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Things to know before moving from North Carolina to Chicago, IL
Cost of living: North Carolina vs Chicago, IL
| North Carolina | Chicago | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,093 | $2,045 |
| Average home value | $328,715 | $295,743 |
| Average income (per capita) | $66,186 | $71,566 |
| Unemployment rate | 4% | 9% |
| State income tax | 5% | 5% |
Chicago sources: Zumper, Zillow, Numbeo
- Rent is about 87% more expensive in Chicago than in North Carolina.
- Home prices are about 10% lower in Chicago than in North Carolina.
- The average income is about 8% higher in Chicago than in North Carolina.
- Chicago has a higher unemployment rate than North Carolina by about 143%.
- Income taxes are 10% higher in Chicago than in North Carolina.
How life is different in Chicago from North Carolina
| Chicago | North Carolina | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,746,388 | 10,835,491 |
| Political leaning | Democrat 74-24 | Republican 51-49 |
| Summer high | 84ºF | 88ºF |
| Winter low | 19ºF | 29ºF |
| Annual rain | 38" | 48" |
| Annual snow | 35" | 4" |
| Crime index | 35.19 | 24.69 |
Chicago sources: Wikipedia, AllTransit, Walk Score, NeighborhoodScout, AirNow
- The population of Chicago is approximately 75% lower than the population of North Carolina.
- In the last presidential election, Chicago voted Democrat and North Carolina voted Republican.
- The average high in the summertime in Chicago is 84ºF and in North Carolina, it’s 88ºF.
- During the coldest part of the year, Chicago reaches the temperature of 19ºF and North Carolina gets down to 29ºF.
- You can expect about 38 inches of annual rainfall in Chicago vs 48 inches of rainfall in North Carolina.
- In Chicago, it snows about 35 inches annually vs 4 inches of snow in North Carolina.
- Chicago has a higher crime rate than North Carolina with a crime index of 35.19 vs 24.69.
Things to do in Chicago
Whether you’re looking for parks, museums, sports, or even universities, you’ll be happy to find a plethora of these in Chicago.
Museums in Chicago
Parks in Chicago
Sports Teams in Chicago
Universities in Chicago
Other considerations when moving to Chicago, IL
- Weather: Although Chicago gets less snowfall than surrounding areas in the Midwest and the Great Lakes region, heavy snowfall could still affect your move in the wintertime.
- 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 and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Illinois. Get started here.
- Mover's insurance: Every state has their own requirements when it comes to insurance. 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.
Compare the pros and cons of North Carolina vs. Chicago, IL
Comparing the pros of North Carolina vs. Chicago, IL:
There are always a lot of reasons to get excited about living somewhere new. These are the best parts of living in North Carolina vs Chicago side-by-side.
| Pros of living in North Carolina | Pros of living in Chicago, IL |
|---|---|
| Great communities | Bountiful arts and recreational activities |
| Low cost of living | Delicious food |
| Ample economic opportunity | Abundant entertainment |
| High quality of life | Intense sports culture |
| Bountiful recreational opportunities | Ample economic opportunity |
Comparing the cons of living in North Carolina vs. Chicago, IL:
Not everything is sunshine and rainbows, these are the things to be aware of when leaving North Carolina for Chicago.
| Cons of living in North Carolina | Cons of living in Chicago, IL |
|---|---|
| Hurricanes | High crime rate |
| Bland weather | Temperamental weather |
| High crime rate | Terrible traffic |
| High tax burden | High taxes |
| Poor education | Pollution |
FAQ
How long does a move from North Carolina to Chicago take?
The time frame for a move from North Carolina to Chicago, IL, varies based on your moving method and starting location. The actual loading up of your items should not take more than a day, even with DIY moves.
Obviously, the further upstate you are in North Carolina, the longer the drive time to Chicago will be. If you’re driving a rental truck, the move could be completed in one or two days, on average, depending on your route and how often you stop.
With professional movers or moving containers, delivery times to Chicago from North Carolina can range from a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the company’s schedule and transit logistics. You can always ask for a general timeline before booking.
How far in advance should I book movers when moving from North Carolina to Chicago?
Because of the 789-mile move, it’s best to book your move from North Carolina to Chicago as soon as you have your moving details. Ideally, you’d book your move two to three months ahead of time.
What time of year is the cheapest to move to Chicago, IL?
With the summer highs of 84ºF and the winter lows of 19ºF, most people move to Chicago from North Carolina during the spring and fall months. To avoid competing during those busy moving seasons, you could save some money by booking your move to Chicago during summer or winter.
