A household relocation screen using current city values—not projected average mover savings.
The prior “$11,400 average savings” was generated by an invalid formula that added income differences, housing differences and cost-index points as if they were the same unit. It also presented 2026 projections as observations. This refresh removes that claim.
The ten original destinations remain useful as a shortlist. They must be compared with the household’s actual Illinois baseline, destination offer and suitable housing.
| # | City | COL Index | $50K → Buys |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pocatello, ID | 88 | $56,948 |
| 2 | Twin Falls, ID | 89 | $56,433 |
| 3 | Idaho Falls, ID | 90 | $55,617 |
| 4 | Corpus Christi, TX | 91 | $54,765 |
| 5 | College Station, TX | 91 | $55,127 |
| 6 | Flagstaff, AZ | 91 | $54,765 |
| 7 | Amarillo, TX | 91 | $55,066 |
| 8 | Lubbock, TX | 91 | $55,006 |
| 9 | El Paso, TX | 90 | $55,432 |
| 10 | Laredo, TX | 88 | $56,948 |
Source: C2ER/ACCRA Cost of Living Index, US Census ACS. US Average COL = 100. Higher "Buys" = more purchasing power.
Pop. 57,152
Pop. 53,219
Pop. 67,996
Pop. 316,603
Pop. 125,199
| City | COL | 1BR rent | Income | Home price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pocatello, ID | 87.8 | $751 | $57,931 | $310,000 |
| Twin Falls, ID | 88.6 | $806 | $60,760 | $335,000 |
| Idaho Falls, ID | 89.9 | $903 | $63,049 | $358,900 |
| Corpus Christi, TX | 91.3 | $1,104 | $65,138 | $218,600 |
| College Station, TX | 90.7 | $1,015 | $47,632 | $339,000 |
| Flagstaff, AZ | 91.3 | $1,537 | $71,402 | $710,000 |
| Amarillo, TX | 90.8 | $879 | $58,897 | $240,000 |
| Lubbock, TX | 90.9 | $931 | $54,451 | $235,000 |
| El Paso, TX | 90.2 | $980 | $57,317 | $247,000 |
| Laredo, TX | 87.8 | $881 | $60,720 | $282,999 |
Cost index, rent, income and home price answer different questions. A lower city rent does not guarantee savings if income falls, another vehicle is needed or taxes and insurance increase.
Pop. 76,595
Pop. 203,042
Pop. 266,878
Pop. 678,945
Pop. 252,974
For each destination calculate after-tax income minus suitable housing, utilities, transportation, insurance, healthcare, childcare and debt. Add one-time moving costs, deposits, registration, travel and an emergency reserve. Compare the result with the actual Illinois household—not a statewide average.
Run three cases: confirmed offer, conservative offer and income interruption. Remote workers should obtain written employer approval for Illinois departure, payroll, benefits and tax withholding. Homebuyers should verify property tax and insurance for the exact address.
This article answers “which destinations should I investigate?” It does not answer “where did Illinois residents migrate?”
Create one row for the current Illinois household and one for every destination. Use annual after-tax income, annual housing, utilities, transport, insurance, healthcare, childcare and debt. Keep cost-index points outside the dollar arithmetic; use them only as a screening signal.
Calculate recurring annual difference separately from one-time move costs. Then divide one-time costs by recurring monthly savings to estimate a simple payback period. If recurring costs increase, there is no savings payback even when destination rent is lower.
Do not move on a projected salary. Require a written offer or a documented remote-work arrangement. Do not buy from a citywide median; obtain insurance, tax and inspection estimates for the exact property. Keep enough cash after deposits or closing for a job delay, repair or return move.
This article uses $50K as a benchmark, but your situation is unique. Use our free tools to calculate your exact purchasing power in any of these cities.
The table reproduces current Ocity city fields exported July 12, 2026. No projected average mover savings, occupational salary guarantee, migration volume or causal explanation is used.
Shortlist destinations from the table, then make the decision with actual offers and listings. Savings are household-specific and should be stated in dollars only after every input is in the same budget model.
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