Factors affecting the cost of moving from PA to ILtoggle

There are many factors that influence Pennsylvania moving costs. The cost to move from Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania 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 PA to IL

If you’re moving to Illinois from Pennsylvania, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.

Cost of living: Pennsylvania vs. Illinois

Pennsylvania Illinois
Average rent cost $1,110 $1,179
Average home cost $268,824 $249,224
Average income (per capita) $73,170 $78,433
Cost of Living Index 99 90
Unemployment rate 3.4% 5.3%
Average Sales Tax 6.34% 8.82%
State Income Tax 3.07% 4.95%
  • Rent is about 6% more expensive in Illinois than in Pennsylvania.
  • Home prices are about 7% lower in Illinois than in Pennsylvania.
  • The average income is about 7% higher in Illinois than in Pennsylvania.
  • Cost of living is 9% lower in Illinois than in Pennsylvania.
  • Illinois has a higher unemployment rate than Pennsylvania by about 56%.
  • Sales taxes are 39% higher in Illinois than in Pennsylvania.
  • Income taxes are 61% higher in Illinois than in Pennsylvania.

How life is different in Illinois vs. Pennsylvania

Illinois Pennsylvania
Population 12,549,689 12,961,683
Political leaning Democratic 55-45 Republican 51-49
Summer high 86ºF 83ºF
Winter low 17ºF 19ºF
Annual rain 40" 44"
Annual snow 22" 38"
Crime index 19.7 17.62
  • The population of Illinois is approximately 3% lower than the population of Pennsylvania.
  • In the last presidential election, Illinois voted Democratic and Pennsylvania voted Republican.
  • The average high in the summertime in Illinois is 86ºF and in Pennsylvania, it’s 83ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Illinois reaches the temperature of 17ºF and Pennsylvania gets down to 19ºF.
  • You can expect about 40 inches of annual rainfall in Illinois versus 44 inches of rainfall in Pennsylvania.
  • In Illinois, it snows about 22 inches annually versus 38 inches of snow in Pennsylvania.
  • Illinois has a higher crime rate than Pennsylvania with a crime index of 19.7 vs. 17.62.

Comparing the pros of Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania.

Pros of living in Pennsylvania Pros of living in Illinois
Low cost of living Home of Chicago
Abundant fun and recreational activities Ample economic opportunity
Beautiful landscapes Bountiful recreational opportunities
Ample economic opportunity Delicious food
Excellent education options World-class sports culture

Comparing the cons of living in Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania for Illinois.

Cons of living in Pennsylvania Cons of living in Illinois
Harsh winter weather Harsh winter weather
Bad driving conditions Bad traffic
Nuclear power plants High crime rate
Unpredictable weather Dull landscape
High taxes on gasoline Strict laws

Other things to consider for your Pennsylvania to Illinois movetoggle

  • 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 Illinoistoggle

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 Pennsylvania to Illinois?toggle

Hiring a full-service Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania to Illinois?toggle

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 Pennsylvania to Illinois separately through one of the top car shipping companies.

What are the benefits of moving from Pennsylvania to Illinois?toggle

The main reasons people are moving from Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania or Illinois?toggle

It is generally cheaper to live in Illinois than in Pennsylvania. Housing is more affordable in Illinois, with average rent about 6% less and home prices 7.3% lower than in Pennsylvania. However, taxes are lower in Pennsylvania, most notably income taxes, which are more than 30% less than those paid by Illinois residents.

How much should you make a year to live comfortably in Illinois?toggle

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.

Helpful moving resources