Walk Score, NeighborhoodScout, AirNow
- The population of Chattanooga is approximately 99% lower than the population of Illinois.
- In the last presidential election, Chattanooga voted Republican and Illinois voted Democratic.
- The average high in the summertime in Chattanooga is 89ºF and in Illinois, it’s 86ºF.
- During the coldest part of the year, Chattanooga reaches the temperature of 28ºF and Illinois gets down to 17ºF.
- You can expect about 51 inches of annual rainfall in Chattanooga vs 40 inches of rainfall in Illinois.
- In Chattanooga, it snows about 2 inches annually vs 22 inches of snow in Illinois.
- Chattanooga has a higher crime rate than Illinois with a crime index of 53.89 vs 19.7.
Things to do in Chattanooga
Whether you’re looking for parks, museums, sports, or even universities, you’ll be happy to find a plethora of these in Chattanooga.
Museums in Chattanooga
Parks in Chattanooga
Sports Teams in Chattanooga
Universities in Chattanooga
Other considerations when moving to Chattanooga, TN
- Weather: May, September and October are the most suitable months for moving in Chattanooga, while you might reconsider your plans in January and July as these are the least comfortable months.
- HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
- Elevator reservation: One common and important example of something that should be handled ahead of time is reserving the building's elevator and finding out their rules for using the elevator.
- Parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles, find out ahead of time with your new local rules.
- State licensing: Although a local license is not required in Tennessee, make sure the moving company you’ll be hiring is registered with U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). To verify if you’re dealing with a legal and licensed mover, you may ask them their USDOT registration number. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
- State regulator: You can verify a Tennessee moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
- Moving permits: Tennessee does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
- Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Tennessee. Get started here.
- Mover's insurance: Every state has their own requirements when it comes to insurance. When it comes to movers' insurance in Tennessee, most moving companies offer Released Value Protection at no extra charge. This basic coverage extends to 60 cents per pound per item. For increased protection, consider discussing Full Value Protection options with the moving company. Additionally, exploring third-party insurance providers is a viable choice for tailored plans. Prioritize understanding coverage limits, potential extra costs, and read reviews to make an informed decision about your moving insurance in Tennessee.
- Moving checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.
FAQ
How long does a move from Illinois to Chattanooga take?
The time frame for a move from Illinois to Chattanooga, TN, varies based on your moving method and starting location. The actual loading up of your items should not take more than a day, even with DIY moves.
Obviously, the further upstate you are in Illinois, the longer the drive time to Chattanooga will be. If you’re driving a rental truck, the move could be completed in one or two days, on average, depending on your route and how often you stop.
With professional movers or moving containers, delivery times to Chattanooga from Illinois can range from a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the company’s schedule and transit logistics. You can always ask for a general timeline before booking.
How far in advance should I book movers when moving from Illinois to Chattanooga?
Because of the 579-mile move, it’s best to book your move from Illinois to Chattanooga as soon as you have your moving details. Ideally, you’d book your move two to three months ahead of time.
What time of year is the cheapest to move to Chattanooga, TN?
With the summer highs of 89ºF and the winter lows of 28ºF, most people move to Chattanooga from Illinois during the spring and fall months. To avoid competing during those busy moving seasons, you could save some money by booking your move to Chattanooga during summer or winter.
