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State-to-State Guide

Moving from Illinois to California

Compare cost of living, taxes, housing, and find the best moving companies for your Illinois to California move.

Quick Comparison

Leaving Illinois

Population12.8M
State Income Tax4.95%
Avg Home Price$270,000
Avg Rent$1,300/mo
Property Tax Rate2.27%
DESTINATION

Moving to California

Population39.5M
State Income Tax1%-13.3%
Avg Home Price$785,000
Avg Rent$2,200/mo
Property Tax Rate0.76%

Why Are People Moving from Illinois to California?

The migration corridor between Illinois and California is a popular interstate move. Thousands of households explore this route every year.

Cost of Living: The cost of living in California is higher than Illinois, but many movers find the tradeoffs worthwhile. Housing in California costs about $515,000 more on average, so budget accordingly.

Climate & Weather: Both states have similar summer temperatures. Winters in California average 55°F, compared to 28°F in Illinois.

Jobs & Industry: California's key industries include Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture, which attract professionals from Illinois's Finance and Manufacturing sectors.

Popular City-to-City Routes

2015 mi
29h drive
Chicago, IL
Los Angeles, CA
via I-80 West / I-76 West
2251 mi
40.9h drive
Chicago, IL
San Diego, CA
via I-90 West
2389 mi
43.4h drive
Chicago, IL
San Jose, CA
via I-90 West
2130 mi
31h drive
Chicago, IL
San Francisco, CA
via I-80 West
2268 mi
41.2h drive
Chicago, IL
Fresno, CA
via I-90 West
2326 mi
42.3h drive
Chicago, IL
Sacramento, CA
via I-90 West
2265 mi
41.2h drive
Chicago, IL
Bakersfield, CA
via I-90 West
2252 mi
40.9h drive
Chicago, IL
Anaheim, CA
via I-90 West
2253 mi
41h drive
Chicago, IL
Santa Ana, CA
via I-90 West
2273 mi
41.3h drive
Chicago, IL
Long Beach, CA
via I-90 West

Cities in Illinois

Chicago

Population2.7M
Median Home Price$315,000

Other Major Cities

Aurora
Naperville
Rockford
Springfield

Cities in California

Los Angeles

Population4.0M
Median Home Price$850,000

San Diego

Population1.4M
Median Home Price$850,000

San Jose

Population1.0M
Median Home Price$1,200,000

San Francisco

Population874K
Median Home Price$1,400,000

Fresno

Population542K
Median Home Price$340,000

Sacramento

Population525K
Median Home Price$430,000

Bakersfield

Population403K
Median Home Price$340,000

Anaheim

Population350K
Median Home Price$750,000

Santa Ana

Population309K
Median Home Price$700,000

Long Beach

Population467K
Median Home Price$700,000

Estimated Moving Cost

Based on the average distance of 2242 miles between Illinois and California:

Studio / 1 BR
$1,921
3–4 BR Home
$4,690

Estimates based on typical full-service interstate moves. Actual costs vary.

Illinois → California Transition Checklist

Driver's License

You must obtain a California driver's license within 10 days of establishing residency.

Vehicle Registration

Register your vehicle in California within 20 days.

Voter Registration

Update your voter registration to California after establishing residency. You can typically register at your local DMV or online.

Vehicle Inspection

California vehicle inspection requirement: Smog check required.

Things to Know About California

  • • Smog certification required for vehicle registration
  • • Proposition 13 limits property tax increases
  • • Lane splitting on motorcycles is legal

What's Different: Illinois vs California

Taxes

Illinois Income Tax:4.95%
California Income Tax:1%-13.3%
Illinois Property Tax:2.27%
California Property Tax:0.76%

Weather

Illinois Summer Avg:84°F
California Summer Avg:85°F
Illinois Winter Avg:28°F
California Winter Avg:55°F

Cost of Living

Illinois COL Index:97
California COL Index:150
Illinois Avg Home Price:$270,000
California Avg Home Price:$785,000
Illinois Avg Rent:$1,300/mo
California Avg Rent:$2,200/mo

Ready to make the move to California?

Get quotes from interstate carriers that regularly run routes between Illinois and California.