Top St. Petersburg, FL to Chicago, IL Movers

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

1. Let's Get Moving, Inc.: 4.8 out of 5 stars
2. Big Man's Moving Company, LLC: 4.86 out of 5 stars
3. Brothers EZ Moving: 4.72 out of 5 stars
4. 2 College Brothers Moving and Storage: 4.48 out of 5 stars
5. TWO MEN AND A TRUCK: 4.58 out of 5 stars

Cost to hire movers from Florida to Illinois

If you're packing up a studio or one-bedroom to move from Florida to Illinois, you can expect prices to land between $1,330 and $5,625. For a two- or three-bedroom space, your costs will usually range from $3,041 to $6,730 for the trip from FL to IL. If you're moving a large four- or five-bedroom home, you're likely looking at a price tag between $5,192 and $9,069.

Cost of moving containers from Florida to Illinois

If you're relocating from Florida to Illinois, you'll typically spend between $1,160 and $2,726 for a small move. Have a two or three-bedroom home? Plan for costs to range from $2,016 up to $4,002. If you're moving a larger home—four bedrooms or more—expect to pay anywhere between $2,567 and $5,191. For a full breakdown, check out our complete PODS cost guide.

Exploree our top budget-friendly moving container companies for your move from Florida.

Cost of moving truck rentals from Florida 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 $907 to $1,747. A two to three-bedroom move will cost $1,041 to $2,121, and moving a home with four or more bedrooms or from Florida to Illinois costs around $1,322 to $2,663.

These quotes include the estimated fuel cost.

• Rent prices in Chicago are 1% lower than in St. Petersburg, 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 18.0% lower than in St. Petersburg.
• You're likely to make a higher income living in Chicago, where incomes are, on average, 11.2% higher than in St. Petersburg. 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 38.1% higher than in St. Petersburg. 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 50.0% higher than in St. Petersburg.
• The unemployment rate in Chicago is 95.65% higher than in St. Petersburg.
• Shopping and dining out will likely be a little pricier in Chicago, since its sales taxes are 46.43% higher than what you are paying in St. Petersburg.
• State income taxes in Chicago are 4.95% higher than in St. Petersburg.

• The population of Chicago is about 959% greater than St. Petersburg, 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 St. Petersburg, based on public transportation ratings. Chicago has a transit score of 9 out of 10 compared to 6 in St. Petersburg. 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 St. Petersburg. Chicago is considered more walkable than St. Petersburg, with a score of 77 out of 100 versus 43 out of 100 in St. Petersburg. A city's walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
• If cycling is your thing, Chicago is considered more bike-friendly than St. Petersburg in terms of designated lanes and connectivity and how many residents opt to commute on two wheels rather than by car. Chicago has a bike-friendliness score of 72 out of 100, while St. Petersburg is rated as 59 out of 100.
• Chicago has a lower crime rate than St. Petersburg based on scores of 35.19 and St. Petersburg's 39.54, respectively. The crime index shows how safe a city is perceived to be. So, a lower score generally means less crime.
• 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 St. Petersburg, whose index is 60.46. 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 St. Petersburg 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.

• 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: Be sure to review your community or HOA guidelines before moving day to avoid any surprises or delays.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, make sure to find out how to reserve it ahead of your move.
• Truck parking permits: Many cities require special permits for parking large moving trucks. Check in advance to see if one is needed for your move.
• 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. Double-check that the moving company is properly licensed before you hire them.
• State regulator: You can check the status of a Illinois moving license through the state's public utilities commission.
• Moving Permits: Illinois doesn't require moving permits, but it's still a good idea to check local parking rules before your move-in day.
• Change of address: We suggest filing your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move. You'll be able to set your official move date, helping ensure your mail is forwarded correctly to Chicago. Start the process here.
• Moving company insurance: Each state has its own requirements for the level of insurance moving companies must carry. 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: Use our moving checklist to stay on top of every detail and reduce last-minute stress.

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: Chicago features a variety of museums and cultural arts centers, including 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 — among other spots — perfect for hiking, biking, or simply soaking up the outdoors.
• Sports: Grab a seat and root for the home team during an Chicago Bears (NFL), Chicago Cubs (MLB), Chicago White Sox (MLB), or Chicago Blackhawks (NHL) game.