Moving from California to Illinois: Movers and Cost
There are currently many people moving in and out of California, with Los Angeles experiencing the most flows (in and out). In 2017, 661,000 moved out, and that number has been going up since.
Recent data shows that most people moving out of CA travel to Texas, Washington D.C., and Arizona. The Midwest, Illinois included, has been gaining about 276,000 people to the south, mostly California,
Illinois, on its part, has experienced a population decline each year in the decade between 2010 and 2018. Overall, the state has lost over 640K people in that time and 104,986 between
mid-2018 and mid-2019. But despite that, the Midwest maintains an average mover rate of 10.4% compared to other regions across the US (south, west, and northeast).
But first, here are a few quick links that might help you find what you’re looking for:
- Best California to Illinois movers: The long-distance moving industry is full of scammy movers, and when all of your belongings are at stake, don’t take chances. These are the top movers for Chicago to Dallas.
- How much will your move cost?: This cost calculator will provide an immediate calculation of what your move should cost. Just plug in your moving dates, the size of your move, where you’re moving to/from and let the calculator do the rest.
- Consider moving containers: Need a more budget-friendly option? With these companies, you load and they drive! These are the best moving container companies.
- Best car shippers: Moving your car? Use a company that prioritizes professionalism, cares for your vehicle, and is experienced.
How Much Does it Cost to Move from California to Illinois?
Having a moving budget is one of the most important ways to prepare for a move. Do you know your move cost when moving out of state over 2,000 miles from CA to IL?
The average cost of a long-distance move will range between $1,500 and $13,000 depending on how large your property is, the location of your new home, as well as what mode of cross-country moving you go by.
| Home Size | Moving Company | Moving Container | Freight Company | Truck Rental |
| Studio/ 1 Bedroom | $2,120 – $5,880 | $2,165 – $2,735 | $1,710 – $2,340 | $1,507 – $1,944 |
| 2-3 Bedroom | $4,070 – $8,850 | $2,830 – $4,308 | $2,565 – $3,720 | $1,580 – $2,282 |
| 4+ Bedroom | $7,625 – $13,200 | $3,914 – $5,542 | $3,420 – $4,920 | $2,038 – $2,783 |
What are the best California to Illinois movers?
| Company | Price | Vendor Type | Quoting options | Storage | Minimum Move Size |
| Proud American Van Lines | $$ | Broker | Phone/virtual estimate | Yes, free 30 days | 1 bedroom |
| Safeway Moving | $$ | Carrier/Broker | Phone/virtual estimate | Yes, free 30 days | 1 bedroom |
| JK Moving Services | $$$$ | Carrier | Phone/virtual estimate | Yes | 2 bedroom |
Why do moving costs vary so much?
As you have seen from the table above, moving prices/moving quotes can vary by such a wide margin. This is brought about by many reasons. They include:
Furniture volume per square foot
First, it is important to understand that two properties of the same size can cost differently to move. This is why a given studio or a 2-bedroom has a cost range of its own. Long-distance movers go by the volume of furniture in each property to determine pricing. The more furniture you have in your space, the higher your moving costs will be.
Different moving options
There are many ways to carry out your move between California and Illinois, as you can see from the table. You can move via professional movers, moving containers, freight companies, or moving trucks. And they will each cost you differently.
Truck rentals are the cheapest because you do almost everything on your own – DIY style. Moving container companies and freight companies are just slightly expensive because you pack/unpack on your own, and the company only hauls your goods.
Full-service movers are the most expensive, but that is mostly because they offer many services that include packing services, loading, public transportation, unloading, unpacking, and sometimes furniture arrangement.
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Inbound vs. outbound moves
The ratio of people moving in versus those moving out of a given state/city can affect moving estimates. For example, if more people move out of IL than there are moving in, then relocating into that area will be cheaper. Such is the case in IL.
However, for CA, there are almost as many people moving out as there are moving in. Currently, though, the outbound rate in CA is higher, so moving out of California might be marginally more expensive.
Peak seasons, holidays & weekends
It is costlier to move during peak seasons such as summer. That is because most people are moving at this time. So, demand for moving services is far greater than supply. Accommodation costs are also higher at this time. Moving during weekends and public holidays also has the same effect.
Illinois events during summer to watch out for:
- Taste of Chicago – held in Summer.
- Lollapalooza Music Festival – held end of July.
- Chicago Blues Festival – held in June.
- Ribfest Chicago – held in June.
- Chicago Air and Water Show – held in August.
California events during summer to watch out for:
- California State Fair – held in July.
- Menlo Summer Fest – held in July.
- Fremont Festival of The Arts – held in August.
- Outside Lands Music Festival – held in August.
- Country Summer Festival – held in late June.
To find out what your exact moving budget will be depending on your exact locations and household size, use this handy moving cost calculator. Not only does this calculator show you moving estimates, but it also brings you the top long-distance moving companies in the different categories available for interstate moves between the two locations you’ve selected.
Why are people moving from California to Illinois?
Why people are moving out of California:
For the most part, people are moving out of California due to increasingly high housing costs and general cost of living (food, power, gas, etc.).Then there are other factors such as rampant traffic, high property and business taxes, and the homelessness situation,
Why people are moving to Illinois
There is a growing number of Fortune 500 companies in IL. This means lots of job opportunities here. Housing is also affordable, and the state has many cultural attractions and a rich food culture. It’s also centrally located for people who need to visit the east, the west, and the south.
Why people are moving from CA to IL:
IL doesn’t have the best traffic or state taxes, just like CA. However, people are moving from California to Illinois because of cheaper housing, lower cost of living (food, power, entertainment, etc.), and growing job opportunities.
There’s also a strong sports culture here with the Cubs, the White Sox, Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, and many other teams to cheer and follow.
What are some of the best places to move to in Illinois?
- Chicago: This is the place to be if you want to be in the middle of it all; arts, food, music, nightlife, entertainment, business, and sports.
- Aurora: This is becoming a huge commercial hub with many large corporations setting up here.
- Naperville: Ranked one of the best cities to live in in the US. Great for schools, young professionals, and families.
Other worthy mentions include:
- Clarendon Hills.
- Belleville.
- Bloomington.
And now you know what to expect from your move between California and Illinois regarding costs, budget, and the different moving options available. You also now know the reasons why people are moving out of CA and into IL. So next up, look up the best interstate moving companies and start planning your move!