Factors affecting the cost of moving from IL to MS
There are many factors that influence
Illinois moving costs.
The cost to move from Illinois to Mississippi will depend on these factors:
- Move size: Moving a large home costs more than moving a studio apartment.
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Time of year: The peak moving season
in Illinois is in the summer, so moving companies will likely charge more.
-
DIY vs. professional mover:
DIY moving services are cheaper but you do all the heavy lifting compared to letting the pros handle your move.
What to know before moving from IL to MS
If you’re moving to Mississippi from Illinois, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.
Cost of living: Illinois vs. Mississippi
|
Illinois |
Mississippi |
Average rent cost |
$1,179 |
$896 |
Average home cost |
$249,224 |
$181,313 |
Average income (per capita) |
$78,433 |
$68,505 |
Cost of Living Index |
90 |
85 |
Unemployment rate |
5.3% |
2.9% |
Average Sales Tax |
8.82% |
7.0% |
State Income Tax |
4.95% |
4.7% |
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Rent is about 24% less expensive in Mississippi than in Illinois.
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Home prices are about 27% lower in Mississippi than in Illinois.
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The average income is about 13% lower in Mississippi than in Illinois.
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Cost of living is 6% lower in Mississippi than in Illinois.
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Mississippi has a lower unemployment rate than Illinois by about 45%.
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Sales taxes are 21% lower in Mississippi than in Illinois.
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Income taxes are 5% lower in Mississippi than in Illinois.
How life is different in Mississippi vs. Illinois
|
Mississippi |
Illinois |
Population |
10,037,261 |
12,549,689 |
Political leaning |
Republican 60.9-38 |
Democratic 55-45 |
Summer high |
91ºF |
86ºF |
Winter low |
33ºF |
17ºF |
Annual rain |
57" |
40" |
Annual snow |
1" |
22" |
Crime index |
19.92 |
19.7 |
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The population of Mississippi is approximately 20% lower than the population of Illinois.
-
In the last presidential election, Mississippi voted Republican and Illinois voted Democratic.
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The average high in the summertime in Mississippi is 91ºF
and in Illinois, it’s 86ºF.
-
During the coldest part of the year, Mississippi reaches the temperature of 33ºF
and Illinois gets down to 17ºF.
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You can expect about 57 inches of annual rainfall in Mississippi versus 40 inches of rainfall in Illinois.
-
In Mississippi, it snows about 1 inch annually
versus 22 inches of snow in Illinois.
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Mississippi has a higher crime rate than Illinois with a crime index
of 19.92 vs. 19.7.
Comparing the pros of Illinois vs. Mississippi
Getting a fresh start in a new location is exciting. Here’s a side-by-side look at the perks of living in Mississippi compared to Illinois.
Pros of living in Illinois |
Pros of living in Mississippi |
Home of Chicago |
Southern hospitality |
Ample economic opportunity |
Delicious comfort food |
Bountiful recreational opportunities |
Mild winters |
Delicious food |
Low cost of living |
World-class sports culture |
Nice beaches |
Comparing the cons of living in Illinois vs. Mississippi
Everything can’t be sunshine and rainbows all the time, no matter where you live.
Here are some things to be aware of when leaving Illinois for Mississippi.
Cons of living in Illinois |
Cons of living in Mississippi |
Harsh winter weather |
Extreme weather |
Bad traffic |
Lackluster economy |
High crime rate |
Low diversity |
Dull landscape |
Poor healthcare |
Strict laws |
Political homogeneity |
Other things to consider for your Illinois to Mississippi move
- Weather: Mississippi has a humid subtropical climate with long, hot, and humid summers, and short, mild winters. The temperature varies little statewide in the summer; however, in winter, the region near Mississippi Sound is significantly warmer than the inland portion of the state. The late summer and fall is the seasonal period of risk for hurricanes moving inland from the Gulf of Mexico, especially in the southern part of the state. As in the rest of the Deep South, thunderstorms are common in Mississippi, especially in the southern part of the state. On average, Mississippi has around 27 tornadoes annually; the northern part of the state has more tornadoes earlier in the year and the southern part has a higher frequency later in the year. If you are planning your move during the summertime be sure to check your local weather station.
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HOA rules:
Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
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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.
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Parking permits:
Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles, find out ahead of time with your new local rules.
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State licensing:
Like in many other states, movers in Mississippi are regulated by the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT).
When considering hiring a local mover, you’ll want to check that they have an up-to-date MSPC Number.
If they do, it means that they’re authorized to move household goods within the state. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
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State regulator:
You can verify a Mississippi moving license
and its status on the state regulator's official website.
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Moving permits:
Mississippi does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
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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 so that all your mail will get properly forwarded to Mississippi.
Get started here.
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Mover's insurance:
Interstate moving companies are required under federal law to provide basic insurance — also called “released value protection” — free of charge to all moving customers.
Released Value Protection is the cost-free choice provided by movers, but it offers minimal coverage. Movers are only responsible for up to 60 cents per pound per article. For comprehensive coverage of your items, consider exploring alternative options with your chosen moving company or a third-party insurance provider.
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Moving checklist:
Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.
Things to do in Mississippi
While you’re in Mississippi, you won’t be bored. These are some of the coolest places to visit in your new home state:
- 1: Vicksburg National Military Park
- 2: Mississippi Museum of Natural Science
- 3: Natchez Trace Parkway
- 4: Gulf Coast Beaches & Water Activities
- 5: Jackson Zoological Park
- 6: Gulf Islands Waterpark
- 7: Elvis Presley's Birthplace
- 8: Tupelo National Battlefield
- 9: Marine Life Oceanarium
- 10: Riley Center
FAQs
What is the cheapest way to move from Illinois to Mississippi?
Do movers transport your car from Illinois to Mississippi?
Some full-service movers can coordinate auto transport for you as part of your relocation package for an additional fee.
But you can also handle
vehicle transport from Illinois to Mississippi
separately through one of the top car shipping companies.
What are the benefits of moving from Illinois to Mississippi?
The main reasons people are moving from Illinois to Mississippi are the amazing upsides of living in Mississippi such as
southern hospitality and delicious comfort food.
Is it cheaper to live in Illinois or Mississippi?
It is generally cheaper to live in Mississippi than in Illinois.
Housing
is much more affordable in Mississippi,
with average rent about 24% less and home prices 27.2% lower than in Illinois.
Taxes are also lower in Mississippi, most notably income taxes,
which are more than 5% less than those paid by
Illinois residents.
How much should you make a year to live comfortably in Mississippi?
You should make approximately $51,946 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in Mississippi.
The cost of living in Mississippi is approximately $2,364 per month for an individual and $5,375 for a family of four.
The exact amount you’ll need to live comfortably may be more or less depending on where in Mississippi you live
For example, larger cities like Jackson and Gulfport will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.
Helpful moving resources