I’ve helped thousands of people move over the last decade, and I can tell
you that no two moves are exactly alike. Let me help you find the mover that’s right for you.
I’ve helped thousands of people move over the last decade, and I can tell you
that no two moves are exactly alike. Let me help you find the mover that’s right for you.
Each year, 400,000+ people trust our moving recommendations. Here are a few
reasons why:
Founded in 2015
3,500+ moving companies analyzed
$50,000 in moving grants delivered
Up-to-date pricing info & industry data
Fact-checked for accuracy
Best movers for those moving locally in Illinois
Whether you’re moving across town in Aurora, Joliet, or elsewhere in Illinois
— or within 50 miles down the road — hiring a local IL mover is likely your best bet.
We’ve evaluated 100 local Illinois movers and recommend
STI Moving & Storage Inc. thanks to their professionalism and clear rates.
Industry experience shows how established and transparent a mover is, which are signs of smoother operations and fewer surprises. We score this by checking if the company clearly shares its background and services on its website, has 5+ years of operating history (BBB verified), and shows real-world legitimacy.
Review Quality
4.6
Review quality reveals how consistently a company delivers for real customers. We evaluate this by looking at average ratings on Yelp, BBB, or Google (with at least 10 reviews), and we factor in whether the mover is licensed in their operating state. After all, good reviews don’t mean much if the company isn’t compliant.
Quote Accuracy
4.1
Clear pricing is a top predictor of whether a move stays on budget or turns into a nightmare. We score quote accuracy based on whether a mover offers online estimates and explains payment and discount policies upfront. We look for info on required deposits and whether discounts for military, seniors, teachers, students, AAA members, or law enforcement are offered and easy to find.
Customer Service
5.0
Customer service matters because moving issues happen. What counts is how companies handle them. We evaluate whether movers have resolved complaints over the past 3 years, respond to reviews, list basic contact info, and stay active on social media, which are good signs they’re still in business and engaging with customers.
Recent Reviews
“The team was professional, friendly, and very careful with all of my belongings. They made my move so much easier, and I will definitely use them again in the future.”
“Their team was professional, fast, and handled all my belongings with care. I was particularly impressed with how well-organized and punctual they were. I highly recommend them for anyone looking for a smooth, stress-free move!”
Industry experience shows how established and transparent a mover is, which are signs of smoother operations and fewer surprises. We score this by checking if the company clearly shares its background and services on its website, has 5+ years of operating history (BBB verified), and shows real-world legitimacy.
Review Quality
5.0
Review quality reveals how consistently a company delivers for real customers. We evaluate this by looking at average ratings on Yelp, BBB, or Google (with at least 10 reviews), and we factor in whether the mover is licensed in their operating state. After all, good reviews don’t mean much if the company isn’t compliant.
Quote Accuracy
4.0
Clear pricing is a top predictor of whether a move stays on budget or turns into a nightmare. We score quote accuracy based on whether a mover offers online estimates and explains payment and discount policies upfront. We look for info on required deposits and whether discounts for military, seniors, teachers, students, AAA members, or law enforcement are offered and easy to find.
Customer Service
5.0
Customer service matters because moving issues happen. What counts is how companies handle them. We evaluate whether movers have resolved complaints over the past 3 years, respond to reviews, list basic contact info, and stay active on social media, which are good signs they’re still in business and engaging with customers.
Recent Reviews
“Martín and team were amazing. They were friendly, efficient, and accommodating. I highly recommend.”
“Mighty Moving did a great job moving our furniture and packed boxes at a fair price! I would recommend them to all.”
Industry experience shows how established and transparent a mover is, which are signs of smoother operations and fewer surprises. We score this by checking if the company clearly shares its background and services on its website, has 5+ years of operating history (BBB verified), and shows real-world legitimacy.
Review Quality
5.0
Review quality reveals how consistently a company delivers for real customers. We evaluate this by looking at average ratings on Yelp, BBB, or Google (with at least 10 reviews), and we factor in whether the mover is licensed in their operating state. After all, good reviews don’t mean much if the company isn’t compliant.
