($1,447) Cost of Moving From Alabama to Illinois
Quick answer: The average cost to move from Alabama to Illinois ranges from $669 to $6,750 and takes one–six days. The top cost factors are how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the move yourself.
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Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our moving from Illinois to Alabama guide.
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The best Alabama to Illinois full-service movers
Moving from Alabama to Illinois? With thousands of moving companies in the U.S., hiring the right interstate moving company can be a challenge.
To simplify your search, we've selected the most reliable movers based on our detailed analysis of customer reviews, pricing, and service offerings.
Start with these top long-distance moving companies serving Alabama for your Illinois relocation:
- Safeway Moving: Best overall value
- Mayzlin Relocation: Best for personalized service
- American Van Lines: Most experienced mover
- Allied Van Lines: Best for contents coverage
- North American Van Lines: Best customized plans
- GPS tracking en route
- Veteran-owned
- Dedicated move coordinator
- Flat-rate pricing
- Donates a portion of moves to charity
- 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
- Experienced & fully trained moving crews
- Specializes in moving art & antiques
- Competitive pricing
- Can handle last-minute moves
- Climate-controlled storage
- Fragile packing
- Storage options
- 24/7 shipment tracking
- Quick & efficient
- Accurate quotes
- Custom crates for electronics & art
- Satellite shipment tracking
- 1,500 local agents covering all 50 states
- Self-packing option
- No deposit required
The best local moving companies in Alabama
- Bellhop Moving: 4.66 out of 5 stars
- Motivated Movers, Inc.: 4.76 out of 5 stars
- All My Sons Moving & Storage: 4.76 out of 5 stars
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK: 4.76 out of 5 stars
- Coleman Worldwide Moving: 4.72 out of 5 stars
Bellhop Moving
rating
4.66 / 5
DOT #: 2878240
Years in Business: 14
1040 Broadway Park, Birmingham, AL 35209Bellhop Moving, serving the Birmingham, AL area since 2012, is a reputable choice for local residential moves. They offer comprehensive services including packing, unpacking, and labor-only options, making them versatile compared to other local movers. Customer feedback is mostly positive, with an impressive 4.7 average rating from 435 Google reviews, though Yelp reviews average 3.6. Bellhop Moving is BBB accredited with a B+ rating and accepts credit card payments, ensuring convenience for clients, though a deposit is required.
Review Profiles
Services Offered
Move Distances
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
Available services
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Storage
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- DOT #: 2878240
- State license #: 2878240
Motivated Movers, Inc.
rating
4.76 / 5
Years in Business: 14
211 Palmer Rd, Suite D,, Madison, AL 35758Motivated Movers, Inc. has been serving Madison, AL, and surrounding areas with reliable local residential moving services since 2011. Setting themselves apart from nearby moving companies, they offer an array of specialized services, including packing and unpacking, as well as the capability to move bulky items like pianos and hot tubs. With an impressive average rating of 4.4 on Yelp, 4.8 on Google, and an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, customer satisfaction is a clear priority. Unlike many competitors, they accept credit cards and require no deposit, making them a convenient and trustworthy choice for local moves.
Review Profiles
Services Offered
Move Distances
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
Available services
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Antiques
- Crating
- Storage
- Safes
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
All My Sons Moving & Storage
rating
4.76 / 5
DOT #: 902281
Years in Business: 26
47 Longview Cir, Alabaster, AL 35007 USAll My Sons Moving & Storage has been a trusted name in local residential moving services in and around Alabaster, AL since 1999. While the company boasts an impressive average rating of 4.6 from over 1,780 reviews on Google My Business and holds an A rating with the Better Business Bureau, their Yelp profile tells a different story with an average rating of 1.3 from 62 reviews. In addition to local moves, they offer packing and unpacking services, and can handle special items like pianos and antiques. Although a deposit is required, All My Sons Moving & Storage accepts credit cards, making payments convenient. Comparatively, their longevity and extensive positive reviews on Google suggest reliability, making them a competitive choice among local moving companies.
Review Profiles
Services Offered
Move Distances
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
Available services
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Antiques
- Crating
- Storage
- Safes
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- DOT #: 902281
- State license #: 3915
Alternative Business Names
- All My Sons Moving & Storage Of Birmingham, LLC
TWO MEN AND A TRUCK
rating
4.76 / 5
DOT #: 2527384
Years in Business: 35
8215 Stephanie Drive Southwest, Huntsville, AL 35802 USTwo Men and a Truck has been providing reliable local residential moving services in and around Huntsville, AL since 1990. What sets them apart from many nearby movers is their extensive range of services, including packing, unpacking, and labor-only options. Customers appreciate that they accept credit cards and do not require a deposit, making the moving experience more convenient. With a Better Business Bureau rating of A+ and an impressive 4.8 average rating from over 800 Google reviews, they are a trusted choice, despite some mixed feedback on Yelp.
