($1,402) Cost of Moving From Illinois to California
Quick answer: The average cost to move from Illinois to California ranges from $1,524 to $8,239 and takes six–17 days. The top cost factors are how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the move yourself.
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Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our moving from California to Illinois guide.
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The best Illinois to California full-service movers
Moving from Illinois to California? With thousands of moving companies in the U.S., hiring the right interstate moving company can be a challenge.
To simplify your search, we've selected the most reliable movers based on our detailed analysis of customer reviews, pricing, and service offerings.
Start with these top long-distance moving companies serving Illinois for your California relocation:
- Safeway Moving: Best overall value
- Mayzlin Relocation: Best for personalized service
- American Van Lines: Most experienced mover
- Allied Van Lines: Best for contents coverage
- North American Van Lines: Best customized plans
- GPS tracking en route
- Veteran-owned
- Dedicated move coordinator
- Flat-rate pricing
- Donates a portion of moves to charity
- Family-owned, with locations covering the East Coast
- Full refund if you cancel within 7 days of your move
- Hands-on customer service
- 24/7 support
- Price-matching policy
- Experienced & fully trained moving crews
- Specializes in moving art & antiques
- Competitive pricing
- Can handle last-minute moves
- Climate-controlled storage
- Fragile packing
- Storage options
- 24/7 shipment tracking
- Quick & efficient
- Accurate quotes
- Custom crates for electronics & art
- Satellite shipment tracking
- 1,500 local agents covering all 50 states
- Self-packing option
- No deposit required
The best Illinois to California moving container companies
Moving containers allow you to save money without having to go the full DIY route. While you’ll have to handle loading and unloading, the container company has you covered on transportation — they’ll pick up your pod in Illinois and drop it off at your new home in California.
Check out these highly rated moving container companies:
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The best Illinois to California moving truck rentals
Moving truck rentals are the most cost-effective way to move from Illinois to California, although they’re also the most labor-intensive. You’ll save big by doing all the heavy lifting and driving.
We like these rental moving trucks:
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The best Illinois to California labor-only movers
If you need help moving some or all of your items into a container or rental truck, you can hire labor-only movers. They’ll send over a professional crew the right size for your move and you’ll pay only for the amount of time they work.
Consider one of these top-notch moving labor companies for your move from Illinois to California:
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How we chose the best moving companies for your IL to CA move
moveBuddha’s expert team analyzed moving rates from 63 Illinois movers and listed the top movers based on customer satisfaction, reviews, and cost.
Customer satisfaction (40%): The company consistently delivers services in a timely matter with good communication and within the estimated cost.
Dispute resolution (20%): Mistakes cannot be avoided in the moving industry. We look for companies that own their mistakes and make genuine efforts to fix any issues that arise during a move.
Industry reputation (15%): The company is well-regarded within the moving industry and participates in industry conferences and organizations.
Online reputation (15%): The company maintains a professional website with accurate information. The company promptly and professionally responds to online customer inquiries.
Service options (10%): We look for companies with a deep breadth of services including full packing, storage, specialty item handling, and expedited delivery.
Here is our full moving company rating methodology.
How much does it cost to move from Illinois to California?
The table below lays out average cost ranges to move from Illinois to California for different moving services depending on the size of your home.
| Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 Bedroom | $1,402 - $5,995 | $1,395 - $3,560 | $1,452 - $2,717 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $4,054 - $8,239 | $2,431 - $5,063 | $1,524 - $3,365 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $7,377 - $12,812 | $3,506 - $7,191 | $2,041 - $4,041 |
*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 2,083 miles and historical averages. The actual size of your move, additional services required, truck parking access, market conditions, and availability can greatly affect your final costs.
Cost to hire movers from Illinois to California
Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Illinois to California will cost between $1,402 and $5,995. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from IL to CA will range from $4,054 to $8,239, and a large move from Illinois to California will cost from $7,377 to $12,812.
Cost of moving containers from Illinois to California
Moving containers from Illinois to California will cost you $1,395 to $3,560 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $2,431 to $5,063. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $3,506 to $7,191. Learn more about PODS cost.
Here are the cheapest moving container companies when moving out of Illinois.
Cost of moving truck rentals from Illinois to California
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
$1,452 to $2,717.
A two to three-bedroom move will cost
$1,524 to $3,365,
and moving a home with four or more bedrooms or from Illinois to California costs from
$2,041 to $4,041.
These estimates include the estimated fuel cost.
Factors affecting the cost of moving from IL to CA
There are many factors that influence Illinois moving costs. The cost to move from Illinois to California 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 CA
If you’re moving to California from Illinois, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.
Cost of living: Illinois vs. California
| Illinois | California | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,179 | $1,856 |
| Average home cost | $249,224 | $771,057 |
| Average income (per capita) | $78,433 | $91,905 |
| Cost of Living Index | 90 | 134 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.3% | 5.4% |
| Average Sales Tax | 8.82% | 8.68% |
| State Income Tax | 4.95% | 13.3% |
- Rent is about 57% more expensive in California than in Illinois.
