Illinois Local Expert
Hannah Swieczka
“She read "Weird Illinois" as a kid and is now convinced most things have a haunted history.”
See full bio
JourneysMoving Journeys|From ILMoving from Illinois|To MSMoving to Mississippi|Illinois → Mississippi
Illinois to Mississippi Move: Culture Shock You Should Expect
Trading Chicago winters for Southern warmth sounds like an obvious upgrade, but relocating from Illinois to Mississippi brings a bigger lifestyle shift than most people anticipate. Illinois offers bustling urban centers, a dense network of suburbs, and a fast paced Midwestern energy that shapes daily routines in ways you may not notice until they are gone. Mississippi, by contrast, greets newcomers with a slower pace, deep rooted hospitality, and a cost of living that tends to make bank accounts breathe a little easier. Our Snappy Scout team (Hannah & Katherine) dug into the costs, logistics, and cultural changes you should expect before you start loading the moving truck.
Who's Behind This Guide
The Moving Truck Drive from Illinois to MS: What to Plan For
Average distance
550miles
Typical route
The drive from Illinois to Mississippi typically takes you along I-55 South, which serves as the primary corridor connecting the two states.
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Chicago, IL → Jackson, MS
~750 miles
Springfield, IL → Jackson, MS
~600 miles
Chicago, IL → Biloxi, MS
~950 miles
Rockford, IL → Hattiesburg, MS
~900 miles
Peoria, IL → Tupelo, MS
~550 miles
Should You Move From Illinois to Mississippi Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to Mississippi 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.
What Does It Honestly Cost to Move to MS from Illinois?
Moving 550 miles from Illinois to Mississippi will typically cost between $2,500.00 and $5,500.00 to hire full service movers. See the breakdown below by home size.
Expected Range
$2,500.00–$5,500.00
Expected Time
2–9days
Cost by home size
Studio
$1,520.00
1 Bedroom
$2,260.00
2 Bedrooms
$3,740.00
3 Bedrooms
$5,430.00
4 Bedrooms
$7,820.00
5+ Bedrooms
$8,710.00
| Home Size | Moving Cost | Volume (ft³) | $/ft³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,520.00 | 300 | $5.07 |
| 1 Bedroom | $2,260.00 | 450 | $5.02 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $3,740.00 | 750 | $4.99 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $5,430.00 | 1,100 | $4.94 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $7,820.00 | 1,600 | $4.89 |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $8,710.00 | 1,800 | $4.84 |
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.
Will Your Personality Hold Up in MS?
Well, it depends. If you're a Cowboy, Retired Military, or DIYer, you'll thrive in your move to Mississippi. But if you're more of a Binge Shopper, Coffee Snob, or Craft Beer Fan, 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 Mississippi.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from IL to MS
Cowboys
Illinois
3.5
/10
Mississippi
8.5
/10
Illinois
Giving up
Illinois State Fair rodeos scratch itch, but Fort Worth it ain't.
Mississippi
Gaining
Dixie National Rodeo thrills at Mississippi Coliseum.
Recommended MS cities/areas for Cowboys
JacksonMeridian
Illinois
3.5
/10
Mississippi
8.5
/10
DIYers
Illinois
7
/10
Mississippi
8.5
/10
Illinois
Giving up
Frank Lloyd Wright blocks inspire endless weekend projects.
Mississippi
Gaining
Laurel's Home Town spirit, reclaimed heart pine everywhere.
Recommended MS cities/areas for DIYers
LaurelVicksburg
Illinois
7
/10
Mississippi
8.5
/10
Shopping
Illinois
8.5
/10
Mississippi
4.5
/10
Illinois
Giving up
Michigan Avenue sprees, plus suburban hauls for days.
Mississippi
Gaining
Renaissance at Colony Park shines, but fewer mega luxury splurges statewide.
Recommended MS cities/areas for Binge Shoppers
Illinois
8.5
/10
Mississippi
4.5
/10
Coffee Culture
Illinois
9
/10
Mississippi
6.5
/10
Illinois
Giving up
Intelligentsia, Metric, Dark Matter fuel daily rituals.
Mississippi
Gaining
Cups in Fondren, The Greenhouse, and Oxford coffee shops.
Recommended MS cities/areas for Coffee Snobs
Illinois
9
/10
Mississippi
6.5
/10
Craft Beer Culture
Illinois
9.5
/10
Mississippi
7.5
/10
Illinois
Giving up
Revolution, Half Acre, Maplewood taps flow nonstop.
