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
Moving from Illinois to GA: The Price Tag Most People Don't Expect
Swapping Chicago winters for Georgia peach season sounds like an obvious upgrade, but the cultural and financial differences between these two states run deeper than the temperature gap. Illinois carries a reputation for high property taxes and a dense urban core, while Georgia blends booming city life in Atlanta with a slower, more laid back Southern pace just miles down the road. Our Snappy Scout team (Hannah & Sabrina) dug into the costs, logistics, and lifestyle shifts you should be ready for before the moving truck pulls out of the driveway.
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Our Local Experts Guiding Your Move
How Many Miles from IL to GA?
Average distance
750miles
Typical route
I-24 E and I-75 S
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Chicago, IL → Atlanta, GA
~750 miles
Springfield, IL → Atlanta, GA
~700 miles
Rockford, IL → Savannah, GA
~1000 miles
Peoria, IL → Augusta, GA
~850 miles
Naperville, IL → Columbus, GA
~800 miles
Should You Move From Illinois to Georgia Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to Georgia 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 GA Really Going to Cost?
Moving 750 miles from Illinois to Georgia will typically cost between $2,500.00 and $5,000.00 to hire full service movers. See the breakdown below by home size.
Expected Range
$2,500.00–$5,000.00
Expected Time
3–10days
Cost by home size
Studio
$1,430.00
1 Bedroom
$2,130.00
2 Bedrooms
$3,500.00
3 Bedrooms
$5,080.00
4 Bedrooms
$7,310.00
5+ Bedrooms
$8,130.00
| Home Size | Moving Cost | Volume (ft³) | $/ft³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,430.00 | 300 | $4.77 |
| 1 Bedroom | $2,130.00 | 450 | $4.73 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $3,500.00 | 750 | $4.67 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $5,080.00 | 1,100 | $4.62 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $7,310.00 | 1,600 | $4.57 |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $8,130.00 | 1,800 | $4.52 |
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 Avoid the Move from IL to GA?
Well, it depends. If you're a Retired Snowbird, Beach Bum, or College Student, you'll thrive in your move to Georgia. But if you're more of a Tech Bro, Farmer's Market Regular, or DIYer, 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 Georgia.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from IL to GA
Snowbirds
Illinois
4.5
/10
Georgia
6.5
/10
Illinois
Giving up
Charming summers, but Lake Michigan winters chase you south.
Georgia
Gaining
Mild winters, coastal charm, not quite Florida warmth
Recommended GA cities/areas for Retired Snowbirds
St. Simons IslandJekyll Island
Illinois
4.5
/10
Georgia
6.5
/10
Beach Culture
Illinois
3.5
/10
Georgia
5
/10
Illinois
Giving up
Fun summers on Lake Michigan, but winter waves slap dreams silly.
Georgia
Gaining
Beaches exist but more laid back than tropical paradise
Recommended GA cities/areas for Beach Bums
Tybee IslandSt. Simons
Illinois
3.5
/10
Georgia
5
/10
University Life
Illinois
9
/10
Georgia
9.5
/10
Illinois
Giving up
UIUC, Northwestern, UChicago campuses buzzing with life.
Georgia
Gaining
UGA spirit, Georgia Tech innovation, Georgia Southern pride
Recommended GA cities/areas for College Students
Illinois
9
/10
Georgia
9.5
/10
Tech Scene
Illinois
7
/10
Georgia
5
/10
Illinois
Giving up
1871, Cameo, and tasty lunch at Au Cheval.
Georgia
Gaining
Atlanta's tech scene grows but lacks Silicon Valley clout
Recommended GA cities/areas for Tech Bros
AtlantaAlpharetta
Illinois
7
/10
Georgia
5
/10
Farmer's Markets
Illinois
8.5
/10
Georgia
7
/10
Illinois
Giving up
Green City Market and Logan Square stalls overflow.
Georgia
Gaining
Decatur Square markets, Forsyth Farmers Market, local peach stands
Recommended GA cities/areas for Farmer's Market Regulars
Illinois
8.5
/10
Georgia
7
/10
DIYers
Illinois
7
/10
Georgia
6
/10
Illinois
Giving up
Frank Lloyd Wright blocks inspire endless weekend projects.
