($1,047) Moving from Gainesville to Chicago

Quick answer: A move from Gainesville to Chicago costs $744 to $5,421 and takes two-eight days. The main factors that determine the cost and time are how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the 1,051-mile move yourself.

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  • 10% discount
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  • Certified crews
  • Flat-rate pricing
  • Family-owned

Hiring a long-distance moving company from Gainesville will be more expensive, while renting a truck or using a moving container is usually cheaper but requires more work.

Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Chicago to Gainesville guide.

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The best Gainesville to Chicago moving companies

Hiring an interstate moving company to go from Gainesville to Chicago 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 Gainesville to Chicago.

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  • Best overall value
  • Portion to charity
  • Veteran owned
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Family owned
  • East coast focus
  • Affordable pricing
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 5
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Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Family owned & operated
  • Affordable pricing
  • Same-day estimates

How much does it cost to move from Gainesville to Chicago?

Gainesville movers charge $156 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 $1,047 - $4,206 $871 - $2,063 $682 - $1,256
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,250 - $5,421 $1,500 - $2,961 $744 - $1,556
4+ bedrooms $3,874 - $7,379 $2,109 - $4,065 $935 - $1,952
*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 1,051 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.

Factors influencing moving costs from Gainesville to Chicago

The cost of Gainesville movers will depend on:

  • Move size: The cost of your move will depend on the amount of items you have in your home. For example, moving a one-bedroom apartment from Gainesville to Chicago can be as low as $1,047 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $5,966.
  • Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in Gainesville, so moving companies will likely charge more.
  • Do-it-yourself vs professional mover: Renting a truck or using a moving container can be cheaper options, with prices for a rental truck ranging from $682 to $1,717. However, these options require more work and effort compared to hiring professional movers.

How much are professional moving companies when moving from Gainesville to Chicago?

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Gainesville to Chicago will cost between $1,047 to $4,206. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $2,250 to $5,421, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from Gainesville to Chicago will cost from $3,874 to $7,379.

How much are moving container companies from Gainesville to Chicago?

Moving containers from Gainesville to Chicago will cost you $871 to $2,063 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,500 to $2,961. A larger home will cost $2,109 to $4,065.

How much is a moving truck from Gainesville to Chicago?

Renting a moving truck is usually 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 $682 to $1,256. A larger move will cost $744 to $1,556, and a four-bedroom move from Gainesville to Chicago costs from $935 to $1,952. These estimates include the anticipated fuel cost.

Pros and cons of moving from Gainesville to Chicago

Cost of living: Gainesville vs Chicago

Gainesville Chicago
Average rent cost $1,600 $1,595
Average home value $288,002 $306,098
Average income (per capita) $59,013 $65,601
Cost of Living (single person) $1,727 $1,001
Cost of Living (family of 4) $3,491 $3,584
Unemployment rate 4.4% 9.0%
Sales Tax 7.0% 10.25%
State Income Tax 0.0% 4.95%
  • Rent prices are the same in Chicago and Gainesville.
  • Home prices in Chicago are 6.3% higher than in Gainesville.
  • Income in Chicago is 11.2% higher than in Gainesville.
  • The cost of living for a single person in Chicago is 42.0% lower than in Gainesville.
  • The cost of living for a family in Chicago is 2.7% higher than in Gainesville.
  • The unemployment rate in Chicago is 104.55% higher than in Gainesville.
  • Sales taxes in Chicago are 46.43% higher than in Gainesville.
  • State income taxes in Chicago are 4.95% higher than in Gainesville.

To put this into perspective, you would need around $1,738.85 in Chicago to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Gainesville.

How is life different in Gainesville compared to Chicago?

Chicago Gainesville
Population 2,746,388 141,085
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 9 6
Walkability score 77 37
Bike friendliness score 72 69
Crime Index 35.19 8.0
Safety Index 33.87 52.61
Air Quality Good Good
  • Chicago's population is about 1,847% greater than Gainesville.
  • Chicago's public transportation has a score of 9 out of 10 versus Gainesville's higher score of 6.
  • Chicago is more walkable than Gainesville with a score of 77 out of 100 vs Gainesville's 37 out of 100.
  • Chicago is more bike-friendly than Gainesville with a score of 72 out of 100 vs Gainesville's 69.
  • Chicago's crime rate is higher than Gainesville with a score of 35.19 compared to Gainesville's 8.0. This means that Chicago neighborhoods are safer than 35.19% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Gainesville neighborhoods are safer than 8.0%.
  • Chicago is considered to be less safe than Gainesville with a score of 33.87 vs Gainesville's 52.61.
  • Air quality in Chicago is good, and in Gainesville it's good.

Considerations for moving to Chicago

  • 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.

Local Gainesville movers

Company Quote Rating Contact
2 College Brothers Moving and Storage Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.52 overall rating
1847 S. Main Street, Gainesville, FL, 32601
(352) 309-3752
All My Sons Moving & Storage Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.52 overall rating
3205 Southwest 40th Boulevard, Gainesville, FL, 32608
(352) 600-5190

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

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.

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

What to do in Chicago

These are some of the best things to do in your new Illinois home.

  • Millennium Park, Crown Fountain, and The Cloud Gate
  • Navy Pier
  • Art Institute of Chicago
  • Buckingham Fountain
  • Chicago Riverwalk and Lakefront Trail
  • 360 Chicago and the John Hancock Center
  • Museum of Science and Industry
  • Lincoln Park Zoo
  • Field Museum
  • The Magnificent Mile
  • Willis Tower SkyDeck
  • Garfield Park Conservatory
  • Chicago Cultural Center
  • Wrigley Field
  • Chicago Pizza Tours
  • Oz Park
  • Chicago Architecture Foundation River Cruise
  • Maggie Daley Park
  • Woolly Mammoth Antiques and Oddities
  • Shedd Aquarium
  • Museum of Contemporary Art
  • Green Mill Jazz Club
  • The Richard H. Driehaus Museum
  • The Chicago Theatre
  • The Second City

Get your sports on!

Chicago is a great sports town, these are the local teams to support:

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

FAQ

When is the best time to move from Gainesville to Chicago?

The best time to move from Gainesville to Chicago is during the spring or fall. These seasons offer milder weather and avoid higher moving costs during the peak moving season in Gainesville.

When is the cheapest time to move from Gainesville to Chicago?

Because most people are moving from Gainesville to Chicago in the spring or fall, you can often catch discounts by moving in the winter. Read our guide on moving discounts to learn more.

How long does a move from Gainesville to Chicago take?

The 1,051-mile move from Gainesville, FL, to Chicago, IL, takes two-eight days. Some Gainesville movers may offer expedited moving if you need it faster. If you need more time, ask your mover about storage options in Chicago.

Helpful moving resources