Moving to or from Illinois?
Chicago powers a third of the state's population and nearly all of its international clout. Outside it: prairie farmland, the Mississippi River towns, and Lincoln country.
- #6 Population rank
- 12,500,000 Residents
- Chicago Largest city
- Springfield State capital
Why people move to Illinois.
- Chicago — third-largest US city, global financial center, architectural landmark, Lake Michigan jewel
- Abraham Lincoln's home state — Springfield, New Salem, and countless Lincoln sites
- Deep-dish pizza, Italian beef, and hot-dog traditions found nowhere else
- The Great Lakes — Chicago sits on Lake Michigan, one of the world's largest freshwater lakes
- Strong net outflow — Illinois has lost residents every year since 2014
- High property taxes — among the highest effective rates in the country
Where people spend their time.
- Millennium Park & Cloud Gate (The Bean) Chicago
- Willis Tower Skydeck Chicago
- Navy Pier Chicago
- Art Institute of Chicago Chicago
- Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Springfield
- Starved Rock State Park LaSalle County
- Wrigley Field Chicago
- Shawnee National Forest Southern Illinois
Biggest cities in Illinois.
Where most of Illinois's moves originate and terminate.
-
Chicago Pop. 2,650,000
Third-largest US city; global finance, architecture, and culture
Explore Chicago guide -
Aurora Pop. 180,000
Western Chicago suburb; second-largest IL city
Explore Aurora guide -
Joliet Pop. 150,000
Southwest Chicago suburb; logistics and casino economy
Explore Joliet guide -
Naperville Pop. 150,000
Affluent western suburb; top-rated schools and tech HQs
Explore Naperville guide -
Rockford Pop. 145,000
Northern Illinois; manufacturing and aerospace
Explore Rockford guide -
Elgin Pop. 115,000
Northwest Chicago suburb on the Fox River
Explore Elgin guide -
Springfield Pop. 115,000
State capital; government and healthcare
Explore Springfield guide -
Peoria Pop. 110,000
Central Illinois; former Caterpillar HQ and river port
Explore Peoria guide
Where Illinois movers come from and go to.
Most common moves to Illinois from:
Most common moves out of Illinois to:
Detailed guides for Illinois city moves.
Each guide includes vetted movers, neighborhoods, climate, drive time, and what to expect on arrival.
Moving from a Illinois city:
From Chicago:
- to Los Angeles, CA
- to Austin, TX
- to New York City, NY
- to Miami, FL
- to Phoenix, AZ
- to Charlotte, NC
- to Atlanta, GA
- to Dallas, TX
- to Houston, TX
- to Boston, MA
- to Seattle, WA
- to Denver, CO
- to Nashville, TN
- to Orlando, FL
- to Tampa, FL
- to San Francisco, CA
- to Portland, OR
- to Las Vegas, NV
- to San Diego, CA
- to Salt Lake City, UT
- to Minneapolis, MN
- to Raleigh, NC
- to San Antonio, TX
- to Indianapolis, IN
- to Philadelphia, PA
- to Washington, DC
- to Detroit, MI
- to Jacksonville, FL
- to Sacramento, CA
- to Columbus, OH
- to Pittsburgh, PA
- to New Orleans, LA
- to Memphis, TN
- to Louisville, KY
- to Cleveland, OH
- to Kansas City, MO
- to Cincinnati, OH
- to St. Louis, MO
- to Milwaukee, WI
- to Buffalo, NY
- to Albuquerque, NM
Moving to a Illinois city:
To Chicago:
- from Los Angeles, CA
- from Austin, TX
- from New York City, NY
- from Miami, FL
- from Phoenix, AZ
- from Charlotte, NC
- from Atlanta, GA
- from Dallas, TX
- from Houston, TX
- from Boston, MA
- from Seattle, WA
- from Denver, CO
- from Nashville, TN
- from Orlando, FL
- from Tampa, FL
- from San Francisco, CA
- from Portland, OR
- from Las Vegas, NV
- from San Diego, CA
- from Salt Lake City, UT
- from Minneapolis, MN
- from Raleigh, NC
- from San Antonio, TX
- from Indianapolis, IN
- from Philadelphia, PA
- from Washington, DC
- from Detroit, MI
- from Jacksonville, FL
- from Sacramento, CA
- from Columbus, OH
- from Pittsburgh, PA
- from New Orleans, LA
- from Memphis, TN
- from Louisville, KY
- from Cleveland, OH
- from Kansas City, MO
- from Cincinnati, OH
- from St. Louis, MO
- from Milwaukee, WI
- from Buffalo, NY
- from Albuquerque, NM
Planning a Illinois move.
