How Much Do Chicago, IL Movers Cost?
Quick answer: Hiring movers in Chicago typically runs $100 per hour. On average, a full move will cost you between $380 and $3,312. If you're planning a move out of Illinois, check out our options for long-distance movers in Chicago—the cost will vary based on the destination.
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Average cost of local movers in Chicago, IL
Hiring a full-service Chicago mover is definitely the most convenient option, but that convenience comes at a cost — professional movers tend to be more expensive than other moving options. If you want movers to do all the heavy lifting for you and you can afford it, hire a full-service moving company for your Chicago move.
Here's how much professional movers cost in Chicago based on your move size:
| Home size | Avg. total cost | Cost/hour | # of movers | # hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $380 | $140 | 2 movers | 3 hours |
| 1 bedroom | $520 | $140 | 2 movers | 4 hours |
| 2 bedroom | $828 | $196 | 3 movers | 5 hours |
| 3 bedroom | $1,884 | $274 | 4 movers | 8 hours |
| 4 bedroom | $2,158 | $274 | 4 movers | 9 hours |
| 5+ bedroom | $3,312 | $384 | 5 movers | 10 hours |
Read more cost details
It's worth noting that 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 total 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.
Easily compare personalized moving quotes for your Chicago move using our free and instant moving cost calculator.
Best local moving companies in Chicago, IL
Our expert team has thoroughly analyzed licensing, insurance options, online reviews, and hundreds of other data points to identify the top local moving companies in Chicago.
- STI Moving & Storage Inc.: 4.96 out of 5 stars
- Bellhop Moving: 4.62 out of 5 stars
- New City Moving: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- H2H Movers Inc: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- The Professionals Moving Specialists: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- Efficient service
- Professional and polite staff
- Careful handling
- Quick moving process
- Good communication
- Damage to items
- Delayed arrival or delivery
- Unexpected charges
Company Info
State license #: 139020
Pricing: $150/hr
Years in Business: 20
DOT #: 1308599
Alternate Names: STI Moving & Storage, Inc.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Crane vans
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- Efficient service
- Quick moving process
- Professional and polite staff
- Affordable rates
- Good communication
- Delayed arrival or delivery
- Damage to items
- Lack of communication
Company Info
State license #: 2878240
Years in Business: 13
DOT #: 2878240
Alternate Names: Bellhops, Inc.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- Efficient service
- Careful handling
- Professional and polite staff
- Quick moving process
- Good communication
- Damage to items
- Unexpected charges
- Poor complaint handling
Company Info
State license #: 158051
Years in Business: 16
DOT #: 3078026
Alternate Names: Windy City Moving, Inc.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- Efficient service
- Careful handling
- Professional and polite staff
- Good communication
- Quick moving process
- Unexpected charges
- Damage to items
- Delayed arrival or delivery
Company Info
State license #: 184599
Years in Business: 10
DOT #: 2428328
Alternate Names: H2H Movers, Inc
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Crane vans
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Safes
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- Efficient service
- Careful handling
- Quick moving process
- Professional and polite staff
- Good communication
- Damage to items
- Higher-than-expected costs
- Unexpected charges
Company Info
State license #: 136144
Years in Business: 20
DOT #: 3383907
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Safes
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
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.
Moving costs in other nearby Illinois cities
Average cost to hire interstate movers in Chicago, IL
Since the cost of moving out of Chicago depends so much on where you're moving, we've included some example costs below to give you a better idea of pricing. For more detailed guides on your specific destination, find your moving route to Chicago or use our moving cost calculator to get quotes from the top interstate movers.
Cost to move a one-bedroom home out of state from Chicago
The cost to move a studio apartment or one-bedroom home out of state from Chicago depends on the moving method you choose, how much stuff you have, and how far you're moving.
