Quick answer: For a 981-mile move from Fort Collins to Chicago, expect to spend around $869–$7,901 and two to seven days in transit. Cost and time vary by move size, date, and whether you're going DIY or using a moving company.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Chicago to Fort Collins guide.
Our track record
Best Movers By Type
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Best Professional Movers from Fort Collins to Chicago
Picking a long-distance moving company for your journey from Fort Collins to Chicago isn't always easy. With so many choices out there, figuring out who you can really rely on can feel overwhelming.
No need to waste hours comparing moving companies — we've done the work for you. Our top picks stand out for their glowing reviews, affordable rates, and wide range of services to fit any move.
Safeway Moving
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American Van Lines
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Allied Van Lines
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Mayzlin Relocation
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North American Van Lines
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How we chose the best moving companies for your CO to IL move
Local moving companies in Fort Collins
- Exodus Moving and Storage: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- All My Sons Moving & Storage: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- American Moving & Storage: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- Square Cow: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- Little Guys Movers : 4.76 out of 5 stars
Company Info
Years in Business: 26
Alternate Names: AAA Exodus Moving and Storage Inc
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 00544
Years in Business: 24
DOT #: 902281
Alternate Names: All My Sons of Loveland, LLC
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Antiques
- Crating
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
Company Info
State license #: 00612
Years in Business: 26
DOT #: 1253812
Alternate Names: AmericanMoving.com, American Moving, Man & A Van Moving, Inc.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
Company Info
State license #: HHG-00479
Years in Business: 15
DOT #: 1748594
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Art
- Antiques
- Storage
Company Info
Years in Business: 32
DOT #: 1931566
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
How much does it cost to move from Fort Collins to Chicago?
Fort Collins movers charge $120 per hour on average. Here are average prices for a full-service moving company, moving container, or truck:
Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
---|---|---|---|
Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,440 - $5,710 | $1,034 - $2,544 | $764 - $1,555 |
2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,313 - $7,901 | $1,801 - $3,650 | $869 - $1,740 |
4+ bedrooms | $5,454 - $9,915 | $2,600 - $4,800 | $1,123 - $2,095 |
Cost to hire movers from Colorado to Illinois
Moving a studio or one-bedroom home from Colorado to Illinois typically costs between $1,440 and $5,710. For a two- or three-bedroom home, expect prices to fall between $3,313 and $7,901 when moving from CO to IL. If you’re tackling a large move (think four or five bedrooms) from Colorado to Illinois, you’re looking at costs ranging from $5,454 up to $9,915.
Cost of moving containers from Colorado to Illinois
Moving from Colorado to Illinois? For a small load, you’ll likely pay between $1,034 and $2,544. If you have a two- or three-bedroom home, costs usually range from $1,801 to $3,650. Got a big family or a four-plus bedroom house? Expect prices ranging anywhere from $2,600 up to $4,800. For detailed pricing info, take a look at our complete PODS cost guide.
Check out the most affordable moving container companies to help with your move from Colorado.
Cost of moving truck rentals from Colorado to Illinois
Renting a moving truck is typically the most budget-friendly choice, but remember, you’ll be responsible for all the heavy lifting, packing, and driving on your own.
If you're moving from a studio or one-bedroom place with a rental truck, expect to pay between $764 and $1,555. For a two- or three-bedroom move, costs usually range from $869 to $1,740. If you’re tackling a four-bedroom or bigger move, your rental truck will likely run between $1,123 and $2,095.
Estimated fuel costs are already factored into these quotes.
Key factors that impact the cost of your Fort Collins to Chicago move
What to know before moving from Fort Collins to Chicago
Moving from Fort Collins to Chicago comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Chicago is generally more expensive than Fort Collins, it's important to plan ahead and budget carefully for the change.
Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:
Fort Collins | Chicago | |
---|---|---|
Average rent cost | $1,750 | $2,045 |
Average home value | $543,093 | $295,743 |
Average income (per capita) | $64,728 | $71,566 |
Cost of living (single person) | $2,140 | $3,648 |
Cost of living (family of 4) | $4,795 | $9,266 |
Unemployment rate | 5.6% | 9.0% |
Sales tax | 7.55% | 10.25% |
State income tax | 5.49% | 4.95% |
- You may want to budget more for rent in Chicago, since prices are typically 17% higher than in Fort Collins.
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In terms of homeownership, you'll be able to get more for your money in Chicago.
