Skip to content

Free comparison

Moving from Mississippi to Illinois

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Cheapest housing in US, deep South culture, low incomes. vs. Chicago global city, second-highest property taxes in US.

MS state flag
Living now

Mississippi

Capital: Jackson

Median household income $52,985 · winter low 36°F · 213 sunny days

Cheapest housing in US, deep South culture, low incomes.

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
Mississippi
87.0
Illinois
100.0
Illinois has 15% higher overall price level
Housing index
Mississippi
56.5
Illinois
93.9
Illinois has 66% higher housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
Mississippi
96.7
Illinois
100.0
Illinois has 3.4% higher groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
Mississippi
98.0
Illinois
100.0
Illinois has 2.0% higher utilities
Electricity rate
Mississippi
16.3 ¢/kWh
Illinois
18.9 ¢/kWh
Illinois has 16% higher electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
Mississippi
97.4
Illinois
100.0
Illinois has 2.7% higher transportation
Median home value
Mississippi
$186,500
Illinois
$280,700
Illinois is 51% more expensive to buy a home
Median monthly rent
Mississippi
$829/mo
Illinois
$1,169/mo
Illinois is 41% 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
Mississippi
92°F
Illinois
85°F
Illinois is 7.6% less summer highs
Avg winter low
Mississippi
36°F
Illinois
19°F
Illinois is 47% less winter lows
Avg annual temperature
Mississippi
64°F
Illinois
52°F
Illinois is 18% less annual temperature
Sunny days / year
Mississippi
213
Illinois
189
Illinois has 11% lower sunny days
Annual precipitation
Mississippi
58 in
Illinois
40 in
Illinois is 31% less annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
Mississippi
42
Illinois
40
Illinois has 4.8% lower AQI
Snow / year
Mississippi
1 in
Illinois
19 in
Illinois is 1800% more annual snowfall

Get the full MississippiIllinois 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 Mississippi?

Illinois's overall price level is roughly 99.4 (US avg = 100), vs about 86.4 for Mississippi — 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?

Mississippi tops out at 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.

Related comparisons