Moving from Illinois to Texas: Costs, Distance & What to Know
Last reviewed 2026-09-07 · Next review due 2026-10-05
A typical 3-bedroom move from Illinois to Texas runs about $4,200-$6,720 nationally (use the calculator for a number based on your actual move). In the most recent Census-based year available (2024 ACS state-to-state migration flows (USAFacts does not clearly specify 1-year vs. 5-year ACS on its methodology text); Census Population Estimates Program Vintage 2025 (July 2024–June 2025) for the most recent net-domestic-migration figure), about 25,272 people made this exact move — from Illinois to Texas.
Moving from Illinois to Texas? Compare quotes from licensed interstate movers.
Get free quotesWho is making this move
Directional flow counts and rankings here are drawn directly from each state's own already-published, Census-sourced migration snapshot — see the Illinois and Texas moving cost hubs for the full picture of who moves in and out of each state, not just this one corridor.
- Illinois → Texas
- 25,272
- Texas → Illinois
- 18,200
Data year: 2024 ACS state-to-state migration flows (USAFacts does not clearly specify 1-year vs. 5-year ACS on its methodology text); Census Population Estimates Program Vintage 2025 (July 2024–June 2025) for the most recent net-domestic-migration figure
Side by side
| Illinois | Texas | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 12,719,141 | 31,709,821 |
| Major metro | Chicago–Naperville–Elgin MSA | Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington |
| Income tax | flat 4.95% individual income tax rate (not graduated). Illinois Department of Revenue — Income Tax Rates | No personal income tax |
See the full Illinois moving cost hub and Texas moving cost hub for each state’s complete migration, cost and relocation picture.
Typical moving costs
These are national moving-industry planning ranges scaled by home size, not Illinois-to-Texas-specific pricing — the same benchmarks used across every state hub and route page on this site. Once enough priced Illinois↔Texas city-pair corridors are live, this table can be replaced with a real corridor-specific range.
| Home size | Local | Long-distance |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $600-$1,050 | $1,250-$2,000 |
| 1 Bedroom | $800-$1,400 | $2,000-$3,200 |
| 2 Bedroom | $1,100-$1,925 | $3,000-$4,800 |
| 3 Bedroom | $1,400-$2,450 | $4,200-$6,720 |
| 4 Bedroom | $1,800-$3,150 | $5,500-$8,800 |
| 5+ Bedroom | $2,200-$3,850 | $7,000-$11,200 |
For a number tailored to your actual move, use the moving cost calculator.
New-resident deadlines
| State | Topic | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois | Driver's license | New Illinois residents may drive on a valid out-of-state license for up to 90 days after establishing residency, after which an Illinois driver's license is required. |
| Illinois | Vehicle registration | Vehicles must be titled and registered in Illinois within 30 days of establishing residency; Illinois-compliant auto insurance is required before registration is processed. |
| Texas | Driver's license | New residents can drive on a valid out-of-state license for up to 90 days, then must get a Texas DL. |
| Texas | Vehicle registration | Must register and title within 30 days of moving; requires inspection and TX-minimum liability insurance. |
Live city-to-city routes
Frequently asked questions
- How much does it cost to move from Illinois to Texas?
National planning ranges for a long-distance move run $4,200-$6,720 for a 3-bedroom home, scaling down to $1,250-$2,000 for a studio. These are the same national benchmarks used across every route on this site, not a Illinois-Texas-specific figure — use the moving cost calculator for a number based on your actual move.
- How many people move from Illinois to Texas each year?
About 25,272 people made this move in 2024 ACS state-to-state migration flows (USAFacts does not clearly specify 1-year vs. 5-year ACS on its methodology text); Census Population Estimates Program Vintage 2025 (July 2024–June 2025) for the most recent net-domestic-migration figure, per Census Bureau state-to-state migration data.
- Do I need a new driver's license after moving from Illinois to Texas?
New residents can drive on a valid out-of-state license for up to 90 days, then must get a Texas DL.
- What's the income tax difference between Illinois and Texas?
Illinois: flat 4.95% individual income tax rate (not graduated). Illinois Department of Revenue — Income Tax Rates. Texas: No personal income tax.
Sources
- USAFacts — Illinois migration
- Illinois Policy Institute — international migrants offset domestic departures
- Illinois Policy Institute — Illinois ranks 48th for people moving out
- U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts — Illinois
- USAFacts — Chicago, IL metro area population
- USAFacts — Rockford, IL metro area population
- USAFacts — Peoria, IL metro area population
- USAFacts — Springfield, IL metro area population
