($544+) Chicago, IL to Jersey City, NJ Movers
Moving from Chicago, IL, to Jersey City, NJ, runs anywhere from $544 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,736 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 788 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 2 to 7 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 $1,604, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,736 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,054 - $3,612, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $544 - $1,549.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Chicago, IL, to Jersey City, NJ. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,083 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 Jersey City, NJ
Moving options from Chicago to Jersey City fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $2,083 - $5,256 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 34% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 73% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 788 miles, this route usually takes 2 to 7 days from pickup to delivery.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 788-mile route from Chicago to Jersey City, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $1,604 for a studio up to $7,736 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,054 - $3,612 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $544 - $1,549, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $968 - $2,834, 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 Chicago, IL to Jersey City, NJ
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 788-mile move from Chicago, Illinois, to Jersey City, New Jersey, with prices running from $1,604 - $7,736. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $359 - $2,392 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Chicago and Jersey City are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Chicago movers tend to run around $220 as a base rate plus $100/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Chicago to Jersey City:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,604 - $3,948
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,083 - $5,256
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,600 - $7,736
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 Jersey City.
Pro tip: Peak moving season (May - September) limits truck availability and pushes up full-service moving costs. Booking during slower months can give you more scheduling room and a lower final price.
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Specialty moving services from Chicago, IL to Jersey City, NJ
Specialty needs vary by market: 60% of Chicago movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Jersey City, 61% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing78% of local movers | $598 - $5,980 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready60% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $239 - $1,435/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $359 - $2,870 |
| 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 | $1,196 - $3,588 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,990 - $11,960 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $896 - $1,702 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items28% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $1,196 - $2,990 |
| Piano | Any piano type42% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $957 - $4,186 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling11% of local movers | $359 - $1,794 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $777 - $2,392 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $359 - $17,940+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $359 - $4,186+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Chicago to Jersey City?
New Jersey Warehouse & Movers Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in New Jersey, on top of the picks below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing means no surprise charges on moving day, and their support team is consistently rated among the most responsive in the industry.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here, 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, with 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 the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in Chicago, IL, often charge 30% - 40% more at that distance because their operations aren't built for long-haul logistics. The exception is if you want a dedicated point-to-point truck with an average 2-day delivery, though that level of service generally increases your total cost.
Moving container costs from Chicago, IL to Jersey City, NJ
Moving containers from Chicago, Illinois, to Jersey City, New Jersey, cost between $1,054 and $3,612. A container is delivered to your home and you load it on your own time. Loading windows vary by company: U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30. From there, the company takes over and transports it to Jersey City. If you go over that window, storage in Chicago adds around $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Chicago to Jersey City:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,054 - $1,921
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,368 - $2,637
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,744 - $3,612
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 Chicago, IL, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $837, 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 $90 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $179 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Chicago, IL, and Jersey City, NJ, 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 Illinois to New Jersey 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 $1,054. 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 $1,368 - $2,637.
What are the best moving containers Chicago to Jersey 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 Jersey City, NJ
A rental truck for this 788-mile move from Chicago, Illinois, to Jersey City, New Jersey, costs between $544 and $1,549. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $300 - $343
- Daily insurance: $36/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $24
- 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 Jersey City based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $544 - $993
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $570 - $1,252
- 4+ bedrooms: $757 - $1,549
Pro tip: A rental truck from Chicago to Jersey City looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $544 - $1,549. But once you factor in fuel ($300 - $343), overnight lodging ($179/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?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Chicago, Illinois, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $837.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $300 - $343 for the 788-mile drive, depending on whether your truck takes gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, auto transport trailers, and furniture pads are separate rentals. Expect to spend between $72 and $389, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $179 per night for hotel stops on the 788-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $359 - $538.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Chicago to Jersey 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 Jersey City, NJ
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 Chicago, Illinois, to Jersey City, New Jersey. 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 $1,084 and $2,109.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Chicago to Jersey City:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $968 - $1,763
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,084 - $2,109
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,526 - $2,834
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?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Chicago, Illinois, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $837.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $90 - $179 per additional foot to your total.
- Time of year: Rates tend to climb during peak moving season (mid-May through mid-September) when trailer demand is at its highest.
What are the best freight companies from Chicago to Jersey City?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Best known as a top moving container option thanks to its DIY hybrid model (you load, they drive), MovingYourself also doubles as a strong freight choice with their 53-foot trucks and pay-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. In addition to their well-known container service, U-Pack offers freight trailers that follow the same pay-by-the-foot model with no deposits or upfront fees, making them one of the most flexible freight options for budget-conscious moves.
Pro tip: One of the biggest advantages of freight trailers is speed. For an interstate move, freight delivery is one of the fastest options you have short of driving a rental truck yourself. It's a smart choice when your timeline is firm and you'll be ready to receive your shipment. If there's any chance your new place won't be ready or you need a few weeks of storage, a moving container with built-in storage may serve you better.
Cost of living: Chicago, IL vs Jersey City, NJ
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Jersey City, side by side with Chicago on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Chicago, IL | Jersey City, NJ |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 106 | 140 |
| Average rent | $2,045/mo | $2,975/mo |
| Median home value | $317,509 | $538,163 |
| Average income | $75,134/yr | $94,813/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 9.0% | 8.3% |
| State income tax | Up to 4.95% | Up to 10.7% |
| Walkability score | 77/100 | 87/100 |
| Safety index | 33.87/100 | 56.79/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Moderate |
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 Jersey City, NJ to Chicago, IL guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Illinois to New Jersey in the past 3 months alone, keeping our pricing data current. Run your numbers through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. For context, we track 314 movers based in Illinois, handy for sizing up options on this 788-mile route.
Our take
A move from Chicago, IL, to Jersey City, NJ, gives you several options depending on your budget and how much you want to do yourself. Full-service movers handle everything but cost the most, ranging from $1,604 - $7,736 on the 788-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,054 - $3,612, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $544 - $1,549. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,083 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Kuehne + Nagel International AG and Tokio Marine Management.
FAQs: Moving from Chicago, IL, to Jersey City, NJ
What do local movers charge in Chicago?
Local movers based in Chicago typically start around $220 as a base rate, plus $100/hour per mover. That's a useful baseline if you're hiring help just to load a rental truck or container rather than booking a full long-distance move. Rates in Jersey City run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
How long does a move from Chicago, IL to Jersey City, NJ take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 2 to 7 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are often one of the faster options outside of driving yourself, though you'll need to be ready to receive your shipment on arrival. Driving a rental truck yourself puts the schedule entirely in your hands.
What are the best neighborhoods in Jersey City?
For families, Greenville, Mcginley Square, and West Side are worth a look in Jersey City. If you're moving solo or without kids, Journal Square, Mcginley Square, and The Heights tend to be popular picks instead.
What is the cheapest way to move from Chicago, IL to Jersey City, NJ?
Renting a moving truck is almost always the most affordable option, since you handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself. A 2-bedroom rental truck move on this route averages $570 - $1,252. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
Is Jersey City a safe place to live?
Jersey City has a safety index of 56.79 out of 100 and a crime index of 43.21, 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 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.