Best overall value
Factors affecting the cost of moving from MA to IL
There are many factors that influence Massachusetts moving costs. The cost to move from Massachusetts to Illinois will depend on these factors:
- Move size: Moving a large home costs more than moving a studio apartment.
- Time of year: The peak moving season in Massachusetts 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 MA to IL
If you’re moving to Illinois from Massachusetts, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.
Cost of living: Massachusetts vs. Illinois
| Massachusetts | Illinois | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,588 | $1,179 |
| Average home cost | $623,131 | $249,224 |
| Average income (per capita) | $96,505 | $78,433 |
| Cost of Living Index | 100 | 90 |
| Unemployment rate | 3.9% | 5.3% |
| Average Sales Tax | 6.25% | 8.82% |
| State Income Tax | 9.0% | 4.95% |
- Rent is about 26% less expensive in Illinois than in Massachusetts.
- Home prices are about 60% lower in Illinois than in Massachusetts.
- The average income is about 19% lower in Illinois than in Massachusetts.
- Cost of living is 10% lower in Illinois than in Massachusetts.
- Illinois has a higher unemployment rate than Massachusetts by about 36%.
- Sales taxes are 41% higher in Illinois than in Massachusetts.
- Income taxes are 45% lower in Illinois than in Massachusetts.
How life is different in Illinois vs. Massachusetts
| Illinois | Massachusetts | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 12,549,689 | 7,001,399 |
| Political leaning | Democratic 55-45 | Democratic 61.5-36.3 |
| Summer high | 86ºF | 82ºF |
| Winter low | 17ºF | 16ºF |
| Annual rain | 40" | 49" |
| Annual snow | 22" | 47" |
| Crime index | 19.7 | 13.92 |
- The population of Illinois is approximately 79% greater than the population of Massachusetts.
- In the last presidential election, Illinois voted Democratic and Massachusetts voted Democratic.
- The average high in the summertime in Illinois is 86ºF and in Massachusetts, it’s 82ºF.
- During the coldest part of the year, Illinois reaches the temperature of 17ºF and Massachusetts gets down to 16ºF.
- You can expect about 40 inches of annual rainfall in Illinois versus 49 inches of rainfall in Massachusetts.
- In Illinois, it snows about 22 inches annually versus 47 inches of snow in Massachusetts.
- Illinois has a higher crime rate than Massachusetts with a crime index of 19.7 vs. 13.92.
Comparing the pros of Massachusetts vs. Illinois
Getting a fresh start in a new location is exciting. Here’s a side-by-side look at the perks of living in Illinois compared to Massachusetts.
| Pros of living in Massachusetts | Pros of living in Illinois |
|---|---|
| Natural beauty | Home of Chicago |
| Excellent education system | Ample economic opportunity |
| Delicious seafood | Bountiful recreational opportunities |
| Bountiful recreational opportunities | Delicious food |
| Home to Boston | World-class sports culture |
Comparing the cons of living in Massachusetts vs. Illinois
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 Massachusetts for Illinois.
| Cons of living in Massachusetts | Cons of living in Illinois |
|---|---|
| Bad traffic | Harsh winter weather |
| Poor driving conditions | Bad traffic |
| Harsh winter weather | High crime rate |
| High cost of living | Dull landscape |
| Peculiar liquor laws | Strict laws |
Other things to consider for your Massachusetts to Illinois move
- Weather: Illinois' climate is clearly different in the northern and southern halves of the state. The northern half experiences cold winters and mild summers whereas the southern half experiences mild winters and hot and humid summers. Illinois is a part of "tornado alley"
- 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: In Illinois, regulations on in-state moves and local movers are set forth by the Illinois Commerce Commission. To move household goods locally and intrastate, companies need to have a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity, so make sure the companies you’re considering have one and that it’s current. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
- State regulator: You can verify a Illinois moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
- Moving permits: Illinois 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 so that all your mail will get properly forwarded to Illinois. Get started here.
- 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. Choose cost-free Released Value Protection from movers for basic coverage at 60 cents per pound. For more extensive protection matching your items' full value, consult your moving company for alternative options or consider a third-party insurance provider.
- Moving checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.
Things to do in Illinois
While you’re in Illinois, you won’t be bored. These are some of the coolest places to visit in your new home state:
- Millennium Park
- Navy Pier
- The Magnificent Mile
- Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
- Shedd Aquarium
- The Art Institute of Chicago
- Starved Rock State Park
- Garden of the Gods - Shawnee National Forest
- Lincoln Park Zoo
- Anderson Japanese Gardens
- Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site
- Dana-Thomas House
- Ulysses S. Grant Home State Historic Site
- Discovery Center Museum
- Buffalo Rock State Park
- Museum of Science and Industry
- Illinois Beach State Park
- Grand View Drive
- Mississippi Palisades State Park
- Matthiessen State Park
FAQs
What is the cheapest way to move from Massachusetts to Illinois?
Hiring a full-service Massachusetts moving company will be on the more expensive side, while a rental truck or a moving container is usually the cheaper way to go, but requires more work. Here’s our guide for the cheapest way to move out of state.
Do movers transport your car from Massachusetts to Illinois?
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 Massachusetts to Illinois separately through one of the top car shipping companies.
What are the benefits of moving from Massachusetts to Illinois?
The main reasons people are moving from Massachusetts to Illinois are the amazing upsides of living in Illinois such as home of Chicago and ample economic opportunity.
Is it cheaper to live in Massachusetts or Illinois?
It is generally cheaper to live in Illinois than in Massachusetts. Housing is much more affordable in Illinois, with average rent about 26% less and home prices 60.0% lower than in Massachusetts. Taxes are also lower in Illinois, most notably income taxes, which are more than 40% less than those paid by Massachusetts residents.
How much should you make a year to live comfortably in Illinois?
You should make approximately $80,838 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in Illinois. The cost of living in Illinois is approximately $3,569 per month for an individual and $7,930 for a family of four. The exact amount you’ll need to live comfortably may be more or less depending on where in Illinois you live For example, larger cities like Chicago and Aurora will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.
