Santa Ana, CA to Chicago, IL Movers (NEW 2026 Costs)
Quick answer: Moving from Santa Ana to Chicago typically costs $3,900–$8,200 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home (about 2,012 miles). Use our moving cost calculator below to get an instant estimate.
|
|
|
 rating
4.2 / 5
Licensed
Insured
Price
|
Cost to move from Santa Ana to Chicago
Moving from Santa Ana, CA to Chicago, IL typically costs $3,900–$8,200 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home.
The price ranges below are estimates for a 2,012-mile move from Santa Ana to Chicago, based on moveBuddha pricing data as of Mar 16, 2026. Pricing is updated monthly to reflect seasonality and market changes.
Studio / 1 bedroom
|
2-3 bedrooms
|
4+ bedrooms
|
Recent moving quotes for similar moves
- Roadway Moving recently quoted $3,022 for a studio apartment using professional movers.
- 1-800-Pack-Rat recently quoted $1,864 for a studio apartment using a moving container.
- Allied Van Lines recently quoted $7,380 for a 3 bedroom using professional movers.
Studio apartment
Feb 15, 2026
Studio apartment
Feb 11, 2026
3 Bedrooms
Feb 02, 2026
2 Bedrooms
Jan 29, 2026
3 Bedrooms
Jan 20, 2026
3 Bedrooms
Dec 31, 2025
5+ Bedrooms
Dec 21, 2025
5+ Bedrooms
Dec 16, 2025
2 Bedrooms
Nov 30, 2025
Studio apartment
Nov 29, 2025
Key factors that influence moving costs from Santa Ana to Chicago
Your total cost will depend on:
- The size of your home: Smaller moves (like one-bedrooms) cost less, sometimes just $2,800, while larger moves (four-bedrooms) can hit $11,800.
- Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in Santa Ana, which means higher prices.
- The type of mover you choose: Renting a truck ($1,200–$3,700) saves money but adds work compared to hiring pros.
Moving the opposite route? We got you covered with our moving from Chicago, IL to Santa Ana, CA guide.
Best Santa Ana to Chicago movers by type
Professional
|
Local
|
Container
|
Rental Truck
|
Labor Only
|
Best professional movers from Santa Ana to Chicago
If you want to simplify your interstate move from Santa Ana to Chicago, consider hiring a full-service mover. These professionals will take care of everything, so you can prioritize settling into your new environment without the extra hassle.
Want a deeper breakdown of the top long-distance movers? See our best interstate movers guide.
- Safeway Moving: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- American Van Lines: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- Allied Van Lines: 4.2 out of 5 stars
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- North American Van Lines: 4.8 out of 5 stars
Best overall value
How we chose the best CA→IL movers
At moveBuddha, our specialists conducted a thorough evaluation of 372 California moving companies, identifying the leading ones by examining client satisfaction, reviews, and value.
- Customer satisfaction (40%): The company consistently delivers services in a timely matter with good communication and within the estimated cost.
- Dispute resolution (20%): Errors happen in moving. The best companies acknowledge them quickly and take real steps to resolve any problems for their customers.
- Industry reputation (15%): Within the moving field, the company has earned respect and regularly engages in conferences and trade groups.
- Online reputation (15%): The organization ensures its website is reliable and actively addresses online customer inquiries in a professional manner.
- Service options (10%): Top movers provide versatile offerings including packing, storage, special-item handling, and the option for faster delivery when needed.
Here is our full moving company rating methodology.
What to know before moving from Santa Ana to Chicago
Many movers find Chicago easier on the wallet than Santa Ana - roughly 42% less for singles and 17% less for families.
Monthly basics average $3,648 for one person in Chicago versus $6,333 in Santa Ana. For a family of four, it's $9,266 compared with $11,160.
See the cost breakdown below to pinpoint where the savings add up:
| Santa Ana | Chicago | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $2,200 | $2,368 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $3,000 | $4,581 |
| Average home value | $843,858 | $295,743 |
| Average income (per capita) | $77,283 | $71,566 |
| Cost of living (single) | $6,333 | $3,648 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $11,160 | $9,266 |
| Unemployment rate | 7.0% | 9.0% |
| Sales tax | 9.25% | 10.25% |
| State income tax | 13.3% | 4.95% |
- If you're heading to Chicago from Santa Ana, you'll find that rent is roughly 23% cheaper, potentially boosting your monthly savings.
- Your budget can breathe easier with home prices being close to 65% less in Chicago than in Santa Ana.
- Consider checking your finances before the transition. The average income is approximately 7% lower in Chicago compared to Santa Ana.
- Get ready to save some money on recurring expenses like food, gas, and utility bills in Chicago. On average, the cost of living for a single person there is 42% lower than in Santa Ana.
- Choosing to move to Chicago can significantly lower your family's regular expenses, such as utilities, transport, and groceries. The cost of living for a family of four is 17% less than in Santa Ana.
- In Chicago, the unemployment rate is approximately 29% higher than in Santa Ana, indicating a larger group of job seekers. This can lead to increased competition for positions.
- Sales taxes rise by 11% in Chicago over Santa Ana, leading to heightened expenses for everyday essentials.
- Income taxes are 63% less in Illinois than in California. With these lower tax rates, you can enjoy more take-home pay, simplifying your financial management.
