Moving to Illinois?

So you’ve decided to move to Illinois! Great choice! You’ll find a lot to love in the Land of Lincoln, from quiet rural living to the bustle of Chicago. Boasting an affordable cost of living, Illinois is literally at the crossroads of the US -- you can be in the middle of the action or the middle of nowhere, or somewhere in between.

Chicago is America’s Second City, and it’s one of Illinois’s major attractions. Whether you choose to live in the city or just visit, there’s no shortage of things to do. Museums, professional sports, the shores of Lake Michigan -- you can do it all without ever leaving the city limits. And Chicago O’Hare is a hub for direct flights nearly anywhere you’d want to go.

The weather in Illinois can be unpredictable, so prepare for humid summers and harsh winters. If you can manage the extremes, though Illinois might be the perfect place for you.

Demographics
Median Age: 37.4 years
Median Household Income: $79,186
Diversity (approximate): White: 72%; Black or African American: 14%; Asian: 6%

Weather
Annual High Temperature: 59.3F
Annual Low Temperature: 43.4F
Average Temperature: 51.3F
Annual Average Precipitation -- rainfall: 39”
Days Per Year with Precipitation -- rainfall: 119

Housing
Median Property Value: $181,900
Homeowners: 66%
Renters: 34%
Top Cities: Chicago, Champaign-Urbana, Springfield, Naperville

Jobs and Commutes
Major Industries: Agriculture, education, insurance, scientific research, healthcare, transportation
Major Employers: University of Illinois, State Farm Insurance, Northshore United Health, Allstate
Average Commute: 27 minutes, with longer commutes in Chicago
Main Roadways: I-24, I-70, I-39, I-90
Public Transportation: Trains, busses, rapid rail in Chicago

Things to Do
Take in a White Sox game
Shop the Miracle Mile
Spend the day on the beach at Lake Michigan
Attend a college football game
Visit a museum
Go to a state park

Illinois Moving Resources
Illinois Drivers License Information
Illinois Voter Registration Information
Frontier
Direct TV
Chicago Public Schools

Handy Links
Enjoy Illinois
15 Best Places to Live in Illinois
Wikipedia
50 Essential Moving Hacks
How to Move with Kids
How to Move with Pets