Connecticut Local Expert
Lynn Nelthropp
“She has a uniquely vivid long-term memory and actually remembers the details of being only 1.”
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JourneysMoving Journeys|From CTMoving from Connecticut|To ILMoving to Illinois|Connecticut → Illinois
CT to IL Relocation: What It Really Costs
Trading New England charm for Midwestern grit is a bigger shift than most people anticipate. Connecticut offers a quieter, coastal lifestyle with dense history, top-ranked schools, and proximity to both New York City and Boston, while Illinois pulls you into the orbit of Chicago, a city that runs on ambition, deep dish pizza, and brutal winter winds. The cost of living difference alone is enough to make the move worth considering, but there is far more to weigh before you start loading a truck. Our Snappy Scout team (Lynn & Hannah) broke down the costs, logistics, and lifestyle changes you should expect before packing the first box.
Who's Behind This Guide
The Road from CT to Illinois
Average distance
1,000miles
Typical route
The drive from Connecticut to Illinois typically follows I-84 West to I-90 West (the Massachusetts Turnpike and New York State Thruway), then continues on I-90 West through upstate New York and into Ohio, Indiana, and finally Illinois.
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Hartford, CT → Chicago, IL
~950 miles
New Haven, CT → Chicago, IL
~950 miles
Stamford, CT → Chicago, IL
~1000 miles
Bridgeport, CT → Springfield, IL
~1050 miles
Waterbury, CT → Rockford, IL
~1000 miles
Should You Move From Connecticut to Illinois Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to Illinois from Connecticut is the right call for your lifestyle and preferences.
Progress1 of 10 questions
Question 1 of 10
What kind of weather makes you happiest?
0/10answered
Live score
Collecting your answers and forming an opinion. Answer another question to see the results.
Can You Afford to Move to Illinois from CT?
Moving 1,000 miles from Connecticut to Illinois will typically cost between $2,500.00 and $4,500.00 to hire full service movers. See the breakdown below by home size.
Expected Range
$2,500.00–$4,500.00
Expected Time
3–10days
Cost by home size
Studio
$1,300.00
1 Bedroom
$1,930.00
2 Bedrooms
$3,190.00
3 Bedrooms
$4,620.00
4 Bedrooms
$6,640.00
5+ Bedrooms
$7,380.00
| Home Size | Moving Cost | Volume (ft³) | $/ft³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,300.00 | 300 | $4.33 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,930.00 | 450 | $4.29 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $3,190.00 | 750 | $4.25 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $4,620.00 | 1,100 | $4.2 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $6,640.00 | 1,600 | $4.15 |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $7,380.00 | 1,800 | $4.1 |
How we calculated these numbers: We reached out to the owners and operators of more than a dozen nationwide moving companies to figure out how they factor in mileage, weight, volume, timing, origin & termination locations, and approximate home sizes to determine a moving estimate. The results above are what the data nerds at Snappy Scout created based on that info.
CT vs Illinois: Is It Actually Right for You?
Well, it depends. If you're a Vintage Thrifter, Dog Momma, or Cowboy, you'll thrive in your move to Illinois. But if you're more of a Wall Street Exec, PTA President, or Stay at Home Mom, settling into your new home state may be a bit of a challenge. We scored a variety of different “personalities” on a 10-point scale to show you what to expect from a lifestyle perspective with a relocation from Connecticut to Illinois.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from CT to IL
Thrifting
Connecticut
6.5
/10
Illinois
8.5
/10
Connecticut
Giving up
East Rock estate sales, Putnam antiquing, Collinsville treasures.
Illinois
Gaining
Brown Elephant, Kokorokoko, hidden gems on Clark Street.
Recommended IL cities/areas for Vintage Thrifters
AndersonvilleWicker Park
Connecticut
6.5
/10
Illinois
8.5
/10
Pet Friendly
Connecticut
8
/10
Illinois
9
/10
Connecticut
Giving up
Sleeping Giant trails, Winslow Park romps, Bluff Point hikes.
Illinois
Gaining
Parks, patios, and Montrose Dog Beach zoomies.
Recommended IL cities/areas for Dog Mommas
Lincoln ParkMontrose Dog Beach
Connecticut
8
/10
Illinois
9
/10
Cowboys
Connecticut
3
/10
Illinois
3.5
/10
Connecticut
Giving up
Goshen Fair broncs entertain, but daily ranch life is rare.
Illinois
Gaining
Illinois State Fair rodeos scratch itch, but Fort Worth it ain't.
Recommended IL cities/areas for Cowboys
SpringfieldRockford
Connecticut
3
/10
Illinois
3.5
/10
Wall Street Life
Connecticut
9
/10
Illinois
4
/10
Connecticut
Giving up
Hedge fund row, Metro North dash to Midtown.
Illinois
Gaining
LaSalle Street deals exist, but not Manhattan bonus culture.
Recommended IL cities/areas for Wall Street Execs
Chicago Loop
Connecticut
9
/10
Illinois
4
/10
PTA Life
Connecticut
9
/10
Illinois
8
/10
Connecticut
Giving up
Staples Wreckers, Darien Blue Wave, school pride everywhere.
Illinois
Gaining
Top rated schools, Naperville Centennial Beach, weekend carpool Olympics.
Recommended IL cities/areas for PTA Presidents
NapervilleNorthbrook
Connecticut
9
/10
Illinois
8
/10
Stay At Home Moms
Connecticut
9
/10
Illinois
8
/10
Connecticut
Giving up
Playgrounds, Lake Compounce weekends, library passes.
