($421+) Chicago, IL to Kansas City, MO Movers
Moving from Chicago, IL, to Kansas City, MO, runs anywhere from $421 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,782 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 510 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 $1,130, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,782 or more.
- Moving containers run $946 - $2,952, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $421 - $1,139.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Chicago, IL, to Kansas City, MO. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,021 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 Chicago, IL to Kansas City, MO
Moving options from Chicago to Kansas City fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move on this route costs $2,021 - $4,814 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 40% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 78% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 510 miles and typically takes 1 to 6 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 510-mile route from Chicago to Kansas City, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,130 - $3,757 | $946 - $1,730 | $421 - $775 | $843 - $1,587 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,021 - $4,814 | $1,213 - $2,227 | $436 - $883 | $999 - $1,893 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,394 - $7,782 | $1,630 - $2,952 | $577 - $1,139 | $1,266 - $2,362 |
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 Chicago, IL to Kansas City, MO
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 510-mile move from Chicago, Illinois, to Kansas City, Missouri, with costs ranging from $1,130 - $7,782. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $296 - $1,976. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Chicago and Kansas City. Local movers in Chicago typically start around $220 as a base rate plus $100/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Chicago to Kansas City:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,130 - $3,757
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,021 - $4,814
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,394 - $7,782
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 Chicago to Kansas City.
Pro tip: Demand for full-service movers surges during peak moving season from May - September, pushing prices higher. Shifting your move to a cooler month could save you a meaningful amount on your total bill.
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Specialty moving services from Chicago, IL to Kansas City, MO
Specialty needs vary by market: 60% of Chicago movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Kansas City, 61% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing78% of local movers | $494 - $4,940 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready60% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $198 - $1,186/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $296 - $2,371 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage10% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs59% of local movers | $988 - $2,964 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,470 - $9,880 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $740 - $1,406 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items28% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $988 - $2,470 |
| Piano | Any piano type42% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $790 - $3,458 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling11% of local movers | $296 - $1,482 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $642 - $1,976 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $296 - $14,820+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $296 - $3,458+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Chicago to Kansas City?
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is our pick for best overall value. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 support, and 30 days of free storage make Safeway the clearest value on this list.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. AVL has been moving customers since 1995 and uses full-time in-house crews trained on high-value items like art and antiques.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. One of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, 24/7 monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan against damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Chicago, IL. At that distance, local movers often charge 30% - 40% more because they don't spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments the way national carriers do. If a direct route and faster delivery (averaging 2 days) are priorities, a local mover may be worth considering, but that service comes at a higher price.
Moving container costs from Chicago, IL to Kansas City, MO
Moving containers from Chicago, Illinois, to Kansas City, Missouri, cost between $946 and $2,952. You load everything on your own schedule (U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30). When you're ready, the company takes care of getting the container from point A to point B. Need more time than that? Extra storage in Chicago typically runs around $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Chicago to Kansas City:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $946 - $1,730
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,213 - $2,227
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,630 - $2,952
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Containers are self-loaded, so many people hire hourly help for the heavy lifting. moveBuddha data shows two movers for about five hours runs around $692 in Chicago, IL. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: If you want stronger coverage than the default liability, full-value protection is the upgrade to consider. Most providers charge 1% - 2% of your shipment value, roughly $500 - $1,000 for $50,000 in contents.
- Storage: After the first month, rental fees average $74 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $148 per month for a larger 12- to 16-foot unit.
- Access: If you anticipate needing to access items while in storage, confirm there's a facility conveniently located near your Kansas City, MO, destination before booking.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Illinois to Missouri 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 $946. 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 $1,213 - $2,227.
What are the best moving containers Chicago to Kansas City?
