Moving Out of Illinois – Relocation Guide

Moving Out of Illinois? Here’s What’s Driving the Trend in 2026 (and How Car Shipping Helps Relocating Households)

Illinois car shipping has become one of the most searched moving-related services in the Midwest and there’s a reason. There has been a consistent outbound migration in the state for several years, with thousands of residents moving out to other parts of the country in search of financial, lifestyle, and employment advantages. With more than 56,000 outbound moves over inbound between July 2023 and June 2024, Illinois ranked among the top outbound states in America, according to estimates from the US Census. And while 2026 already promises to be another high-migration year for the state, the reasons people leave Illinois are remarkably consistent. Whether it be for work, retirement, or a fresh start, knowledge of why this is happening is beneficial to better planning, especially when safe transport of your vehicle to the next location is considered.

1. High Taxes Continue to Push Residents Out

Illinois consistently ranks among states with the highest tax burden in the country and many long-time residents say it’s the #1 reason they’re leaving.

High property taxes (2.07% average – second highest in the US)
Gas tax among the highest in the country
Top-tier sales and income tax burden

With home values appreciating in other states and income tax incentives widening their net across the Sun Belt, residents continue to move to areas in which their money stretches further, creating an increasing demand for long-distance moves and car shipping from Illinois.

2. Housing Market Pressure & Affordability Concerns

Where Illinois was once considered affordable, the gap between income and housing costs has grown

Home prices increased ~10% YoY in 2024
Rent in metropolitan cities such as Chicago and Naperville remains high
First-time buyers are struggling with limited inventory

For many households, selling their Illinois home and relocating to more affordable markets like Tennessee, Texas, Indiana, Florida, or North Carolina makes financial sense and transporting a personal vehicle rather than replacing it has become the cost-smart approach during relocation.

3. Shifts in the Job Market

A decade ago Illinois especially Chicagoland was one of the nation’s top destinations for work opportunities. Recently, things have changed:

Corporate headquarters have relocated to other states
Large companies have reduced hiring or paused growth
Manufacturing opportunities have declined

Many residents are choosing employment-focused relocation to areas with stronger job growth such as Florida, Texas, Georgia, North Carolina, and Arizona. With longer moving distances becoming the new normal, car shipping now eliminates the logistical stress of driving for days or burning PTO on the road.

4. Weather and Quality-of-Life Decisions

The brutal Midwest winters and unpredictable seasonal shifts aren’t for everyone & many relocating residents openly cite climate preference as a factor.

In particular, snowbirds, retirees and remote workers are migrating to warm states with year round outdoor living, reducing time spent driving through harsh road conditions and making auto transport a safer alternative.

Where Are People Moving Instead of Illinois?

Based on the combined trend patterns of 2024–2025, the most common destinations for former Illinois residents include:

Rank	States People Move to from IL
1	Florida
2	Texas
3	Tennessee
4	North Carolina
5	Arizona
6	Indiana
7	Georgia
8	South Carolina

All of these relocation routes now represent some of the highest-volume Illinois car shipping lanes nationwide.

Why Car Shipping Is Becoming the Preferred Choice When Leaving Illinois

Long-distance relocations are very different from local moves and driving across multiple states comes with:

Fuel expenses
Hotel stays
Extra mileage and wear
Risk from weather or unfamiliar routes
Lost work time

Car shipping removes those stress points and supports the smoothest transition to a new home.

How US Car-Go Freight Makes the Moving Process Easier

When relocating is already stressful, arranging the safe transport of your vehicle shouldn’t be.

US Car-Go Freight helps streamline your move by:

Coordinating pickup and delivery around your moving schedule
Working with licensed and insured carriers nationwide
Matching your route, timeline and vehicle type to the right truck
Ensure clear communication & status updates throughout the process.

No pressure – no complicated process just support you can rely on during a big life transition.

FAQs - US Car-Go Freight

Q1: How much does it cost to ship a car from Illinois to any other state?

Pricing is based on distance, vehicle type, transport method (open or enclosed) and current demand. The majority of IL outbound moves fall within the moderate to long distance range.

Q2: Is car shipping cheaper than driving long distance?

For many moves, yes, especially when factoring fuel, hotel stays, food, time off work and added mileage on the car.

Q3: Can I ship my car before my moving day?

Yes. Pickup and delivery can be scheduled around your move. Many customers choose to ship their car earlier to avoid last-minute stress.

Q4: Can I ship my car during winter?

Absolutely. Winter is actually one of the busiest seasons for Illinois car shipping due to snowbirds and climate-based relocations.

Q5: Do I need to be present at pickup or drop-off?

A responsible adult needs to be available but it does not have to be the vehicle owner.

Final Thoughts

Leaving Illinois is a major life change and whether you’re headed to a new job, warmer weather or a fresh financial start – proper planning makes the process easier.

If you ever need help transporting your vehicle during the move, the US Car-Go Freight team is here to assist you and answer every question without pressure or obligation.