Humid continental. Summers are hot and humid with afternoon thunderstorms; winters are cold and snowy, with Chicago regularly seeing single-digit and sub-zero temperatures in January. Lake Michigan moderates temps near the lakefront but drives lake-effect snow bands into northern IL and Indiana.
- Chicago high-rise condos and rental towers almost universally require a certificate of insurance (COI) from your mover, an elevator reservation (often 15–60 minute windows, weekdays only), and a non-refundable move-in/move-out fee of $250–$500. Request requirements from your building 3 weeks ahead.
- Winter moves in Chicago (December through March) face freezing temps, salt-and-slush streets, and street-cleaning rules that restrict truck parking. Schedule morning moves to beat the afternoon rush and budget for snow-delay contingencies.
- Illinois property taxes average 2.1% of assessed value — the second-highest effective rate in the country. Factor the monthly cost into your budget when comparing cross-state move finances.
- Chicago street parking for movers requires a temporary no-parking permit from the Chicago DOT ($25+ per day, requested 5 business days in advance). Without it, your truck may be ticketed or towed.
Intrastate household-goods movers in Illinois must be licensed by the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) and carry a valid MC certificate. Verify any Illinois mover's license at the ICC public lookup before signing. Interstate movers also need a USDOT number from the FMCSA.
Moving in Illinois: FAQ.
How much does it cost to move within Illinois?
Chicago local moves run $1,100–$3,800 for a 1–2 bedroom and $3,800–$9,000 for a 3–4 bedroom — comparable to NYC for high-rise moves because of COI, elevator, and parking overhead. Outside Chicago, Illinois moves are significantly cheaper: $800–$2,500 for 1–2 bedroom, $2,500–$6,000 for 3–4 bedroom.
Why are so many people leaving Illinois?
Three main drivers: property taxes (among the highest in the US), state fiscal challenges (unfunded pension obligations and tax uncertainty), and weather (long cold winters). The top destinations — Indiana, Texas, Florida — are all lower-tax or warmer-climate states. That said, Chicago remains a top international-immigration destination and continues to attract young professionals from across the Midwest.
Do Illinois movers need a state license?
Yes. Household-goods movers operating within Illinois must be licensed by the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) and display a valid MC motor carrier number. You can verify any Illinois mover's license at the ICC public lookup. Unlicensed movers are common in the Chicago market — always verify before booking.
When's the best month to move in Chicago?
May and October. May avoids winter snow and summer heat/peak pricing; October hits after the August rent-turn peak when the market quiets down. Avoid August (Chicago's rent-cycle peak — 40%+ of the city's leases turn over the first of the month) and January–February (coldest weather, highest cancellation rates).
Should I move to Chicago or a suburb?
Chicago has walkability, transit, culture, and no car needed — but higher property taxes, higher per-unit housing costs, and more expensive moves. Western suburbs (Naperville, Aurora, Wheaton) and North Shore (Evanston, Winnetka) have top-rated schools and larger homes at a lower per-square-foot cost, but you'll need a car and commute times run 45–90 minutes each way. Depends entirely on commute and school priorities.
Let's find the right mover for your move.
Free advice from people who know the Illinois market. No obligation, no spam, no sales pressure.
Replies within 1 hour during business hours, 9am to 5pm ET, Mon-Fri.