- Home prices are about 209% higher in California than in Illinois.
- The average income is about 17% higher in California than in Illinois.
- Cost of living is 49% lower in California than in Illinois.
- California has a higher unemployment rate than Illinois by about 2%.
- Sales taxes are 2% lower in California than in Illinois.
- Income taxes are 169% higher in California than in Illinois.
How life is different in California vs. Illinois
| California | Illinois | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 39,029,342 | 12,549,689 |
| Political leaning | Democratic 59-41 | Democratic 55-45 |
| Summer high | 87ºF | 86ºF |
| Winter low | 59ºF | 17ºF |
| Annual rain | 22" | 40" |
| Annual snow | 7" | 22" |
| Crime index | 28.43 | 19.7 |
- The population of California is approximately 211% greater than the population of Illinois.
- In the last presidential election, California voted Democratic and Illinois voted Democratic.
- The average high in the summertime in California is 87ºF and in Illinois, it’s 86ºF.
- During the coldest part of the year, California reaches the temperature of 59ºF and Illinois gets down to 17ºF.
- You can expect about 22 inches of annual rainfall in California versus 40 inches of rainfall in Illinois.
- In California, it snows about 7 inches annually versus 22 inches of snow in Illinois.
- California has a higher crime rate than Illinois with a crime index of 28.43 vs. 19.7.
Comparing the pros of Illinois vs. California
Getting a fresh start in a new location is exciting. Here’s a side-by-side look at the perks of living in California compared to Illinois.
| Pros of living in Illinois | Pros of living in California |
|---|---|
| Home of Chicago | Ample economic opportunity |
| Ample economic opportunity | Pleasant weather |
| Bountiful recreational opportunities | Abundant recreational options |
| Delicious food | High quality of life |
| World-class sports culture | Fresh and healthy foods |
Comparing the cons of living in Illinois vs. California
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 California.
| Cons of living in Illinois | Cons of living in California |
|---|---|
| Harsh winter weather | High cost of living |
| Bad traffic | Heavy tax burdens |
| High crime rate | Natural disasters |
| Dull landscape | Terrible traffic |
| Strict laws | Strange laws |
Other things to consider for your Illinois to California move
- Weather: California has a great Mediterranean climate throughout most of the state. In the Southeast, you may experience colder winters and hotter summers. The northern part of California experiences more rain than the rest of the state. Before your move be sure to check for rain or very hot days.
- 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: When contacting a local moving company for an estimate in California, make sure each has a “T Number” issued by the California Public Utilities Commission (CAPUC). Moving companies with valid T Numbers have met state requirements for insurance, safety, and financial stability and have passed criminal clearance checks conducted by the California Department of Justice. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
- State regulator: You can verify a California moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
- Moving permits: California 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 California. 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. Opt for Released Value Protection – a cost-free choice provided by movers with minimal coverage. The liability is capped at 60 cents per pound per article. For instance, if a 50-inch TV weighing 25 pounds is lost or damaged, your reimbursement is only $15 (60 cents x 25 pounds). To ensure comprehensive coverage for your items' full value, consult with your chosen moving company or consider third-party insurance options.
- Moving checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.
Things to do in California
While you’re in California, you won’t be bored. These are some of the coolest places to visit in your new home state:
- Yosemite National Park
- Golden Gate Bridge
- Disneyland Park
- Big Sur Coastline
- Universal Studios Hollywood
- Death Valley National Park
- San Diego Zoo
- Lake Tahoe
- Santa Catalina Island
- Redwood National and State Parks
- Joshua Tree National Park
- Hearst Castle
- Channel Islands National Park
- Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
- The Hollywood Sign
- Lombard Street
- Venice Beach
- Monterey Bay Aquarium
- Griffith Observatory
- Santa Monica Pier
- Alcatraz Island
- Winchester Mystery House
- Lassen Volcanic National Park
- Solvang
- Fisherman’s Wharf
- Burney Falls
- Anza Borrego Desert State Park
- Bodie State Historic Park
FAQs
What is the cheapest way to move from Illinois to California?
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 California?
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 California separately through one of the top car shipping companies.
What are the benefits of moving from Illinois to California?
The main reasons people are moving from Illinois to California are the amazing upsides of living in California such as ample economic opportunity and pleasant weather.
Is it cheaper to live in Illinois or California?
It is generally cheaper to live in Illinois than in California. Housing is much more affordable in Illinois, with average rent about 37% less and home prices 68% lower than in California. Taxes are also lower in Illinois, most notably income taxes, which are more than 60% less than those paid by California residents.
How much should you make a year to live comfortably in California?
You should make approximately $74,410 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in California. The cost of living in California is approximately $1,906 per month for an individual and $5,855 for a family of four. The exact amount you’ll need to live comfortably may be more or less depending on where in California you live For example, larger cities like Los Angeles and Bakersfield will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.
