($1,582) Movers From Santa Ana, CA to Chicago, IL

What to know before moving from Santa Ana to Chicago

Moving from Santa Ana to Chicago means adjusting to a different pace of life — and a different price tag. On average, it costs significantly more to live in Santa Ana than in Chicago, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.

Check out how Santa Ana compares to Chicago so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in Chicago are 23% lower than in Santa Ana, which means you’ll have more money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Chicago.
  Home prices in Chicago are 65.0% lower than in Santa Ana.
• Income in Chicago is 7.4% lower than in Santa Ana, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in Chicago include U.S. Government, Chicago Public Schools, and City of Chicago.
• The cost of living for a single person in Chicago is 42.4% lower than in Santa Ana. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family in Chicago is 17.0% lower than in Santa Ana.
• The unemployment rate in Chicago is 28.57% higher than in Santa Ana.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Chicago, since the city’s sales taxes in Chicago are 10.81% higher than in Santa Ana.
• One perk of moving to Chicago is paying less in state income taxes, which are 62.78% lower than in Santa Ana.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $1,728.09 in Chicago to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Santa Ana.

How life is different in Santa Ana vs. Chicago

• Chicago's population is about 785% greater than Santa Ana.
• Chicago's public transportation has a score of 9 out of 10 versus Santa Ana's lower score of 7.
• Chicago is more walkable than Santa Ana with a score of 77 out of 100 vs Santa Ana's 67 out of 100.
• With a score of 72 out of 100, Chicago is more bike-friendly than Santa Ana, which has a score of 62 out of 100. The higher a city's score, the more suited they are to safely accommodating cyclists.
• Chicago's crime rate is lower than Santa Ana with a score of 35.19 compared to Santa Ana's 54.17. This means that Chicago neighborhoods are safer than 35.19% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Santa Ana neighborhoods are safer than 54.17%.
• Chicago is considered to be less safe than Santa Ana with a score of 33.87 vs Santa Ana's 45.83.
• Air quality in Chicago is good, and in Santa Ana it's moderate.

Other things to consider for your Santa Ana vs. Chicago move

• 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: 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 through the state's public utilities commission.
• 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 Chicago. Get started here.
• Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of 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: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Where to live in Chicago

Now that you've decided to make the move to "Chi-Town", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Chicago.

Helpful moving resources