Quote Accuracy
4.1
Clear pricing is a top predictor of whether a move stays on budget or turns into a nightmare. We score quote accuracy based on whether a mover offers online estimates and explains payment and discount policies upfront. We look for info on required deposits and whether discounts for military, seniors, teachers, students, AAA members, or law enforcement are offered and easy to find.
Customer Service
5.0
Customer service matters because moving issues happen. What counts is how companies handle them. We evaluate whether movers have resolved complaints over the past 3 years, respond to reviews, list basic contact info, and stay active on social media, which are good signs they’re still in business and engaging with customers.
Recent Reviews
“Best moving experience hands down. The movers took great care of my stuff, finished ahead of schedule, and were super professional. Highly recommend New City Movers for a stress-free move!”
“Efficient, quick, friendly, and professional. My parents recommended them. They wrapped and handled everything carefully. Will hire them for future moves!”
Industry experience shows how established and transparent a mover is, which are signs of smoother operations and fewer surprises. We score this by checking if the company clearly shares its background and services on its website, has 5+ years of operating history (BBB verified), and shows real-world legitimacy.
Review Quality
5.0
Review quality reveals how consistently a company delivers for real customers. We evaluate this by looking at average ratings on Yelp, BBB, or Google (with at least 10 reviews), and we factor in whether the mover is licensed in their operating state. After all, good reviews don’t mean much if the company isn’t compliant.
Quote Accuracy
4.2
Clear pricing is a top predictor of whether a move stays on budget or turns into a nightmare. We score quote accuracy based on whether a mover offers online estimates and explains payment and discount policies upfront. We look for info on required deposits and whether discounts for military, seniors, teachers, students, AAA members, or law enforcement are offered and easy to find.
Customer Service
5.0
Customer service matters because moving issues happen. What counts is how companies handle them. We evaluate whether movers have resolved complaints over the past 3 years, respond to reviews, list basic contact info, and stay active on social media, which are good signs they’re still in business and engaging with customers.
Recent Reviews
“Alliance Moving exceeded our expectations! Our move went smoothly and on time. We never experienced a delay and were constantly updated. The four movers did an awesome job disassembling and assembling our furniture! Very friendly, fast and efficient service! Highly recommend!”
“Movers were professional and super quick! Would use again for future moves.”
Industry experience shows how established and transparent a mover is, which are signs of smoother operations and fewer surprises. We score this by checking if the company clearly shares its background and services on its website, has 5+ years of operating history (BBB verified), and shows real-world legitimacy.
Review Quality
4.5
Review quality reveals how consistently a company delivers for real customers. We evaluate this by looking at average ratings on Yelp, BBB, or Google (with at least 10 reviews), and we factor in whether the mover is licensed in their operating state. After all, good reviews don’t mean much if the company isn’t compliant.
Quote Accuracy
4.3
Clear pricing is a top predictor of whether a move stays on budget or turns into a nightmare. We score quote accuracy based on whether a mover offers online estimates and explains payment and discount policies upfront. We look for info on required deposits and whether discounts for military, seniors, teachers, students, AAA members, or law enforcement are offered and easy to find.
Customer Service
5.0
Customer service matters because moving issues happen. What counts is how companies handle them. We evaluate whether movers have resolved complaints over the past 3 years, respond to reviews, list basic contact info, and stay active on social media, which are good signs they’re still in business and engaging with customers.
Recent Reviews
“The Professionals lived up to their name. They were on time, quick, careful with all my belongings, and cost was under the quote. Stress-free move, would use again!”
“I highly recommend this company. Movers were super fast, professional, and wrapped everything so well. No damages, and the final price was even less than estimated!”
Not all moving companies provide the same set of services.
Availability of certain specialty offerings depends on location and the expertise of the movers in your area.
Below, you’ll find which services movers in Illinois provide compared to the national average,
along with our top recommendations for each category.
Looking to cut costs, need storage, or want more flexibility with your move? Moving containers are an affordable alternative to
full-service movers. While you’ll need to load the container yourself, you’ll have several days to get it done. Once you’re finished,
the company will come pick it up and deliver it to your new address.
Going the rental truck route is the most affordable way to move,
but it also comes with some heavy lifting. You’ll be in charge of everything, from packing and loading to driving and unloading.
The savings can be big, though, especially for moves that stay close to home.
Rental trucks work well for longer distances, too, but be aware of additional costs like mileage charges and gas.
