Skip to content

Free comparison

Moving from Kentucky to Illinois

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Bourbon, horses, Appalachian + Bluegrass mix. vs. Chicago global city, second-highest property taxes in US.

KY state flag
Living now

Kentucky

Capital: Frankfort

Median household income $60,183 · winter low 26°F · 189 sunny days

Bourbon, horses, Appalachian + Bluegrass mix.

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
Kentucky
90.2
Illinois
100.0
Illinois has 11% higher overall price level
Housing index
Kentucky
64.3
Illinois
93.9
Illinois has 46% higher housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
Kentucky
97.5
Illinois
100.0
Illinois has 2.5% higher groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
Kentucky
98.5
Illinois
100.0
Illinois has 1.5% higher utilities
Electricity rate
Kentucky
14.9 ¢/kWh
Illinois
18.9 ¢/kWh
Illinois has 27% higher electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
Kentucky
98.0
Illinois
100.0
Illinois has 2.0% higher transportation
Median home value
Kentucky
$226,000
Illinois
$280,700
Illinois is 24% more expensive to buy a home
Median monthly rent
Kentucky
$852/mo
Illinois
$1,169/mo
Illinois is 37% 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
Kentucky
87°F
Illinois
85°F
Illinois is 2.3% less summer highs
Avg winter low
Kentucky
26°F
Illinois
19°F
Illinois is 27% less winter lows
Avg annual temperature
Kentucky
56°F
Illinois
52°F
Illinois is 7.0% less annual temperature
Sunny days / year
Kentucky
189
Illinois
189
Annual precipitation
Kentucky
48 in
Illinois
40 in
Illinois is 17% less annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
Kentucky
48
Illinois
40
Illinois has 17% lower AQI
Snow / year
Kentucky
9 in
Illinois
19 in
Illinois is 111% more annual snowfall

Get the full KentuckyIllinois 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 Kentucky?

Illinois's overall price level is roughly 99.4 (US avg = 100), vs about 87.5 for Kentucky — 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?

Kentucky tops out at 3.5% 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