Moving to Illinois? 2024 Living Costs & Relocation Tips

Illinois is located in the Midwestern region of the United States, and is most well-known for its bustling city metropolis of Chicago. It is nicknamed “the Prairie State” as a result of its many farmlands and forests.

If you are considering moving to Illinois, the various costs listed below will help you make an informed decision on what costs are involved.

Quick Illinois Facts:

Population: 12.67 million (2021)
Official Language: English
GDP Per Capita: $68,822 (2022)
Random Fact: Chicago was home to the tallest building in America, the Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Tower) at the time of building
Currency: US Dollar (US$). As of early 2023, £1 = $1.20, €1 = $1.07, $1 CAD = $0.74, $1 AUD = $0.68

Sections

1. Moving and Shipping Costs to Illinois

From State	Approx. Moving Cost ($)
California	2600
Florida	2000
New York	2300
Pennsylvania	2100
Texas	2500
Ohio	1800
Georgia	1900
North Carolina	1950
Michigan	1700
New Jersey	2200

This table includes the state of origin and an estimated moving cost in US dollars to Illinois. Keep in mind that these costs are approximate and can vary based on several factors such as the exact locations within the states, the volume of goods being moved, and the timing of the move.

For international moves have a look at international moving companies in Illinois here.

2. Illinois Housing Costs

The rental and house purchase prices in Illinois vary widely depending on the location. In general, prices tend to be higher in downtown Chicago compared to the suburbs and smaller towns throughout the state. For example, a one-bedroom apartment in downtown Chicago can cost upwards of $2,000 per month, while a similar apartment in the suburbs may be closer to $1,000 per month.

Monthly Rental Prices in Illinois:

1 bedroom flat (apartment) in City Centre: $680+
1 bedroom flat outside the City Centre: $550+
3 bedroom flat in City Centre: $1,800+
3 bedroom flat outside the City Centre: $950+

Illinois Home Purchase Prices:

Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy in City Centre: $2,500+
Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy outside City: $2,000+

Illinois Housing Cost Comparison:

This is how rents in Illinois compare with other cities around the globe.

London is 67.2% more expensive
New York is 77.4% more expensive
Los Angeles is 68.8% more expensive
Toronto is 54.2% more expensive
Sydney is 60.3% more expensive
Paris is 48.2% more expensive
Dubai is 53.6% more expensive

Source: Numbeo

How to Save on Housing Costs:

Share a Flat or House: Sharing a house or a flat is a way to save on living expenses. You may have to share a bathroom but you will save at the end of the day. A cheaper option is to share a room. Have a look at the following site to find your perfect room or flatmate: iRoommates, Kangaroom.
Different Areas – Different Prices: Illinois offers a wide range of rental and house purchase prices, with significant variations depending on the location. Generally, rental and housing prices are relatively higher in downtown Chicago, compared to the suburbs and smaller towns in the state. This price gap is due to the high demand for living space in the downtown area, where residents are often drawn to the lively atmosphere, cultural attractions, and proximity to job opportunities.

3. Illinois Food, Grocery and Restaurant Costs

Illinois boasts a diverse culinary scene, with a focus on farm-to-table dining and a thriving craft beer culture. Chicago is particularly known for its deep-dish pizza, Italian beef sandwiches, and hot dogs, while the state also offers iconic dishes like the horseshoe sandwich, a regional speciality featuring a mound of meat topped with French fries and cheese sauce.

Inexpensive Restaurant: $20.00
Takeout Coffee: $4.20
Bottle of Coke: $1.70
1L of Milk: $0.80
Loaf of Bread: $2.90
12 Eggs: $2.00
1kg Chicken: $4.60
1kg Beef: $8.80
1kg Apples: $5.00
1kg White Rice: $3.90

This is how restaurants and food prices compare with other major cities in the world.

London restaurants are 13.5% more expensive and groceries are 6.1% cheaper than Illinois.
New York restaurants are 77.4% more expensive and groceries are 38.6% more expensive than Illinois.
Los Angeles restaurants are 21% more expensive and groceries are 22.1% more expensive than Illinois.
Toronto restaurants are 1.9% more expensive and groceries are 11% more expensive than Illinois.
Sydney restaurants are 1.1% more expensive and groceries are 22.1% more expensive than Illinois.
Paris restaurants are 3.8% cheaper and groceries are 20.8% more expensive than Illinois.
Dubai restaurants are 3.5% cheaper and groceries are 24.9% cheaper than Illinois.

