Mississippi Local Expert
Katherine Mines
“She’s a devoted Disney gal, happily enduring long lines, hot pavement, and goofy mouse ears.”
Read more about me
JourneysMoving Journeys|From MSMoving from Mississippi|To ILMoving to Illinois|Mississippi → Illinois
Mississippi to Illinois Move: Your Complete Cost Breakdown
Swapping the Deep South for the Land of Lincoln brings more contrast than most people anticipate. Mississippi's slower pace, low cost of living, and warm culture feel worlds apart from Illinois, where Chicago's urban energy sets the tone for the entire state and winters test even the most cold-weather-prepared newcomers. The food changes, the climate changes, and your monthly budget will likely change too. Our Snappy Scout team (Katherine & Hannah) dug into the costs, logistics, and lifestyle shifts you need to understand before loading up the moving truck.
Our Local Experts Guiding Your Move
The Moving Truck Drive from MS to IL: What to Expect
Average distance
550miles
Typical route
The drive from Mississippi to Illinois typically takes you north along major interstates, most commonly I-55 N, which serves as the primary corridor connecting the two states through Memphis and St. Louis.
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Jackson, MS → Chicago, IL
~550 miles
Gulfport, MS → Chicago, IL
~750 miles
Biloxi, MS → Springfield, IL
~650 miles
Hattiesburg, MS → Chicago, IL
~700 miles
Tupelo, MS → Chicago, IL
~450 miles
Should You Move From Mississippi to Illinois Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to Illinois from Mississippi 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 Do Reputable Movers Ask to IL from MS?
Moving 550 miles from Mississippi to Illinois 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
$1,530.00
1 Bedroom
$2,270.00
2 Bedrooms
$3,750.00
3 Bedrooms
$5,440.00
4 Bedrooms
$7,830.00
5+ Bedrooms
$8,720.00
| Home Size | Moving Cost | Volume (ft³) | $/ft³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,530.00 | 300 | $5.1 |
| 1 Bedroom | $2,270.00 | 450 | $5.04 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $3,750.00 | 750 | $5 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $5,440.00 | 1,100 | $4.95 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $7,830.00 | 1,600 | $4.89 |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $8,720.00 | 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.
Is Your Personality Built for a Move from MS to IL?
Well, it depends. If you're a Tech Bro, Yoga Instructor, or Hipster, you'll thrive in your move to Illinois. But if you're more of a Homesteader, Adventure Junkie, or Retired Snowbird, 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 Mississippi to Illinois.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from MS to IL
Tech Scene
Mississippi
3.5
/10
Illinois
7
/10
Mississippi
Giving up
Innovate Mississippi exists, but no SoMa bustle or unicorn herds.
Illinois
Gaining
1871, Cameo, and tasty lunch at Au Cheval.
Recommended IL cities/areas for Tech Bros
Fulton MarketRiver North
Mississippi
3.5
/10
Illinois
7
/10
Yoga
Mississippi
5
/10
Illinois
7.5
/10
Mississippi
Giving up
Sunrise flows at Sardis Lake, Ocean Springs beach meditations.
Illinois
Gaining
Sunrise at Maggie Daley, chill after at Beatrix.
Recommended IL cities/areas for Yoga Instructors
West LoopLincoln Square
Mississippi
5
/10
Illinois
7.5
/10
Hipsters
Mississippi
6.5
/10
Illinois
8.5
/10
Mississippi
Giving up
Square Books, Fondren murals, Bay St. Louis galleries.
Illinois
Gaining
Pilsen murals, Thalia Hall shows, vintage everywhere.
Recommended IL cities/areas for Hipsters
Wicker ParkPilsen
Mississippi
6.5
/10
Illinois
8.5
/10
Homesteading
Mississippi
9.5
/10
Illinois
4.5
/10
Mississippi
Giving up
Acreage, chicken coops, Homochitto National Forest weekends.
Illinois
Gaining
Affordable acreage, but Shawnee winters and tornado nerves persist.