Take a look at some example costs to move a one-bedroom cross-country:
- Chicago to New York City: $2,455–$4,861
- Chicago to Los Angeles: $3,011–$5,726
- Chicago to Houston: $2,767–$5,770
- Chicago to Phoenix: $2,872–$5,998
- Chicago to Philadelphia: $2,408–$4,902
Cost to move a two- or three-bedroom home out of state from Chicago
As with any move, the cost to relocate a two- or three-bedroom from Chicago can vary widely based on move size, distance, and time of year.
Here is a look at some two- and three-bedroom move costs out of Chicago:
- Chicago to New York City: $2,692–$5,719
- Chicago to Los Angeles: $4,166–$7,185
- Chicago to Houston: $2,988–$6,608
- Chicago to Phoenix: $3,936–$7,156
- Chicago to Philadelphia: $2,609–$5,639
Cost to move a four-bedroom (or larger) home out of state from Chicago
The cost to move a four-bedroom or larger home out of Illinois will be significantly higher than for one- or two-bedroom houses, since a bigger house typically means more items. Movers calculate long-distance moves, in part, based on the total estimated volume and weight of your household belongings.
While moving costs can vary, take a look at these cost ranges for moving four or more bedrooms out of Chicago:
- Chicago to New York City: $4,464–$8,156
- Chicago to Los Angeles: $7,198–$11,925
- Chicago to Houston: $5,374–$8,293
- Chicago to Phoenix: $7,121–$11,328
- Chicago to Philadelphia: $4,534–$8,389
Best interstate moving companies in Chicago, IL
Now that you have an idea of what your move from Chicago should cost, it's time to start looking at the best interstate moving companies. We vetted each one, examining their pricing, services, and our own real-life customer reviews to pick the best options for you.
- Safeway Moving: 4.85 out of 5 stars
- American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5 stars
- North American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5 stars
- Allied Van Lines: 4.75 out of 5 stars
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.9 out of 5 stars
rating
- GPS tracking en route
- Veteran-owned
- Dedicated move coordinator
- Flat-rate pricing
- Donates a portion of moves to charity
- Experienced & fully trained moving crews
- Specializes in moving art & antiques
- Competitive pricing
- Can handle last-minute moves
- Climate-controlled storage
- Custom crates for electronics & art
- Satellite shipment tracking
- 1,500 local agents covering all 50 states
- Self-packing option
- No deposit required
- Fragile packing
- Storage options
- 24/7 shipment tracking
- Quick & efficient
- Accurate quotes
- Family-owned, with locations covering the East Coast
- Full refund if you cancel within 7 days of your move
- Hands-on customer service
- 24/7 support
- Price-matching policy
Average cost of moving containers in Chicago, IL
The cost of moving containers, such as PODS, will cost $220–$7,448, on average, in Chicago. The exact PODS cost you'll pay will depend on whether you use an eight-, 12-, or 16-foot container (note: 12-foot containers are only available for local moves). The distance of your move will also greatly impact cost.
A local Chicago move within 50 miles of your home will run between $220 and $813, while long-distance moves (100-250 miles) will typically cost $250–$2,107. Container pricing on cross-country moves from Chicago can cost an average range of $2,068–$7,448.
Here's a breakdown of related PODS costs:
- Storage fee: $149–$359 (first 30 days is free)
- Damage coverage: 10–$439.95 per month, depending on the protection plan. Coverage ranges from container-only (no contents protection) to $300,000. All plans have a deductible of $100.
- Door lock (if necessary): $25 (if purchased through PODS; you can also purchase from home improvement stores or online retailers)
If you're looking for the cost-savings of a DIY move and the convenience of full-service movers, moving containers like PODS are a great option. You'll handle loading and unloading, but they will drop off your empty container at your current home, pick it up once it's loaded, and deliver it to your new location. This means you won't have to worry about driving.
PODS is our overall top pick for moving containers in Chicago based on their stellar reputation, nationwide availability, and multiple container sizes and insurance plans. But you should take a look at least two other highly rated moving container companies on our list to see which one offers the right combination of services and pricing for your move.
