Moving from McAllen to Chicago (Movers from $1,467)

Ryan Carrigan

Last Updated: Jun 1, 2024 • 5 min read
Fact Checked by: Erika Marty

Quick answer: A move from McAllen to Chicago costs $1,222 to $8,250 and takes 3-8 days. The main factors that determine the cost and time are how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the 1,431-mile move yourself.

Hiring a long-distance moving company from McAllen will be more expensive, while renting a truck or using a moving container is usually cheaper but requires more work.

Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Chicago to McAllen guide.

Best Overall Value Safeway Moving rating 4.5 / 5 Licensed Insured Price Best overall value Portion to charity Veteran owned Get A Quote % of users select this mover

Best industry reputation American Van Lines rating 4.5 / 5 Licensed Insured Price 20 yrs experience Flat rate pricing Family owned Get A Quote % of users select this mover

Best Upfront Pricing Mayzlin Relocation rating 4.45 / 5 Licensed Insured Price Family owned East coast focus Affordable pricing Get A Quote % of users select this mover

Best for complex moves North American Van Lines rating 4.25 / 5 Licensed Insured Price 74 years in biz 1,800 trucks Storage available Get A Quote % of users select this mover

Best for high-end moves JK Moving Services rating 4.25 / 5 Licensed Insured Price White glove Expensive items Guaranteed delivery Get A Quote % of users select this mover

How much does it cost to move from McAllen to Chicago?

McAllen movers charge $80 per hour on average. Here are average prices for a full-service moving company, moving container, or truck:

Factors influencing moving costs from McAllen to Chicago

The cost of McAllen movers will depend on:

• Move size: The cost of your move will depend on the amount of items you have in your home. For example, moving a one-bedroom apartment from McAllen to Chicago can be as low as $1,467 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $10,373.
• Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in McAllen, so moving companies will likely charge more.
• Do-it-yourself vs professional mover: Renting a truck or using a moving container can be cheaper options, with prices for a rental truck ranging from $1,097 to $2,818. However, these options require more work and effort compared to hiring professional movers.

How much are professional moving companies when moving from McAllen to Chicago?

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from McAllen to Chicago will cost between $1,467 to $5,888. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $3,570 to $8,250, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from McAllen to Chicago will cost from $6,016 to $11,751.

How much are moving container companies from McAllen to Chicago?

Moving containers from McAllen to Chicago will cost you $1,260 to $3,124 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $2,186 to $4,557. A larger home will cost $3,031 to $5,606.

How much is a moving truck from McAllen to Chicago?

Renting a moving truck is usually the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor.

Moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $1,097 to $1,998. A larger move will cost $1,222 to $2,525, and a four-bedroom move from McAllen to Chicago costs from $1,524 to $2,963. These estimates include the anticipated fuel cost.

The best McAllen to Chicago moving companies

Hiring an interstate moving company to go from McAllen to Chicago is a big deal.

There are more than 8,000 moving companies in the U.S. But don't worry, you won't have to filter through all of them. We've done the research for you and narrowed the list based on customer satisfaction, cost, and services. Here are the best long-distance moving companies serving McAllen to Chicago.

Best Overall Value Safeway Moving rating 4.5 / 5 Licensed Insured Price Best overall value Portion to charity Veteran owned Get A Quote % of users select this mover

Best industry reputation American Van Lines rating 4.5 / 5 Licensed Insured Price 20 yrs experience Flat rate pricing Family owned Get A Quote % of users select this mover

Best Upfront Pricing Mayzlin Relocation rating 4.45 / 5 Licensed Insured Price Family owned East coast focus Affordable pricing Get A Quote % of users select this mover

• Safeway Moving, 4.5 out of 5
• American Van Lines, 4.5 out of 5
• Mayzlin Relocation, 4.45 out of 5
• North American Van Lines, 4.25 out of 5
• JK Moving Services, 4.25 out of 5

Pros and cons of moving from McAllen to Chicago

Cost of living: McAllen vs Chicago

• Rent prices in Chicago are 20% higher than in McAllen.
• Home prices in Chicago are 41.2% higher than in McAllen.
• Income in Chicago is 16.4% higher than in McAllen.
• The cost of living for a single person in Chicago is 32.0% lower than in McAllen.
• The cost of living for a family in Chicago is 7.8% higher than in McAllen.
• The unemployment rate in Chicago is 13.92% higher than in McAllen.
• Sales taxes in Chicago are 24.24% higher than in McAllen.
• State income taxes in Chicago are 4.95% higher than in McAllen.

