Living in Illinois

#49 in population growth

Should you move to Illinois?

Illinois, the Land of Lincoln, boasts a diverse economy, rich cultural experiences, and plenty of outdoor adventure. From the bustling metropolis of Chicago to the rolling plains of the south, Illinois offers a range of lifestyles to suit varied tastes.

Illinois’s economy is a powerhouse, with Chicago serving as a key hub for finance, technology, manufacturing, and healthcare. The state is home to a multitude of Fortune 500 companies, including Boeing, Abbott Laboratories, and Caterpillar.

Life in Illinois presents a blend of urban excitement and rural charm. The city of Chicago offers world-class dining, shopping, entertainment, and cultural institutions such as the Art Institute of Chicago and the Field Museum. Outside the city, residents can enjoy activities like hiking in Starved Rock State Park or exploring the wine trail in Southern Illinois.

Illinois also prioritizes education, with top-rated universities like the University of Chicago, Northwestern University, and the University of Illinois system.

If you’re seeking a state that offers a balance of urban and rural life, a strong economy, and a commitment to quality education, Illinois might be the perfect choice. Just remember to bundle up for those windy city winters!

#6 in population

Population

12,582,032

National Avg 6,652,315

#39 in population

Population Per Square Mile

231

National Avg 206.5 persons/square mile

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How Does Illinois Score?

B
Home Affordability
B
Cost of Living
B
Diversity

LEARN ABOUT
RANKINGS & DATA

Metropolitans

Living in Illinois

Climate

How Does Illinois Compare?

#23
in Sunny Days
#30
in Annual Rainfall
#12
in Daytime Humidity

Healthcare

#23

How Does Illinois Compare?

#23
in Healthcare
#34
in Available Beds
#10
in Doctors Per Resident

3

Children's Hospitals

4

VA Medical Centers

30

VA Clinics

Illinois Marijuana Laws

Cost of Living

#17

How Does Illinois Compare?

#17
in Cost of Living
#15
in Minimum Hourly Wage
#39
in Living Wage

Illinois State Taxes

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Essential New Mover Steps

What costs and challenges will you face when relocating to Illinois? Start your journey by preparing with these key steps.

eMortgage connects you with up to 5 competing mortgage lenders through a quick, streamlined process.

Renter tested. Landlord approved. Starting from $5/mo.

Moving costs can add up quickly. Start budgeting by tackling one of your largest costs first by requesting a free online quote from 1-800-Pack-Rat.

Education in Illinois

#17

Illinois School Districts

8th Grade Proficiency (2022)

Ranked #20 in Mathematics

Basic Proficiency

62%

Proficient or Above

27%

Ranked #9 in Reading

Basic Proficiency

71%

Proficient or Above

32%

Education Attainment

High School Degree
89.9%
Bachelors Degree
36.2%

Raising a Family?

See if any of these family-friendly places are a fit for yours.

Places (Cities & Towns)

Get to Know Illinois

State Capital

Springfield

Area Codes

217, 224, 309, 312, 331, 447, 464, 618, 630, 708, 730, 773, 779, 815, 847, 872

Time Zone

Central Time Zone

Number of Counties

102

Land Area (square miles)

55,513

Motto

State sovereignty, national union

State Bird

Cardinal

Housing

#18
#18 in home affordability

Median Home Value

$234,000

National $440,300

#29 in rent affordability

Median Rent

$1,097

National $1,702

Average Homeownership cost

$681

Taxes, Insurance, Utilities, HOA (no mortgage)

Total Households

4,930,255

Persons Per Household

2.54

Rent vs Own

Own 66.5%
Rent 33.5%

Economy

#17 in household income

Median Household Income

72,563

National $70,784

#15 in labor participation
% in Labor Force
65.1%
Poverty Rate
12.1%

Industries by Revenue

in $1,000s

Health & Social Assistance Revenue

$97,626,131

Accomodations & Food Revenue

$35,314,396

Transportation & Warehousing Revenue

$51,368,341

Per Capita Retail Sales

13,574

Counties

Diversity

#13
White alone
76.1%
Black or African American alone
14.7%
American Indian and Alaska Native alone
0.6%
Asian alone
6.3%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone
0.1%
Two or More Races
2.2%
Hispanic or Latino
18.3%
White alone, not Hispanic or Latino
59.5%

Foreign Born Persons

14.1%

Veterans

537552

Persons Under 5 years
5.4%
Persons Under 18 years
21.6%
Persons 65 years and over
17.2%

Is Diversity essential?

Find culture and diversity in the Most Diverse Places in the US.

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