$1,464 Movers From San Diego, CA to Illinois

Quick answer: The cost to move from San Diego, CA to Illinois averages from $1,394 to $8,537 depending on how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the move yourself.

Hiring a professional San Diego moving company will be on the more expensive side, while renting a 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 San Diego, CA guide.

Moving from San Diego, CA to Illinois resources

In this article, we’ll lay out everything you need to know for your upcoming move to Illinois. But first, here are a few resources if you need immediate answers:

Moving 1,978 miles is no joke. Here's what you need to know.

The best San Diego to Illinois moving companies

Hiring an interstate moving company from San Diego 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 San Diego 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
Get A Quote
(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
Get A Quote
(980) 217-6841

% of users select this mover

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

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
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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 San Diego, CA to Illinois?

Here are average prices of hire a moving company, rent a moving container, or rent a moving truck when moving from San Diego to Illinois:

Move size Moving company Moving container Rental truck
Studio / 1 Bedroom $1,464 - $5,753 $1,388 - $3,204 $1,368 - $2,536
2 - 3 bedrooms $3,919 - $8,537 $2,424 - $4,643 $1,394 - $3,139
4+ bedrooms $7,031 - $12,956 $3,125 - $6,658 $1,795 - $3,621
get a quote

*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 1,978 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.

The cost to move from San Diego, CA to Illinois will depend on:

  • Move size: The amount of items you have — as well as your home size and layout — will impact the total cost of your relocation.
  • Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in San Diego, so moving companies will likely charge more.
  • DIY vs. professional mover: DIY moving services are usually cheaper but involve more work and stress compared to hiring the pros.

How much does it cost to hire movers from San Diego, CA to Illinois?

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from San Diego to Illinois will cost between $1,464 to $5,753. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from San Diego to IL will range from $3,919 to $8,537, and a large move from San Diego to Illinois will cost from $7,031 to $12,956.

How much are moving containers like PODS from San Diego, CA to Illinois?

Moving pods from San Diego to Illinois will cost you $1,388 to $3,204. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $2,424 to $4,643. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $3,125 to $6,658. Learn more about PODS cost.

Here are the cheapest moving containers for your move from San Diego to Illinois.

How much is a moving truck from San Diego, CA 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 $1,368 to $2,536. A larger move will cost $1,394 to $3,139, and a four-bedroom or bigger move from San Diego to Illinois costs from $1,795 to $3,621.

Is moving from San Diego, CA to Illinois a good idea?

If you’re moving to Illinois from San Diego, CA, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.

Cost of living: San Diego, CA vs Illinois

San Diego, CA Illinois
Average rent cost $2,895 $1,038
Average home cost $961,892 $249,224
Average income (per capita) $71,251 $78,433
Unemployment rate 6.6% 4.6%
State income tax 13.3% 4.95%
  • Rent is about 117% less expensive in Illinois than in San Diego.
  • Home prices are about 95.5% lower in Illinois than in San Diego.
  • The average income is about 7.8% higher in Illinois than in San Diego.
  • Illinois has a lower unemployment rate than San Diego by about 41.7%.
  • Income taxes are 62.78% lower in Illinois than in San Diego.

How is life different in San Diego, CA from Illinois?

San Diego, CA Illinois
Population 1,386,932 12,582,032
Political leaning Democratic 60-37 Democrat 58-41
Summer high 79ºF 86ºF
Winter low 46ºF 17ºF
Annual rain 12" 40"
Annual snow 0" 22"
Crime index 23.28 18.79
  • The population of Illinois is approximately 807% greater than the population of San Diego.
  • In the last presidential election, Illinois voted Democrat and San Diego voted Democratic.
  • The average high in the summertime in Illinois is 86ºF and in San Diego, it’s 79ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Illinois reaches the temperature of 17ºF and San Diego gets down to 46ºF.
  • You can expect about 40 inches of annual rainfall in Illinois vs 12 inches of rainfall in San Diego.
  • In Illinois, it snows about 22 inches annually vs 0 inches of snow in San Diego.
  • Illinois has a lower crime rate than San Diego with a crime index of 23.28 vs 18.79.

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: If your building has an elevator you’ll want to check on how to reserve it for move day.
  • Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
  • 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 San Diego movers?

Company Quote Rating Contact
Maison Moving Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.96 overall rating
1371 Santa Fe Dr., Tustin, CA, 92780
(800) 832-5950

Visit our best movers in San Diego page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.

What to do in Illinois?

Whether you’re looking for parks, museums, sports, or even universities, you’ll be happy to find a plethora of these in Illinois.

Museums in Illinois

  • The Art Institute of Chicago
  • Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
  • Caterpillar Visitors Center
  • Lincoln Home National Historic Site
  • Museum of Hummels
  • Fabyan Villa Museum & Japanese Garden
  • World's Tallest Man Statue
  • Halim Time & Glass Museum
  • Museum of Science and Industry
  • Graue Mill & Museum

Parks in Illinois

  • Starved Rock State Park
  • Matthiessen State Park
  • Illinois Beach State Park
  • Pere Marquette State Park
  • Kankakee river State Park
  • Shawnee National Forest
  • Castle Rock State Park
  • Rock Cut State Park
  • Giant city State Park
  • Ferne Clyffe State Park

Sports Teams in Illinois

  • Chicago Cubs (MLB)
  • Chicago White Sox (MLB)
  • Chicago Bulls (NBA)
  • Chicago Sky (WNBA)
  • Chicago Bears (NFL)
  • Chicago Blackhawks (NHL)
  • Chicago Fire FC (MLS)
  • Chicago Red Stars (NWSL)

Universities in Illinois

  • University of Chicago
  • University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
  • Northwestern University
  • University of Illinois at Chicago
  • Northern Illinois University
  • DePaul University
  • Illinois Institute of Technology
  • Loyola University Chicago
  • Southern Illinois University Carbondale
  • Illinois State University
  • Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
  • Western Illinois University

Moving from San Diego to Illinois FAQs

Why are people moving from San Diego to Illinois?

Many people are moving to Illinois because of home of Chicago and ample economic opportunity.

Where can I find a list of long-distance moving companies from San Diego?

Here are our top picks for the best long-distance movers in San Diego.

Related articles to your move

Learn more about Illinois