To put this into perspective, you would need around $2,040.08 in Chicago to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in McAllen.

How is life different in McAllen compared to Chicago?

• Chicago's population is about 1,831% greater than McAllen.
• Chicago's public transportation has a score of 9 out of 10 versus McAllen's higher score of 3.
• Chicago is more walkable than McAllen with a score of 77 out of 100 vs McAllen's 41 out of 100.
• Chicago is more bike-friendly than McAllen with a score of 72 out of 100 vs McAllen's 46.
• Chicago's crime rate is lower than McAllen with a score of 35.19 compared to McAllen's 40.9. This means that Chicago neighborhoods are safer than 35.19% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and McAllen neighborhoods are safer than 40.9%.
• Chicago is considered to be less safe than McAllen with a score of 33.87 vs McAllen's 59.1.
• Air quality in Chicago is good, and in McAllen it's moderate.

Considerations for moving to Chicago

• Weather: Although Chicago gets less snowfall than surrounding areas in the Midwest and the Great Lakes region, heavy snowfall could still affect your move in the wintertime..
• HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator you'll want to check on how to reserve it for move day.
• Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
• State licensing: In Illinois, regulations on in-state moves and local movers are set forth by the Illinois Commerce Commission. To move household goods locally and intrastate, companies need to have a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity, so make sure the companies you’re considering have one and that it’s current. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
• State regulator: You can verify a Illinois moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
• Moving permits: Illinois does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
• Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Chicago. Get started here.
• Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. Choose cost-free Released Value Protection from movers for basic coverage at 60 cents per pound. For more extensive protection matching your items' full value, consult your moving company for alternative options or consider a third-party insurance provider.
• Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Local McAllen movers

Company	Quote	Rating	Contact
most popular Two Men and a Truck	Get A Quote	4.86 overall rating	1066 South Padre Island Drive, Corpus Christi, TX, 78416 (361) 400-1833
Jones Moving & Storage Co., Inc.	Get A Quote	4.38 overall rating	1200 E Laurel Ave, McAllen, TX, 78501 (800) 684-3894
Groves Moving and Storage	Get A Quote	4.2 overall rating	2404 Wilson Rd, Harlingen, TX, 78552 (956) 423-1000

Visit our best long distance movers in McAllen page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.

Where to live in Chicago

Now that you've decided to make the move to "Chi-Town", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Chicago.

Best neighborhoods for singles:

• Lake View
• Lincoln Park
• The Loop
• Near North Side
• West Town

Best neighborhoods for families:

• Beverly
• Edison Park
• Lincoln Park
• North Center
• West Loop

What to do in Chicago

These are some of the best things to do in your new Illinois home.

• Millennium Park, Crown Fountain, and The Cloud Gate
• Navy Pier
• Art Institute of Chicago
• Buckingham Fountain
• Chicago Riverwalk and Lakefront Trail
• 360 Chicago and the John Hancock Center
• Museum of Science and Industry
• Lincoln Park Zoo
• Field Museum
• The Magnificent Mile
• Willis Tower SkyDeck
• Garfield Park Conservatory
• Chicago Cultural Center
• Wrigley Field
• Chicago Pizza Tours
• Oz Park
• Chicago Architecture Foundation River Cruise
• Maggie Daley Park
• Woolly Mammoth Antiques and Oddities
• Shedd Aquarium
• Museum of Contemporary Art
• Green Mill Jazz Club
• The Richard H. Driehaus Museum
• The Chicago Theatre
• The Second City

Get your sports on!

• Chicago Bears (NFL)
• Chicago Cubs (MLB)
• Chicago White Sox (MLB)
• Chicago Blackhawks (NHL)
• Chicago Bulls (NBA)
• Chicago Fire (MLS)
• Chicago Sky (WNBA)

Helpful moving resources