Moving from Illinois to Missouri
At roughly 199 miles, moving from Illinois to Missouri is a short interstate move — close enough that many people rent a truck and drive it themselves in a day. Here's the full checklist so nothing slips through.
Generate My ChecklistIL vs MO at a Glance
Income Tax
Sales Tax
Time Zone
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 Missouri are about 7% lower than in Illinois — enough to notice on housing, but not a dramatic change.
Lower property taxes
Missouri's effective property tax rate (0.89%) is lower than Illinois's (1.88%) — a plus if you're buying a home.
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 Missouri
Get a Missouri license as soon as you are a resident
Missouri gives no grace period. Apply at any Missouri license office. Surrender a valid license from another state, or one expired 184 days or less, and you skip the written and skills tests. Everyone takes the road sign recognition test and the vision test. A commercial driver license must transfer within 30 days.
Source: Missouri DOR, Driver licensing FAQTitle your car within 30 days
The 30 days start on the date you become a resident. Bring the original out-of-state title, Form 108, proof of insurance, and an ID/OD inspection. To get plates, you also need a Missouri safety inspection unless the vehicle is exempt. The safety inspection counts as the ID/OD inspection. If a lender holds the title, send it Form 5834 to request it. The title fee is $8.50 plus a $9 processing fee. For a passenger vehicle, the plate fee depends on taxable horsepower.
Source: Missouri DOR, Titling and registrationGet a statement of non-assessment from the county assessor
The license office asks for it when you first title the car. It shows that you owe no Missouri personal property tax. Get it from the assessor in your county, or the City of St. Louis. Ask the assessor to add you to the roll for next year. To renew plates later, bring a paid personal property tax receipt or a statement of non-assessment.
Source: Missouri State Tax Commission, Receipts and waiversCheck the safety and emissions inspection rules
To get plates, you need a Missouri safety inspection unless the vehicle is exempt. A vehicle is exempt for the first ten years after its model year if it has less than 150,000 miles. In St. Louis City and in Jefferson, St. Charles, and St. Louis counties, you also need an emissions inspection. Inspections must be no more than 60 days old.
Source: Missouri DOR, Titling and registrationCarry 25/50/25 liability and uninsured motorist coverage
Liability limits must be at least $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage. Uninsured motorist coverage is required at $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.
Source: Missouri DOR, Insurance requirementsRegister to vote by the fourth Wednesday before an election
Register online, by mail, or in person. A mailed form must be postmarked by the fourth Wednesday before the election. If you register after that, you can vote in later elections.
Source: Missouri Secretary of State, Register to voteYour Moving Timeline
8 Weeks Before
At about 199 miles (~3.5 hours), this is short enough to DIY with a rental truck or a single-day mover run. Get 2–3 quotes and compare them against renting.
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 Missouri DMV, register to vote in MO, and set up your new utilities.
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Climate Comparison
Illinois
Humid continental with cold winters and hot, humid summers.
Missouri
Humid continental with cold winters and hot, humid summers.
Utilities & Cost of Living
Illinois
Missouri
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is it from Illinois to Missouri?
The driving distance from Illinois to Missouri is approximately 199 miles — about 3.5 hours of driving at highway speeds.
How much does it cost to move from Illinois to Missouri?
A professional interstate move from Illinois to Missouri typically costs between $1,000 and $3,000, 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 Missouri?
Illinois has a cost of living index of 95.1 versus 88.6 for Missouri (US average = 100).
- Overall, Missouri is about 7% lower than Illinois.
How do property taxes compare between Illinois and Missouri?
Illinois's effective property tax rate is about 1.88%, versus 0.89% in Missouri.
- 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 Missouri?
After establishing residency in Missouri, you have 30 days to update your driver's license at a Missouri 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 Missouri DMV before you go.
What is the climate like in Missouri?
Missouri has humid continental with cold winters and hot, humid summers.
- The annual average temperature is 56°F, with about 42 inches of precipitation per year.
- Average monthly electricity bills run around $129.