Source: Numbeo

Bonus Tips for Cheaper Food, Restaurants and Groceries:

Know Your Supermarkets: Farmers’ markets are a popular feature in many areas of Illinois, providing fresh, locally grown produce and other goods to residents and visitors alike. In terms of supermarkets, the state offers a range of options, from budget-friendly stores like Aldi and Walmart to higher-end markets like Whole Foods and Mariano’s, catering to a variety of preferences and budgets.
Find Cheap Eats: Illinois has a good selection of restaurants which offer food at affordable prices. Have a look at Trip Advisor and Eater.

4. Illinois Alcohol Costs

Illinois, like all cities in the United States, has plenty of bars and clubs to choose from, whether you want a quick beer after work or a cocktail before dinner.

Pint (0.6L) domestic beer at a restaurant/pub: $5.00
Bottle of imported beer at a restaurant/pub: $5.00
Pint (0.6L) domestic beer at a supermarket: $3.00
Bottle of imported beer at a supermarket: $4.30
Mid-range bottle of wine at a supermarket: $12.50

How To Drink For Less in Illinois:

Keep an eye on the local papers and websites for specials over weekends and public holidays.

5. Illinois Transportation Fares

Illinois has a relatively well-developed public transportation system, particularly in the Chicago metropolitan area, where the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) operates buses and trains that connect the city and surrounding suburbs. Outside of the Chicago area, public transportation options may be more limited, with many residents relying on cars for transportation.

Here are some sample ticket costs:

Adult single – $2.50
One-day ticket – $5.00
Monthly season ticket, unlimited – $90.00

How To Save Money on Public Transport:

Buy a bike. Depending on where you live and work, cycling around the city is certainly a viable option.
Walk. If you live relatively close to where you work, you can walk to work.

6. Cost of Internet in Illinois

Internet prices in the States are expensive compared with many other countries in the world. Here are some sample broadband internet prices from early 2023 for unlimited downloads, based on a 12-month contract:

Sprint: $50 a month (Unlimited high speed except for streaming gaming up to 8mb)
AT & T: $20 a month (50mb fibre)
Verizon: $80 a month

7. Cost of Clothing, Personal Items, Gym and Leisure

The average yearly temperature in Illinois is around 10-13 degrees Celsius (50-55 degrees Fahrenheit), with January being the coldest month, and July being the hottest month. The wettest month varies depending on the location within the state, but generally, May and June are the wettest months in Illinois.

Here are some clothing prices, together with other useful prices.

Pair of Jeans: $42.50
Summer Dress: $30.00
Running Shoes (Trainers): $75.00
Business Shoes: $87.00
Short Doctor’s Visit (15 mins): $90.00
Deodorant: $4.00
Shampoo: $4.00
Toilet Paper (4 rolls): $3.50
Gym Membership: $37.50
Movie (cinema) Ticket: $11.00

Source: Numbeo, Expatistan

8. Cost of Owning a Car and Driving a Car in Illinois

Everyone in the US drives on the right. Many people use their cars for work in Illinois. The rush hour is nowhere near as long as bad as other cities around the world. If you’re moving to Illinois from within the US, you’ll be able to keep your license but need to update your address to your new one.

You can drive on a foreign license for up to 12 months as a tourist but after that, you will need to get an American license. If you are working or studying in the US, you can drive on your foreign license for 30 days. If you want to exchange your foreign driver’s license you have to follow the process here.

Here are some other sample costs of owning and operating a car in Illinois:

Volkswagen Golf: $25,000+
1 litre (¼ gallon) of Gas (petrol): $0.90

Source: Numbeo, Expatistan

Ways To Save Money on Driving in Illinois:

Car sharing or pooling is one way to save money. Try Zipcar.
Taxis can sometimes be a cheaper option, especially if you are going to have to park all day. Try Uber or Lyft.

9. Taxes in Illinois

No matter where you live in the State, you will pay federal tax. To learn more about the different taxes in the States go to Immihelp and USA taxes.

The sales tax in Illinois is composed of a state tax of 6.25% and additional local taxes that vary by city and county. In some areas, the combined sales tax rate can exceed 10%, making Illinois one of the states with the highest sales tax rates in the United States.

