($540+) Jackson, MS to Chicago, IL Movers
Moving from Jackson, MS, to Chicago, IL, runs anywhere from $534 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,349 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 740 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 $1,707, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,349 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,062 - $3,515, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $534 - $1,519.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Jackson, MS, to Chicago, IL. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,363 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Compare moving options from Jackson, MS to Chicago, IL
Moving options from Jackson to Chicago fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $2,363 - $6,314 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 30% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 60% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 740 miles, this route usually takes 1 to 6 days from pickup to delivery.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 740-mile route from Jackson to Chicago, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $1,707 for a studio up to $8,349 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,062 - $3,515 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $534 - $1,519, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $1,005 - $2,841, 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 September 16, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Jackson, MS to Chicago, IL
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 740-mile move from Jackson, Mississippi, to Chicago, Illinois, with prices running from $1,707 - $8,349. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $264 - $1,760 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Jackson and Chicago are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Jackson movers tend to run around $279 as a base rate plus $127/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Jackson to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,707 - $4,419
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,363 - $6,314
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,170 - $8,349
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 Jackson to Chicago.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Mississippi to Illinois. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
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 Jackson, MS to Chicago, IL
Specialty needs vary by market — 100% of Jackson movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Chicago, 93% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing83% of local movers | $440 - $4,400 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready100% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: The Armstrong Company | $176 - $1,056/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $264 - $2,112 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage33% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs67% of local movers | $880 - $2,640 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,200 - $8,800 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $659 - $1,252 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items33% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: The Armstrong Company | $880 - $2,200 |
| Piano | Any piano type67% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: The Armstrong Company | $704 - $3,080 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling17% of local movers | $264 - $1,320 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect22% nationallyTop pick: | $572 - $1,760 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $264 - $13,200+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $264 - $3,080+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Jackson to Chicago?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in Illinois Movers’ and Warehousemen’s Association is a good first thing to confirm.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving offers the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing locks in your cost upfront, and 24/7 customer support is available throughout the move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. Operating since 1995, AVL staffs every move with full-time in-house crews trained on antiques, art, and other high-value items.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. As one of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, real-time shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Jackson, MS. Local companies can run 30% - 40% more at that range since they don't consolidate shipments the way interstate carriers do. If a direct, dedicated route with an average 2-day delivery appeals to you, a local mover could be worth it, but that convenience comes at a cost.
Moving container costs from Jackson, MS to Chicago, IL
Moving containers from Jackson, Mississippi, to Chicago, Illinois, cost between $1,062 and $3,515. 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 Jackson runs about $70/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Jackson to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,062 - $1,910
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,434 - $2,785
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,846 - $3,515
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $66 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $132 per month for larger units (12 - 16 feet).
- Moving labor: Containers don't come with loading help, so many customers hire hourly movers for the job. Two movers for about 5 hours will run you around $616 in Jackson, MS, per moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Standard coverage only reimburses by weight. Full-value protection gives you more complete coverage for higher-value items and typically costs 1% - 2% of your total declared value, around $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 shipment.
- Access: National providers generally operate in both cities, but verify that a facility near your Chicago, IL, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Mississippi 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 $1,062. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,434 - $2,785, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Jackson 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 Jackson 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 Jackson:
- My Two Movers (4.8/5), 18 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk (4.9/5)
- McCorquodale Transfer (4.2/5)
Moving truck rental costs from Jackson, MS to Chicago, IL
Renting a moving truck for the 740-mile move from Jackson, Mississippi, to Chicago, Illinois, costs between $534 and $1,519, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $207 - $237
- Daily insurance: $26/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $18
- Jackson daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.89
| 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 Jackson to Chicago based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $534 - $1,076
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $577 - $1,192
- 4+ bedrooms: $721 - $1,519
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $534 - $1,519 when pricing out a rental truck from Jackson to Chicago. Fuel alone runs ($207 - $237) , and overnight lodging ($132/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend an additional $600 - $1,200 beyond the base rate by the time the move is done.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $132 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 Jackson, Mississippi, usually costs about $616 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 740-mile drive falls between $207 and $237, 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 $44 and $264 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Jackson 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 Jackson, MS 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 Jackson, Mississippi, 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. Most long-distance moves using this method run roughly between $1,125 and $2,272.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Jackson to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,005 - $1,737
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,125 - $2,272
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,447 - $2,841
Pro tip: A 4-foot ramp sounds simple, but heavy or awkward furniture can make the climb tricky. With 8 feet of height to work with, smart vertical stacking is key. Since freight companies charge by the linear foot, every extra foot you use adds to the bill.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Jackson, Mississippi, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $616.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $66 - $132 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 Jackson to Chicago?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Primarily known as a top moving container option for its DIY hybrid model where customers load and the company drives, MovingYourself also functions as a strong freight option thanks to its 53-foot trucks and pay-only-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. Best known for its container service, U-Pack also runs a top-notch freight trailer operation with the same no-deposit, pay-by-the-foot approach that keeps overall costs lower than most freight competitors.
- Kllm Transport Services (4.88/5 stars): Kllm Transport Services is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned facilities and accessible live support staff make scheduling and route coordination easier on local-area routes than what most national freight providers can offer.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are one of the fastest ways to move your belongings interstate, often beating full-service movers on delivery time. If getting your stuff to Chicago quickly is a priority, freight is worth a hard look. That said, freight carriers typically require you to be available to receive your shipment within a set window, so if you need short-term storage or your new place won't be ready right away, a container or full-service mover may give you more flexibility.
Cost of living: Jackson, MS 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 Jackson on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Jackson, MS | Chicago, IL |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 76 | 106 |
| Average rent | $1,170/mo | $2,045/mo |
| Median home value | $107,872 | $317,509 |
| Average income | $43,238/yr | $75,134/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 7.7% | 9.0% |
| State income tax | Up to 4.7% | Up to 4.95% |
| Walkability score | 26/100 | 77/100 |
| Safety index | 17.62/100 | 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 Jackson, MS guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Mississippi 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 22 movers in our Mississippi network to compare for this 740-mile move.
Our take
For a move from Jackson, MS, to Chicago, IL, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $1,707 for a studio to $8,349 for a 4 - 5 bedroom home on the 740-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,062 - $3,515. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $534 - $1,519, 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 $2,363 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 Jackson, MS, to Chicago, IL
What are the best neighborhoods in Chicago?
For families, Beverly, Edison Park, and Lincoln Park are worth a look in Chicago. If you're moving solo or without kids, Lake View, Lincoln Park, and The Loop tend to be popular picks instead.
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 do local movers charge in Jackson?
Local movers based in Jackson typically start around $279 as a base rate, plus $127/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 Chicago run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
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 3 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
How much does it cost to move from Jackson, MS to Chicago, IL?
Costs on this route range from around $1,707 to $8,349, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,707 and $8,349, while DIY options like rental trucks and containers come in lower. Moving during peak season (May - September) tends to push prices higher across the board.
What percentage of Jackson movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 67% of movers in Jackson handle piano moves, and 33% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.