Texas Local Expert
Francesca Hernandez-Singer
“I'm a Texas native who somehow lived in 5 countries, 4 states, and 12 cities before admitting that no place…”
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From Texas to Illinois: Is It the Right Move for You?
Trading Texas for Illinois means swapping sunbaked highways and mild winters for four full seasons, including the kind of cold that makes you rethink every life decision you have ever made. The wide open spaces and sprawling suburbs of Texas give way to a state where Chicago commands nearly all the cultural gravity, yet rural Illinois quietly stretches on for miles in every direction. The cost of living picture shifts too, with Texas known for no state income tax and Illinois carrying one of the heavier tax burdens in the Midwest. Our Snappy Scout team (Francesca & Hannah) dug into the costs, logistics, and lifestyle changes you should expect before packing the first box.
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Our Local Experts Guiding Your Move
How Far Are You Actually Moving from TX to Illinois?
Average distance
1,000miles
Typical route
The drive from Texas to Illinois typically follows I-35 North through Oklahoma to Kansas City, then connects to I-55 North into Chicago, or uses I-40 East connecting to I-57 North depending on the origin city.
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Dallas, TX → Chicago, IL
~950 miles
Houston, TX → Chicago, IL
~1100 miles
San Antonio, TX → Chicago, IL
~1150 miles
Austin, TX → Springfield, IL
~1000 miles
El Paso, TX → Chicago, IL
~1450 miles
Should You Move From Texas to Illinois Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to Illinois from Texas 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 Local Movers Ask to Illinois from TX?
Moving 1,000 miles from Texas 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
$1,310.00
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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What Type of Person Thrives After Moving from TX to Illinois?
Well, it depends. If you're a Stay at Home Mom, Garden Club Lifetime Member, or Minimalist, you'll thrive in your move to Illinois. But if you're more of a Retired Snowbird or Adventure Junkie, 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 Texas to Illinois.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from TX to IL
Stay At Home Moms
Texas
3
/10
Illinois
8
/10
Texas
Giving up
Family-friendly suburbs abound but summer heat tests patience
Illinois
Gaining
Playdate heaven, quaint downtowns, Metra into Chicago.
Recommended IL cities/areas for Stay at Home Moms
HinsdaleBarrington
Texas
3
/10
Illinois
8
/10
Gardener
Texas
3.5
/10
Illinois
8
/10
Texas
Giving up
Tyler Rose Garden shines but summers scorch delicate blooms
Illinois
Gaining
Glencoe blooms and Lisle trees make hearts sprout.
Recommended IL cities/areas for Garden Club Lifetime Members
Chicago Botanic GardenMorton Arboretum
Texas
3.5
/10
Illinois
8
/10
Minimalism
Texas
2
/10
Illinois
6
/10
Texas
Giving up
Austin tries minimal, but Texas overall thrives on bigger, louder, and more
Illinois
Gaining
CTA commutes and winter gear challenge clean lines.
Recommended IL cities/areas for Minimalists
StreetervilleWest Loop condos
Texas
2
/10
Illinois
6
/10
Adventure Activities
Texas
9
/10
Illinois
6
/10
Texas
Giving up
Kayaking Lady Bird Lake, climbing Hueco Tanks, and hiking Big Bend’s desert trails
Illinois
Gaining
Canyons, Garden of the Gods, quick weekend escapes.
Recommended IL cities/areas for Adventure Junkies
Starved RockShawnee National Forest
Texas
9
/10
Illinois
6
/10
Snowbirds
Texas
6.5
/10
Illinois
4.5
/10
Texas
Giving up
Sun-soaked South Padre rolling sand dune winters and world-class birdwatching at Santa Ana refuge
Illinois
Gaining
Charming summers, but Lake Michigan winters chase you south.
Recommended IL cities/areas for Retired Snowbirds
GalenaSpringfield
Texas
6.5
/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 Texas and living in Illinois
TexasIllinois
How Locals Really Live and Eat in TX and Illinois
Eating Like a Local in Texas
Breakfast tacos are on flour tortillas, BBQ means beef, and the margaritas come with salt on the rim unless you order without.
Francesca Hernandez-SingerLocal Texas 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 ExpertIllinois looking like
the right move?
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What the Move from TX to Illinois Looks Like for Your Tax Picture
Texas
Illinois
TexasvsIllinois
State Income Tax
State Income TaxNone, zero percent statewide!!
Flat 4.95% statewide
Texas
None, zero percent statewide!!
VS
Illinois
Flat 4.95% statewide
Property Taxes
Property TaxesHouston and Dallas areas higher, smaller cities slightly lower
Among highest nationally, Cook County complex, suburban collar counties high, downstate generally lower
Texas
Houston and Dallas areas higher, smaller cities slightly lower
VS
Illinois
Among highest nationally, Cook County complex, suburban collar counties high, downstate generally lower
How Values, Beliefs, & Politics Differ Between TX and Illinois
Texas
Illinois
TexasvsIllinois
People
PeopleFamously friendly, fiercely proud, big on hospitality
Polite Midwesterners, Chicago hustle, small town neighborly, sports obsessed, weather tough
Texas
Famously friendly, fiercely proud, big on hospitality
VS
Illinois
Polite Midwesterners, Chicago hustle, small town neighborly, sports obsessed, weather tough
Politics
Deep red roots, but cities (especially Austin) swing progressive
Reliably blue statewide, Chicago deep Democratic, suburbs trend blue, downstate more conservative
Texas
Deep red roots, but cities (especially Austin) swing progressive
VS
Illinois
Reliably blue statewide, Chicago deep Democratic, suburbs trend blue, downstate more conservative
Religion
ReligionMostly Christian, strong Baptist presence, growing diversity
Mostly Christian, strong Catholic in Chicago, notable evangelical downstate, sizable Muslim and Jewish, rising unaffiliated
Texas
Mostly Christian, strong Baptist presence, growing diversity
VS
Illinois
Mostly Christian, strong Catholic in Chicago, notable evangelical downstate, sizable Muslim and Jewish, rising unaffiliated
TX and Illinois Locals on the Climate: What No One Tells You
SUMMER
Texas
blast furnace (triple digits in West Texas)
Illinois
Cornfield steam bath - sticky 90s from Chicago to Carbondale, perfect for iced coffee and complaining about humidity
WINTER
Texas
light sweater tease (except in the Panhandle, where you'll happily don long johns and fleece-lined outerlayers)
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 Expert✧ You've researched the move ✧
Now put a number
on it.
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Next 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 Texas, 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 toAurora
Prepare for Cornfields, Metra Commutes, and Taco Runs
Moving toChicago
Dibs, Divvy, Chicago Dogs
Moving toBolingbrook
Prepare for Strip Malls, Suburbs… and the Weirdly Persistent UFO Stories
