Moving from Illinois to Florida
Moving from Illinois to Florida covers about 892 miles — a mid-distance interstate move. Whether you drive a rental truck or hire movers, this checklist keeps every step on track.
Generate My ChecklistIL vs FL at a Glance
Income Tax
Sales Tax
Time Zone
You'll be changing time zones
Distance
Moving Cost
Professional move, 2–3 BR home. Summer +20–30%.
What This Move Means for You
Modest cost-of-living shift
Overall costs in Florida are about 6% higher than in Illinois — enough to notice on housing, but not a dramatic change.
No state income tax in Florida
Florida charges no state income tax, versus a top rate around 4.95% in Illinois. For most movers that means a meaningful bump in take-home pay.
Lower property taxes
Florida's effective property tax rate (0.78%) is lower than Illinois's (1.88%) — a plus if you're buying a home.
A much warmer climate
Florida averages 19°F warmer than Illinois. Lighten your wardrobe, plan for air conditioning, and pace outdoor tasks on moving day.
Before You Leave Illinois
File a part-year IL-1040 with Schedule NR
For the year you move, file Form IL-1040 with Schedule NR. Illinois taxes all income you received while you lived here. After you move, it taxes only income from Illinois sources. On Schedule NR, enter the dates you lived in Illinois and in your new state. If your new state also taxed income you earned as an Illinois resident, you may get a credit on Schedule CR.
Source: Illinois Department of Revenue, Schedule NR InstructionsRent from a house you kept stays taxable
After you move, keep reporting net income from real estate located in Illinois on Schedule NR. If you sell Illinois real estate, report that gain too. Illinois does not tax a nonresident on nonbusiness gains from intangibles, such as stock.
Source: Illinois Department of Revenue, Schedule NR InstructionsIn Cook County, remove a homestead exemption you no longer qualify for
You can get a homestead exemption only on your main residence. If the house is no longer your main residence, apply to the Cook County Assessor to remove the exemption. The Assessor audits exemptions. If you kept one you were not entitled to, it bills the tax, interest, and penalties. It can also put a lien on the property.
Source: Cook County Assessor, Erroneous ExemptionsReport the sale if you sell the car before you move
If you sell your vehicle, tell the Secretary of State. Do it at a DMV, or mail the Seller's Report of Sale form. Until the record changes, emissions test notices keep coming to you.
Source: Illinois Air Team (Illinois EPA), FAQsIllinois does not issue clearance letters
Your new state may ask for proof that your Illinois license is valid. Illinois stopped issuing clearance letters in 1997. Other states check your record through the Problem Driver Pointer System. If your new state still wants written proof, order a copy of your Illinois driving record.
Source: Illinois Secretary of State, Drivers FAQDestroy your FOID card if it is revoked after the move
A FOID card can be revoked when the holder no longer lives in Illinois. If yours is revoked for that reason, destroy the card. Follow the firearm laws of your new state.
Source: Illinois State Police, Office of Firearms Safety FAQsAfter You Arrive in Florida
Get a Florida driver license within 30 days
Florida treats you as a resident once you start a job here, enroll your children in public school, register to vote, or file for homestead exemption. Living here for more than six consecutive months also counts. From then, you have 30 days to get a Florida driver license. Apply in person at a local office that offers driver license service, and take a vision test. The initial Class E license fee is $48.00. Most Tax Collector offices add a $6.25 service fee.
Source: FLHSMV, New ResidentTitle and register your vehicle within 10 days
You have 10 days from establishing residency to title and register a vehicle. That is shorter than the license deadline. A vehicle not already titled in Florida also needs its VIN verified on form HSMV 82042. A Florida notary, a licensed Florida dealer, a law enforcement officer, or a tax collector compliance examiner can sign it. They must first inspect the number under the windshield and in the door jamb.
Source: FLHSMV form HSMV 82042Buy Florida insurance before you try to register
You cannot register until you show Florida coverage from a carrier licensed in Florida. The minimums are $10,000 of Personal Injury Protection and $10,000 of Property Damage Liability. Coverage must stay in force for the whole registration period, even if the car sits unused. If you keep your current insurer, ask the agent to convert the policy to a Florida one.
Source: FLHSMV, Florida Insurance RequirementsCheck whether you owe use tax on the car
Florida charges its 6 percent use tax, plus any county discretionary sales surtax, on a vehicle brought in within six months of purchase. If you already paid 6 percent or more elsewhere in the US, nothing more is due. If you paid less, you owe the difference. A vehicle used in another US state or territory for six months or longer before it arrives is presumed not bought for use in Florida. You need documents showing that six-month period to claim this.
Source: Florida Department of Revenue GT-800025File for homestead exemption by March 1
If you buy a home and make it your permanent residence, the homestead exemption takes up to $50,000 off the assessed value. It also caps how fast the assessment can rise. You must own the home and live in it as your permanent residence on January 1. File form DR-501 with your county property appraiser by March 1 of that tax year. Many county appraisers accept the application online. Have these ready: your Florida license number, Florida plate number, Florida voter registration number, a declaration of domicile, and proof that you gave up your previous license.
Source: Florida Department of Revenue PT-113Register to vote at least 29 days before an election
Florida closes voter registration 29 days before an election. The same 29-day cutoff applies to changing party affiliation before a primary. Florida runs closed primaries, so a party change filed after the deadline does not count for that primary.
Source: Florida Division of ElectionsYour Moving Timeline
8 Weeks Before
At about 892 miles (~16 hours), you can drive a rental truck or hire movers — compare both. If you drive, plan an overnight stop and factor in fuel and lodging.
4 Weeks Before
Notify your utility providers, update your address with USPS, and begin packing non-essential items.
1 Week Before
Confirm with your movers, finish packing, clean your home, and prepare a moving day essentials bag.
Moving Day
Supervise loading, do a final walkthrough of your old home, and hand over the keys.
After the Move
Update your driver's license at the Florida DMV, register to vote in FL, and set up your new utilities.
Free to use — $2.99 to print
Climate Comparison
Illinois
Humid continental with cold winters and hot, humid summers.
Florida
Subtropical with warm temperatures year-round, high humidity, and frequent summer thunderstorms.
Utilities & Cost of Living
Illinois
Florida
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is it from Illinois to Florida?
The driving distance from Illinois to Florida is approximately 892 miles — about 16 hours of driving at highway speeds.
How much does it cost to move from Illinois to Florida?
A professional interstate move from Illinois to Florida typically costs between $2,500 and $5,000, depending on the size of your home and time of year.
- Summer moves (May–September) tend to cost 20–30% more.
What is the cost of living difference between Illinois and Florida?
Illinois has a cost of living index of 95.1 versus 100.7 for Florida (US average = 100).
- Overall, Florida is about 6% higher than Illinois.
How do property taxes compare between Illinois and Florida?
Illinois's effective property tax rate is about 1.88%, versus 0.78% in Florida.
- On a typical home that difference lowers your annual holding costs, so factor it in if you plan to buy.
How soon do I need to update my driver's license after moving to Florida?
After establishing residency in Florida, you have 30 days to update your driver's license at a Florida DMV office.
- Vehicle registration is a separate transaction with its own deadline, which in most states differs from the license deadline — confirm both with the Florida DMV before you go.
What is the climate like in Florida?
Florida has subtropical with warm temperatures year-round, high humidity, and frequent summer thunderstorms.
- The annual average temperature is 71°F, with about 54 inches of precipitation per year.
- Average monthly electricity bills run around $156.