Best overall value
Local moving companies in Illinois
- STI Moving & Storage Inc.: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- The Professionals Moving Specialists: 4.96 out of 5 stars
- H2H Movers Inc: 4.86 out of 5 stars
- New City Moving: 4.86 out of 5 stars
- Planes Moving & Storage Company: 4.86 out of 5 stars
STI Moving & Storage Inc.
rating
4.9 / 5
DOT #: 1308599
Pricing: $150/hr
Years in Business: 20
7400 Niles Center Rd, Skokie, IL 60077STI Moving & Storage Inc., serving Skokie, IL since 2004, has established itself as a reputable choice for local residential moving. Standing out from competitors, STI boasts an impressive Google rating of 4.7 from over 1000 reviews and holds an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. They offer comprehensive services including packing, unpacking, and specialized handling for fragile items and antiques. With a competitive rate of $150 per hour and options for full valuation insurance coverage, they cater to a variety of moving needs, ensuring peace of mind for their clients.
Review Profiles
Services Offered
Move Distances
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
Available services
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Crane vans
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
Additional Information
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- DOT #: 1308599
- State license #: 139020
Alternative Business Names
- STI Moving & Storage, Inc.
The Professionals Moving Specialists
rating
4.96 / 5
DOT #: 3383907
Years in Business: 20
3918 N Western Avenue, Chicago, IL 60618The Professionals Moving Specialists, serving Chicago, IL, since 2005, are a highly reputable local moving company specializing in residential relocations. With an impressive 4.6 average rating from 1013 Yelp reviews and a perfect 5.0 from 3993 Google My Business reviews, they stand out as a top choice compared to other area movers. They also boast an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. The company offers a variety of services, including packing, unpacking, and fragile-only packing, as well as the ability to move specialized items such as pianos, pool tables, and antiques. Known for their customer satisfaction and comprehensive services, The Professionals Moving Specialists are well-equipped to handle all local moving needs.
Review Profiles
Services Offered
Move Distances
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
Available services
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Safes
Additional Information
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 3383907
- State license #: 136144
Local Associations
H2H Movers Inc
rating
4.86 / 5
DOT #: 2428328
Years in Business: 10
4250 N Marine Dr Aparment #1136, Chicago, IL 60613H2H Movers Inc, established in 2015, is a highly reputable local moving company serving the Chicago, IL area. Specializing in residential moves, H2H Movers also offers a range of services including office moving, packing and unpacking, as well as specialized moving for items like pianos and antiques. With an impressive average rating of 4.9 on Google from 1556 reviews and a solid 4.3 from 371 reviews on Yelp, they outshine many other local competitors. Their A- rating from the Better Business Bureau further underscores their reliability. Customers can pay via cash or credit card, and although a deposit is required, full valuation insurance coverage is provided for added peace of mind.
Review Profiles
Services Offered
Move Distances
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
Available services
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Crane vans
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Safes
Additional Information
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- DOT #: 2428328
- State license #: 184599
Alternative Business Names
- H2H Movers, Inc
New City Moving
rating
4.86 / 5
DOT #: 3078026
Years in Business: 16
2929 N Campbell Ave, Chicago, IL 60618New City Moving, a reputable moving company based in Chicago, IL, has been providing local residential moving services since 2010. With an impressive 4.7 average rating from 1,096 Yelp reviews and a 4.8 average rating from 2,393 Google reviews, they stand out among nearby movers. They also boast an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, reflecting their commitment to customer satisfaction. Beyond local moves, New City Moving offers office moving, packing, and unpacking services, along with full valuation insurance coverage. They accept both cash and credit cards, ensuring a flexible payment process.
Review Profiles
Services Offered
Move Distances
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
Available services
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
Additional Information
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- DOT #: 3078026
- State license #: 158051
Alternative Business Names
- Windy City Moving, Inc.
Planes Moving & Storage Company
rating
4.86 / 5
DOT #: 1458935
Years in Business: 104
1100 Bilter Road, Aurora , IL 60504Planes Moving & Storage Company, established in 1921, offers reliable local residential moving services in and around Aurora, IL. With a strong reputation built over a century, the company also provides packing, unpacking, and crating services, ensuring valuable items like pianos and antiques are handled with care. They have an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, a 4.7 average rating from 320 Google reviews, and a solid consumer satisfaction. While their Yelp reviews show mixed feedback with a 3.1 average rating, their long-standing presence and comprehensive service offerings make them a trustworthy choice compared to other local movers.
Review Profiles
Services Offered
Move Distances
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
Available services
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Shipment tracking
- Storage
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 1458935
- State license #: 7545
Alternative Business Names
- Planes Moving & Storage of Chicago, L.L.C.
Factors affecting the cost of moving from IL to AZ
There are many factors that influence Illinois moving costs. The cost to move from Illinois to Arizona will depend on these factors:
- Move size: Moving a large home costs more than moving a studio apartment.
- Time of year: The peak moving season in Illinois is in the summer, so moving companies will likely charge more.
- DIY vs. professional mover: DIY moving services are cheaper but you do all the heavy lifting compared to letting the pros handle your move.
What to know before moving from IL to AZ
If you’re moving to Arizona from Illinois, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.
Cost of living: Illinois vs. Arizona
| Illinois | Arizona | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,179 | $1,308 |
| Average home cost | $249,224 | $428,711 |
| Average income (per capita) | $78,433 | $72,581 |
| Cost of Living Index | 90 | 107 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.3% | 3.6% |
| Average Sales Tax | 8.82% | 8.4% |
| State Income Tax | 4.95% | 2.5% |
- Rent is about 11% more expensive in Arizona than in Illinois.
