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USA · Student guide

Illinois: guide to studying and living in the USA

Student survival guide for Illinois: documents, housing, daily costs, healthcare, student work rules, and personal finance.

Updated on 20 May 2026

State income tax
≤ 4.95%

State return due if you have income, on top of federal

Cost of living
90.8

Index · 36 of 50 — around average

1BR rent · Chicago
~$1,650 /mo

Compare with dorm and roommates

Public transit
Strong

Solid metro/bus network in big cities

The 6 guides

Everything about Illinois, in 6 guides

One guide for each concrete need, from visas to housing: start with the one you need now.

Start here

What to do first for Illinois

Resolve the decisions that can block your move before comparing cities or reading every detail.

Check your U.S. visa and state documents Start with eligibility, deadlines, and official procedures for your situation. Check the lease and upfront housing costs Understand deposits, guarantees, contracts, and student housing before paying. Arrange healthcare before arrival Confirm insurance, enrollment rules, and where to get help once you arrive.

Your checklist

Before departure and after arrival in Illinois

Use this as an order of work, then open the linked guide before acting on a legal or financial requirement.

  1. Ventra/U-Pass Chicago if eligible student
  2. Campus insurance + Chicago hospitals network
  3. Account (Chase HQ region, BMO Harris)
  4. Winter clothes if you arrive October–March
  5. Check heat included in Chicago lease
  6. Illinois ID if you drive or local services

Plan your money

Illinois: cost of living, rent, and monthly budget

Start with housing, food, transport, healthcare, and setup costs. Treat estimates as planning ranges and verify local prices before committing.

Open the cost and money guide Use the free cost-of-living calculator

Cities and neighborhoods

Where to live in Illinois: student cities and costs

Neighborhoods, rent, universities, transport and safety: everything you need to choose where to move.

Chicago
  • from 750 USDroom/month
  • 5universities

Third city in the United States and capital of the Midwest, Chicago combines the skyline and architecture of a large metropolis with a much more affordable cost of living than New York, San Francisco or Boston. On Lake Michigan, it is a large economic (finance, trading, corporate headquarters, growing tech) and university hub, with the University of Chicago, Northwestern and several large universities. It boasts a leading music scene (blues, jazz, house), food and nightlife and the "L", the historic elevated railway. The downside is the harsh and windy winters and a safety that varies greatly between neighborhoods: the center, the north and the lakefront are safe, some areas of the south and west are much less so.

Open city guide

Local context

Illinois: what really changes

Use the destination-specific notes to understand trade-offs, common mistakes, and local differences.

Overview

What changes in this state

  • Chicago vs rest of state: opposing costs and transportation — excellent CTA in the city, car elsewhere.
  • Flat income tax ~4.95% (simple but present) + high Cook County sales tax.
  • Harsh and windy winters; budget coats and heating.
  • Chicago rents lower than NYC but Hyde Park / Loop student areas are expensive.
  • UIC, UChicago, Northwestern, UIUC: very different experiences (urban vs college town).
  • Chicago Tenant Protections (RLTO) Stronger Than Rest IL.

Ideal if…

  • Who wants big city USA without NYC costs
  • Midwest students with top campuses (UChicago, UIUC)
  • Those who use the subway/bus and don't want cars in Chicago
  • Average rent budget with roommates

Harder if…

  • You can't stand sub-zero winters
  • UIUC campus without cars and without bikes
  • You are looking for zero state taxes
  • You expect California weather
Mistakes to avoid
  • Affittare Chicago senza capire south/west side safety maps
  • Underestimate wind chill —10 °C perceived
  • Don't pay Chicago city car sticker if you have a car
  • Sign UIUC leases without verifying night bus

Verification

Official sources and last update

Legal and administrative details are kept in the relevant guide so they are not copied out of context.

Where to verify the information

Federal sources are separated from state sources inside each guide. Always verify the current rule before submitting an application, signing a lease, or paying a fee.

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