Michigan and Illinois are two neighboring states that offer quite different ways of life. They appear similar on the surface. When you dig a little deeper you will find some pretty big differences. Prairie State has a rich history, exciting nightlife, and some of the best opportunities in the nation. Michiganders must have noticed this too. According to statistics, around 9000 Michigan residents moved to Illinois in the past year. In the last decade, more than 250,000 people decided to make Illinois their home. Today, our team at Verified Movers will explore the option of moving from Michigan to Illinois. After all, any good move begins with research. Let us start and see what these two states have in common and what are their differences.
Check your finances before moving from Michigan to Illinois
Before you decide to move to Illinois, you have to make sure your budget can handle it. In the past, Illinois used to be a very affordable state. For most, this was one of the biggest reasons for relocating to Illinois. Moving on a budget was slightly easier before. Nowadays, things are a little different. We will explore the exact numbers later on. But it is not as cheap as 10 or even 5 years ago. Moreover, the cost of living varies wildly across the state. It is a difference between living comfortably and making ends meet.
Furthermore, there is another cost people skip over – the cost of moving. Relocating your home from Michigan to Illinois could put a strain on your finances. To have a smooth moving day, put aside enough money for some of the best interstate moving companies Michigan has to offer. You can easily search for moving companies and reviews on Verified Movers website. Our database contains more than 21,000 company profiles, along with customer opinions. It is the perfect tool for hiring movers that suit your needs.
How your monthly budget will change after moving to Illinois
While Michigan and Illinois both have a cost of living index below the national average, Michigan scores a bit lower. According to different statistics, Illinois is 7.3 percent more expensive than the Great Lakes State. However, it is important to note this depends on which city you move to. For example, Chicago is a lot pricier than Detroit. But Chicago is the biggest city in the state so that is to be expected. On the other hand, cities like Rockford, Springfield, and Champaign are all cheaper. This is the importance of doing enough research before a move. And it extends to choosing your movers. Interstate moving companies Illinois are the best choice when trying to ensure a stress-free move. And, when you save money while moving, you can invest more in your new home.
With all that said, let us look at some actual numbers. If you move to Illinois you will:
- pay roughly the same for your weekly groceries, the difference is 1.2 percent;
- spend 102 percent more on public transport;
- save 14 percent on childcare and tuition;
- put aside 3.8 percent more for housing in a downtown area
As you can see there are not any significant differences, aside from transport costs. Your exact expenses will look different, the above are just averages.
Illinois has better educational opportunities than Michigan
In case you are coming to Illinois from Michigan with kids, you will be happy to know the state values education. From middle school to university level, Illinois schools rank high. The public school system is in the top third in the nation. An interesting fact is that Illinois has the highest median SAT score of 613.33. Moreover, you will not have trouble finding top-rated colleges either. The University of Chicago is among the best schools in the world and continuously ranks high in different categories. One of the best engineering schools in the nation is also in Illinois – The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Michigan can’t compare with Illinois in this category, since Prairie State ranks among the top states in various educational categories.
Cities and towns that will charm you after moving to the Prairie State
Whether you enjoy life in a big city or a small midwestern town, Illinois will have something for you. Looking for a new place to settle down can be a lot of fun. You will find mostly rural towns in the south. Here cities and towns are divided by vast farmland and nature reserves. The Shawnee National Forest is a must-see. Bigger cities in this area include Belleville, Alton, and Centralia. Central Illinois is often referred to as the Heart of Illinois. Here you will find smaller towns and mid-sized cities like Springfield, Champaign, and Galesburg.
Northern Illinois has the highest population because of the greater Chicago area. It is the most well-known and populated city in the state. With 2.7 million residents, it is the third biggest city in the entire nation. It is an international center of finance, technology, culture, and transportation. In fact, it is one of the most high tech cities in the United States. As you can see, Illinois has a bit of everything. From the glitz and glam of big cities to quaint family towns.
Prairie State will welcome you with open arms!
And there it is, a concise rundown of all things you should know when moving from Michigan to Illinois. Contrary to the popular belief, Illinois is not just rural farmland and Chicago. It is a diverse state with a little bit of something for everyone. Combined with an acceptable cost of living, great education, and evolving job market we could not ask for much more. However, moving is a drastic change. Even if you are coming from a neighboring state like Michigan. Before you make your final decision, reviewing all the facts is important. Hopefully, you found our advice helpful and you can now start planning your journey.