Review Profiles
Services Offered
Move Distances
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
Available services
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Pianos
- Storage
- Safes
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 2527384
- State license #: 614
Coleman Worldwide Moving
rating
4.72 / 5
DOT #: 2897746
Years in Business: 111
1285 Parker St, Montgomery, AL 36108Coleman Worldwide Moving, established in 1915, offers reliable local residential moving services in and around Montgomery, AL. Unlike many nearby movers, Coleman also provides an array of additional services such as office moving, packing and unpacking, and safe relocation, which sets them apart. Consumer feedback is mixed, with a Google My Business rating of 3.6 based on 36 reviews, but they hold an impressive A rating from the Better Business Bureau. This long-standing and reputable company accepts credit cards and does not require a deposit, making them a convenient choice for local residents.
Review Profiles
Services Offered
Move Distances
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
Available services
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Crating
- Storage
- Safes
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 2897746
- State license #: 457
Alternative Business Names
- Covan World-Wide Moving, Inc.
- Coleman American Moving Services
- Coleman World Group, LLC
- Coleman Worldwide Moving
- Covan Worldwide Moving
The best Alabama to Illinois moving container companies
Moving containers allow you to save money without having to go the full DIY route. While you’ll have to handle loading and unloading, the container company has you covered on transportation — they’ll pick up your pod in Alabama and drop it off at your new home in Illinois.
Check out these highly rated moving container companies:
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The best Alabama to Illinois moving truck rentals
Moving truck rentals are the most cost-effective way to move from Alabama to Illinois, although they’re also the most labor-intensive. You’ll save big by doing all the heavy lifting and driving.
We like these rental moving trucks:
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The best Alabama to Illinois labor-only movers
If you need help moving some or all of your items into a container or rental truck, you can hire labor-only movers. They’ll send over a professional crew the right size for your move and you’ll pay only for the amount of time they work.
Consider one of these top-notch moving labor companies for your move from Alabama to Illinois:
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How we chose the best moving companies for your AL to IL move
moveBuddha’s expert team analyzed moving rates from 33 Alabama 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.
Here is our full moving company rating methodology.
How much does it cost to move from Alabama to Illinois?
The table below lays out average cost ranges to move from Alabama to Illinois for different moving services depending on the size of your home.
| Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 Bedroom | $1,447 - $4,844 | $887 - $2,259 | $664 - $1,212 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,825 - $6,750 | $1,711 - $3,197 | $669 - $1,381 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,834 - $10,475 | $2,075 - $4,241 | $836 - $1,778 |
*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 731 miles and historical averages. The actual size of your move, additional services required, truck parking access, market conditions, and availability can greatly affect your final costs.
Cost to hire movers from Alabama to Illinois
Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Alabama to Illinois will cost between $1,447 and $4,844. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from AL to IL will range from $2,825 to $6,750, and a large move from Alabama to Illinois will cost from $4,834 to $10,475.
Cost of moving containers from Alabama to Illinois
Moving containers from Alabama to Illinois will cost you $887 to $2,259 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,711 to $3,197. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $2,075 to $4,241. Learn more about PODS cost.
Here are the cheapest moving container companies when moving out of Alabama.
Cost of moving truck rentals from Alabama to Illinois
A moving rental truck is generally the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor.
Moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around
$664 to $1,212.
A two to three-bedroom move will cost
$669 to $1,381,
and moving a home with four or more bedrooms or from Alabama to Illinois costs from
$836 to $1,778.
These estimates include the estimated fuel cost.
Factors affecting the cost of moving from AL to IL
There are many factors that influence Alabama moving costs. The cost to move from Alabama to Illinois will depend on these factors:
- Move size: Moving a large home costs more than moving a studio apartment.
- Time of year: The peak moving season in Alabama is in the summer, so moving companies will likely charge more.
- DIY vs. professional mover: DIY moving services are cheaper but you do all the heavy lifting compared to letting the pros handle your move.
What to know before moving from AL to IL
If you’re moving to Illinois from Alabama, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.
Cost of living: Alabama vs. Illinois
| Alabama | Illinois | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $925 | $1,179 |
| Average home cost | $227,508 | $249,224 |
| Average income (per capita) | $59,609 | $78,433 |
| Cost of Living Index | 88 | 90 |
| Unemployment rate | 2.9% | 5.3% |
| Average Sales Tax | 9.22% | 8.82% |
| State Income Tax | 5.0% | 4.95% |
- Rent is about 27% more expensive in Illinois than in Alabama.
- Home prices are about 10% higher in Illinois than in Alabama.
- The average income is about 32% higher in Illinois than in Alabama.
- Cost of living is 2% lower in Illinois than in Alabama.
- Illinois has a higher unemployment rate than Alabama by about 83%.
