Family owned
Local moving companies in California
- Best California Movers: 4.96 out of 5 stars
- Eagle Moving & Storage, Inc.: 4.86 out of 5 stars
- Grace Moving Company: 5 out of 5 stars
- Meathead Movers: 4.96 out of 5 stars
- Seka Moving: 4.9 out of 5 stars
Best California Movers
rating
4.96 / 5
DOT #: 3489907
Pricing: $109/hr
Years in Business: 6
15 Hubble, Irvine, CA 92591Review Profiles
Services Offered
Move Distances
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
Available services
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Crating
- Storage
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- DOT #: 3489907
- State license #: T0192283
Alternative Business Names
- Best California Movers & Storage
- An Moving Forward
Eagle Moving & Storage, Inc.
rating
4.86 / 5
DOT #: 3670248
Years in Business: 14
274 Wattis Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080Eagle Moving & Storage, Inc. has been a trusted name for local residential moves in and around San Bruno, CA since 2010. They stand out with a solid reputation, boasting an impressive average rating of 4.4 on Yelp from 429 reviews, and a 4.6 average rating on Google from 129 reviews. With a Better Business Bureau rating of A+, customers frequently praise their professionalism and efficiency. Unlike many nearby competitors, they offer comprehensive packing and unpacking services, along with the specialized capability to move pianos, art, and antiques. Flexible payment options, including cash and credit cards, and no required deposit, further underscore their customer-first approach.
Review Profiles
Services Offered
Move Distances
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
Available services
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
Additional Information
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 3670248
- State license #: 0190673
Grace Moving Company
rating
5 / 5
DOT #: 2806730
Years in Business: 26
800 Janopaul Lane, Modesto, CA 95351 USGrace Moving Company, based in Modesto, CA, has been reliably serving local residents since 1999, earning a stellar reputation for their top-notch residential moving services. Unlike many competitors, Grace Moving Company also offers specialized services like piano and art moving, packing, unpacking, and crating, ensuring a comprehensive moving experience. With an impressive average rating of 4.6 on Yelp and 4.7 on Google, plus an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, their customer satisfaction speaks volumes. Notably, they accept credit cards and require no deposit, making them a convenient and trusted choice for local relocations.
Review Profiles
Services Offered
Move Distances
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
Available services
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 2806730
- State license #: 0189642
Meathead Movers
rating
4.96 / 5
DOT #: 921143
Years in Business: 27
2334 Perseus Ct, Bakersfield, CA 93308 USMeathead Movers has been a staple in Bakersfield, CA, for local residential moving services since 1998. Compared to other movers in the area, their standout feature is a comprehensive offering, including packing and unpacking services. With a combined average rating of over 4.0 on Yelp and Google, and an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, their reputation for customer satisfaction is clear. Uniquely, they require no deposit and accept both cash and credit cards, making the moving process seamless and hassle-free for clients.
Review Profiles
Services Offered
Move Distances
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
Available services
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Storage
Additional Information
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 921143
- State license #: 0189849
Alternative Business Names
- Meathead Packers
Seka Moving
rating
4.9 / 5
DOT #: 3014539
Years in Business: 5
355 S Grand Ave Suite 2450, Los Angeles, CA 90071Seka Moving, serving Los Angeles, CA, since 2019, has quickly built a stellar reputation for local residential moving services. With an impressive average rating of 4.9 from 137 Google reviews and 4.5 from 17 Yelp reviews, this A+ BBB rated company stands out among local competitors. Seka Moving offers a comprehensive range of services, including packing, unpacking, crating, and specialized handling for fragile items, pianos, art, and antiques. Clients can also opt for labor-only services, with the convenience of paying via cash, credit cards, or money orders. For those looking for a reliable and highly rated moving partner in Los Angeles, Seka Moving is a top choice.