Best moving containers in Chicago, IL
The best Chicago moving container companies provide multiple container sizes, pricing transparency and deals, and secure, state-of-the-art facilities for longer-term storage needs. They should also have a solid reputation for quality customer service and efficient drop-off and pickup of containers.
Check out these highly rated moving containers:
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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 be much easier on your wallet than full-service movers. The average cost to rent a moving truck in Chicago ranges from $19-$39 per day.
While cheaper than full-service moving companies, you'll have to do all the heavy lifting yourself — from boxing up your belongings to loading them on the truck, hauling them to your new spot, and unloading everything there.
Here are the typical costs of Chicago rental trucks:
- Base cost: $19–$39 per day
- Mileage fee: $0.69–$0.79 per mile
- Fuel cost: Depends on driving distance
- Truck coverage: $20–$55 based on coverage level
- Equipment costs (optional): Dolly, straps, blankets
The total cost to rent a truck from companies like Budget or U-Haul will depend on:
- How far you drive the truck
- How long you have the truck rental
- Additional insurance
- Parking
- Toll fees
- Fuel
- Accommodations and dining
- Moving equipment rentals
Best moving truck rentals in Chicago, IL
The best moving truck rentals in Chicago provide affordable rates with no hidden fees, a variety of truck sizes, and plenty of physical locations across the U.S. for convenient rental returns.
These top moving truck rentals certainly fit the bill:
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Average cost of labor-only moving companies in Chicago, IL
The average cost of labor-only moving companies in Chicago is an hourly rate of $50 for each crew member. Most moves — even small one-bedroom apartments — require a crew of two movers, so plan on about $100.0 per hour to hire labor assistance in Chicago.
Best labor-only moving companies in Chicago
The best Chicago labor-only movers have a reputation for professional and efficient service, but also provide reasonable hourly rates and a variety of optional services like packing that you can pick and choose from to create a customized plan suited to your specific needs.
We like these top-notch labor-only movers:
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Factors that affect the cost of movers in Chicago, IL
The biggest factor that affects the cost of movers in Chicago, IL, is distance, but there are several other price considerations to keep in mind, including:
- The size of your move: The more belongings you have, the more your move will cost. Moving a four-bedroom home will typically be more expensive than moving a studio apartment.
- When you move: You'll usually pay more to move during peak season (May–September) because demand is higher. Similarly, the time of month and day of the week you book your move will impact cost. Demand will be higher the first and last of each month, when leases change over, and on Fridays and Saturdays, the most popular moving days. To save money on your move, consider booking during the week and in the middle of one of the off-season months, if possible.
- The type of move: Professional movers are the most convenient option, but they will cost you more than going with a DIY option like moving container companies or moving truck rentals.
- Any add-on services you select: Even if you go with a DIY move, you may want to hire third-party movers to assist you with loading and unloading. And professional movers offer a variety of optional services like packing and unpacking to help customize and streamline your relocation. But these additional services will come at an extra cost.
Quick tips for a stress-free move
- Have important documentation. Places like high rises and managed apartments will often require a copy of your mover's insurance and elevator reservation on moving day.
- Get approval. Check ahead with any neighborhood, community, or HOA rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
- Secure a parking permit (if needed). 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.
- Check state licensing laws. 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.
- Invest in moving insurance. 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.
Work with your movers to ensure all these items are taken care of before moving day.
What is the cheapest way to move to Chicago?
If you want to save money, you can hire a container company, where you do the packing and loading, and they transport your belongings in Chicago for you, or you can rent a moving truck and handle it all on your own.
Here are the average moving costs from Chicago to another state with different types of movers:
| Destination | Professional Movers | Containers | Rental Trucks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | $2,444 - $6,429 | $1,546 - $2,953 | $563 - $1,125 |
| Waterbury | $2,888 - $6,582 | $1,714 - $3,524 | $818 - $1,698 |
| Providence | $3,062 - $6,970 | $1,801 - $3,467 | $870 - $1,830 |
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