Any relocation, but even more so an interstate one like moving from Kentucky to Illinois, can be a demanding task. In addition to changing residences, moving will require you to travel long distances, up to 380 miles. If you are choosing Chicago, which is also the most populous city in Illinois, you can have the prosperity that comes with a big city. However, you should familiarize yourself with all aspects of life in the Walt Disney homeland and then decide if it’s worth the move. Plus, Illinois has many other great cities to live in. These two states are neighbors in the USA. Illinois borders Abraham Lincoln’s home state of Kentucky to the east. Verified Movers will introduce you to the main differences between these states, all the changes you’ll experience after making this move, and of course, reliable professionals who can help you relocate there safely.
What are you leaving behind if moving from Kentucky to Illinois?
Kentucky is a state that is slightly smaller in area than Illinois. While Illinois covers 57,914 square miles, Kentucky covers an area of 40,408 square miles. The difference between Kentucky and Illinois is much greater when it comes to population. With 4.5 million inhabitants, this state is almost 3 times smaller than Illinois, which according to the last census has 12.81 million inhabitants. The rivers of this state give a special charm to their surroundings, and there are several large ones. There is the Tennessee River, the Ohio River, the Kentucky River, as well as the Big Sandy River. River lovers can enjoy sailing, swimming or just sitting by the shore.
Living conditions in Kentucky
For many Kentuckians, this is the most beautiful and affordable state to live in. In 2020, the state had an influx of residents of 52.4% either due to employment, retirement or family. The citizens of Idaho have seen in the greatest numbers the qualities that this state has to offer. Their influx was 70.1% of the total number of settlers in Kentucky. With the help of good interstate moving companies Kentucky, moving even long distances is done with ease. You just need to find a reliable company.
The cost of living in Kentucky is as much as 18% lower than the USA average. The city of Mississippi has the lowest costs. Housing prices are even 40% lower than the national average. The median home value is $208,753, which is significantly lower than the national average of $376,286 at the same time. Also, the prices of food, transportation and utilities are lower than the US average. At the state level, the unemployment rate is 5% and the median household income was $55,454 for 2021.
Jefferson County has the largest population, over 780K. There are among the largest city Louisville with about 300K. Bigger than this city in Kentucky is Lexington with about 330K residents. All other cities have less than 75K inhabitants. If you prefer the big city life, there are fewer opportunities for that in Kentucky.
What can attract you to Illinois?
You can easily fall in love with Illinois. Whether you are a lover of nature or active big cities, this state will not let you down. It is known for its many attractions. It is the hometown of McDonald’s, Bark Obama, the largest catsup bottle, and the first self-scouring steel plow that turned the prairies into the most productive arable fields. The capital is Springfield, but the largest and most attractive city is Chicago. Whether you’re moving locally or interstate, Chicago is a city to pack your bags for. It is an accessible city, with great opportunities, and amazing nightlife. So, no wonder why Kentuckians are often choosing this city. In fact, moving from Louisville to Chicago is the most common route between these states.
Higher living costs await you after moving from Kentucky to Illinois
Illinois is a state that has a total cost of living lower than the national average by 6.3%. Among those costs, you will save the most on housing, as much as 20% compared to the US average. The median home price in Illinois is $249,155. Compared to the median home value by the state of America, which is $428,700 for 2022, that’s a nice saving. If you’re moving with the help of a moving company, you should budget between $1,430 to $5,750. And to choose reliable interstate moving companies Illinois, turn to our comprehensive database. In Illinois, as many as 67% are homeowners, and the median rent is $1,925, which is a third higher than the national average. Groceries, utilities and health care are also cheaper than the national average. However, you will have to spend 6.2% more on transportation.
Business opportunities in Illinois
With an unemployment rate of 7.1%, Illinois is a state where finding work will not be easy. If you are planning a commercial relocation of your business, you will contribute to reducing this rate. The most represented job (3.36%) is laborers and freight, stock, and material mover. In second place is the office clerk job, a general profession with 2.6% of employees. The highest paying job is an urgent care physician at almost $300K a year. In second place is a surgeon, while in third place is a mortgage loan originator with $270K per year.
When it comes to the tax system in Illinois, it is a problem for many residents. Illinois has an individual income tax rate of 4.95%. It also has a corporate income tax rate of 9.50%. The state sales tax rate is 6.25% and the local sales tax rate is 4.75%.
Education prospects in the Prairie State for anyone relocating with kids
Illinois boasts a high SAT score of 613.33. As the fifteenth-ranked state in terms of quality of education, it is considered a good state for families with school-aged children. There are 657 public schools in Chicago alone. Among the best are Northside College Preparatory High School, Payton College Preparatory High School, and Jones College Prep High School. Otherwise, there are more than 4,000 schools in Illinois that serve more than 1.8 million students. This puts Illinois in 4th place in terms of the size of the school system.
Opt for a professional move to save you some time and effort, and focus on exploring the great Prairie State
If you decide to move to a neighboring state whose symbols are the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, as well as Millennium Park, you will need the help of a good moving company. Verified Movers can be of great use here, as we are familiar with many moving companies that are operating in Kentucky and can relocate you to the Prairie State. Moving from Kentucky to Illinois shouldn’t be about hard tasks, but about exploring all the great things that your new home is offering. And Illinois certainly has so many traits. Therefore, it’s best to leave the move to the professionals while you focus on settling and enjoying the Prairie State. Have a safe trip!