($1,394) Movers From Chicago, IL to Plano, TX

What to know before moving from Chicago to Plano

Moving from Chicago to Plano means adjusting to a different pace of life — and a different price tag. On average, it costs significantly more to live in Chicago than in Plano, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.

Check out how Chicago compares to Plano so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in Plano are 3% higher than in Chicago, which means you’ll have less money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Chicago.
  Home prices in Plano are 72.8% higher than in Chicago.
• Income in Plano is 5.2% lower than in Chicago, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in Plano include Capital One Finance, DXC Technology, and Bank of America Home Loans.
• The cost of living for a single person in Plano is 31.3% lower than in Chicago. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family in Plano is 34.4% lower than in Chicago.
• The unemployment rate in Plano is 38.89% lower than in Chicago.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Plano, since the city’s sales taxes in Plano are 19.51% lower than in Chicago.
• One perk of moving to Plano is paying less in state income taxes, which are 100.00% lower than in Chicago.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,060.86 in Plano to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Chicago.

How life is different in Chicago vs. Plano

• Plano might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 90% less than Chicago.
• Getting around Plano without a car might be more difficult than in Chicago. Plano has a public transportation score of 2 out of 10, whereas Chicago is ranked 9. Ratings are based on a city’s transit connectivity, service frequency, and accessibility to key destinations like jobs and grocery stores.
• Plano neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as Chicago. Based on its score of 41 out of 100, Plano isn’t as walkable as Chicago, which has a score of 77 out of 100. The higher the walkability score a city has, the easier it is to access amenities. The most walkable cities also tend to be more densely populated and have shorter block lengths.
• You probably won’t see as many cycling lanes or off-road trails in Plano, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than Chicago. While Chicago has a bike-friendliness score of 72 out of 100, Plano earned a 52. Scores are based on factors like whether a city accommodates cyclists on major roadways, how often people bike to work, and how many steep hills it has.
• Plano has a lower crime rate than Chicago based on scores of 23.02 and Chicago's 35.19, respectively. The crime index shows how safe a city is perceived to be. So, a lower score generally means less crime.
• You might find more confidence in your overall safety in Plano than in Chicago, based on Plano’s safety index of 76.98 versus 33.87 for Chicago. With this index, higher scores indicate more safety, particularly around how comfortable residents feel walking alone during the day and at night.
• The air quality in Plano and Chicago is generally the same (Good). Cities with good to moderate ratings have clean or acceptable air quality, with the possibility of small pollutants affecting people with certain health conditions like asthma. Anything beyond the moderate rate means increased impact on residents.

Other things to consider for your Chicago vs. Plano move

• Weather: Although temperatures throughout the year are suitable for moving, rainfall is more frequent in May and October meaning your move could be slightly delayed. Spring is the time of year that tornados in Plano are most likely.
• HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator you'll want to check on how to reserve it for move day.
• Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
• State licensing: In-state movers operating in the Lone Star State are legally required to be licensed by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TXDMV), which issues 10-digit TXDMV numbers to commercial carriers. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
• State regulator: You can verify a Texas moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
• Moving permits: Texas 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 Plano. Get started here.
• Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance.In Texas, movers typically provide Released Value Protection at no additional cost, covering items at 60 cents per pound. For enhanced protection, consider discussing Full Value Protection options with the moving company. Alternatively, explore third-party insurance providers for customized plans. It's crucial to understand coverage limits, potential additional costs, and read reviews to make an informed decision about your moving insurance in Texas.
• Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Where to live in Plano

Now that you've decided to make the move to "Hot Air Balloon Capital of Texas", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Plano.

Helpful moving resources