Illinois
Gaining
Playdate heaven, quaint downtowns, Metra into Chicago.
Recommended IL cities/areas for Stay at Home Moms
HinsdaleBarrington
Connecticut
9
/10
Illinois
8
/10
Local Perspective
What moment, smell, or ritual captures the soul of Illinois?
You'll know you're in Illinois when locals start discussing corn sweat season! You smell it in the air and feel it on your skin... and unfortunately it's not sweet like the corn in fall. Corn sweat is essentially humidity season and the closer you are to a corn field, the worse this humidity - and your allergies - flare.
– Hannah Swieczka
Illinois Local
Lifestyle differences between living in Connecticut and living in Illinois
ConnecticutIllinois
How the Local Food Culture Stacks Up Between CT and Illinois
Eating Like a Local in Connecticut
Pizza with a Foxon Park soda (Birch Beer for me)
Lobster Roll, CT style (warm w/ butter)
New England Clam Chowder
Steamed Cheeseburgers
Lynn NelthroppConnecticut Local ExpertEating Like a Local in Illinois
While Chicago is all about deep dish pizza and Italian beef, Illinois has a much more mature palate. Depending on which exact city or suburb you find yourself in, the locals may eat differently. Rule #1, avoid chain restaurants (with the exception of Chicago-based chains, such as Portillo's Hot Dogs). Otherwise, find the mom & pop restaurant and trust your instinct! Any place named after a person won't steer you wrong.
Hannah SwieczkaIllinois Local ExpertThe No-Nonsense Tax Difference of Moving from CT to Illinois
Connecticut
Illinois
ConnecticutvsIllinois
State Income Tax
State Income TaxProgressive 2% to 6.99%; lower brackets reduced in 2024; credits phase out.
Flat 4.95% statewide
Connecticut
Progressive 2% to 6.99%; lower brackets reduced in 2024; credits phase out.
VS
Illinois
Flat 4.95% statewide
Property Taxes
Property TaxesHigh mill rates in Hartford, New Haven, & Bridgeport; suburbs like Greenwich, Westport lower.
Among highest nationally, Cook County complex, suburban collar counties high, downstate generally lower
Connecticut
High mill rates in Hartford, New Haven, & Bridgeport; suburbs like Greenwich, Westport lower.
VS
Illinois
Among highest nationally, Cook County complex, suburban collar counties high, downstate generally lower
The Honest Cultural, Political, & Religious Picture: CT vs Illinois
Connecticut
Illinois
ConnecticutvsIllinois
People
PeoplePolitely reserved, town-focused, preppy coastal pockets w/ maritime history, surprisingly neighborly, dry humor.
Polite Midwesterners, Chicago hustle, small town neighborly, sports obsessed, weather tough
Connecticut
Politely reserved, town-focused, preppy coastal pockets w/ maritime history, surprisingly neighborly, dry humor.
VS
Illinois
Polite Midwesterners, Chicago hustle, small town neighborly, sports obsessed, weather tough
Politics
Solidly blue statewide; cities deep Democratic; Fairfield County suburbs moderate; eastern towns mixed.
Reliably blue statewide, Chicago deep Democratic, suburbs trend blue, downstate more conservative
Connecticut
Solidly blue statewide; cities deep Democratic; Fairfield County suburbs moderate; eastern towns mixed.
VS
Illinois
Reliably blue statewide, Chicago deep Democratic, suburbs trend blue, downstate more conservative
Religion
ReligionCatholic largest; many mainline Protestant; sizable Jewish community in West Hartford, Stamford; rising unaffiliated.
Mostly Christian, strong Catholic in Chicago, notable evangelical downstate, sizable Muslim and Jewish, rising unaffiliated
Connecticut
Catholic largest; many mainline Protestant; sizable Jewish community in West Hartford, Stamford; rising unaffiliated.
VS
Illinois
Mostly Christian, strong Catholic in Chicago, notable evangelical downstate, sizable Muslim and Jewish, rising unaffiliated
Local Experts Weigh In: Climate in CT vs Illinois
SUMMER
Connecticut
Lobsta' roll sauna mode (Inland bakes while the coast gets some natural AC).
Illinois
Cornfield steam bath - sticky 90s from Chicago to Carbondale, perfect for iced coffee and complaining about humidity
WINTER
Connecticut
Making me wonder why I live somewhere that makes my face hurt.
Illinois
Face-numbing cold (lakefront stings)
My Favorite Thing About Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall in Illinois
Memorial Day in Illinois is the official start of summer! With so many activities dependent on the weather, Illinois doesn't wait for the solstice. Summer here runs from Memorial Day (or Memorial Day Weekend - "MDW") to Labor Day Weekend ("LDW"), no questions asked. MDW marks the opening of many beaches, parks, and seasonal restaurants, plus that first real stretch of weekends where everybody suddenly remembers how to be outside. It's when grills reappear and the propane is refilled, lake plans are penciled in planners, and the whole state has one discussion regarding our winter experiences.
Hannah SwieczkaIllinois Local ExpertNext Steps
Learn More About Moving to Illinois
By now, you're hopefully fully aware that at Snappy Scout, our moving guides aren't like the rest! Now that you've compared the aspects of leaving behind Connecticut, take a deeper dive into the specifics of moving to Illinois. No boring census stats... we promise! Just practical real advice from Illinois local experts.
Moving toChicago
Dibs, Divvy, Chicago Dogs
Moving toAurora
Prepare for Cornfields, Metra Commutes, and Taco Runs
Moving toBolingbrook
Prepare for Strip Malls, Suburbs… and the Weirdly Persistent UFO Stories
