($487+) Greenville, SC to Chicago, IL Movers
Moving from Greenville, SC, to Chicago, IL, runs anywhere from $487 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,350 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 705 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 6 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
- Full-service moves for smaller spaces (studio apartments and 1-bedrooms) start around $1,418, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,350 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,063 - $3,172, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $487 - $1,315.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Greenville, SC, to Chicago, IL. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,184 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
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Compare moving options from Greenville, SC to Chicago, IL
Moving options from Greenville to Chicago fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $2,184 - $5,045 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 40% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 74% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 705-mile route typically takes 1 to 6 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 705-mile route from Greenville to Chicago, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $1,418 for a studio up to $7,350 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,063 - $3,172 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $487 - $1,315, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $939 - $2,698, billed by the space you actually use.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated November 2, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Greenville, SC to Chicago, IL
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 705-mile move from Greenville, South Carolina, to Chicago, Illinois, with prices running from $1,418 - $7,350. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $291 - $1,940 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Greenville and Chicago are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Greenville movers tend to run around $271 as a base rate plus $189/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Greenville to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,418 - $4,083
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,184 - $5,045
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,688 - $7,350
Packing, storage, shuttle fees, and added coverage can stack on top of the base price. See the full add-ons and specialty services table below for what each runs from Greenville to Chicago.
Pro tip: Moving company rates climb during peak moving season (May –-September) when demand peaks. Scheduling your move outside of that window can lead to noticeably lower costs and better availability.
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Specialty moving services from Greenville, SC to Chicago, IL
Specialty needs vary by market: 60% of Greenville movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Chicago, 60% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing81% of local movers | $485 - $4,850 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready60% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: HD Auston Moving Systems | $194 - $1,164/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $291 - $2,328 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage17% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs64% of local movers | $970 - $2,910 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,425 - $9,700 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $727 - $1,380 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items42% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: HD Auston Moving Systems | $970 - $2,425 |
| Piano | Any piano type55% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: HD Auston Moving Systems | $776 - $3,395 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling14% of local movers | $291 - $1,455 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect8% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $631 - $1,940 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $291 - $14,550+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $291 - $3,395+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Greenville to Chicago?
Movers licensed to operate in Illinois are typically members of the Illinois Movers’ and Warehousemen’s Association, worth checking for before you book any of the three below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 customer support, and 30 days of free storage are included with every move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list, with 30+ years in business since 1995. AVL is one of the few national carriers that uses full-time in-house crews instead of contracted labor.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, combining fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan that covers damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in Greenville, SC. Local companies typically run 30% - 40% more at longer distances because they aren't set up to consolidate shipments the way national carriers do. The one case where a local mover might be worth the premium is if you want a dedicated direct-route truck, which averages a 2-day delivery time, but expect to pay more for that convenience.
Moving container costs from Greenville, SC to Chicago, IL
Moving containers from Greenville, South Carolina, to Chicago, Illinois, cost between $1,063 and $3,172. The container gets dropped at your door and you load it at your own pace. U-Haul gives you 3 days to load and PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're done, the company handles all the transportation. If you need extra time, storage in Greenville runs about $85/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Greenville to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,063 - $1,799
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,312 - $2,545
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,775 - $3,172
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Because loading is on you with a container move, hourly labor help is a popular add-on. In Greenville, SC, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $679, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: After the first month, ongoing rental fees kick in. A small container (7 - 8 feet) averages about $73 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $146 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Greenville, SC, and Chicago, IL, but confirm a facility is within reasonable distance if you need to retrieve items while in storage.
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection provides broader coverage than the standard liability in your contract. It typically costs 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on $50,000 worth of belongings.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a South Carolina to Illinois move in the past 90 days. Our pricing data is drawn from 1,500+ monthly data points across our vetted mover network and refreshed every month.
Pro tip: Before ordering moving containers, take a careful inventory of everything you're moving. A typical 1-bedroom home weighs around 3,000 pounds and fits in a single container starting at $1,063. Underestimating how much you have and needing an extra container means paying for another one, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise. For reference, a 2 - 3 bedroom home typically runs $1,312 - $2,545.
What are the best moving containers Greenville to Chicago?
- Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
- U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
- MovingYourself (5.0/5 stars)
Want a hand without paying for full service? A container or truck move does not mean doing all the heavy lifting yourself. You can hire a labor-only crew in Greenville to load and unload while you handle the drive, then book full help later if you change your mind. Three top-rated local crews for labor-only help in Greenville:
- HD Auston Moving Systems (4.7/5), 80 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.9/5), 7 years in business
- Glaser & Sons Mooving (4.6/5), 35 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Greenville, SC to Chicago, IL
Truck rentals from Greenville, South Carolina, to Chicago, Illinois, range from $487 - $1,315 for the 705-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $218 - $249
- Daily insurance: $29/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $19
- Greenville daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $0.79
| Home size | Typical truck size |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | 10 - 12 ft |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | 15 - 17 ft |
| 4+ bedrooms | 20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel) |
These are typical moving truck rental costs from Greenville to Chicago based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $487 - $990
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $558 - $1,153
- 4+ bedrooms: $692 - $1,315
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $487 - $1,315 does not include fuel ($218 - $249), lodging ($146/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Greenville to Chicago typically runs more than the base rate alone, with meals, equipment, and other extras adding roughly $600 - $1,200 on top of fuel and lodging.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $146 per night if your drive requires an overnight stop. Typically, you'll make 1 - 3 overnight stops, depending on move distance.
