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Moving from Colorado to Illinois

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Outdoor paradise, booming Denver metro, legal weed. vs. Chicago global city, second-highest property taxes in US.

CO state flag
Living now

Colorado

Capital: Denver

Median household income $87,598 · winter low 18°F · 245 sunny days

Outdoor paradise, booming Denver metro, legal weed.

IL state flag
Moving to

Illinois

Capital: Springfield

Median household income $78,433 · winter low 19°F · 189 sunny days

Chicago global city, second-highest property taxes in US.

Illinois has an overall price level 100.0 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
Colorado
103.1
Illinois
100.0
Illinois has 3.0% lower overall price level
Housing index
Colorado
127.4
Illinois
93.9
Illinois has 26% lower housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
Colorado
100.8
Illinois
100.0
Illinois has 0.8% lower groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
Colorado
100.5
Illinois
100.0
Electricity rate
Colorado
16.7 ¢/kWh
Illinois
18.9 ¢/kWh
Illinois has 13% higher electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
Colorado
100.6
Illinois
100.0
Illinois has 0.6% lower transportation
Median home value
Colorado
$574,600
Illinois
$280,700
Illinois is 51% cheaper to buy a home
Median monthly rent
Colorado
$1,627/mo
Illinois
$1,169/mo
Illinois is 28% cheaper to rent

Sources: NOAA Climate Normals · EPA AirNow (live) state-level

Summer high 85°F · Winter low 19°F · 189 sunny days/yr.

Avg summer high
Colorado
86°F
Illinois
85°F
Illinois is 1.2% less summer highs
Avg winter low
Colorado
18°F
Illinois
19°F
Illinois is 5.6% more winter lows
Avg annual temperature
Colorado
46°F
Illinois
52°F
Illinois is 13% more annual temperature
Sunny days / year
Colorado
245
Illinois
189
Illinois has 23% lower sunny days
Annual precipitation
Colorado
17 in
Illinois
40 in
Illinois is 141% more annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
Colorado
74
Illinois
40
Illinois has 46% lower AQI
Snow / year
Colorado
69 in
Illinois
19 in
Illinois is 72% less annual snowfall

Get the full ColoradoIllinois report

Schools, healthcare, taxes, transportation, lifestyle, crime, family fit, move logistics, AI assistant, and 90-day timeline.

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Frequently asked

Is it cheaper to live in Illinois than Colorado?

Illinois's overall price level is roughly 99.4 (US avg = 100), vs about 103 for Colorado — based on BEA Regional Price Parities. Housing is the dominant driver of the difference. Run a comparison for the full, current breakdown.

What's the income tax difference?

Colorado tops out at 4.4% income tax. Illinois tops out at 4.95%.

How long do I have to register my vehicle in Illinois?

Most Illinois residents must register a vehicle within 30-60 days of moving. Check the piomover report for state-specific deadlines.

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