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Moving from New Jersey to Illinois

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Highest property taxes, wealthy suburbs, NYC + Philly access. vs. Chicago global city, second-highest property taxes in US.

NJ state flag
Living now

New Jersey

Capital: Trenton

Median household income $97,126 · winter low 24°F · 207 sunny days

Highest property taxes, wealthy suburbs, NYC + Philly access.

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
New Jersey
108.8
Illinois
100.0
Illinois has 8.1% lower overall price level
Housing index
New Jersey
134.3
Illinois
93.9
Illinois has 30% lower housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
New Jersey
102.2
Illinois
100.0
Illinois has 2.2% lower groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
New Jersey
101.3
Illinois
100.0
Illinois has 1.3% lower utilities
Electricity rate
New Jersey
23.5 ¢/kWh
Illinois
18.9 ¢/kWh
Illinois has 20% lower electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
New Jersey
101.8
Illinois
100.0
Illinois has 1.7% lower transportation
Median home value
New Jersey
$496,000
Illinois
$280,700
Illinois is 43% cheaper to buy a home
Median monthly rent
New Jersey
$1,554/mo
Illinois
$1,169/mo
Illinois is 25% 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
New Jersey
86°F
Illinois
85°F
Illinois is 1.2% less summer highs
Avg winter low
New Jersey
24°F
Illinois
19°F
Illinois is 21% less winter lows
Avg annual temperature
New Jersey
53°F
Illinois
52°F
Sunny days / year
New Jersey
207
Illinois
189
Illinois has 8.7% lower sunny days
Annual precipitation
New Jersey
48 in
Illinois
40 in
Illinois is 16% less annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
New Jersey
44
Illinois
40
Illinois has 9.1% lower AQI
Snow / year
New Jersey
24 in
Illinois
19 in
Illinois is 21% less annual snowfall

Get the full New JerseyIllinois 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 New Jersey?

Illinois's overall price level is roughly 99.4 (US avg = 100), vs about 110.5 for New Jersey — 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?

New Jersey tops out at 10.75% 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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