How Much do Chicago Movers Cost?
Fact Checked by: Quick Answer: Although costs fluctuate depending on the service and company, the typical cost for hiring movers in Chicago, Illinois, is $100 per hour. If you’re moving locally within Chicago, moving companies range from $353 to $3,285 on average. If you’re moving out of Illinois, the cost of Chicago long distance movers really depends on where you’re moving to.
Use our moving cost calculator below for a quick and personalized price estimate for your move out of Chicago, IL.
Average cost to hire a local moving company in Chicago
Hiring a full-service Chicago mover is definitely the most convenient option, but its convenience comes at a cost. Decide whether you want movers to do all the heavy lifting or if you want to save money by doing some of the work yourself.
Here's how much movers cost in Chicago
| Home Size | Avg. Total Cost | Cost/hour | # of Movers | # Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $353 | $140 | 2 movers | 3 hours |
| 1 Bedroom | $493 | $140 | 2 movers | 4 hours |
| 2 Bedroom | $801 | $196 | 3 movers | 5 hours |
| 3 Bedroom | $1,857 | $274 | 4 movers | 8 hours |
| 4 Bedroom | $2,131 | $274 | 4 movers | 9 hours |
| 5+ Bedroom | $3,285 | $384 | 5 movers | 10 hours |
- Studio: The average cost to hire movers in Chicago to move a studio apartment is $353. You'll need two movers for three hours at $140 per hour.
- 1 Bedroom: If you have a 1 bedroom, expect to pay around $493 for local Chicago movers. You'll need two movers for four hours at $140 per hour.
- 2 Bedroom: The average cost to hire Chicago movers to move a 2 bedroom is $801. You'll need three movers for five hours at $196 per hour.
- 3 Bedroom: For a 3 bedroom, expect to pay $1,857 for local Chicago movers. A 3 bedroom typically requires four movers for eight hours at $274 per hour.
- 4 Bedroom: Moving a 4 bedroom house in Chicago will cost on average $2,131. The cost to move a larger home can vary, but typically requires four movers for nine hours at $274 per hour.
- 5+ Bedroom: The cost of hiring Chicago movers for a home with 5 or more bedrooms is $3,285. You'll need five movers for ten hours at $384 per hour.
It's worth noting the cost per hour for Chicago movers remains the same for all home sizes, ranging from $140 per hour for two movers to $384 per hour for five movers. As the size of your home increases, the number of movers and hours required for the move also increases, resulting in a higher overall cost.
Overall, hiring local Chicago movers is a convenient and stress-free way to move within the city.
By knowing the approximate cost for your home size, you can budget accordingly and make informed decisions for your upcoming move.
Best Moving Companies in Chicago, IL
Our team of analysts has spent thousands of hours cross-referencing license data, insurance data, online reviews, and hundreds of other data points to find you the best local moving companies in Chicago.
| Company | Quote | Rating | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
most popular
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Get A Quote |
 
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3236 N Pulaski Road, Chicago, IL, 60646 (773) 628-7798 |
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most popular
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Get A Quote |
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125 S Clark St, Chicago, IL, 60603 (312) 561-3707 |
| Moovers Chicago Inc | Get A Quote |
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5359 N Kedzie Ave, Chicago, IL, 60625 (773) 474-2691 |
Visit our Best Movers in Chicago page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews. And if you’re moving outside of Chicago, consider one of Chicago’s top long-distance movers.
Ask your mover
- Places like high-rises and managed apartments will often require a copy of your mover's insurance and elevator reservation on moving day.
- Check ahead with any neighborhood, community, or HOA rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
- For a fee of $25, CDOT will provide ticket and tow enforceable signs to eligible moving companies for the day of the move. This requires 72 hours.
- 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.
- Released Value Protection is the most economical option because it doesn’t cost anything. It is offered by movers at no additional charge, but the protection is minimal. Under this option, the mover is responsible for no more than 60 cents per pound per article. For example, if your mover lost or damaged a 50 inch TV weighing 25 pounds, you would only receive $15 (60 cents x 25 pounds). If you need for the full value of your items to be covered, please consult with the moving company you're hiring for other options or a third-party insurance provider.
Work with your movers to ensure all these items are taken care of before moving day.
Chicago Movers Cost: Moving out of state
Since the cost of moving out of state depends so much on where you’re moving, here are some example costs, for more detailed guides on your specific destination, find your moving route to Chicago or use our moving cost calculator.
Cost to move a one-bedroom home out of state from Chicago
Chicago to Los Angeles:
$2,494 -
$4,840
Chicago to New York City:
$1,955 -
$4,026
Chicago to Houston:
$2,306 -
$4,778
Chicago to Phoenix:
$2,477 -
$4,824
Chicago to Philadelphia:
$1,918 -
$3,944
Cost to move a two or three bedroom home out of state from Chicago
Chicago to Los Angeles:
$3,351 -
$5,953
Chicago to New York City:
$2,276 -
$4,987
Chicago to Houston:
$2,529 -
$5,635
Chicago to Phoenix:
$3,135 -
$5,869
Chicago to Philadelphia:
$2,251 -
$4,917
Cost to move a four bedroom home (or larger) out of state from Chicago
Chicago to Los Angeles:
$6,277 -
$10,290
Chicago to New York City:
$3,893 -
$6,624
Chicago to Houston:
$4,186 -
$6,849
Chicago to Phoenix:
$5,727 -
$9,384
Chicago to Philadelphia:
$3,872 -
$6,619
Now that you have an idea of what your move from Chicago should cost, it’s time to start looking at the best long-distance movers in Chicago.
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Average cost to rent a moving truck in Chicago
You'll definitely have to break a sweat, but moving truck rentals in Chicago will absolutely be easier on your wallet.
Here's how the costs break down:
- Base Cost: $19 - $39 per day
- Mileage Fee: $0.69 - $0.79 per mile
- Fuel Cost: Dependent on driving distance.
- Truck Coverage: $20 - $55 based on coverage level
- Parking Permit (if necessary): For a fee of $25, CDOT will provide ticket and tow enforceable signs to eligible moving companies for the day of the move. This requires 72 hours.
- Equipment Costs (optional): Dolly, straps, blankets
The total cost to rent a truck will depend on how far a distance you drive the truck, how many days you have the truck rented and a number of additional costs like insurance, parking, moving equipment rentals and more.
Average cost to rent a moving container in Chicago
The containers are delivered, you load everything into them, the company picks it up, and it gets put in storage until you're ready for everything to be delivered to your new place.
Naturally, the advantage here is storage. These things will buy you time if you end up with a weird gap between leases.
Here's roughly what it's going to cost:
- Storage Fee: $99.95 per 30 days
- Damage Coverage: $10 - $350 based on coverage level
- Parking Permit (if necessary): For a fee of $25, CDOT will provide ticket and tow enforceable signs to eligible moving companies for the day of the move. This requires 72 hours.
- Door Lock (if necessary): $10 - $15
- Equipment Costs (if necessary): Dolly, straps, blankets (optional)
Storing everything in a one-bedroom will end up costing somewhere around $110 - $490 door to door. Still, you might want to factor in a little extra in case you end up paying for labor.
Each large container holds about 3 rooms until it's completely full. You might end up needing more containers, but keep in mind that your cost will essentially double with each container you add.
Where to rent a moving container in Chicago, IL
Learn more about these types of companies at our best moving container companies page.
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