Chicago, IL to Manchester, NH Movers (NEW 2026 Costs)

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Quick answer: Moving from Chicago to Manchester typically costs $2,800–$6,800 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home (about 1,021 miles). Use our moving cost calculator below to get an instant estimate.

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  • Best overall value
  • Veteran owned
  • Portion to charity
moveBuddha logo iconrating star star star star star 4.9 / 5
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  • Certified crews
  • Flat-rate pricing
  • Family-owned
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  • Specialty packing services
  • White-glove reputation
  • 80+ years' experience

Cost to move from Chicago to Manchester

Moving from Chicago, IL to Manchester, NH typically costs $2,800–$6,800 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home.

The price ranges below are estimates for a 1,021-mile move from Chicago to Manchester, based on moveBuddha pricing data as of Mar 16, 2026. Pricing is updated monthly to reflect seasonality and market changes.

Studio Icon

Studio / 1 bedroom

  • Moving Company $2,300 - $5,100
  • Moving Container $1,300 - $2,500
  • Rental Truck $800 - $1,400
Two Three Bed Icon

2-3 bedrooms

  • Moving Company $2,800 - $6,800
  • Moving Container $1,700 - $3,400
  • Rental Truck $800 - $1,700
Four Bed Icon

4+ bedrooms

  • Moving Company $4,600 - $8,900
  • Moving Container $2,300 - $4,500
  • Rental Truck $1,000 - $2,000

Recent moving quotes for similar moves

  • American Van Lines recently quoted $3,467 for a 2 bedroom using professional movers.
  • AB Moving recently quoted $4,918 for a 4 bedroom using professional movers.
  • United Van Lines recently quoted $2,826 for a studio apartment using professional movers.
Recent Moving Price Estimates
The following are real, anonymized quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 48 hours. Prices change with dates and availability; use these as a ballpark, not a guarantee.
American Van Lines
Cary, IL Concord, NH
Icon of a house 2 Bedrooms
Icon of a calendar Feb 14, 2026
AB Moving
Westmont, IL Manchester, NH
Icon of a house 4 Bedrooms
Icon of a calendar Feb 12, 2026
United Van Lines
Steger, IL Rochester, NH
Icon of a house Studio apartment
Icon of a calendar Feb 05, 2026
Roadway Moving
Manhattan, IL Bedford, NH
Icon of a house 4 Bedrooms
Icon of a calendar Jan 21, 2026
Joyce Van Lines
River Forest, IL Londonderry, NH
Icon of a house 5+ Bedrooms
Icon of a calendar Jan 11, 2026
PODS
Joliet, IL Durham, NH
Icon of a house 4 Bedrooms
Icon of a calendar Jan 05, 2026
Budget Truck Rental
Third Lake, IL Somersworth, NH
Icon of a house 5+ Bedrooms
Icon of a calendar Dec 17, 2025
1-800-Pack-Rat
Glencoe, IL Salem, NH
Icon of a house 5+ Bedrooms
Icon of a calendar Dec 13, 2025
Allied Van Lines
Dolton, IL Merrimack, NH
Icon of a house 5+ Bedrooms
Icon of a calendar Dec 11, 2025
Safeway Moving
Riverwoods, IL Hudson, NH
Icon of a house 1 Bedroom (small)
Icon of a calendar Nov 29, 2025

Factors that affect moving costs from Chicago to Manchester

Your total cost will depend on:

  • How much stuff you have: A one-bedroom move from Chicago to Manchester may only cost $2,300, whereas a full four-bedroom relocation can approach $8,900.
  • The season you're moving in: Movers charge more in summer, the busiest months in Chicago.
  • Which type of mover you use: Save with a truck rental ($800–$2,000), but expect more hassle than hiring pros.

Moving the opposite route? We got you covered with our moving from Manchester, NH to Chicago, IL guide.

Best Chicago to Manchester movers by type

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Professional
Local Movers Icon
Local
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Container
Rental Truck Icon
Rental Truck
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Labor Only

Best professional movers from Chicago to Manchester

Choosing a full-service mover is ideal when you prefer experts to oversee your interstate move from Chicago to Manchester. These companies handle all the details, allowing you to dedicate your energy to your next steps.

Want a deeper breakdown of the top long-distance movers? See our best interstate movers guide.