- Sales taxes are 4% lower in Illinois than in Alabama.
- Income taxes are the same in Illinois and Alabama.
How life is different in Illinois vs. Alabama
| Illinois | Alabama | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 12,549,689 | 5,108,468 |
| Political leaning | Democratic 55-45 | Republican 65-35 |
| Summer high | 86ºF | 91ºF |
| Winter low | 17ºF | 33ºF |
| Annual rain | 40" | 56" |
| Annual snow | 22" | 1" |
| Crime index | 19.7 | 21.48 |
- The population of Illinois is approximately 146% greater than the population of Alabama.
- In the last presidential election, Illinois voted Democratic and Alabama voted Republican.
- The average high in the summertime in Illinois is 86ºF and in Alabama, it’s 91ºF.
- During the coldest part of the year, Illinois reaches the temperature of 17ºF and Alabama gets down to 33ºF.
- You can expect about 40 inches of annual rainfall in Illinois versus 56 inches of rainfall in Alabama.
- In Illinois, it snows about 22 inches annually versus 1 inch of snow in Alabama.
- Illinois has a lower crime rate than Alabama with a crime index of 19.7 vs. 21.48.
Comparing the pros of Alabama vs. Illinois
Getting a fresh start in a new location is exciting. Here’s a side-by-side look at the perks of living in Illinois compared to Alabama.
| Pros of living in Alabama | Pros of living in Illinois |
|---|---|
| Low cost of living | Home of Chicago |
| Tasty southern comfort food | Ample economic opportunity |
| Bountiful recreational opportunities | Bountiful recreational opportunities |
| Top-notch college football | Delicious food |
| Rich history | World-class sports culture |
Comparing the cons of living in Alabama vs. Illinois
Everything can’t be sunshine and rainbows all the time, no matter where you live. Here are some things to be aware of when leaving Alabama for Illinois.
| Cons of living in Alabama | Cons of living in Illinois |
|---|---|
| Poor quality of life | Harsh winter weather |
| Severe weather | Bad traffic |
| Restrictive alcohol laws | High crime rate |
| Poor healthcare | Dull landscape |
| Cockroaches | Strict laws |
Other things to consider for your Alabama to Illinois move
- 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: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
- Elevator reservation: One common and important example of something that should be handled ahead of time is reserving the building's elevator and finding out their rules for using the elevator.
- Parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles, find out ahead of time with your new local rules.
- State licensing: 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. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
- State regulator: You can verify a Illinois moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
- Moving permits: Illinois does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
- Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form so that all your mail will get properly forwarded to Illinois. Get started here.
- Mover's insurance: Interstate moving companies are required under federal law to provide basic insurance — also called “released value protection” — free of charge to all moving customers. 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.
- Moving checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.
Things to do in Illinois
While you’re in Illinois, you won’t be bored. These are some of the coolest places to visit in your new home state:
- Millennium Park
- Navy Pier
- The Magnificent Mile
- Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
- Shedd Aquarium
- The Art Institute of Chicago
- Starved Rock State Park
- Garden of the Gods - Shawnee National Forest
- Lincoln Park Zoo
- Anderson Japanese Gardens
- Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site
- Dana-Thomas House
- Ulysses S. Grant Home State Historic Site
- Discovery Center Museum
- Buffalo Rock State Park
- Museum of Science and Industry
- Illinois Beach State Park
- Grand View Drive
- Mississippi Palisades State Park
- Matthiessen State Park
FAQs
What is the cheapest way to move from Alabama to Illinois?
Hiring a full-service Alabama moving company will be on the more expensive side, while a rental truck or a moving container is usually the cheaper way to go, but requires more work. Here’s our guide for the cheapest way to move out of state.
Do movers transport your car from Alabama to Illinois?
Some full-service movers can coordinate auto transport for you as part of your relocation package for an additional fee. But you can also handle vehicle transport from Alabama to Illinois separately through one of the top car shipping companies.
What are the benefits of moving from Alabama to Illinois?
The main reasons people are moving from Alabama to Illinois are the amazing upsides of living in Illinois such as home of Chicago and ample economic opportunity.
Is it cheaper to live in Alabama or Illinois?
It is generally cheaper to live in Alabama than in Illinois. While the overall cost of living is similar for both states, housing is more affordable in Alabama, with average rent about 22% less and home prices 9% lower than in Illinois. Taxes are also lower in Illinois, most notably income taxes, which are more than 1% less than those paid by Alabama residents.
How much should you make a year to live comfortably in Illinois?
You should make approximately $80,838 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in Illinois. The cost of living in Illinois is approximately $3,569 per month for an individual and $7,930 for a family of four. The exact amount you’ll need to live comfortably may be more or less depending on where in Illinois you live For example, larger cities like Chicago and Aurora will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.