- Home prices are about 72% higher in Arizona than in Illinois.
- The average income is about 7% lower in Arizona than in Illinois.
- Cost of living is 19% lower in Arizona than in Illinois.
- Arizona has a lower unemployment rate than Illinois by about 32%.
- Sales taxes are 5% lower in Arizona than in Illinois.
- Income taxes are 49% lower in Arizona than in Illinois.
How life is different in Arizona vs. Illinois
| Arizona | Illinois | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 7,431,344 | 12,549,689 |
| Political leaning | Democrat 56-44 | Democratic 55-45 |
| Summer high | 99ºF | 86ºF |
| Winter low | 34ºF | 17ºF |
| Annual rain | 12" | 40" |
| Annual snow | 6" | 22" |
| Crime index | 24.89 | 19.7 |
- The population of Arizona is approximately 41% lower than the population of Illinois.
- In the last presidential election, Arizona voted Democrat and Illinois voted Democratic.
- The average high in the summertime in Arizona is 99ºF and in Illinois, it’s 86ºF.
- During the coldest part of the year, Arizona reaches the temperature of 34ºF and Illinois gets down to 17ºF.
- You can expect about 12 inches of annual rainfall in Arizona versus 40 inches of rainfall in Illinois.
- In Arizona, it snows about 6 inches annually versus 22 inches of snow in Illinois.
- Arizona has a higher crime rate than Illinois with a crime index of 24.89 vs. 19.7.
Comparing the pros of Illinois vs. Arizona
Getting a fresh start in a new location is exciting. Here’s a side-by-side look at the perks of living in Arizona compared to Illinois.
| Pros of living in Illinois | Pros of living in Arizona |
|---|---|
| Home of Chicago | Ample economic opportunity |
| Ample economic opportunity | Pleasant weather |
| Bountiful recreational opportunities | Abundant recreational opportunities |
| Delicious food | Cultural diversity |
| World-class sports culture | No traffic |
Comparing the cons of living in Illinois vs. Arizona
Everything can’t be sunshine and rainbows all the time, no matter where you live. Here are some things to be aware of when leaving Illinois for Arizona.
| Cons of living in Illinois | Cons of living in Arizona |
|---|---|
| Harsh winter weather | Extreme weather |
| Bad traffic | Barren desert land |
| High crime rate | Health hazards |
| Dull landscape | Limited public transportation |
| Strict laws | No winter |
Other things to consider for your Illinois to Arizona move
- Weather: Arizona may be on of the top states where your move is least likely to be affected by climate due to the unlikelihood of extremely cold days and natural disasters.
- HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
- Elevator reservation: One common and important example of something that should be handled ahead of time is reserving the building's elevator and finding out their rules for using the elevator.
- Parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles, find out ahead of time with your new local rules.
- State licensing: Though Arizona is largely an “unregulated” state, local moving companies are subject to some Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) and Department of Weights and Measures regulations intended to ensure that they operate safely and ethically. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
- State regulator: You can verify a Arizona moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
- Moving permits: Arizona 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 so that all your mail will get properly forwarded to Arizona. Get started here.
- Mover's insurance: Interstate moving companies are required under federal law to provide basic insurance — also called “released value protection” — free of charge to all moving customers. Choose Released Value Protection for its cost-effectiveness—offered by movers at no extra charge, although it provides minimal coverage. With a liability limit of 60 cents per pound per article, consider this option carefully. For instance, if a 50-inch TV weighing 25 pounds is lost or damaged, your reimbursement would only be $15 (60 cents x 25 pounds). For comprehensive coverage of your items' full value, consult with your moving company for alternative options or consider third-party insurance providers.
- Moving checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.
Things to do in Arizona
While you’re in Arizona, you won’t be bored. These are some of the coolest places to visit in your new home state:
- Grand Canyon
- Sedona
- Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park
- Hoover Dam
- Phoenix Zoo
- Havasu Falls
- Saguaro National Park
- Canyon de Chelly National Monument
- Arizona Science Center
- Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
- Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
- Meteor Crater Natural Landmark
- Lake Mead National Recreation Area
- Petrified Forest National Park
- Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
- Tumacácori National Historical Park
- London Bridge
- Horseshoe Bend
- Desert Botanical Garden
- Heard Museum
FAQs
What is the cheapest way to move from Illinois to Arizona?
Hiring a full-service Illinois moving company will be on the more expensive side, while a rental truck or a moving container is usually the cheaper way to go, but requires more work. Here’s our guide for the cheapest way to move out of state.
Do movers transport your car from Illinois to Arizona?
Some full-service movers can coordinate auto transport for you as part of your relocation package for an additional fee. But you can also handle vehicle transport from Illinois to Arizona separately through one of the top car shipping companies.
What are the benefits of moving from Illinois to Arizona?
The main reasons people are moving from Illinois to Arizona are the amazing upsides of living in Arizona such as ample economic opportunity and pleasant weather.
Is it cheaper to live in Illinois or Arizona?
It is generally cheaper to live in Illinois than in Arizona. Housing is much more affordable in Illinois, with average rent about 10% less and home prices 42% lower than in Arizona. However, taxes are lower in Arizona, most notably income taxes, which are more than 40% less than those paid by Illinois residents.
How much should you make a year to live comfortably in Arizona?
You should make approximately $63,151 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in Arizona. The cost of living in Arizona is approximately $2,380 per month for an individual and $5,635 for a family of four. The exact amount you’ll need to live comfortably may be more or less depending on where in Arizona you live For example, larger cities like Phoenix and Tucson will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.
