Illinois Local Expert
Hannah Swieczka
“I have spent my entire life in Illinois, learning early that the state is equal parts cornfields, quiet downtowns, and…”
Read more about me
JourneysMoving Journeys|From ILMoving from Illinois|To CTMoving to Connecticut|Illinois → Connecticut
IL to CT Relocation: Head-to-Head Breakdown
Trading the flat, windswept plains of the Midwest for the dense forests and rocky coastline of New England is a bigger adjustment than most people anticipate. Illinois offers affordable suburbs, a massive urban core in Chicago, and a cost of living that feels generous compared to much of the country. Connecticut, on the other hand, greets newcomers with higher taxes, tighter spaces, and a pace of life shaped more by commuter culture and colonial town centers than by sprawling city grids. The contrast in climate alone can catch people off guard, swapping Chicago's brutal lake effect winters for the quieter but still very real cold and grey of the Northeast. Our Snappy Scout team (Hannah & Lynn) dug into the costs, logistics, and lifestyle shifts you should expect before you load up the first moving truck.
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Our Local Experts Guiding Your Move
IL to Connecticut Distance by the Numbers
Average distance
1,000miles
Typical route
I-90 E and I-84 E
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Chicago, IL → Hartford, CT
~1000 miles
Chicago, IL → New Haven, CT
~1000 miles
Springfield, IL → Hartford, CT
~1050 miles
Rockford, IL → Stamford, CT
~950 miles
Peoria, IL → Bridgeport, CT
~1050 miles
Should You Move From Illinois to Connecticut Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to Connecticut from Illinois 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.
How Much Is Relocating from IL to Connecticut Going to Cost?
Moving 1,000 miles from Illinois to Connecticut 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
$1,310.00
1 Bedroom
$1,940.00
2 Bedrooms
$3,190.00
3 Bedrooms
$4,630.00
4 Bedrooms
$6,650.00
5+ Bedrooms
$7,390.00
| Home Size | Moving Cost | Volume (ft³) | $/ft³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,310.00 | 300 | $4.37 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,940.00 | 450 | $4.31 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $3,190.00 | 750 | $4.25 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $4,630.00 | 1,100 | $4.21 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $6,650.00 | 1,600 | $4.16 |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $7,390.00 | 1,800 | $4.11 |
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.
That's the average.
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Who Should Make the Move from IL to Connecticut?
Well, it depends. If you're a Retired Military, Adventure Junkie, or Tech Bro, you'll thrive in your move to Connecticut. But if you're more of a Craft Beer Fan, Gamer, or CrossFit Regular, 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 Illinois to Connecticut.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from IL to CT
Adventure Activities
Illinois
6
/10
Connecticut
7
/10
Illinois
Giving up
Canyons, Garden of the Gods, quick weekend escapes.
Connecticut
Gaining
AT in Kent, Sleeping Giant climbing, Mooween mountain biking.
Recommended CT cities/areas for Adventure Junkies
KentHamdenLebanon
Illinois
6
/10
Connecticut
7
/10
Military Culture
Illinois
6
/10
Connecticut
7
/10
Illinois
Giving up
Naval Station Great Lakes and Scott AFB support strong.
Connecticut
Gaining
Submarine Force Museum, USCG Academy camaraderie and services.
Recommended CT cities/areas for Retired Militaries
GrotonNew London
Illinois
6
/10
Connecticut
7
/10
Craft Beer Culture
Illinois
9.5
/10
Connecticut
8.5
/10
Illinois
Giving up
Revolution, Half Acre, Maplewood taps flow nonstop.
Connecticut
Gaining
Two Roads, Fox Farm, Counter Weight tastings.
Recommended CT cities/areas for Craft Beer Fans
StratfordSalemHamden
Illinois
9.5
/10
Connecticut
8.5
/10
Gaming
Illinois
7
/10
Connecticut
6
/10
Illinois
Giving up
Ignite Gaming Lounge, C2E2, collegiate esports bubbling.
Connecticut
Gaining
Mohegan Sun & Foxwoods tournaments, Dave and Buster's Manchester marathons.
Recommended CT cities/areas for Gamers
UncasvilleLedyardManchester
Illinois
7
/10
Connecticut
6
/10
Local Perspective
What moment, smell, or ritual captures the soul of Connecticut?