Whether you own or rent your home, you will be subject to property tax based on the area in which you live and the size of the property you live in. Learn more about property tax in Fresno at Property Tax.

Finally, if you decide to buy a flat or house in Illinois you’ll have to pay real estate transfer tax.

10. Flight Costs from Illinois

If you do make the move to Illinois, here’s approximately how much it will cost to fly to other major world cities based on the lowest, one-way fares from Skyscanner as of early 2023:

London: $300
New York: $70
Los Angeles: $75
Toronto: $120
Vancouver: $160
Dubai: $700
Sydney: $680
Melbourne: $700
Cape Town: $620
Hong Kong: $750

Other Tips on Moving to Illinois:

The costs and pricing above should give you a good idea of the cost of living in Illinois but perhaps the following extra tips will make your move go smoothly.

11. Moving to Illinois Alone

Moving anywhere can be a lonely experience, but moving to a new city can be especially daunting. Here are a few tips about settling in Illinois.

Meetups: There are many Meetup groups to choose from. You will definitely find something to join which will help you to settle in.
Attend Local Events: Illinois always has something going on. Have a look at Enjoy Illinois and Trip Advisor.

12. Moving to Illinois with a Family

Chicago, the largest city in Illinois, offers a wide range of family-friendly attractions, such as the Navy Pier, Millennium Park, and the Field Museum of Natural History. The state also has several family-friendly suburbs, such as Naperville, Schaumburg, and Oak Park, which offer excellent schools, parks, and recreational activities.

In terms of crime, Illinois has a higher crime rate than the national average. However, crime rates vary widely across different areas of the state. Chicago has a higher crime rate compared to many other cities in Illinois.

New Parents (or parents to be): Free and paid antenatal classes and courses exist. Have a look at Illinois Department of Public Health.
Live in a Family-friendly Area: Located in the Chicago suburbs, Naperville is consistently ranked as one of the best places to live in the United States. It has excellent schools, a low crime rate, and plenty of parks and recreational activities. Hinsdale, a suburb of Chicago, is also known for its excellent schools, safe neighbourhoods, and charming downtown area.
Find Things To Do With The Kids: There are many activities for families living in Illinois. Have a look at the following sites to be inspired – Trip Advisor.

13. Moving to Illinois for Work

While it is possible to move to Illinois without a job, it makes sense to ensure there are jobs in your field before you make the move. Illinois has a diverse economy with many industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, finance, and agriculture. The state is home to several Fortune 500 companies, such as Boeing, Caterpillar, and Walgreens. As of March 2023, the unemployment rate in Illinois was 3.9%, which is slightly lower than the national average.

Here are a few things to consider when moving for work:

Salary: Salaries vary enormously depending on which industry you are in. The costs we outlined above should give you a rough idea of how much more you’ll want to make the move worthwhile. You can also check salary ranges on sites such as Payscale.
How To Find Work: If you want to have a job lined up before you move to Fresno, but aren’t sure where to begin, the following sites are good places to start: Monster and Indeed. You may also want to Google recruiters in your industry, as they can often help land you some initial interviews as well.

14. Moving to Illinois from Australia

There’s a small group of Australians living and working in Illinois, if you are thinking of joining them, here are a few things to consider.

Size Comparison: Illinois is roughly equivalent in size to the state of Victoria, which has an area of 87,806 square miles.
Join Expat Groups: Start your own Australian Meetup group.

15. Moving to Illinois from Canada

There’s a small group of Canadians living in Illinois. If you’re considering making the move from Canada here are a few things to consider.

Size: Illinois is slightly smaller than the province of Nova Scotia, which has an area of 55,284 square miles.
Expat Groups: Meeting up with fellow Canadians helps the moving process. Start a Canadian Meetup group.

16. Moving to Illinois from the United Kingdom

There’s a small number of Brits living in Illinois. If you are thinking of making the move from the UK to join them, then here are a few things to consider.

Size: Illinois is approximately the same size as the whole of England, which has an area of 50,301 square miles.
Expat Groups: If you want to join up with fellow Brits in Illinois, then start your own British Meetup group.

Hopefully, the tips and costs above are helpful. If want to get started pricing out how much it will cost you to move to Illinois you can start by comparing moving quotes here.