- Moving labor: Bringing in professional loading help in Greenville, South Carolina, usually costs about $679 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 705-mile drive falls between $218 and $249, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, moving pads, and vehicle trailers are easy to overlook but can add between $49 and $291 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Greenville to Chicago?
- Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
- Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
- U-Haul Truck Rental (4.2/5 stars)
The best truck rental companies for this route, based on moveBuddha's ratings.
Freight trailer costs from Greenville, SC to Chicago, IL
Freight trailers are a good fit for medium-to-large moves where you need more space than a container but don't want to drive a rental truck from Greenville, South Carolina, to Chicago, Illinois. The trailer is delivered to your address, you load it, and the carrier takes it the rest of the way.
Unlike truck rentals with flat rates, freight trailers scale with your shipment. Every additional section of trailer space you fill increases your total. A 2 - 3 bedroom long-distance move using this method runs roughly between $1,071 and $2,118.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Greenville to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $939 - $1,669
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,071 - $2,118
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,462 - $2,698
Pro tip: Freight trailers offer generous space but reward good packing strategy. The 4-foot ramp can be challenging for large or heavy pieces, and using the full 8-foot height takes careful stacking. Because you're billed by the linear foot, maximizing vertical space keeps your costs lower.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- More space: Freight trailers are billed by the section you fill. If you misjudge your shipment size, each extra foot of trailer space adds around $73 - $146 to your final bill.
- Peak season pricing: Expect higher rates during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) when trailer availability tightens across the country.
- Moving labor: Loading is on you unless you hire outside help. A half-day crew of two movers in Greenville, South Carolina, typically costs $679.
What are the best freight companies from Greenville to Chicago?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is our pick for best for large moves. The company is best known as a top moving container option for its hybrid model where you load and they drive, and that same model translates well to freight thanks to their 53-foot trucks and pay-by-the-foot pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Beyond their flagship container service, U-Pack also runs freight trailers with the same no-deposit, no-upfront-fee model, charging only for the linear footage you actually fill.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Greenville to Chicago. If you have a hard move-in date and want your stuff there as soon as possible, freight is hard to beat. It's worth noting that freight works best when you're ready to receive your delivery, so if your move-in date is still up in the air or you'll need short-term storage, a moving container is likely the more practical choice.
Cost of living: Greenville, SC vs Chicago, IL
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Chicago, side by side with Greenville on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Greenville, SC | Chicago, IL |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 91 | 106 |
| Average rent | $1,551/mo | $2,045/mo |
| Median home value | $455,774 | $317,509 |
| Average income | $68,460/yr | $75,134/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 2.7% | 9.0% |
| State income tax | Up to 7.0% | Up to 4.95% |
| Walkability score | 43/100 | 77/100 |
| Safety index | 61.44/100 | 33.87/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
Cost of living index is relative to the U.S. average of 100. Figures reflect the latest available city and state data.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Chicago, IL to Greenville, SC guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from South Carolina to Illinois over the past 3 months, giving us some of the most up-to-date pricing data around. Running your move through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. There are 155 movers in our South Carolina network to compare for this 705-mile move.
Our take
For a move from Greenville, SC, to Chicago, IL, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $1,418 for a studio to $7,350 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 705-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,063 - $3,172. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $487 - $1,315, though you'll be handling the driving and loading yourself. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with quotes starting around $2,184 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live customer support.
Beyond the move itself, people who've relocated to Chicago tend to point to bountiful arts and recreational activities and delicious food, though high crime rate and temperamental weather come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include U.S. Government and Chicago Public Schools.
FAQs: Moving from Greenville, SC, to Chicago, IL
How walkable is Chicago?
Chicago has a walkability score of 77 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 72, compared to 43 and 49 in Greenville. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($218 - $249), daily insurance ($29/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $19) on top. Overnight stops can add another $146/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Illinois?
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.
What is the best time of year to move from Greenville, SC to Chicago, IL?
Aim for a move between October and March, when demand drops and rates tend to be lower across all service types. Peak season runs mid-May through mid-September, and weekends and month-end dates are pricier regardless of season. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.
What size moving truck do I need for this route?
Rental trucks generally range from 10 to 26 feet. A 15- to 17-foot truck covers most 2-bedroom moves, while a smaller 10- to 12-foot truck works for a studio or 1-bedroom. Homes with 4 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
What percentage of Greenville movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 55% of movers in Greenville handle piano moves, and 42% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.