  1. Safeway Moving: 4.9 out of 5 stars
  2. American Van Lines: 4.9 out of 5 stars
  3. Allied Van Lines: 4.2 out of 5 stars
  4. Mayzlin Relocation: 4.8 out of 5 stars
  5. North American Van Lines: 4.8 out of 5 stars
Safeway Moving
checkmark Best overall value
checkmark Veteran owned
checkmark Portion to charity
American Van Lines
checkmark Certified crews
checkmark Flat-rate pricing
checkmark Family-owned
Allied Van Lines
checkmark Specialty packing services
checkmark White-glove reputation
checkmark 80+ years' experience
Mayzlin Relocation
checkmark Family owned
checkmark East coast focus
checkmark Affordable pricing
North American Van Lines
checkmark 1,800 trucks
checkmark Storage available
checkmark Customized moving plans

How we chose the best IL→NH movers

moveBuddha's dedicated analysts have scrutinized moving rates across 100 Illinois moving firms, selecting the top providers by assessing customer approval, reviews, and affordability.

  • Customer satisfaction (40%): The team ensures timely service delivery, engages in effective communication, and adheres to the projected costs.
  • Dispute resolution (20%): Moving isn’t perfect, and mistakes will happen. We highlight movers that handle those situations honestly and put effort into resolving them fairly.
  • Industry reputation (15%): The company is well-regarded within the moving industry and participates in industry conferences and organizations.
  • Online reputation (15%): This mover keeps its website up to date and provides timely, professional replies to questions or concerns raised online.
  • Service options (10%): Companies stand out when they provide comprehensive options such as full-service packing, safe storage, handling of specialty items, and expedited shipping.

Here is our full moving company rating methodology.

What to know before moving from Chicago to Manchester

Many movers find Manchester easier on the wallet than Chicago - roughly 33% less for singles and 43% less for families.

Monthly basics average $2,449 for one person in Manchester versus $3,648 in Chicago. For a family of four, it's $5,256 compared with $9,266.

See the cost breakdown below to pinpoint where the savings add up:

Chicago Manchester
Average 1 BR rent $2,368 $1,767
Average 3 BR rent $4,581 $2,461
Average home value $295,743 $410,329
Average income (per capita) $71,566 $67,132
Cost of living (single) $3,648 $2,449
Cost of living (family of four) $9,266 $5,256
Unemployment rate 9.0% 3.8%
Sales tax 10.25% 0.0%
State income tax 4.95% 4.0%
  • Your budget won't be hit too hard when you move to Manchester from Chicago with rent being about the same in each state.
  • Plan for a heftier mortgage payment since home prices are approximately 39% steeper in Manchester compared to Chicago.
  • You might want to reassess your budget before relocating. The average income is roughly 6% less in Manchester than in Chicago.
  • Expect to spend less on everyday needs such as food, fuel, and utilities in Manchester. The cost of living for a single person there is 33% below that of Chicago.
  • A move to Manchester can offer your family a more affordable lifestyle, with savings on everyday costs such as utilities, groceries, and transport. The cost of living for a family is 43% lower compared to Chicago.
  • Manchester has a lower unemployment rate than Chicago by about 58%. This signals a stronger job market and healthier local economy, both promising indicators for someone relocating.
  • Manchester has no sales tax, so you’ll save money on every taxable purchase compared to Chicago. This can be especially helpful if you make frequent or larger purchases.
  • Income taxes are 19% less in New Hampshire compared to Illinois, offering a relief on your paycheck, which can enhance your budgeting options.

Here’s the side-by-side view of common monthly bills and day-to-day expenses in Chicago versus Manchester:

Living Expense Chicago Manchester
Basic utilities $191.26 $218.54
Cell phone plan $61.10 $51.38
Dozen eggs $4.52 $4.53
Loaf of bread $4.15 $3.01
Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) $25.00 $27.50
Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) $100.00 $85.00
Gym membership $78.31 $81.25
  • Basic utilities cost less in Chicago than in Manchester, helping trim your monthly bills.
  • Cell phone plans typically cost more in Chicago than in Manchester.
  • Eggs are less expensive in Chicago than in Manchester.
  • Bread is more expensive in Chicago than in Manchester.
  • A quick meal is cheaper in Chicago than in Manchester.
  • A mid-range dinner for two is pricier in Chicago than in Manchester.
  • Gym memberships are more affordable in Chicago than in Manchester.

