$1,294 Movers From California to Illinois
Fact Checked by: The cost to move from California to Illinois averages from $1,311 to $7,529 depending on how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the move yourself.
Hiring a full-service California moving company will be on the more expensive side, while a rental truck or a moving container is usually cheaper but requires more work.
Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Moving from Illinois to California guide.
Moving from California to Illinois resources
- Best California to Illinois movers: We’ve handpicked the best moving companies from California to Illinois.
- How much do movers cost?: Use our moving cost calculator to get a more accurate estimate on moving expenses.
- Consider moving containers: Need a more budget-friendly option? With these companies, you load and they drive! These are the best moving container companies.
- California to Illinois car shippers: Moving your car? Use a company that prioritizes professionalism, cares for your vehicle, and is experienced.
Moving 2,083 miles is no joke. Here's what you need to know.
The best California to Illinois movers
Hiring an interstate moving company from California to Illinois is a big deal.
There are more than 8,000 moving companies in the U.S. But don’t worry, you won’t have to filter through all of them. We’ve done the research for you and narrowed the list based on customer satisfaction, cost, and services. Here are the best long-distance moving companies serving California to Illinois.
- Safeway Moving: Best overall value
- American Van Lines: Best industry reputation
- Mayzlin Relocation: Best upfront pricing
- Air Van northAmerican Van Lines: Best for complex moves
- JK Moving Services: Best for high-end moves
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If you’re just trying to ship a few items, here’s a list of our recommended services for small moves.
How much does it cost to move from California to Illinois?
The table below lays out average cost ranges when moving from California to Illinois for different moving services depending on the size of your home.
| Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 Bedroom | $1,294 - $5,057 | $1,199 - $2,971 | $1,211 - $2,336 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,486 - $7,529 | $2,134 - $4,399 | $1,311 - $2,781 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $6,536 - $11,353 | $2,926 - $5,942 | $1,654 - $3,406 |
*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 2,083 miles and historical averages. The actual size of your move, additional services required, truck parking access, market conditions, and availability can greatly affect the final cost of your move.
There are many factors that influence California moving costs. The cost to move from California 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 California 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.
How much does it cost to hire movers from California to Illinois?
Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from California to Illinois will cost between $1,294 to $5,057. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from CA to IL will range from $3,486 to $7,529, and a large move from California to Illinois will cost from $6,536 to $11,353.
How much are moving containers like PODS from California to Illinois?
Moving containers from California to Illinois will cost you $1,199 to $2,971 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $2,134 to $4,399. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $2,926 to $5,942. Learn more about PODS cost.
Here are the cheapest moving container companies when moving out of California.
How much is a moving truck from California to Illinois?
A moving rental truck is generally the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor; these estimates include the estimated fuel cost:
Moving a studio or 1-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $1,211 to $2,336. A larger move will cost $1,311 to $2,781, and a 4+ bedroom move from California to Illinois costs from $1,654 to $3,406.
Is moving from California to Illinois a good idea?
If you’re moving to Illinois from California, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.
Cost of Living: California vs Illinois
| California | Illinois | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,503 | $1,010 |
| Average home cost | $758,360 | $249,145 |
| Average income (per capita) | $78,672 | $65,886 |
| Cost of Living Index | 100 | 94 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.8% | 5.1% |
| Average Sales Tax | 8.68% | 8.82% |
| State Income Tax | 13.3% | 4.95% |
- Rent is about 33% less expensive in Illinois than in California.
- Home prices are about 67.1% lower in Illinois than in California.
- The average income is about 16.3% lower in Illinois than in California.
- Cost of living is 6.0% lower in Illinois than in California.
- Illinois has a lower unemployment rate than California by about 12.1%.
- Sales taxes are 1.61% higher in Illinois than in California.
- Income taxes are 62.78% lower in Illinois than in California.
How is life different in Illinois from California?
| Illinois | California | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 12,671,469 | 39,237,836 |
| Political leaning | Democrat 58-41 | Democratic 63-34 |
| Summer High | 86ºF | 87ºF |
| Winter Low | 17ºF | 59ºF |
| Annual Rain | 40" | 22" |
| Annual Snow | 22" | 7" |
| Crime Index | 19.5 | 25.7 |
- The population of Illinois is approximately 68% lower than the population of California.
- In the last presidential election, Illinois voted Democrat and California voted Democratic.
- The average high in the summertime in Illinois is 86ºF and in California, it’s 87ºF.
- During the coldest part of the year, Illinois reaches the temperature of 17ºF and California gets down to 59ºF.
- You can expect about 40 inches of annual rainfall in Illinois vs 22 inches of rainfall in California.
- In Illinois, it snows about 22 inches annually vs 7 inches of snow in California.
- Illinois has a lower crime rate than California with a crime index of 25.7 vs 19.5.
Comparing the pros of California vs. Illinois:
There are always a lot of reasons to get excited about living somewhere new. These are the best parts of living in California vs Illinois side-by-side.
| Pros of living in California | Pros of living in Illinois |
|---|---|
| Ample economic opportunity | Home of Chicago |
| Pleasant weather | Ample economic opportunity |
| Abundant recreational options | Bountiful recreational opportunities |
| High quality of life | Delicious food |
| Fresh and healthy foods | World-class sports culture |
Comparing the cons of living in California vs. Illinois:
Not everything is sunshine and rainbows, these are the things to be aware of when leaving California for Illinois.
| Cons of living in California | Cons of living in Illinois |
|---|---|
| High cost of living | Harsh winter weather |
| Heavy tax burdens | Bad traffic |
| Natural disasters | High crime rate |
| Terrible traffic | Dull landscape |
| Strange laws | Strict laws |
Considerations for moving to Illinois
- 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 and this way all of your mail will get properly forward to Illinois. Get started here.
- Mover's Insurance: Every state has their own requirements when it comes to insurance. Released Value Protection is the most economical option because it doesn’t cost anything. It is offered by movers at no additional charge, but the protection is minimal. Under this option, the mover is responsible for no more than 60 cents per pound per article. For example, if your mover lost or damaged a 50 inch TV weighing 25 pounds, you would only receive $15 (60 cents x 25 pounds). If you need for the full value of your items to be covered, please consult with the moving company you're hiring for other options or a third-party insurance provider.
- Moving Checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.
Looking for local California movers?
| Company | Quote | Rating | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
most popular
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Get A Quote |
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361 Swift Ave, South San Francisco, CA, 94080 (415) 544-7000 |
| Meathead Movers | Get A Quote |
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3600 S Higuera St, San Luis Obispo, CA, 93401 (805) 544-6328 |
| Smooth Move USA | Get A Quote |
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3101 Gilmore Avenue, Bakersfield, CA, 93308 (661) 220-5147 |
Visit our Best Movers in California page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.
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 about moving from California to Illinois
What is the cheapest way to move from California to Illinois?
The cheapest way to move from California to Illinois is with a DIY move. Here’s our guide for the cheapest way to move out of state.
What are the benefits of moving from California to Illinois?
The main reasons people are moving from California to Illinois are the amazing upsides of living in Illinois such as home of Chicago and ample economic opportunity.