- 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 Chicago 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 Chicago:
- Move-tastic (5.0/5), 17 years in business
- Windy City Movers Inc. (4.6/5), 44 years in business
- STI Moving & Storage Inc. (4.7/5), 21 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Chicago, IL to Kansas City, MO
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 510 miles from Chicago, Illinois, to Kansas City, Missouri, running $421 - $1,139. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $160 - $183
- Daily insurance: $30/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
- Chicago daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $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 Chicago to Kansas City based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $421 - $775
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $436 - $883
- 4+ bedrooms: $577 - $1,139
Pro tip: A rental truck from Chicago to Kansas City looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $421 - $1,139. But once you factor in fuel ($160 - $183), overnight lodging ($148/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $148 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 Chicago, Illinois, usually costs about $692 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 510-mile drive falls between $160 and $183, 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 $296 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Chicago to Kansas City?
- 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 Chicago, IL to Kansas City, MO
If you're moving a larger household from Chicago, Illinois, and want to stay in control of the loading process, freight trailers offer a practical middle ground between hiring movers and renting a truck yourself. A 28-foot trailer is delivered to your door, you load what you need, and the carrier handles the drive to Kansas City, Missouri.
Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. A 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route typically falls between $999 and $1,893.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Chicago to Kansas City:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $843 - $1,587
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $999 - $1,893
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,266 - $2,362
Pro tip: Freight pricing rewards efficient packing. Trailers are 8 feet tall and accessed via a 4-foot ramp, so technique matters, especially for heavy pieces. Since each additional linear foot adds to your quote, packing strategically is one of the easiest ways to control costs.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- More space: Freight pricing is based on exactly how much of the trailer you fill. If your items take up more than expected, the added footage can increase your cost by between $74 and $148.
- Peak season impact: Moving during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) often means higher trailer rates as demand increases across the board.
- Moving labor: Unless you plan to load everything yourself, factor in labor costs. Two movers in Chicago, Illinois, for roughly five hours typically average $692.
What are the best freight companies from Chicago to Kansas City?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the pick for best for large moves. The company is well-regarded as a top moving container option for its load-it-yourself, we-drive-it model, and that same model makes it a strong freight option for larger homes that benefit from the company's 53-foot trucks and footage-based pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Alongside their flagship container service, U-Pack provides a top-notch freight trailer option that follows the same model: no deposits, no upfront fees, and pricing based on the linear footage you actually use.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Chicago to Kansas City. 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: Chicago, IL vs Kansas City, MO
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Kansas City, side by side with Chicago on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Chicago, IL | Kansas City, MO |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 106 | 88 |
| Average rent | $2,045/mo | $1,300/mo |
| Median home value | $317,509 | $223,324 |
| Average income | $75,134/yr | $67,449/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 9.0% | 5.3% |
| State income tax | Up to 4.95% | Up to 4.8% |
| Walkability score | 77/100 | 35/100 |
| Safety index | 33.87/100 | 42.6/100 |
| 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 Kansas City, MO to Chicago, IL guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Illinois to Missouri 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 314 movers in our Illinois network to compare for this 510-mile move.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 510-mile route from Chicago, IL, to Kansas City, MO, run $1,130 - $7,782 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $946 - $2,952, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $421 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,021, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.
Beyond the move itself, people who've relocated to Kansas City tend to point to ample economic opportunity and delicious barbecue, though tornadoes and extreme weather come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include Public School System and Federal Government.
FAQs: Moving from Chicago, IL, to Kansas City, MO
Is Kansas City a safe place to live?
Kansas City has a safety index of 42.6 out of 100 and a crime index of 58.4, compared to 33.87 and 35.19 in Chicago. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
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 is the best time of year to move from Chicago, IL to Kansas City, MO?
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.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Missouri?
Movers that provide local and intrastate relocation services in Missouri fall under the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT). Every household goods mover operating in the state is required to have a MoDOT Number.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($160 - $183), daily insurance ($30/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $20) on top. Overnight stops can add another $148/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What percentage of Chicago movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 42% of movers in Chicago handle piano moves, and 28% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.