How life is different in Chicago vs. Manchester

Chicago Manchester
Population 2,746,388 115,644
Transportation score 9 3
Walkability score 77 51
Bike friendliness score 72 42
Crime index 35.19 56.09
Safety index 33.87 43.91
Air quality Good Good
  • Manchester's population is about 96% less than Chicago.
  • Manchester's public transportation score of 3 out of 10 is lower than Chicago's score of 9.
  • Manchester is less walkable than Chicago with a score of 51 out of 100 vs Chicago's 77 out of 100.
  • Manchester has a bike-friendliness score of 42 out of 100, which means it isn't as accessible or safe for cyclists as Chicago, which has a score of 72.
  • Manchester's crime rate is higher than Chicago with a score of 56.09 compared to Chicago's 35.19. This means that Manchester neighborhoods are safer than 56.09% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Chicago neighborhoods are safer than 35.19%.
  • Manchester is considered to be safer than Chicago with a safety index of 43.91 vs Chicago's 33.87.
  • Air quality in Manchester is Good, and in Chicago it's Good.

Other things to consider for your Chicago to Manchester move

  • HOA rules: Plan time to look into your HOA or community rules and regulations before moving day arrives, to avoid any delays.
  • Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator you'll want to check on how to reserve it for move day.
  • Truck parking permits: Many cities require special permits for parking large moving trucks. Check in advance to see if one is needed for your move.
  • State licensing: The New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT) is the agency tasked with regulating and overseeing movers that offer relocation services within the state. If you’ve already moved and had a dispute with your moving company, they may be able to help resolve the issue, but you’ll need to file a formal complaint first. Ensure the company you choose is licensed to handle your move.
  • State regulator: To confirm a moving company's license in New Hampshire, visit the state's public utilities commission.
  • Moving Permits: Moving permits aren’t typically required in New Hampshire, but always confirm with local authorities to avoid surprises.
  • Change of address: You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Manchester. Get started here.
  • Moving company insurance: Each state has its own requirements for the level of insurance moving companies must carry. Choose Released Value Protection for a cost-free, minimal coverage option from movers. They're responsible for a maximum of 60 cents per pound per article. For comprehensive coverage, discuss alternatives with your moving company or consider a third-party insurance provider.
  • Moving checklist: Let our moving checklist guide you through the process and help ensure nothing slips through the cracks.

Where to live in Manchester

With your sights set on Queen City, these are some of the most popular neighborhoods to consider in Manchester.

Best neighborhoods for singles

  • Wilton
  • Bedford
  • Amherst
  • Merrimack
  • Milford
  • Hooksett
  • Brookline

Best neighborhoods for families

  • Bedford
  • Hollis
  • Amherst
  • Mont Vernon

Things to do in Manchester

With your move to New Hampshire complete, you can dive right into experiencing Manchester. From cultural attractions to outdoor adventures, you'll never run out of things to do:

  • Arts and culture: Manchester is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the Currier Museum of Art, Millyard Museum, Scouting Museum and Library, and Art 3 Gallery.
  • Outdoor recreation: The city's Lake Massabesic, Livingston Park, and Pine Island Park — among other spots — perfect for hiking, biking, or simply soaking up the outdoors.
  • Sports: Experience the energy of a live game and back the home team at an New Hampshire Fisher Cats (Eastern League)Saint Anselm Hawks (NE-10)Southern New Hampshire Penmen (NE-10) game.

FAQ

When is the best time to move from Chicago to Manchester?

If you're flexible with timing, spring and fall are great seasons to move from Chicago to Manchester. You'll dodge the heat, the crowds, and the higher moving costs typical of peak season in Chicago.

When is the cheapest time to move from Chicago to Manchester?

Want to save on your move from Chicago to Manchester? Consider scheduling it in winter, when demand is lower and rates are often cheaper. Our moving discounts guide shows you how.

How long does a move from Chicago to Manchester take?

The 1,021-mile move from Chicago, IL, to Manchester, NH, takes two to eight days. Some Chicago movers may offer expedited moving if you need it faster. If you need more time, ask your mover about storage options in Manchester.

What kinds of discounts do Chicago movers offer?

Many local moving companies provide ways to save, from ongoing deals to seasonal offers. 2 movers extend discounts to senior citizens.

Check with each mover to confirm discount availability, eligibility requirements, and how much you can save.

Need help moving a piano or antiques in Chicago?

These delicate items require movers with specialized training. Currently, 54 movers in Chicago provide piano moving services. 40 can transport antiques with care. Statewide, there are 70 piano movers and 48 antique movers, with nationwide counts at 2,296 and 1,463.

Demand for these services can be high, so schedule your specialty move as far ahead as possible.