Here’s a closer snapshot of how common everyday costs and monthly bills compare between Santa Ana and Chicago:
| Living Expense | Santa Ana | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $200.96 | $191.26 |
| Cell phone plan | $54.33 | $61.10 |
| Dozen eggs | $5.45 | $4.52 |
| Loaf of bread | $4.59 | $4.15 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $25.00 | $25.00 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $100.00 | $100.00 |
| Gym membership | $25.00 | $78.31 |
- Basic utilities tend to be more expensive in Santa Ana than in Chicago.
- Cell phone plans are cheaper in Santa Ana than in Chicago.
- Eggs cost more in Santa Ana than in Chicago.
- Bread is more expensive in Santa Ana than in Chicago.
- The cost of a quick meal is about the same in both cities.
- The cost of a mid-range dinner for two is about the same in both cities.
- Gym memberships are more affordable in Santa Ana than in Chicago.
How life is different in Santa Ana vs. Chicago
| Santa Ana | Chicago | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 310,227 | 2,746,388 |
| Transportation score | 7 | 9 |
| Walkability score | 67 | 77 |
| Bike friendliness score | 62 | 72 |
| Crime index | 54.17 | 35.19 |
| Safety index | 45.83 | 33.87 |
| Air quality | Moderate | Good |
- Chicago's population is about 785% greater than Santa Ana.
- Chicago's public transportation score of 9 out of 10 is higher than Santa Ana's score of 7.
- Chicago is more walkable than Santa Ana with a score of 77 out of 100 vs Santa Ana's 67 out of 100.
- With a score of 72 out of 100, Chicago is more bike-friendly than Santa Ana, which has a score of 62 out of 100. The higher a city's score, the more suited it is to safely accommodating cyclists.
- Chicago's crime rate is lower than Santa Ana with a score of 35.19 compared to Santa Ana's 54.17. This means that Chicago neighborhoods are safer than 35.19% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Santa Ana neighborhoods are safer than 54.17%.
- Chicago is considered to be less safe than Santa Ana with a score of 33.87 vs Santa Ana's 45.83.
- Air quality in Chicago is Good, and in Santa Ana it's Moderate.
Other things to consider for your Santa Ana to Chicago move
- HOA rules: Be sure to review your community or HOA guidelines before moving day to avoid any surprises or delays.
- Elevator reservation: Make sure to arrange elevator access in advance if your building requires reservations for moving.
- Truck parking permits: To avoid fines or delays, check whether a parking permit is needed for your moving truck.
- State licensing: 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. Always verify licensing details before committing to a mover.
- State regulator: You can verify a Illinois moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: Illinois doesn't require moving permits, but it's still a good idea to check local parking rules before your move-in day.
- Change of address: To avoid missing any mail, we recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least a week before your move. You can choose your official move date to make sure everything gets forwarded properly to Chicago. Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state sets its own rules for what insurance moving companies need to maintain. Choose cost-free Released Value Protection from movers for basic coverage at 60 cents per pound. For more extensive protection matching your items' full value, consult your moving company for alternative options or consider a third-party insurance provider.
- Moving checklist: Follow our moving checklist to keep your move organized and stress-free.
Where to live in Chicago
Now that you've decided to make the move to Chi-Town, these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Chicago.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Lake View
- Lincoln Park
- The Loop
- Near North Side
- West Town
Best neighborhoods for families
- Beverly
- Edison Park
- Lincoln Park
- North Center
- West Loop
Things to do in Chicago
Once you're settled into your new home in Illinois, it's time to get out and discover what Chicago has to offer. No matter your interests, there's something for everyone here:
- Arts and culture: You'll find museums and cultural hubs throughout Chicago, such as the The Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Art Institute of Chicago, and Chicago History Museum.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Millennium Park, Grant Park, The 606, and Lincoln Park — and more — offering great opportunities to hike, bike, or relax in nature.
- Sports: Sports fans can join the excitement by supporting local favorites at an Chicago Bears (NFL)Chicago Cubs (MLB)Chicago White Sox (MLB)Chicago Blackhawks (NHL)Chicago Bulls (NBA)Chicago Fire (MLS)Chicago Sky (WNBA) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Santa Ana to Chicago?
The best time to move from Santa Ana to Chicago is during the spring or fall. These seasons offer milder weather and avoid higher moving costs during the peak moving season in Santa Ana.
When is the cheapest time to move from Santa Ana to Chicago?
Since spring and fall are the most popular times to move from Santa Ana to Chicago, moving in the winter could help you save money. Check out our guide on moving discounts for more tips.
How long does a move from Santa Ana to Chicago take?
Moving from Santa Ana, CA to Chicago, IL covers 2,012 miles and usually takes six to 17 days. Need to move faster? Some Santa Ana movers offer expedited options. If you're not ready to receive your items, look into storage solutions in Chicago.
Which movers in Santa Ana give price breaks?
Some companies go the extra mile by offering discounts to certain groups. 1 movers give special rates to military members. 3 movers have deals for seniors.
Always ask for a full discount list and check eligibility requirements before you commit to a mover.
Who can move pianos or antiques in Santa Ana?
Specialty items need extra care and the right equipment. 74 movers in Santa Ana advertise piano moving expertise. 61 movers in Santa Ana provide antique moving services. State totals show 298 piano movers and 229 antique movers, with nationwide availability at 2,296 and 1,463.
Book early if you need these services — demand can outpace supply during busy moving seasons.