Recommended IL cities/areas for Homesteaders
Southern IllinoisPontiac
Mississippi
9.5
/10
Illinois
4.5
/10
Adventure Activities
Mississippi
7.5
/10
Illinois
6
/10
Mississippi
Giving up
Sandstone bluffs, Clark Creek falls, Mississippi Gulf breezes.
Illinois
Gaining
Canyons, Garden of the Gods, quick weekend escapes.
Recommended IL cities/areas for Adventure Junkies
Starved RockShawnee National Forest
Mississippi
7.5
/10
Illinois
6
/10
Snowbirds
Mississippi
6
/10
Illinois
4.5
/10
Mississippi
Giving up
Mild winters, casino shows, Cruisin' The Coast season.
Illinois
Gaining
Charming summers, but Lake Michigan winters chase you south.
Recommended IL cities/areas for Retired Snowbirds
GalenaSpringfield
Mississippi
6
/10
Illinois
4.5
/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 Mississippi and living in Illinois
MississippiIllinois
What the Local Food Scene Looks Like in MS vs IL
Eating 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 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 ExpertIs IL a Less Tax-Friendly State for Your Tax Burden?
Mississippi
Illinois
MississippivsIllinois
State Income Tax
State Income TaxFlat 5% phasing toward 4% by 2026
Flat 4.95% statewide
Mississippi
Flat 5% phasing toward 4% by 2026
VS
Illinois
Flat 4.95% statewide
Property Taxes
Property TaxesJackson millage higher, Madison and Rankin moderate, Gulf Coast manageable, rural counties lower
Among highest nationally, Cook County complex, suburban collar counties high, downstate generally lower
Mississippi
Jackson millage higher, Madison and Rankin moderate, Gulf Coast manageable, rural counties lower
VS
Illinois
Among highest nationally, Cook County complex, suburban collar counties high, downstate generally lower
The Honest Values, Beliefs, & Politics Reality: MS vs IL
Mississippi
Illinois
MississippivsIllinois
People
PeopleIn no hurry, deeply hospitable, church supper devotees, porch chat pros, generous to neighbors and newcomers alike
Polite Midwesterners, Chicago hustle, small town neighborly, sports obsessed, weather tough
Mississippi
In no hurry, deeply hospitable, church supper devotees, porch chat pros, generous to neighbors and newcomers alike
VS
Illinois
Polite Midwesterners, Chicago hustle, small town neighborly, sports obsessed, weather tough
Politics
Solidly conservative statewide, with blue pockets in Jackson, the Delta, Oxford, Starkville
Reliably blue statewide, Chicago deep Democratic, suburbs trend blue, downstate more conservative
Mississippi
Solidly conservative statewide, with blue pockets in Jackson, the Delta, Oxford, Starkville
VS
Illinois
Reliably blue statewide, Chicago deep Democratic, suburbs trend blue, downstate more conservative
Religion
ReligionMostly Protestant Baptist and nondenominational, strong Black churches, more Catholic and Pentecostal presence on Coast
Mostly Christian, strong Catholic in Chicago, notable evangelical downstate, sizable Muslim and Jewish, rising unaffiliated
Mississippi
Mostly Protestant Baptist and nondenominational, strong Black churches, more Catholic and Pentecostal presence on Coast
VS
Illinois
Mostly Christian, strong Catholic in Chicago, notable evangelical downstate, sizable Muslim and Jewish, rising unaffiliated
Leaving MS Summers Behind: What IL Seasons Really Feels Like
SUMMER
Mississippi
swamp sauna deluxe (Delta sizzles, Biloxi breathes through a wet towel)
Illinois
Cornfield steam bath - sticky 90s from Chicago to Carbondale, perfect for iced coffee and complaining about humidity
WINTER
Mississippi
light-medium jacket weather, long pants optional (Tupelo gets surprise ice, the Coast freaks out when temps dip below 60)
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 Mississippi, 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
