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Moving from North Carolina to Illinois

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Research Triangle boom, banking, mountains + coast. vs. Chicago global city, second-highest property taxes in US.

NC state flag
Living now

North Carolina

Capital: Raleigh

Median household income $66,186 · winter low 30°F · 213 sunny days

Research Triangle boom, banking, mountains + coast.

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
North Carolina
94.3
Illinois
100.0
Illinois has 6.0% higher overall price level
Housing index
North Carolina
81.4
Illinois
93.9
Illinois has 15% higher housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
North Carolina
98.6
Illinois
100.0
Illinois has 1.4% higher groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
North Carolina
99.1
Illinois
100.0
Illinois has 0.9% higher utilities
Electricity rate
North Carolina
16 ¢/kWh
Illinois
18.9 ¢/kWh
Illinois has 18% higher electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
North Carolina
98.9
Illinois
100.0
Illinois has 1.1% higher transportation
Median home value
North Carolina
$333,000
Illinois
$280,700
Illinois is 16% cheaper to buy a home
Median monthly rent
North Carolina
$1,274/mo
Illinois
$1,169/mo
Illinois is 8.2% 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
North Carolina
88°F
Illinois
85°F
Illinois is 3.4% less summer highs
Avg winter low
North Carolina
30°F
Illinois
19°F
Illinois is 37% less winter lows
Avg annual temperature
North Carolina
59°F
Illinois
52°F
Illinois is 11% less annual temperature
Sunny days / year
North Carolina
213
Illinois
189
Illinois has 11% lower sunny days
Annual precipitation
North Carolina
50 in
Illinois
40 in
Illinois is 19% less annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
North Carolina
38
Illinois
40
Illinois has 5.3% higher AQI
Snow / year
North Carolina
6 in
Illinois
19 in
Illinois is 217% more annual snowfall

Get the full North CarolinaIllinois 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 North Carolina?

Illinois's overall price level is roughly 99.4 (US avg = 100), vs about 95 for North Carolina — 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?

North Carolina tops out at 3.99% 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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