$1,312 Movers From California to Illinois

The cost to move from California to Illinois averages from $1,396 to $8,019 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

Moving 2,082 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.

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Best overall value
  • Portion to charity
  • Veteran owned
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(855) 650-0657

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • 20 yrs experience
  • Flat rate pricing
  • Family owned
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(866) 835-2392

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.45 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Family owned
  • East coast focus
  • Affordable pricing
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(980) 217-6841

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 5
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • 74 years in biz
  • 1,800 trucks
  • Storage available
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(844) 950-2963

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 5
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • White glove
  • Expensive items
  • Guaranteed delivery
Get A Quote
(703) 972-1772

% of users select this mover

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 $1,312 - $5,438 $1,265 - $3,103 $1,277 - $2,488
2 - 3 bedrooms $3,499 - $8,019 $2,251 - $4,280 $1,396 - $2,734
4+ bedrooms $6,493 - $11,278 $3,086 - $5,903 $1,677 - $3,628
get a quote

*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 2,082 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 $1,312 to $5,438. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from CA to IL will range from $3,499 to $8,019, and a large move from California to Illinois will cost from $6,493 to $11,278.

How much are moving containers like PODS from California to Illinois?

Moving containers from California to Illinois will cost you $1,265 to $3,103 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $2,251 to $4,280. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $3,086 to $5,903. 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 $1,277 to $2,488. A larger move will cost $1,396 to $2,734, and a 4+ bedroom move from California to Illinois costs from $1,677 to $3,628.

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 $1,586 $1,038
Average home cost $746,055 $249,224
Average income (per capita) $91,905 $78,433
Cost of Living Index 100 90
Unemployment rate 4.8% 4.6%
Average Sales Tax 8.68% 8.82%
State Income Tax 13.3% 4.95%
  • Rent is about 35% less expensive in Illinois than in California.
  • Home prices are about 66.6% lower in Illinois than in California.
  • The average income is about 14.7% lower in Illinois than in California.
  • Cost of living is 10.0% lower in Illinois than in California.
  • Illinois has a lower unemployment rate than California by about 4.2%.
  • 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 12,582,032 39,029,342
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 18.79 27.88
  • 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 27.88 vs 18.79.

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. 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.

Looking for local California movers?

Company Quote Rating Contact
Meathead Movers Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.96 overall rating
2905 Unicorn Rd, Bakersfield, CA, 93308
(661) 335-6191
All Star Movers & Storage Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.96 overall rating
101 Dublin Blvd Suite F #517, Dublin, CA, 94568
(925) 905-9889

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.

Related articles to your move

Learn more about Illinois