These can add up quickly, so be sure to calculate them before deciding this is the most budget-friendly option.
If you’re cool with driving but need help lifting and loading, labor-only movers are a great option.
They’ll tackle the packing and heavy lifting while you stay in control of the rental and the route.
How we chose the best moving companies in Illinois
moveBuddha’s expert team analyzed 100 Illinois movers and listed the top movers
based on customer satisfaction, reviews, and cost.
Customer satisfaction (40%): The company consistently delivers services in a timely matter with good communication and within the estimated cost.
Dispute resolution (20%): Mistakes cannot be avoided in the moving industry. We look for companies that own their mistakes and make genuine efforts to fix any issues that arise during a move.
Industry reputation (15%): The company is well-regarded within the moving industry and participates in industry conferences and organizations.
Online reputation (15%): The company maintains a professional website with accurate information. The company promptly and professionally responds to online customer inquiries.
Service options (10%): We look for companies with a deep breadth of services including full packing, storage, specialty item handling, and expedited delivery.
The pricing table below shows ballpark moving costs for local moves within Illinois.
For more pricing information, check out our post on the cost to move in Illinois.
Keep in mind the price ranges listed are only averages. Actual moving costs can vary greatly depending on the specific requirements
of your move and whether the moving company offers flat-rate pricing.
Expect to pay around $492
for a local studio move in Illinois.
A one-bedroom move in Illinois will run you approximately
$761.
The average cost to move a two-bedroom home in Illinois is about
$1,353.
Planning a three-bedroom move in Illinois?
It’ll cost roughly $3,386.
Moving a four-bedroom house in Illinois typically costs around
$3,913.
For homes with five or more bedrooms in Illinois,
moving expenses average $6,128.
Factors that affect moving costs in Illinois
An online moving quote doesn’t always tell the full story, so keep these factors in mind when planning your Illinois move.
Distance: Fuel and time can impact local moves, and out-of-state relocations may bring added expenses.
Size: The more items and space you have, the more you’ll pay in labor and truck size.
Time of year: In Illinois, the
busy moving seasons
like summer and holidays often come with premium rates.
Additional services: Tasks like packing or furniture setup take time and add to your moving costs.
Things to keep in mind when moving
Whether your move keeps you close by in Illinois or takes you on a
cross-country adventure,
here are some important considerations:
Weather:
Illinois’ climate is clearly different in the northern and southern halves of the state. The northern half experiences cold winters and mild summers whereas the southern half experiences mild winters and hot and humid summers. Illinois is a part of “tornado alley”
HOA rules:
If you’re moving to or from a home governed by an HOA, take time to review the handbook.
Many have set rules for moving days, truck size, and even resident notification, all of which can affect your move.
Elevator reservation: Living in a high-rise or apartment?
You might need to schedule use of the elevator for your move, and some buildings require use of a
service elevator during specified hours.
Parking permits: Although Illinois doesn’t usually require them,
check with your destination city for any truck or container permit needs, especially for downtown or high-traffic areas.
Licensing and compliance: We never recommend unverified movers.
But you can always confirm their credentials through the FMCSA site.
Change of address: Make sure you fill out your
change of address form at least a week in advance to ensure
uninterrupted mail delivery.
Moving insurance:
Basic coverage is free but minimal — just $0.60 per pound. For peace of mind, especially with valuable items,
consider a more comprehensive insurance option.
FAQs
What should I look for when choosing a moving company in Illinois?
When choosing a moving company in Illinois,
you should look for a solid reputation, fair and transparent pricing, a variety of services,
and multiple insurance options. We consider those key factors, among others, in our
analysis and rating of moving companies, so you can find the best moving companies in Illinois
by reading our top picks.
We recommend obtaining quotes from at least three moving companies —
including a top flat-rate mover —
in Illinois to compare prices and services.
Do Illinois moving companies offer services for interstate moves?
Yes, there are moving companies in Illinois that provide services for long-distance moves,
including those to another state. Out of
100 movers in IL, 79 provide
interstate moving services, so you’ll have a lot of options if you’re looking for help with a
long-distance relocation. These companies should have a
USDOT number from the
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
for interstate moves.
Fact Checked by:
rating
Efficient service