Review Profiles
Services Offered
Move Distances
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
Available services
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
Additional Information
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- DOT #: 3014539
- State license #: 0192497
Alternative Business Names
- Seka Moving Corporation
Things to know before moving from California to Chicago, IL
Cost of living: California vs Chicago, IL
| California | Chicago | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,856 | $2,045 |
| Average home value | $771,057 | $295,743 |
| Average income (per capita) | $91,905 | $71,566 |
| Unemployment rate | 5% | 9% |
| State income tax | 13% | 5% |
Chicago sources: Zumper, Zillow, Numbeo
- Rent is about 10% more expensive in Chicago than in California.
- Home prices are about 62% lower in Chicago than in California.
- The average income is about 22% lower in Chicago than in California.
- Chicago has a higher unemployment rate than California by about 67%.
- Income taxes are 63% lower in Chicago than in California.
How life is different in Chicago from California
| Chicago | California | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,746,388 | 39,029,342 |
| Political leaning | Democrat 74-24 | Democratic 59-41 |
| Summer high | 84ºF | 87ºF |
| Winter low | 19ºF | 59ºF |
| Annual rain | 38" | 22" |
| Annual snow | 35" | 7" |
| Crime index | 35.19 | 28.43 |
Chicago sources: Wikipedia, AllTransit, Walk Score, NeighborhoodScout, AirNow
- The population of Chicago is approximately 93% lower than the population of California.
- In the last presidential election, Chicago voted Democrat and California voted Democratic.
- The average high in the summertime in Chicago is 84ºF and in California, it’s 87ºF.
- During the coldest part of the year, Chicago reaches the temperature of 19ºF and California gets down to 59ºF.
- You can expect about 38 inches of annual rainfall in Chicago vs 22 inches of rainfall in California.
- In Chicago, it snows about 35 inches annually vs 7 inches of snow in California.
- Chicago has a higher crime rate than California with a crime index of 35.19 vs 28.43.
Things to do in Chicago
Whether you’re looking for parks, museums, sports, or even universities, you’ll be happy to find a plethora of these in Chicago.
Museums in Chicago
Parks in Chicago
Sports Teams in Chicago
Universities in Chicago
Other considerations when moving to Chicago, IL
- Weather: Although Chicago gets less snowfall than surrounding areas in the Midwest and the Great Lakes region, heavy snowfall could still affect your move in the wintertime.
- 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 forwarded 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.
Compare the pros and cons of California vs. Chicago, IL
Comparing the pros of California vs. Chicago, IL:
There are always a lot of reasons to get excited about living somewhere new. These are the best parts of living in California vs Chicago side-by-side.
| Pros of living in California | Pros of living in Chicago, IL |
|---|---|
| Ample economic opportunity | Bountiful arts and recreational activities |
| Pleasant weather | Delicious food |
| Abundant recreational options | Abundant entertainment |
| High quality of life | Intense sports culture |
| Fresh and healthy foods | Ample economic opportunity |
Comparing the cons of living in California vs. Chicago, IL:
Not everything is sunshine and rainbows, these are the things to be aware of when leaving California for Chicago.
| Cons of living in California | Cons of living in Chicago, IL |
|---|---|
| High cost of living | High crime rate |
| Heavy tax burdens | Temperamental weather |
| Natural disasters | Terrible traffic |
| Terrible traffic | High taxes |
| Strange laws | Pollution |
FAQ
How long does a move from California to Chicago take?
The time frame for a move from California to Chicago, IL, varies based on your moving method and starting location. The actual loading up of your items should not take more than a day, even with DIY moves.
Obviously, the further upstate you are in California, the longer the drive time to Chicago will be. If you’re driving a rental truck, the move could be completed in one or two days, on average, depending on your route and how often you stop.
With professional movers or moving containers, delivery times to Chicago from California can range from a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the company’s schedule and transit logistics. You can always ask for a general timeline before booking.
How far in advance should I book movers when moving from California to Chicago?
Because of the 2139-mile move, it’s best to book your move from California to Chicago as soon as you have your moving details. Ideally, you’d book your move two to three months ahead of time.
What time of year is the cheapest to move to Chicago, IL?
With the summer highs of 84ºF and the winter lows of 19ºF, most people move to Chicago from California during the spring and fall months. To avoid competing during those busy moving seasons, you could save some money by booking your move to Chicago during summer or winter.
