($1,261+) Santa Clarita, CA to Chicago, IL Movers
The cost to move from Santa Clarita, CA to Chicago, IL ranges from $1,312 to $11,899, with an average cost of $4,200. Moves can be as low as $1,261 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 2,013 miles and usually takes 6 to 17 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
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Compare moving options from Santa Clarita, CA to Chicago, IL
Moving options from Santa Clarita to Chicago fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,312 - $11,899 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $4,200, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 60% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This particular route covers 2,013 miles and typically takes 6 to 17 days depending on the service you pick.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 2,013-mile route from Santa Clarita to Chicago, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $1,312 for a studio up to $11,899 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,638 - $6,001 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $1,152 - $3,545, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $1,459 - $4,560, billed by the space you actually use.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Santa Clarita, CA to Chicago, IL
For the 2,013-mile move from Santa Clarita, California, to Chicago, Illinois, full-service movers cost between $1,312 and $11,899. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $419 - $2,792 (1 - 5+ bedrooms), crews will pack your boxes. The weight of your shipment and the mileage between the two cities are what drive your final cost. For scale, local movers in Santa Clarita generally start around $291 plus $125 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Santa Clarita to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,312 - $5,452
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,526 - $8,055
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,673 - $11,899
Packing, storage, shuttle fees, and added coverage can stack on top of the base price. See the full add-ons and specialty services table below for what each runs from Santa Clarita to Chicago.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from California to Illinois. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Moving company rates climb during peak moving season (May –-September) when demand peaks. Scheduling your move outside of that window can lead to noticeably lower costs and better availability.
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Specialty moving services from Santa Clarita, CA to Chicago, IL
Specialty needs vary by market — 86% of Santa Clarita movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Chicago, 93% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $698 - $6,980 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready86% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: NorthStar Moving Company | $279 - $1,675/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $419 - $3,350 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage42% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs58% of local movers | $1,396 - $4,188 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,490 - $13,960 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,046 - $1,987 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items66% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: NorthStar Moving Company | $1,396 - $3,490 |
| Piano | Any piano type82% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: NorthStar Moving Company | $1,117 - $4,886 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling47% of local movers | $419 - $2,094 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect37% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Affordable Quality Moving and Storage | $907 - $2,792 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $419 - $20,940+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $419 - $4,886+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Santa Clarita to Chicago?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in Illinois Movers’ and Warehousemen’s Association is a good first thing to confirm.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving offers the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing locks in your cost upfront, and 24/7 customer support is available throughout the move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. Operating since 1995, AVL staffs every move with full-time in-house crews trained on antiques, art, and other high-value items.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. As one of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, real-time shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in Santa Clarita, CA. Local companies typically run 30% - 40% more at longer distances because they aren't set up to consolidate shipments the way national carriers do. The one case where a local mover might be worth the premium is if you want a dedicated direct-route truck, which averages a 2-day delivery time, but expect to pay more for that convenience.
Moving container costs from Santa Clarita, CA to Chicago, IL
Moving containers from Santa Clarita, California, to Chicago, Illinois, cost between $1,638 and $6,001. With a moving container, you load on your own schedule. U-Haul gives you 3 days to fill yours, while PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're ready, the company transports it straight to your new place. Need more time first? Storage in Santa Clarita typically costs about /month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Santa Clarita to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,638 - $3,237
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,118 - $4,403
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,080 - $6,001
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $105 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $209 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Chicago, IL, if you need to retrieve anything while items are still in storage.
- Moving labor: Since you're responsible for loading the container yourself, many customers bring in hourly help. Based on moveBuddha data, hiring 2 movers for approximately 5 hours costs about $977 in Santa Clarita, CA. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection goes beyond the standard minimum and covers repair, replacement, or reimbursement at declared value. Pricing is typically 1% - 2% of your total shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 move.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a California to Illinois move in the past 90 days. Our pricing data is drawn from 1,500+ monthly data points across our vetted mover network and refreshed every month.
Pro tip: Before ordering moving containers, take a careful inventory of everything you're moving. A typical 1-bedroom home weighs around 3,000 pounds and fits in a single container starting at $1,638. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,118 - $4,403, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Santa Clarita to Chicago?
- Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
- U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
- MovingYourself (5.0/5 stars)
Want a hand without paying for full service? A container or truck move does not mean doing all the heavy lifting yourself. You can hire a labor-only crew in Santa Clarita to load and unload while you handle the drive, then book full help later if you change your mind. Three top-rated local crews for labor-only help in Santa Clarita:
- Best California Movers (5.0/5), 8 years in business
- US Pro Logistics (4.8/5), 4 years in business
- Air 1 Moving & Storage (4.3/5), 23 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Santa Clarita, CA to Chicago, IL
Renting a moving truck for the 2,013-mile move from Santa Clarita, California, to Chicago, Illinois, costs between $1,152 and $3,545, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $894 - $1,022
- Daily insurance: $42/day
- Equipment rentals: $10 - $28
- Santa Clarita daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.89 - $1.39
| Home size | Typical truck size |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | 10 - 12 ft |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | 15 - 17 ft |
| 4+ bedrooms | 20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel) |
These are typical moving truck rental costs from Santa Clarita to Chicago based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,152 - $2,385
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,365 - $2,728
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,640 - $3,545
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $1,152 - $3,545 when pricing out a rental truck from Santa Clarita to Chicago. Fuel alone runs ($894 - $1,022) , and overnight lodging ($209/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend an additional $600 - $1,200 beyond the base rate by the time the move is done.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Santa Clarita, California, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $977.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $894 - $1,022 for the 2,013-mile drive, depending on whether your truck takes gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, auto transport trailers, and furniture pads are separate rentals. Expect to spend between $84 and $454, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $209 per night for hotel stops on the 2,013-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $419 - $628.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Santa Clarita to Chicago?
- Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
- Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
- U-Haul Truck Rental (4.2/5 stars)
The best truck rental companies for this route, based on moveBuddha's ratings.
Freight trailer costs from Santa Clarita, CA to Chicago, IL
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Santa Clarita, California, to Chicago, Illinois. Standard trailers run 28 feet long, and you're only charged for the portion you actually fill. The carrier drops the trailer off, you load it at your own pace, and they handle the drive to your new city.
Pricing is based entirely on the linear footage your shipment occupies, not the full trailer length. Most long-distance freight moves land somewhere between $1,256 and $3,665.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Santa Clarita to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,459 - $2,771
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,678 - $3,665
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,487 - $4,560
Pro tip: Freight trailers offer generous space but reward good packing strategy. The 4-foot ramp can be challenging for large or heavy pieces, and using the full 8-foot height takes careful stacking. Because you're billed by the linear foot, maximizing vertical space keeps your costs lower.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- More space: Freight trailers are billed by the section you fill. If you misjudge your shipment size, each extra foot of trailer space adds around $105 - $209 to your final bill.
- Peak season pricing: Expect higher rates during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) when trailer availability tightens across the country.
- Moving labor: Loading is on you unless you hire outside help. A half-day crew of two movers in Santa Clarita, California, typically costs $977.
What are the best freight companies from Santa Clarita to Chicago?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the pick for best for large moves. The company is well-regarded as a top moving container option for its load-it-yourself, we-drive-it model, and that same model makes it a strong freight option for larger homes that benefit from the company's 53-foot trucks and footage-based pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Alongside their flagship container service, U-Pack provides a top-notch freight trailer option that follows the same model: no deposits, no upfront fees, and pricing based on the linear footage you actually use.
- Stevens Trucking (4.54/5 stars): Stevens Trucking is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and based facilities mean accessible support staff and area-specific scheduling flexibility that national-only freight carriers typically don't match.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Santa Clarita to Chicago, freight trailers are one of the fastest interstate options available, second only to renting a truck and driving it yourself. The tradeoff is that freight works best when you're ready to receive your belongings on the other end. If your timeline is tight on the receiving side or you need a short storage buffer, a moving container might be a better fit.
Cost of living: Santa Clarita, CA vs Chicago, IL
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Chicago, side by side with Santa Clarita on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Santa Clarita, CA | Chicago, IL |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 162 | 106 |
| Average rent | $3,295/mo | $2,045/mo |
| Median home value | $722,430 | $317,509 |
| Average income | $119,926/yr | $75,134/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 9.6% | 9.0% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | Up to 4.95% |
| Walkability score | 35/100 | 77/100 |
| Safety index | 64.08/100 | 33.87/100 |
| Air quality | Moderate | Good |
Cost of living index is relative to the U.S. average of 100. Figures reflect the latest available city and state data.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Chicago, IL to Santa Clarita, CA guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from California to Illinois, so our pricing data stays current. Use our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and spot bad actors early. We track 374 movers licensed in California, useful context for sizing up this 2,013-mile move.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Santa Clarita, CA, to Chicago, IL, comes down to your budget and how much time and work you're able to put into it. Hands-off relocations handled by full-service movers range from $1,312 - $11,899 on the 2,013-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,638 - $6,001 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $1,152 - $3,545 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $3,526 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and 24/7 live support.
Beyond the move itself, people who've relocated to Chicago tend to point to bountiful arts and recreational activities and delicious food, though high crime rate and temperamental weather come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include U.S. Government and Chicago Public Schools.
FAQs: Moving from Santa Clarita, CA, to Chicago, IL
How do I know a mover is licensed in Illinois?
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.
What is the best time of year to move from Santa Clarita, CA to Chicago, IL?
Aim for a move between October and March, when demand drops and rates tend to be lower across all service types. Peak season runs mid-May through mid-September, and weekends and month-end dates are pricier regardless of season. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.
What size moving truck do I need for this route?
Rental trucks generally range from 10 to 26 feet. A 15- to 17-foot truck covers most 2-bedroom moves, while a smaller 10- to 12-foot truck works for a studio or 1-bedroom. Homes with 3 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
Is Chicago a safe place to live?
Chicago has a safety index of 33.87 out of 100 and a crime index of 35.19, compared to 64.08 and 35.92 in Santa Clarita. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What is the cheapest way to move from Santa Clarita, CA to Chicago, IL?
Renting a moving truck is almost always the most affordable option, since you handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself. A 2-bedroom rental truck move on this route averages $1,365 - $2,728. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What percentage of Santa Clarita movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 82% of movers in Santa Clarita handle piano moves, and 66% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
