The Midwestern state of Illinois is undoubtedly one of the jewels of the United States. It’s the sixth most populous state with the fifth largest GDP of all states.
Illinois is also home to one of the most important business hubs in the world: the city of Chicago.
Deciding whether or not to settle in the Prairie State should not be difficult. However, for a balanced view, we highlight both the pros and cons of living in Illinois.
The Pros
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Great Economy
Illinois has the biggest economy of the Midwestern states, crossing the trillion-dollar mark in the first quarter of 2022.
The state is also a leader in agricultural production and manufacturing, contributing to the generally low unemployment rate of 4.2%.
The state projections of a $15 per hour minimum wage by 2025 make it one of the highest in the country. Basically, you have a good chance of landing a job that pays well.
Illinois is considered one of the most affordable states, with a low cost of living outside metropolitan areas like Chicago and Rockford.
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Proximity to a World Class City
Depending on your needs, Illinois has plenty of small cities and towns to pick from. But you’re definitely not stuck making do with the limited resources these cities offer.
You can always drive to Chicago, one of the biggest and wealthiest cities in the world. If you’re nowhere close to LA, NYC, and San Francisco, living in Illinois offers you the next best city with a global influence.
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Natural Beauty
The Prairie State is a natural beauty. Outside the cities are stunning views of sprawling fields, farmlands, hills, and forests. While the state has a low forest cover at only 13.64%, there are plenty of wooded areas to satisfy any nature enthusiast.
If you’re a sucker for outdoor attractions and activities like camping, hiking, biking, climbing, and fishing, Illinois will draw you right in.
The state offers outdoor attractions for everyone regardless of their area of interest.
Try out places like Starved Rock State Park or Matthiessen State Park for scenic trails and waterfalls. For a total wilderness experience complete with wildlife and picturesque sights, you have Garden of the Gods and Shawnee National Forest.
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The Food and Culture
Every state has unique culinary achievements, and Illinois is up there with the best when it comes to good food. Considering Illinois is the home of food processing and agribusiness in the country, you shouldn’t lack anything fresh in the grocery stores.
As a culturally diverse state, Illinois is pretty inclusive and open to all sorts of trends and movements occurring nationwide.
For example, Illinois was one of the earliest states to embrace cannabis and curve out a legal structure. If you move to Illinois, you can access marijuana as an adult or through the medical program if you qualify.
The Cons
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Higher Crime Rate
Illinois has a higher crime rate than the national average. A closer look reveals that violent crime and homicide rates are also higher than the national average.
While the national homicide rate stood at 7.8 per 100,000 people in 2020, Illinois reported a 9.1 rate the same year.
Chicago alone more than doubles the state’s violent crime rate at 8.7 per 1000 residents.
If you’re planning a move to Illinois, it’s important to consider insecurity. Undoubtedly, your chances of experiencing crime diminish the further you are from the cities, particularly Chicago.
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Harsh Winters
Winters in Illinois can be harsh, typically due to lake-effect snowfalls occurring in the Great Lakes regions. Areas along the shorelines of Lake Michigan tend to suffer the most.
If you come from warmer states like Florida, California, and Georgia, where winters are mild, Illinois may seem like the North Pole. It’s common to have the world around you frozen for months.
Normal winter temperatures revolve around 26-30°F, which means especially cold winter days would be pretty cold.
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High Tax Rate
The Prairie state may be moving towards increased minimum wage, but the tax rate evens things out, considering over 15% of a household income goes into state coffers.
Property tax is also higher than the national average, which is quite discouraging.
Conclusion
Life in Illinois is certainly great in many ways. It’s a beautiful state with no shortage of things to do and places to visit. However, you may want to consider the downsides, like crime rates and taxation, to see the whole picture.
