Moving from Missouri to Illinois
At roughly 199 miles, moving from Missouri to Illinois 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 ChecklistMO vs IL 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 Illinois are about 7% higher than in Missouri — enough to notice on housing, but not a dramatic change.
Higher property taxes
Illinois's effective property tax rate (1.88%) is higher than Missouri's (0.89%). If you plan to buy, weigh the extra annual cost into your budget.
Before You Leave Missouri
File Form MO-1040 as a part-year resident
Attach Form MO-CR or Form MO-NRI. Use the one that gives you the lower tax. MO-NRI taxes only the income you earned while a resident. MO-CR gives a credit for tax paid to another state. Your Missouri domicile continues until you move with the intention to make your permanent home elsewhere.
Source: Missouri DOR, Nonresidents and part-year residentsExpect a full year of personal property tax
Missouri taxes the cars and other personal property you own on January 1. The tax is not prorated. If you own a car on January 1 and move out on January 2, you owe the tax for that whole year.
Source: Missouri State Tax Commission, FAQDestroy or return your Missouri plates
Destroy and recycle the plates yourself, or return them to any Missouri license office. You can also mail them to the Department of Revenue. Missouri statute does not allow a refund of registration fees for unexpired plates. If a renewal notice arrives later, ignore it.
Source: Missouri DOR, Titling and registration FAQIf you sell the car instead, report the sale within 30 days
Remove your plates before the buyer takes the car. Report the sale to the Department of Revenue within 30 days. Use the Notice of Sale (Form 5049) or the Bill of Sale (Form 1957).
Source: Missouri DOR, Selling a vehicleCheck for a city earnings tax
The City of St. Louis charges a one percent earnings tax. Residents pay it wherever their employer is located. If you lived in the city, ask the Collector of Revenue about your final return.
Source: City of St. Louis Collector of Revenue, Earnings taxAfter You Arrive in Illinois
Get an Illinois driver's license within 90 days
You can drive on a valid license from another state for 90 days after you move here. Apply in person at a DMV. Express facilities do not process out-of-state transfers. Surrender your out-of-state license. Expect a vision screening and a written exam. You may also have to take a drive exam. Read the Rules of the Road before you go.
Source: Illinois Secretary of State, Drivers FAQTitle and register the car within 30 days
Apply for an Illinois title and registration within 30 days of moving here. Complete Form VSD-190 and bring the out-of-state title. If a lender holds the title, bring a copy of the title or out-of-state registration and a copy of the loan agreement. The title fee is $165, and passenger plates are $151. A car titled and registered in another state at least three months before you moved is exempt from Illinois tax. You still file Form RUT-25 or RUT-50 to show the exemption.
Source: Illinois Secretary of State, Vehicle Titles and License Plates for New Illinois Residents (VSD 271)Emissions tests apply in the Chicago and Metro-East areas
Illinois tests vehicle emissions in the Chicago and Metro-East St. Louis areas. Most gasoline vehicles from model year 1996 or newer are tested once they are four years old. After that, even model years test in even years and odd model years in odd years. A vehicle newly registered in a test area may need a test. Your plate renewal notice says whether you must test before you renew. Diesel and all-electric vehicles do not test.
Source: Illinois Air Team (Illinois EPA), FAQsCarry at least 25/50/20 liability insurance
The minimum liability coverage is $25,000 for injury or death of one person and $50,000 for more than one person. The minimum for damage to property is $20,000. The state checks insurance electronically. If it cannot confirm coverage, it checks again after 30 days. If that check also fails, it mails you a suspension letter. You then have 30 days to prove coverage through your insurance agent. If you cannot, it suspends the registration. To reinstate it, buy insurance and pay a $100 fee. The minimum fine for driving uninsured is $500.
Source: Illinois Secretary of State, Mandatory InsuranceClaim the General Homestead Exemption if you buy a home
The General Homestead Exemption applies to a home you own and live in as your main residence. It lowers the equalized assessed value of the home. The maximum is $10,000 in Cook County and $8,000 in the counties next to Cook. In all other counties it is $6,000. Ask your county assessment office how to apply.
Source: Illinois Department of Revenue, Property Tax ReliefRegister to vote before the deadlines
You must live in your precinct for at least 30 days before Election Day. Regular registration closes 27 days before the election. Online registration stays open until 16 days before. After regular registration closes, use grace period registration in person at a designated site. Bring two forms of ID, and one must show your current address.
Source: Illinois State Board of Elections, Registering to Vote in IllinoisYour 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 Illinois DMV, register to vote in IL, and set up your new utilities.
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Climate Comparison
Missouri
Humid continental with cold winters and hot, humid summers.
Illinois
Humid continental with cold winters and hot, humid summers.
Utilities & Cost of Living
Missouri
Illinois
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is it from Missouri to Illinois?
The driving distance from Missouri to Illinois is approximately 199 miles — about 3.5 hours of driving at highway speeds.
How much does it cost to move from Missouri to Illinois?
A professional interstate move from Missouri to Illinois 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 Missouri and Illinois?
Missouri has a cost of living index of 88.6 versus 95.1 for Illinois (US average = 100).
- Overall, Illinois is about 7% higher than Missouri.
How do property taxes compare between Missouri and Illinois?
Missouri's effective property tax rate is about 0.89%, versus 1.88% in Illinois.
- On a typical home that difference raises 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 Illinois?
After establishing residency in Illinois, you have 90 days to update your driver's license at a Illinois 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 Illinois DMV before you go.
What is the climate like in Illinois?
Illinois has humid continental with cold winters and hot, humid summers.
- The annual average temperature is 52°F, with about 39 inches of precipitation per year.
- Average monthly electricity bills run around $110.