Skip to content

Free comparison

Moving from Iowa to Illinois

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Corn country, low unemployment, surprisingly arts-rich. vs. Chicago global city, second-highest property taxes in US.

IA state flag
Living now

Iowa

Capital: Des Moines

Median household income $70,571 · winter low 13°F · 200 sunny days

Corn country, low unemployment, surprisingly arts-rich.

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
Iowa
87.8
Illinois
100.0
Illinois has 14% higher overall price level
Housing index
Iowa
65.3
Illinois
93.9
Illinois has 44% higher housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
Iowa
96.9
Illinois
100.0
Illinois has 3.1% higher groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
Iowa
98.2
Illinois
100.0
Illinois has 1.9% higher utilities
Electricity rate
Iowa
13.4 ¢/kWh
Illinois
18.9 ¢/kWh
Illinois has 41% higher electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
Iowa
97.6
Illinois
100.0
Illinois has 2.5% higher transportation
Median home value
Iowa
$227,300
Illinois
$280,700
Illinois is 23% more expensive to buy a home
Median monthly rent
Iowa
$769/mo
Illinois
$1,169/mo
Illinois is 52% more expensive 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
Iowa
85°F
Illinois
85°F
Avg winter low
Iowa
13°F
Illinois
19°F
Illinois is 46% more winter lows
Avg annual temperature
Iowa
48°F
Illinois
52°F
Illinois is 8.1% more annual temperature
Sunny days / year
Iowa
200
Illinois
189
Illinois has 5.5% lower sunny days
Annual precipitation
Iowa
35 in
Illinois
40 in
Illinois is 14% more annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
Iowa
73
Illinois
40
Illinois has 45% lower AQI
Snow / year
Iowa
30 in
Illinois
19 in
Illinois is 37% less annual snowfall

Get the full IowaIllinois report

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

See the full comparison

Frequently asked

Is it cheaper to live in Illinois than Iowa?

Illinois's overall price level is roughly 99.4 (US avg = 100), vs about 90 for Iowa — 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?

Iowa tops out at 3.8% 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.

Related comparisons