Mississippi
Gaining
Lazy Magnolia, Southern Prohibition, and Chandeleur Island pints.
Recommended MS cities/areas for Craft Beer Fans
Illinois
9.5
/10
Mississippi
7.5
/10
Local Perspective
What moment, smell, or ritual captures the soul of Mississippi?
Living on the Coast, it's fresh beignets with powdered sugar under the shade of a live oak while looking out at the Gulf with the sound of C-130s roaring overhead.
– Katherine Mines
Mississippi Local
Lifestyle differences between living in Illinois and living in Mississippi
IllinoisMississippi
The Eating Culture Between Illinois and MS
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 Mississippi
When you're in Mississippi, it's essential that you "get in a pinch" and suck some guts out of a crawfish at least once. Wear a shirt you can get messy, and don't even think about donning one of those plastic bibs--the locals will definitely lose respect for you.
Katherine MinesMississippi Local ExpertWhat the Move from Illinois to MS Looks Like for Your Tax Burden
Illinois
Mississippi
IllinoisvsMississippi
State Income Tax
State Income TaxFlat 4.95% statewide
Flat 5% phasing toward 4% by 2026
Illinois
Flat 4.95% statewide
VS
Mississippi
Flat 5% phasing toward 4% by 2026
Property Taxes
Property TaxesAmong highest nationally, Cook County complex, suburban collar counties high, downstate generally lower
Jackson millage higher, Madison and Rankin moderate, Gulf Coast manageable, rural counties lower
Illinois
Among highest nationally, Cook County complex, suburban collar counties high, downstate generally lower
VS
Mississippi
Jackson millage higher, Madison and Rankin moderate, Gulf Coast manageable, rural counties lower
Moving to MS from Illinois: The People, Politics, & Religion Change
Illinois
Mississippi
IllinoisvsMississippi
People
PeoplePolite Midwesterners, Chicago hustle, small town neighborly, sports obsessed, weather tough
In no hurry, deeply hospitable, church supper devotees, porch chat pros, generous to neighbors and newcomers alike
Illinois
Polite Midwesterners, Chicago hustle, small town neighborly, sports obsessed, weather tough
VS
Mississippi
In no hurry, deeply hospitable, church supper devotees, porch chat pros, generous to neighbors and newcomers alike
Politics
Reliably blue statewide, Chicago deep Democratic, suburbs trend blue, downstate more conservative
Solidly conservative statewide, with blue pockets in Jackson, the Delta, Oxford, Starkville
Illinois
Reliably blue statewide, Chicago deep Democratic, suburbs trend blue, downstate more conservative
VS
Mississippi
Solidly conservative statewide, with blue pockets in Jackson, the Delta, Oxford, Starkville
Religion
ReligionMostly Christian, strong Catholic in Chicago, notable evangelical downstate, sizable Muslim and Jewish, rising unaffiliated
Mostly Protestant Baptist and nondenominational, strong Black churches, more Catholic and Pentecostal presence on Coast
Illinois
Mostly Christian, strong Catholic in Chicago, notable evangelical downstate, sizable Muslim and Jewish, rising unaffiliated
VS
Mississippi
Mostly Protestant Baptist and nondenominational, strong Black churches, more Catholic and Pentecostal presence on Coast
The Unfiltered Weather Reality: Illinois vs MS
SUMMER
Illinois
Cornfield steam bath - sticky 90s from Chicago to Carbondale, perfect for iced coffee and complaining about humidity
Mississippi
swamp sauna deluxe (Delta sizzles, Biloxi breathes through a wet towel)
WINTER
Illinois
Face-numbing cold (lakefront stings)
Mississippi
light-medium jacket weather, long pants optional (Tupelo gets surprise ice, the Coast freaks out when temps dip below 60)
My Favorite Thing About Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall in Mississippi
My favorite season in Mississippi is Mardi Gras season! Starting on the Eve of Epiphany, or the 12th day of Christmas, the Mardi Gras season is filled with parades, fancy balls, and every flavor of king cake you could imagine (and whoever gets the baby has to buy the next king cake). This isn't New Orleans Mardi Gras, it's fun--and appropriate--for the whole family.
Katherine MinesMississippi Local ExpertNext Steps
Learn More About Moving to Mississippi
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 Mississippi. No boring census stats... we promise! Just practical real advice from Mississippi local experts.
Moving toBiloxi
Prep Your Flood Insurance and Hurricane Kit
Moving toGulfport
Pack Sunscreen and Flood Insurance
Moving toJackson
Heat, Boil Alerts, Potholes, And Comeback Sauce