Georgia
Gaining
Historic homes, renovation potential, Home Depot headquarters nearby
Recommended GA cities/areas for DIYers
DecaturAthensSmyrna
Illinois
7
/10
Georgia
6
/10
Local Perspective
What moment, smell, or ritual captures the soul of Georgia?
In the early spring, yellow daffodils begin to pop up along every roadway and yard. It makes me know that t-shirt and shorts weather is just around the corner.
– Sabrina Wells
Georgia Local
Lifestyle differences between living in Illinois and living in Georgia
IllinoisGeorgia
The Eating Culture: IL vs GA
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 Georgia
If Brunswick Stew is on the menu, don't hesitate to order it. And if it's got a bit of heat to it even better, but if not they're sure to have a variety of hot sauces available to spice it up.
Sabrina WellsGeorgia Local ExpertGeorgia looking like
the right move?
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What the Move from IL to GA Means for Your Bottom Line
Illinois
Georgia
IllinoisvsGeorgia
State Income Tax
State Income TaxFlat 4.95% statewide
Flat 5.49% on all income
Illinois
Flat 4.95% statewide
VS
Georgia
Flat 5.49% on all income
Property Taxes
Property TaxesAmong highest nationally, Cook County complex, suburban collar counties high, downstate generally lower
Metro Atlanta higher, rural counties lower, overall moderate statewide
Illinois
Among highest nationally, Cook County complex, suburban collar counties high, downstate generally lower
VS
Georgia
Metro Atlanta higher, rural counties lower, overall moderate statewide
Moving from IL to GA: The Cultural, Political, & Religious Reality
Illinois
Georgia
IllinoisvsGeorgia
People
PeoplePolite Midwesterners, Chicago hustle, small town neighborly, sports obsessed, weather tough
Southern charm personified, warm hospitality with genuine politeness baked in until they get on 285
Illinois
Polite Midwesterners, Chicago hustle, small town neighborly, sports obsessed, weather tough
VS
Georgia
Southern charm personified, warm hospitality with genuine politeness baked in until they get on 285
Politics
Reliably blue statewide, Chicago deep Democratic, suburbs trend blue, downstate more conservative
Purple battleground, Atlanta and it's surrounding counties learn strong blue, surrounded by a sea of red
Illinois
Reliably blue statewide, Chicago deep Democratic, suburbs trend blue, downstate more conservative
VS
Georgia
Purple battleground, Atlanta and it's surrounding counties learn strong blue, surrounded by a sea of red
Religion
ReligionMostly Christian, strong Catholic in Chicago, notable evangelical downstate, sizable Muslim and Jewish, rising unaffiliated
Predominantly Christian, heavy Baptist influence, Atlanta brings religious diversity
Illinois
Mostly Christian, strong Catholic in Chicago, notable evangelical downstate, sizable Muslim and Jewish, rising unaffiliated
VS
Georgia
Predominantly Christian, heavy Baptist influence, Atlanta brings religious diversity
The Real Weather Truth: IL vs GA
SUMMER
Illinois
Cornfield steam bath - sticky 90s from Chicago to Carbondale, perfect for iced coffee and complaining about humidity
Georgia
satan's sauna setting (90s with bonus swamp air)
WINTER
Illinois
Face-numbing cold (lakefront stings)
Georgia
negotiable flannel season (mountains get actual snow)
My Favorite Thing About Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall in Georgia
Late spring in Savannah, the weather is perfect, warm but not hot and low humidity. The town is alive with locals, not tourists, and it's a downright pleasant stroll through the haunted graveyards.
Sabrina WellsGeorgia Local Expert✧ You've researched the move ✧
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Next Steps
Learn More About Moving to Georgia
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 Georgia. No boring census stats... we promise! Just practical real advice from Georgia local experts.
Moving toAtlanta
Pack Patience for I-285 and Pollen
Moving toMacon
Pack Your Appetite and Cherry Blossom Tolerance
Moving toSavannah
Pack Sunscreen and Flood Insurance