The sound of seagulls. No matter how deep into the state you go, seagulls are still prevalent since Connecticut is such a small state. The sound of them is so familiar and brings to mind memories of salt air and waves crashing, or twigs snapping under my feet as I hike along a riverside trail.
– Lynn Nelthropp
Connecticut Local
Lifestyle differences between living in Illinois and living in Connecticut
IllinoisConnecticut
Local Eats: IL vs Connecticut
Eating 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 ExpertEating 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 ExpertConnecticut looking like
the right move?
There’s one more number worth knowing: what it’ll cost to get there.
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What the Move from IL to Connecticut Means for Your Tax Picture
Illinois
Connecticut
IllinoisvsConnecticut
State Income Tax
State Income TaxFlat 4.95% statewide
Progressive 2% to 6.99%; lower brackets reduced in 2024; credits phase out.
Illinois
Flat 4.95% statewide
VS
Connecticut
Progressive 2% to 6.99%; lower brackets reduced in 2024; credits phase out.
Property Taxes
Property TaxesAmong highest nationally, Cook County complex, suburban collar counties high, downstate generally lower
High mill rates in Hartford, New Haven, & Bridgeport; suburbs like Greenwich, Westport lower.
Illinois
Among highest nationally, Cook County complex, suburban collar counties high, downstate generally lower
VS
Connecticut
High mill rates in Hartford, New Haven, & Bridgeport; suburbs like Greenwich, Westport lower.
Moving from IL to Connecticut: The Cultural, Political, & Religious Shift
Illinois
Connecticut
IllinoisvsConnecticut
People
PeoplePolite Midwesterners, Chicago hustle, small town neighborly, sports obsessed, weather tough
Politely reserved, town-focused, preppy coastal pockets w/ maritime history, surprisingly neighborly, dry humor.
Illinois
Polite Midwesterners, Chicago hustle, small town neighborly, sports obsessed, weather tough
VS
Connecticut
Politely reserved, town-focused, preppy coastal pockets w/ maritime history, surprisingly neighborly, dry humor.
Politics
Reliably blue statewide, Chicago deep Democratic, suburbs trend blue, downstate more conservative
Solidly blue statewide; cities deep Democratic; Fairfield County suburbs moderate; eastern towns mixed.
Illinois
Reliably blue statewide, Chicago deep Democratic, suburbs trend blue, downstate more conservative
VS
Connecticut
Solidly blue statewide; cities deep Democratic; Fairfield County suburbs moderate; eastern towns mixed.
Religion
ReligionMostly Christian, strong Catholic in Chicago, notable evangelical downstate, sizable Muslim and Jewish, rising unaffiliated
Catholic largest; many mainline Protestant; sizable Jewish community in West Hartford, Stamford; rising unaffiliated.
Illinois
Mostly Christian, strong Catholic in Chicago, notable evangelical downstate, sizable Muslim and Jewish, rising unaffiliated
VS
Connecticut
Catholic largest; many mainline Protestant; sizable Jewish community in West Hartford, Stamford; rising unaffiliated.
The Real Weather Comparison: IL vs Connecticut
SUMMER
Illinois
Cornfield steam bath - sticky 90s from Chicago to Carbondale, perfect for iced coffee and complaining about humidity
Connecticut
Lobsta' roll sauna mode (Inland bakes while the coast gets some natural AC).
WINTER
Illinois
Face-numbing cold (lakefront stings)
Connecticut
Making me wonder why I live somewhere that makes my face hurt.
My Favorite Thing About Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall in Connecticut
Winter: Listening to the snow fall on the trees. And spending weekends in warm museums.
Spring: Nature waking up and everything getting green and colorful again. Visiting beautiful parks.
Summer: Spending days along the shore and in the water. There are dozens of boat excursions to try in the sound.
Fall: The smell of crisp leaves, sipping hot apple cider, and eating freshly made apple cider donuts.
Lynn NelthroppConnecticut Local Expert✧ You've researched the move ✧
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Next Steps
Learn More About Moving to Connecticut
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 Illinois, take a deeper dive into the specifics of moving to Connecticut. No boring census stats... we promise! Just practical real advice from Connecticut local experts.
Moving toBridgeport
Pack Your Fixer-Upper Dreams and Loosest Pants
Moving toDanbury
Get Ready for Strip Malls and Brazilian BBQ
Moving toHartford
Bushnell Jazz, Yard Goats, Raincoats Required
