What Is The Cost To Move in Chicago, IL

Sergio Ocampo has reviewed hundreds of moving companies and is an expert at all things moving.

Last Updated: May 3, 2022 · 5 min

When it comes to saving money on a move, comparing all the options is the best way to keep costs low.

Here are the 3 primary options when moving locally in Chicago.

Hire an Chicago moving company
Rent a moving truck
Rent a portable moving container

Below we lay out the cost for each of these local moving options.

If you're coming from outside the greater Chicago area, check these popular routes for moving to Chicago and use the long distance move calculator to estimate costs.

Average cost to hire a moving company in Chicago, IL

Hiring a full-service moving company is definitely the most convenient option, but you should consider the cost to decide whether hiring a company to do all the heavy lifting is worth it or not.

So let's examine exactly how much the average Chicago moving company is going to charge.

Home Size	Avg. Total Cost	# of Movers	# Hours	Cost/hour
Studio	$360	2 movers	3 hours	$140
1 Bedroom	$500	2 movers	4 hours	$140
2 Bedroom	$808	3 movers	5 hours	$196
3 Bedroom	$1,864	4 movers	8 hours	$274
4 Bedroom	$2,138	4 movers	9 hours	$274
5+ Bedroom	$3,292	5 movers	10 hours	$384

Remember, these are just averages meant to give you a general idea on move pricing. Rates can vary depending on the moving company you choose to hire and the specific needs of your move.

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.

Work with your movers to ensure all these items are taken care of before moving day.

Average cost to rent a moving truck in Chicago, IL

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, IL

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 gonna 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)

So, 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.