Moving to Illinois statistics (2025 data)

How many people move to Illinois?

Approximately 203,758 people moved to Illinois in 2023, while 297,005 moved out. This represents a significant net loss of 93,247 residents. The rate of population decline here was the fourth highest in the nation — behind only New York, Louisiana and Hawaii.

In fact, the only positive migration Illinois has seen in recent years has come exclusively from international movers. According to a recent ConsumerAffairs study based on a sample of 143,506 ConsumerAffairs.com users who expressed an interest in moving between January 2023 and March 2024, the Land of Lincoln ranked as the 48th most desired state for relocation.

Top 5 cities that people moved to in Illinois

With the lowest affordability score based on data collected from several sources and accounting for weighted factors, Illinois ranks as the 39th best U.S. state to move to in 2024. A modest safety ranking is the primary factor preventing the state from earning a lower score.

Of those moving to the Land of Lincoln, the majority are relocating to popular Chicago suburbs and exurbs. Despite being less affordable than other areas, these regions offer unmatched job opportunities and a high quality of life. Yorkville, Plainfield and Oswego — all just west of Chicago — attracted 3,160, 2,562 and 2,472 new residents, respectively, between 2020 and 2023. Over the same period, Yorkville also saw the highest population growth — a considerable 14.7% increase.

The top five locales people moved to in Illinois between 2020 and 2023 were as follows:

Why do people move to Illinois?

The low cost of living combined with countless job opportunities in the Chicago area are the primary reasons people are moving to Illinois. Despite housing costs that are 32.9% below the national average — one of the most affordable in the country — the median household income remains slightly higher than the national median. This means earning a livable income here will likely be easier than in other states.

The largest industries in the state are trade, transportation, and utilities, education and health services, and professional and business services. Collectively, these industries employ roughly 51% of nonfarm workers. The fastest-growing single industry in the state, however, is government, growing at a rate of 3.3% between July 2023 and July 2024.

Illinois housing statistics

With a median rent price of roughly $1,111 and a median home sale price of $282,100, Illinois renters and homeowners can expect to pay over 30% less than the national median for housing.

However, at 2.08%, Illinois has the second highest property tax rate in the country. The tax rate here is at least double that of the bottom 30 states.

In 2021, the average property owner in Kendall County — where Yorkville and other popular Chicago exurbs are located — paid $7,026 in annual property taxes. In general, the average property tax paid in Illinois varies greatly by county but is much higher than in other states. At $8,040, residents in Lake County paid the most annually in 2021, while those in Pulaski County paid a mere fraction of that with an average of $647.

Cost-of-living statistics in Illinois

Illinois’ cost-of-living index is 90.8, making it the 11th most affordable state in the country. However, gas prices don’t follow this same affordability trend, being 15.3% higher ($3.76) than the national average of $3.26. Compared to other states, Illinois produces far less oil and natural gas, potentially contributing to higher gas prices. Overall, the Land of Lincoln ranks as the 34th most green state in the country.

The median household income ($78,047) in Illinois is also just slightly above the national median of $75,358, helping to offset high property taxes and make affordable homes even more appealing. Though, the unemployment rate (5%) is noticeably higher than the national average of 4.2%.

Overall, Illinois offers a low cost of living that’s somewhat offset by high property taxes and other expenses. However, the balance between the two is better than many other states.

Who lives in Illinois?

An estimated 12,549,689 people live in Illinois as of 2023, making it the sixth largest state in terms of population. This represents a population decline of 32,826 people compared to 2022.

Illinois’ population is skewed female, with women accounting for about 50.6% of the population and men accounting for 49.4%. In 2023, nearly 6.3 million Illinois residents were female, and 6.2 million were male.

On average, Illinois’ population is also slightly older (39.4 years old) than the U.S. average of 38.9 years. Those between 25 and 44 years old make up the largest age demographic, accounting for 26.8% of the population, or 3.36 million people.

Illinois has a diverse population. White Americans account for the largest share of residents, approximating 76% of the population (9.5 million people). The Land of Lincoln also has a considerable share of Hispanic and Black residents when compared to other states, representing 19% and 14.6% of the population, respectively.

Tips for moving to Illinois

Not sure how to start your move to Illinois? Consider these step-by-step moving tips:

1. Understand the cost of living

How is it possible that Illinois ranks poorly for affordability while also offering the 11th lowest cost-of-living index? High taxes are a primary factor, as this state has the second highest property tax rate in the nation. Living expenses also vary greatly depending on where you choose to move, with Chicago and its surrounding suburbs being far more expensive than small towns in the Southern portion of the state. To learn more about your desired area, use resources like Illinois.gov to research property taxes, average utility costs and home prices.

2. Explore the job market

Illinois is well known as a financial hub, with Chicago boasting impressive job opportunities. From health care and technology to manufacturing and agriculture, explore a variety of employment options. We recommend exploring job openings on the Illinois Department of Employment Security website for local career paths that align with your expertise.

3. Prepare for seasonal weather

Illinois’ central Midwest location allows it to experience the extremes of all four seasons. Expect hot, humid summers and cold, snowy winters — especially in the north. Windy conditions are common in Chicago, as it borders Lake Michigan. Prepare for the varying weather by investing in seasonal essentials like insulated winter gear, snow removal tools and HVAC systems. You can also stay updated on local weather patterns using the National Weather Service website.

4. Be aware of natural hazards

While most Illinois residents are safe from hurricanes and wildfires, the state is susceptible to tornadoes, snowstorms and flooding from the Mississippi River. Peak tornado season is between April and June, while snow and ice storms are common throughout winter. Sign up for local emergency alerts and familiarize yourself with safety plans through the Illinois Emergency Management Agency website.

5. Research transportation options

If you plan on moving to Chicago or one of Illinois’ other major cities, expect robust public transit systems. The CTA in Chicago operates both buses and trains, for example. For long-distance travel, Illinois is also well-connected via Amtrak and regional airports. However, most rural portions of the state are still car-dependent. Before moving, evaluate your transportation needs and research available options on the Illinois Department of Transportation website.

6. Discover Illinois’ attractions

While Chicago offers world-class museums, theaters and restaurants, Illinois is also a big state with countless attractions to discover. From peaceful state parks and forests to the historical home of Abraham Lincoln, there’s something for everyone. Visit EnjoyIllinois.com to explore everything the state has to offer.

7. Understand mover quotes and tipping

When moving to Illinois, carefully review and compare moving company quotes. Be sure to account for potential additional fees depending on where you’re relocating to. Tipping movers is customary; a tip of 10% to 20% of the total cost is standard based on the quality of service.