When most people list their top ten dream states to live in, Illinois doesn’t usually make the cut. But while other people are dreaming of sun and sand or scenic mountain vistas, you’re considering (or already in) the aptly named Prairie State.
The midwestern state sits between Indiana and the Mississippi River. Its dominant features are the rolling hills and farmlands that gave it its name. However, Illinois also has forests and wetlands, along with massive metropolises like Chicago.
There are so many advantages to living in Illinois that it’s hard to pinpoint why the state’s population has been declining steadily over the past decade. If you’re considering making the Prairie State your home, consider these four benefits that may entice you to move here!
1. Lower Cost of Living
One of the most important factors for the average family planning a move is the cost of living wherever they’re going. Illinois’ state average overall is 9% lower, and this number includes a decrease versus the other states’ averages in nearly every important aspect.
For example, buying or renting a home here is likely to be up to 20% cheaper than the cost you’d find elsewhere. Paying for utilities will cost you about 7% less than the national average. Food and healthcare are comparable but still 2-3% lower. Goods and services run about 5% less than the national average, although transportation cancels this out at 5% higher.
2. A Strong Economy With Higher Salaries
Attracting top talent to the state can be challenging, but Illinois’ economy continues to grow despite the declining population.
Now, with growing sectors like the cannabis industry shifting the country, those moving to the state have multiple job opportunities and higher salaries. Legal marijuana is offered by companies like Veriheal, contributing to the “unprecedented growth” and “record-breaking” tax collection from adult cannabis purchases with over $1.5 billion in retail sales.
Cannabis and other industries account for the state’s placement at fifth in the nation with a $1.033 trillion gross state product in 2022. The median household income for that time was $72,205, solidly cementing its place as one of the highest in the country.
3. Plenty of Entertainment
Are you concerned that living in the Prairie State will be boring? Illinois is anything but!
The state boasts top-rated sports teams like the Chicago Bulls in basketball and the Chicago Blackhawks in hockey. Continuing the Chicago run are the Bears in football and the White Sox and Cubs in baseball. Other impressive teams dot the rest of the state’s sports scene.
On top of the impressive sports venues and seemingly endless athletic shops, you’ll find a plethora of restaurants spanning every cultural dish possible (don’t miss the famous Chicago-dish pizza, of course).
The state also encompasses a large arts and entertainment hub, particularly in the Chicago Arts District. Neighborhoods like Pilsen, Bridgeport, and Hyde Park host dozens of galleries, gallery walks, museums, and art centers.
Don’t worry if it sounds like everything is located in and around Chicago. Another benefit of Illinois is the ability to drive from the very top of the state to the bottom in six hours, making everything reachable in a day or weekend trip!
Be sure to check out smaller cities like Springfield, home of the state’s capital building and the famous Dana-Thomas House built by Frank Lloyd Wright. The quaint area has a midcentury feel mixed with modern restaurants and shopping.
Visitors enjoy immersing themselves in the quiet calmness of the presidential library and museum and walking through the peaceful streets to view the centuries-old architecture.
4. The Great Outdoors
Illinois is also famous for its majestic outdoor adventures. Remember, the whole state isn’t flatland! If you are tired of the prairies and the cities, head to places like Cave-in-Rock to see the rest of the diverse ecosystems in Illinois.
Cave-in-Rock is one of the earliest permanent white settlements in the US, with its roots dating back to 1816. The natural formations inspired travelers to settle along the cave, and visitors today love to climb to the top of the 55-foot-wide cave and see a similar view that grabbed those first settlers more than 200 years ago.
Aside from the views, the cave is also a popular fishing, boating, and water sports location, thanks to its proximity to the Ohio River.
Other natural outdoor places waiting to be explored include Lake Kincaid and the Shawnee National Forest. No matter where you are in Illinois, there’s beauty almost in your backyard.
Conclusion
The benefits of Illinois are diverse enough to attract a wide range of people. It doesn’t matter if you’re looking for city life and entertainment or a place to get away from it all. You can find everything you’re looking for in the midwestern Prairie State of Illinois.
