Moving from Illinois to Frisco, TX
The short answer: Illinois movers get a genuine trade, not a one-way win: Frisco homes cost more than Chicago-metro homes, but the 4.95% Illinois income tax disappears, and Illinois's property taxes — among the nation's highest — mean Frisco's rates may feel familiar or even lighter. What Frisco adds is top-rated schools, newer housing stock, the DFW job market, and winters that end in February.
The side-by-side: Illinois vs. Frisco
Rounded, current figures for a typical mover — your exact origin city and address will move these numbers, sometimes a lot. Home prices are typical (median) values for the areas named; tax rates are the published state and typical local effective rates.
| Illinois | Frisco, TX | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical home price | around $360,000 in the Chicago metro | around $650,000 |
| State income tax | Flat 4.95% on income | No state income tax |
| Property tax (typical effective) | About 2.0% or more typical effective rate — among the highest in the U.S. | Roughly 1.6–1.8% of assessed value, all-in, for many addresses (before exemptions — varies by exact address) |
| Overall cost of living | Near the U.S. average overall; Chicago higher than the rest of the state | Roughly 5–10% above the U.S. average — driven by housing; most everyday costs sit near or below national levels |
| Schools | Varies widely by district and neighborhood | Frisco ISD — A-rated, small-schools model, covers most of the city |
| Getting around | Varies by metro | Car-first; Dallas North Tollway + SH 121; DFW Airport ~30 min |
For the full property-tax picture — rates, the homestead exemption, and how PID assessments work — see our guide to property taxes in Frisco, and run any address through the property tax calculator at www.movetofrisco.com.
Why people make this move
- The income tax goes away. Illinois takes a flat 4.95% of income; Texas takes none — a permanent raise that scales with your earnings.
- Property tax is not the shock you expect. Illinois effective rates around 2% or more (Cook County often higher) are above typical Frisco rates of 1.6–1.8% — though Frisco home prices are higher, so compare actual bills, not just rates.
- Schools and newer homes. Frisco ISD’s A-rated small-schools model plus housing stock largely built since 2000 — a combination hard to find at once in Chicago’s suburbs.
- Winter ends. Frisco gets a handful of ice days, not four months of lake-effect gray. Summer heat is the trade — see below.
The honest trade-offs
- Home prices are higher than Chicago’s. Around $650,000 typical in Frisco versus roughly $360,000 across the Chicago metro — your Illinois equity may not stretch as far as you expect, especially coming from downstate.
- You swap winter for summer. Months of 95–105°F and high air-conditioning bills replace the cold. Many Illinois movers call it a good trade; make sure your household agrees.
- No CTA, no Metra. Frisco has no commuter rail — the Tollway is the commute, and tolls are a line item.
- What some people miss about Illinois: Lake Michigan summers, Chicago’s food and culture, real public transit, and four distinct seasons. Frisco is greener and newer, but it is a suburb, not a great city’s orbit in the same way.
Schools: the Frisco ISD factor
Chicago-area families often chose their suburb by school district; Frisco concentrates that choice in one district. Frisco ISD is A-rated and deliberately builds smaller high schools so more students participate — and because most of the city is one district, the neighborhood hunt is about campuses, not district roulette. Verify exact zoning with our Frisco ISD explained guide.
Jobs and commuting
DFW has absorbed corporate relocations for a decade — finance, insurance, tech, and healthcare campuses line the Tollway from Frisco through Plano, and the metro’s job growth is a primary reason Illinois families land here. Our commuting guide maps the Tollway/SH 121 reality before you pick a neighborhood.
How to plan the move
- Sequence it: follow the 90-day moving plan and the free relocation checklist so movers, utilities, licenses, and school enrollment land in the right order.
- Pick the area by zone and commute: our neighborhoods compared guide and the complete relocation guide walk through east vs. west vs. north Frisco.
- Get the local details: the Frisco Insider Pack covers the setup details new residents always ask about — and the free weekly Insider email keeps you current while you plan.
Frequently asked questions
Is Frisco cheaper than Illinois overall?
It depends on the lines that dominate your budget. The side-by-side above compares the big four - housing, income tax, property tax, and everyday costs - with rounded, current figures. For Illinois movers the deciding lines are usually housing and taxes, so run your exact origin city and income through the comparison rather than relying on state averages.
Are property taxes in Frisco worse than Illinois?
Usually not. Illinois has among the highest effective property-tax rates in the country - around 2% or more in many areas, higher in parts of Cook County. Many Frisco addresses run roughly 1.6-1.8% all-in before exemptions. Because Frisco home prices are higher, compare dollar bills on the specific homes, not just the rates.
Are property taxes in Frisco higher than in Illinois?
Frisco's combined rates run roughly 1.6-1.8% of assessed value for many addresses before exemptions. For comparison, Illinois's property taxes: About 2.0% or more typical effective rate — among the highest in the U.S.. The dollar bill depends on the home's value too, so compare exact addresses with the property tax calculator on this site, and file your Texas homestead exemption as soon as you move in.
How are the schools in Frisco compared with Illinois?
Frisco ISD is one of Texas's top-rated districts, built on a small-schools model with deliberately smaller campuses, and it covers most of the city - so the school decision is about campuses, not district-hunting. Zoning is address-by-address; verify any home's exact schools before you buy or sign a lease.
What surprises Illinois movers most about Frisco?
The most common surprises are how high Frisco home prices are compared with the Chicago suburbs — and how mild the property-tax 'shock' is when you're used to Illinois rates. Most movers say the adjustment takes a season - plan your first summer (or first storm season) with your eyes open.
How do I plan the move step by step?
Start with the 90-day moving plan on this site, work through the free relocation checklist, and grab the Frisco Insider Pack for the local details - utilities, licenses, school enrollment, and the setup order that keeps a long-distance move calm.
Moving from somewhere else?
See the full series: Moving to Frisco from another state — including Moving from Washington · Moving from Georgia · Moving from California.
Planning your move from Illinois?
Start with the free relocation checklist, the 90-day moving plan, and the Frisco Insider Pack — all at www.movetofrisco.com.
Read more Frisco guides