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How much does it cost to move from Chicago, IL to Florida?
Moving from Chicago to Florida can cost as low as $813 for a small DIY move and as much as $8,180 for a large home using full-service movers.
See a full breakdown in the table below:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,211 - $4,971 | $1,323 - $2,406 | $813 - $1,505 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,661 - $6,302 | $1,637 - $3,218 | $880 - $1,771 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,474 - $8,180 | $2,240 - $4,531 | $1,051 - $2,315 |
Read our full guide on the cost of Chicago, IL movers.
What does a move from Chicago to Florida actually cost? The quotes below come directly from moveBuddha's verified dataset. Prices shift based on home size, move date, and which services you add.
2 Bedrooms
Aug 26, 2026
4 Bedrooms
Aug 18, 2026
2 Bedrooms
Aug 12, 2026
5+ Bedrooms
Aug 02, 2026
1 Bedroom (large)
Jul 13, 2026
1 Bedroom (small)
Jul 09, 2026
3 Bedrooms
Jul 09, 2026
5+ Bedrooms
Jul 05, 2026
2 Bedrooms
Jul 05, 2026
3 Bedrooms
Jun 14, 2026
Best Chicago, IL to Florida Movers
- Reebie Storage and Moving Co. (4.64/5 stars): Reebie Storage and Moving Co. is the best full-service mover from Chicago to Florida.
- Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars): Units Moving and Portable Storage is best for flexible timelines. Units Moving and Portable Storage gives you a flexible loading window without needing to drive anything yourself.
- Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars): Budget Truck Rental is best for DIY movers on a budget. Renting a truck and driving yourself is the lowest-cost way to move from Chicago to Florida.
| Mover | Best for | Rating | Avg 2-br quote |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reebie Storage and Moving Co. | Full-service moving | 4.64 | $2,661 |
| Units Moving and Portable Storage | Moving containers | 4.3 | $1,637 |
| Budget Truck Rental | Rental trucks | 4.3 | $880 |
Read our full guide on the best Chicago, IL movers.
Living in Florida vs. Chicago, IL
Here's how Florida compares to Illinois on cost of living, climate, and politics, so you know what to expect after the move.
| Illinois | Florida | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 90 | 102 |
| Average household income | $78,433 | $67,917 |
| Median home value | $249,224 | $392,176 |
| Average monthly rent | $1,179 | $1,444 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.3% | 2.9% |
| State income tax | 4.95% | 0.0% |
| Summer high | 86ºF | 91ºF |
| Winter low | 17ºF | 49ºF |
| Political leaning* | Democratic 55-45 | Republican 51-48 |
*Based on 2024 presidential election
How to move from Chicago to Florida
Use this Chicago-specific checklist to plan your 1,213-mile move to Florida and compare movers with confidence.
- Estimate your Chicago to Florida moving cost. Use the moveBuddha moving cost calculator to get a ballpark for your 1,213-mile move from Chicago to Florida. A 2–3 bedroom full-service move on this route typically costs $2,661 to $6,302, with smaller DIY moves starting as low as $813.
- Choose your moving method. Pick the option that fits your budget and how hands-on you want to be: full-service movers (they load, drive, and unload), moving containers (you pack, they haul), or a rental truck (cheapest, but you drive). Containers cost roughly 32% less than full-service on this route; rental trucks save around 60%.
- Compare Chicago interstate movers. 51 moving companies licensed for interstate moves operate out of Chicago, so vet each carrier carefully. Verify every company's USDOT number at FMCSA.dot.gov before booking and compare movers using moveBuddha's verified-quote data for the Chicago to Florida corridor.
- Get quotes and book your move. Give yourself 4 to 6 weeks of lead time. Interstate capacity in Chicago is deep enough that availability is rarely the constraint, so use the runway to negotiate rather than to chase open dates. Collect at least 3 written quotes, take a room-by-room inventory survey, and confirm whether each estimate is binding or non-binding before you commit. On this route, packing labor, long-carry or stair fees, and valuation coverage are the line items most likely to differ between estimates.
- Pack for a 1,213-mile move from Chicago. Start packing non-essential rooms 4–6 weeks before pickup. Declutter before you pack to reduce weight-based interstate costs on the 1,213-mile haul from Chicago. Label boxes by room, pack a first-night essentials bag for your car, and confirm your mover's policy on plants and hazardous materials.
- Settle in Florida. After delivery in Florida, update your driver's license and vehicle registration if required, transfer utilities before move-in day, update voter registration, and notify your bank, employer, insurance carriers, and the IRS of your new address within 30 days.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
- Comparing movers with our moving cost calculator before booking helps moveBuddha users save more than 30% on average.
- Choose a moveBuddha Certified mover and you'll get $1,000 in added move coverage plus dedicated support throughout your move.
- moveBuddha provides dispute mediation with Certified movers if something goes wrong, helping you resolve issues and protect your move.
FAQ
How long does a move from Chicago to Florida take?
On average, it takes 2-8 days to make the 1,213-mile move from Chicago to Florida.
What's the cheapest way to move from Chicago to Florida?
Renting a truck and driving yourself is the cheapest way to move from Chicago to Florida. A 2-bedroom move on this route starts around $880 with a rental truck company like Budget Truck Rental.
Where can I find a list of long-distance moving companies in Chicago?
Here are our top picks for the best long-distance movers in Chicago.
What percentage of movers in Illinois are licensed for interstate moves?
77% of moving companies in Illinois are licensed for interstate moves. Chicago itself has 51 interstate-licensed movers to choose from for this route.
Is it cheaper to use a moving container, rental truck, or full-service movers?
Full-service movers cost the most but do all the work. Moving containers cost roughly 32% less than full-service on this route, and rental trucks save around 60%, but you handle the loading (and driving, for trucks) yourself.
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