($1,153) Movers From Des Moines, IA to Chicago, IL

What to know before moving from Des Moines to Chicago

Moving from Des Moines to Chicago comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Chicago is generally more expensive than Des Moines, 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:

• Rent prices in Chicago are 78% higher than in Des Moines, which means you’ll have less money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Des Moines.
  Home prices in Chicago are 53.8% higher than in Des Moines.
• Income in Chicago is 22.4% higher than in Des Moines, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top 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 92.9% higher than in Des Moines. 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 111.6% higher than in Des Moines.
• The unemployment rate in Chicago is 52.54% higher than in Des Moines.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Chicago, since the city’s sales taxes in Chicago are 46.43% higher than in Des Moines.
• State income taxes in Chicago are 12.50% higher than in Des Moines.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $5,787.41 in Chicago to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Des Moines.

How life is different in Des Moines vs. Chicago

• Chicago's population is about 293% greater than Des Moines.
• Chicago's public transportation has a score of 9 out of 10 versus Des Moines's lower score of 5.
• Chicago is more walkable than Des Moines with a score of 77 out of 100 vs Des Moines's 45 out of 100.
• With a score of 72 out of 100, Chicago is more bike-friendly than Des Moines, which has a score of 39 out of 100. The higher a city's score, the more suited they are to safely accommodating cyclists.
• Chicago's crime rate is higher than Des Moines with a score of 35.19 compared to Des Moines's 5.0. This means that Chicago neighborhoods are safer than 35.19% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Des Moines neighborhoods are safer than 5.0%.
• Chicago is considered to be less safe than Des Moines with a score of 33.87 vs Des Moines's 57.8.
• Air quality in Chicago is good, and in Des Moines it's good.

Other things to consider for your Des Moines 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