Quick answer:
After comparing 63 moving companies in Illinois,
our recommended local mover in River Forest, IL, is STI Moving & Storage Inc.
thanks to their pricing, variety of moving solutions, and great customer reviews. Safeway Moving
earns our top pick for out-of-state or long-distance moves from Illinois because they are affordable without cutting corners on service.
Hi, I'm Ryan. Let's get moving.
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:
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6 Cheapest movers when moving locally in River Forest, IL
Whether you're moving within River Forest, relocating to nearby Forest Park or Maywood, or heading to another Illinois city less than 50 miles away,
here are some affordable and highly-rated movers to consider:
High marks for speed, professionalism, and careful handling set STI Moving & Storage apart from most competitors. In an analysis of 538 reviews, 68% reflect satisfied customers who consistently praise the efficient crews, friendly staff, and reliable communication. Many detail moves finished faster than expected, with careful packing and respect for belongings. Negative feedback (29%) focuses on damage to items, delays in delivery—especially for long-distance moves—and surprise or higher-than-expected charges. Customers also note issues with complex claims for damage resolution. Neutral feedback highlights occasional late arrivals and some pricing misalignments, but still mentions professionalism from staff. Compared to industry standards, STI earns stronger praise for crew attitude and efficiency but faces similar criticism to peers regarding damage claims and delivery timelines. Most customers find their moves easier and less stressful thanks to STI's organized and diligent teams, though potential clients should review policies closely for long-distance or specialty needs.
Customers rave about Bellhop Moving’s speed, efficiency, and friendly approach. Out of 115 reviews, nearly 70% share positive input, highlighting fast-moving crews, affordable prices, clear communication, and respectful service. Many describe the process as easy and stress-free. On the downside, about a quarter of feedback points to problems like late arrivals, damaged belongings, and a lack of follow-through from customer service. Complaints focus on delayed service, unwrapped or mishandled items, and poor responsiveness when issues arise. Compared to traditional movers, Bellhop often wins on price and flexibility but loses ground on reliability during peak times. Most customers praise the courteous staff and quick booking, yet a minority experienced significant disruptions or property damage. While Bellhop is often a cost-effective and efficient choice, those with high-value or complex moves may want to weigh the risk of potential delays or mishandling before booking.
Move-tastic moves customers with speed, skill, and care that set the standard for Chicago moving companies. After reviewing 1,169 pieces of feedback, 91% praised their efficient service, careful handling, professionalism, quick moves, and friendly staff—qualities mentioned far more than in most moving company reviews. Customers frequently highlight how the moving teams are not only fast and organized, but also protect homes and belongings with diligence and respect, often completing jobs ahead of schedule and below the original estimate. The booking process and communication draw special mention for ease and transparency. Conversely, 7% of customers cite issues such as damage to items, unexpected costs, or delayed arrival, reflecting the main patterns among negative input. Some report furniture scratches or losses, with a few noting the claims process or repair follow-up as challenging; a handful mentioned bills far exceeding quoted rates or frustration over slow moves. Neutral feedback—just under 2%—pointed to sporadic minor mishaps, price increases, or items misplaced and later returned. Move-tastic’s positive feedback dominates, and problems are less common than with most regional competitors, though the risk of damage or extra fees still exists. When compared to others, it's the combination of outstanding efficiency, careful work, and friendly attitude that keeps so many customers recommending Move-tastic again and again.
Moving magic happens when speed meets service—New City Moving delivers exactly that, according to 1,451 pieces of customer feedback analyzed. With 92.4% positive reviews, most customers rave about the company’s efficient service, professional and polite staff, careful handling, and quick turnaround—which set them apart from many competitors. A high number praised clear communication throughout the move. While affordability and responsiveness also stood out, some reported problems. About 6% said their main issue was damage to their belongings, unexpected charges, or struggles resolving complaints when things went wrong. Only 1.8% of feedback landed in the neutral zone, typically due to minor organizational or packing concerns rather than major failures. New City Moving earns above-average praise for efficiency and professionalism compared to other moving services, but a handful of customers cite billing, compensation, or damage disputes where they wanted swifter or better follow-up. For most, the company’s efforts made moving faster, simpler, and safer.
Word travels fast when a moving company makes relocations easier than expected. After analyzing 1,349 reviews, 92.5% of feedback for The Professionals Moving Specialists is positive. Customers routinely highlight efficient service, careful handling of belongings, moving crews that work quickly, a professional attitude, and clear communication. People appreciate arriving on time, speedy completion, and the rare occurrence of damage compared to other movers. The overwhelming majority find the booking process straightforward, pricing fair, and the teams respectful of property and special requests. Some input does point to a few drawbacks: complaints about items being scratched or dented, final charges being higher than expected due to extra materials or time, and unexpected add-ons. These issues are reported far less often than praise for skilled, polite, and diligent crews. Compared to most moving companies, The Professionals stand out with stronger reliability and care for customer property. If dependability, efficiency, and peace of mind are top priorities, this company outperforms many local competitors.
