Industry-trained crews
Local moving companies in California
- Best California Movers: 5 out of 5 stars
- Eagle Moving & Storage, Inc.: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- Meathead Movers: 5 out of 5 stars
- Republic Moving & Storage: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- Air 1 Moving & Storage: 4.9 out of 5 stars
Best California Movers
rating
5 / 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
4.8 / 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
Meathead Movers
rating
5 / 5
DOT #: 921143
Years in Business: 27
3600 S Higuera St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401Meathead Movers has been a trusted name in local residential moving services around San Luis Obispo, CA, since 1998. The company stands out with its glowing consumer reviews, boasting an average rating of 4.2 on Yelp and 4.3 on Google My Business, alongside an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. Unlike many other local moving companies, Meathead Movers also offers comprehensive packing and unpacking services, all without requiring a deposit. With their solid reputation and wide range of services, they remain a top choice for residents seeking reliable and efficient movers locally.
Review Profiles
Services Offered
Move Distances
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
Available services
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Storage
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 921143
- State license #: 189849
Alternative Business Names
- Meathead Packers
Republic Moving & Storage
rating
4.9 / 5
DOT #: 3369820
Years in Business: 31
8140 St Andrews Ave, San Diego, CA 92154Republic Moving & Storage has been a trusted name in local residential moving services in and around San Diego, CA, since 1995. With a strong reputation bolstered by an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, they offer a variety of services including packing, unpacking, and specialized moving for items like pianos, hot tubs, and art. Their consumer reviews reflect a solid reputation, with an average rating of 3.8 on Yelp and 4.0 on Google My Business. Unlike many nearby competitors, they also provide storage solutions and full valuation insurance coverage, ensuring a smooth and secure moving experience.
Review Profiles
Services Offered
Move Distances
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
Available services
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Crane vans
- Shipment tracking
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Safes
Additional Information
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- DOT #: 3369820
- State license #: 0190491
- DOD certified
Alternative Business Names
- Lovejoy's Family Moving
- Republic Relocation Services
Local Associations
Air 1 Moving & Storage
rating
4.9 / 5
DOT #: 1095485
Years in Business: 22
9556 Cozycroft Ave, Chatsworth, CA 91311Air 1 Moving & Storage has been a trusted provider of local residential moving services in and around Chatsworth, CA, since 2004. The company stands out among nearby competitors with its extensive array of services, including packing, unpacking, and crating, along with specialized care for moving pianos, art, and antiques. With an impressive 4.4 average rating on Google and a solid A- rating from the Better Business Bureau, Air 1 Moving & Storage is well-regarded for its reliability and professional service. Customers looking for a reputable local mover will find Air 1’s no-deposit policy and acceptance of credit cards convenient and customer-friendly.
Review Profiles
Services Offered
Move Distances
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
Available services
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 1095485
- State license #: 0189688
Alternative Business Names
- Air 1 Moving & Storage, Inc
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.