Home prices in Chicago are 45.5% lower than in Fort Collins. - You’re likely to make a higher income living in Chicago, where incomes are, on average, 10.6% higher than in Fort Collins. Major employers in Chicago include U.S. Government, Chicago Public Schools, and City of Chicago.
- Be sure to budget for higher bills in Chicago, since the cost of living for a single person in Chicago is 70.5% higher than in Fort Collins. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
- If you're moving your family to Chicago, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Chicago is 93.2% higher than in Fort Collins.
- The unemployment rate in Chicago is 60.71% higher than in Fort Collins.
- Shopping and dining out will likely be a little pricier in Chicago, since its sales taxes are 35.76% higher than what you are paying in Fort Collins.
- One perk of moving to Chicago is paying less in state income taxes, which are 9.84% lower than in Fort Collins.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $5,114.02 in Chicago to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Fort Collins.
How life is different in Fort Collins vs. Chicago
Chicago | Fort Collins | |
---|---|---|
Population | 2,746,388 | 169,810 |
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 9 | 4 |
Walkability score | 77 | 37 |
Bike friendliness score | 72 | 78 |
Crime Index | 35.19 | 17.0 |
Safety Index | 33.87 | 72.86 |
Air Quality | Good | Good |
- The population of Chicago is about 1,517% greater than Fort Collins, so you may find more to see and do in your new surroundings. Of course, with more people can also come increased competition for jobs and housing.
- Chicago offers better access to buses and trains than Fort Collins, based on public transportation ratings. Chicago has a transit score of 9 out of 10 compared to 4 in Fort Collins. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
- Living in Chicago means you'll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Fort Collins. Chicago is considered more walkable than Fort Collins, with a score of 77 out of 100 versus 37 out of 100 in Fort Collins. A city's walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
- You probably won't see as many cycling lanes or off-road trails in Chicago, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than Fort Collins. While Fort Collins has a bike-friendliness score of 78 out of 100, Chicago earned a 72. Scores are based on factors like whether a city accommodates cyclists on major roadways, how often people bike to work, and how many steep hills it has.
- The crime rate in Chicago is higher than in Fort Collins, so you may want to exercise a little extra caution as you're acclimating to your new location. While the crime index is 35.19 in Chicago, it is 17.0 in Fort Collins. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a city's crime levels.
- You may want to exercise more caution as you're getting used to your new surroundings in Chicago. With a crime index of 33.87, Chicago ranks lower in overall safety than Fort Collins, whose index is 72.86. The safety index measures how safe people in a city feel about walking alone, both during the day and at night, as well as data on muggings, theft, vandalism, and other instances of petty crime.
- The air quality in Chicago and Fort Collins is generally the same (Good). Cities with good to moderate ratings have clean or acceptable air quality, with the possibility of small pollutants affecting people with certain health conditions like asthma. Anything beyond the moderate rate means increased impact on residents.
Other things to consider for your Fort Collins 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. We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move.
- Change of address: 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
With your sights set on Chi-Town, these are some of the most popular neighborhoods to consider in Chicago.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Lake View
- Lincoln Park
- The Loop
- Near North Side
- West Town
Best neighborhoods for families
- Beverly
- Edison Park
- Lincoln Park
- North Center
- West Loop
Things to do in Chicago
Now that you've made the move to Illinois it's the perfect time to explore Chicago From local hotspots to hidden gems, there's something to enjoy for every lifestyle:
- Arts and culture: You'll find museums and cultural hubs throughout Chicago, such as the The Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago History Museum, and Museum of Contemporary Art.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Millennium Park, Grant Park, The 606, and Lincoln Park — along with other locations, ideal for trails, cycling, or enjoying the fresh air.
- Sports: Experience the energy of a live game and back the home team at an Chicago Bears (NFL), Chicago Cubs (MLB), Chicago White Sox (MLB), or Chicago Blackhawks (NHL) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Fort Collins to Chicago?
The best time to move from Fort Collins to Chicago is during the spring or fall. These seasons offer milder weather and avoid higher moving costs during the peak moving season in Fort Collins.
When is the cheapest time to move from Fort Collins to Chicago?
With many people choosing to move from Fort Collins to Chicago in spring or fall, winter moves often come with better rates. Take a look at our moving discounts guide to find out how to save.
How long does a move from Fort Collins to Chicago take?
The 981-mile move from Fort Collins, CO, to Chicago, IL, takes two to seven days. Some Fort Collins movers may offer expedited moving if you need it faster. If you need more time, ask your mover about storage options in Chicago.