Feedback on Advanced Moving & Storage, Inc. stands out for its sharp contrasts. Of 414 reviews, 54% are positive and center on efficiency, friendly and professional movers, careful handling, and jobs finished ahead of schedule. Many people mention hardworking, polite staff who move quickly, protect belongings, and ease stress on moving day. Customers value organized operations and a helpful team. On the flip side, 44% report serious problems—damaged items, sudden extra charges, and late arrivals. Numerous customers describe property loss, hostage payments, ruined furniture, delayed deliveries, and a lack of accountability for damage or missing items. Neutral input notes incomplete jobs or occasional lapses between satisfactory moves. Compared to similar companies, Advanced shows a greater divide between high-quality hands-on moving crews and problematic company policies. Booking is easy and staff can be accommodating, but recurring issues like property damage and shifting costs reduce trust. Consumers seeking reliable and stress-free moves with respectful handling may find strong crews here, but transparent communication and guarantees may be better elsewhere.
While a full-service mover is the most convenient option for your
River Forest, Illinois relocation, it will also likely be the most expensive route. To save some money, you may want to consider using one of the top moving container companies, or moving truck rental companies in River Forest instead.
moveBuddha’s expert team analyzed moving rates from 63 Illinois movers and listed the top five best 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.
Use the pricing table below to get a general sense of what local moving costs look like in and around River Forest.
If you want more in-depth info, check out our full guide on
moving costs in Illinois.
Keep in mind that the moving quotes provided are just rough estimates.
Your actual cost will depend on the specifics of your move. For a more accurate estimate, use our
moving cost calculator.
Home Size
Avg. Total Cost
Cost/hour
# of Movers
# Hours
Studio
$368
$134
2 movers
3 hours
1 Bedroom
$499
$133
2 movers
4 hours
2 Bedroom
$786
$190
3 movers
5 hours
3 Bedroom
$1,808
$263
4 movers
8 hours
4 Bedroom
$2,071
$263
4 movers
9 hours
5+ Bedroom
$3,246
$369
5 movers
10 hours
Compare the top River Forest, IL movers
Let’s compare how the top movers in River Forest, IL stack up in terms of their reputation.
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.
All of the movers on our list are properly licensed.
Take a look at our best movers in Illinois list for more recommendations.
How do I find a reputable River Forest mover?
Looking for a reliable River Forest moving company can be difficult,
but there are certain things to consider to ensure you choose a trustworthy mover. These include:
Reputation:
A mover's reputation is crucial, whether they're a new mom-and-pop business or a
seasoned van lines company.
Dispute resolution: It's best to avoid movers with lots of unresolved customer complaints.
Every River Forest moving company will face customer issues.
The best companies resolve customer disputes in a timely manner.
Relevant experience: Even if a mover has great reviews for local moves,
they may not have the experience needed to handle a
cross-country move.
Check if they have experience with the type of move you require.
Do River Forest moving companies handle long-distance moves?
Some of the moving companies that service River Forest can handle long distance moves, while others only offer local moving services.
If you're moving out of state, see our list of the best long distance movers in River Forest.
What is the cheapest day to hire a mover in River Forest, IL?
The cheapest day to hire a mover in River Forest, Illinois, will typically be a weekday,
since weekends are typically busier times for moving.
In general, the cheapest time to move
is between October and April.
The peak season for movers is May–September, so you’ll pay more during this time due to increased demand.
The earlier you book your move from River Forest, the better.
Avoid weekends, holidays, and peak moving seasons (summer) to save money.
Beware of choosing a mover solely based on the lowest quote,
as some companies may low-ball their initial quote and raise the price significantly on moving day.
What is the cheapest way to move out of state from River Forest, IL?
Renting a moving truck is
the cheapest way to move out of state
or locally within River Forest, Illinois.
Keep in mind, though, that this is also the most bare-bones moving option — you’ll have to handle the packing and unpacking,
loading and unloading, and driving.
Are moving containers a good idea for my move from River Forest?
Moving containers allow you to move at your own pace… although you’ll have to do all the heavy lifting yourself.
Once you’re loaded up and ready to move,
the container company will pick up your container and transport it to your new home, so you won’t have to worry about driving.
What if I need help loading my moving container in River Forest?
Labor-only moving companies
can be a great addition to a more DIY move done with a rental moving truck or moving container.
Hiring third-party assistance with loading and unloading can help cut down on the workload and make your move quicker
and more efficient.
Do River Forest movers offer storage?
Most River Forest moving companies offer short- and long-term storage solutions.
However, keep in mind that some River Forest movers use third-party warehouses to store your items.
It's best to ask about storage options and pricing when screening potential movers.