Top Chicago, IL to Long Beach, CA Movers

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

1. New City Moving: 5.0 out of 5 stars
2. The Professionals Moving Specialists: 4.86 out of 5 stars
3. H2H Movers Inc: 4.8 out of 5 stars
4. STI Moving & Storage Inc.: 4.9 out of 5 stars
5. Alliance Moving & Storage: 4.8 out of 5 stars

Cost to hire movers from Illinois to California

Moving a studio or one-bedroom home from Illinois to California typically costs between $1,550 and $5,812. For a two- or three-bedroom home, expect prices to fall between $4,141 and $9,337 when moving from IL to CA. If you're tackling a large move (think four or five bedrooms) from Illinois to California, you're looking at costs ranging from $7,683 up to $13,579.

Cost of moving containers from Illinois to California

Moving from Illinois to California? For a small load, you'll likely pay between $1,415 and $3,431. If you have a two- or three-bedroom home, costs usually range from $2,676 to $5,560. Got a big family or a four-plus bedroom house? Expect prices ranging anywhere from $3,701 up to $6,928. For detailed pricing info, take a look at our complete PODS cost guide.

Check out the most affordable moving container companies to help with your move from Illinois.

Cost of moving truck rentals from Illinois to California

Looking to save money? Renting a moving truck is usually your cheapest option. Just keep in mind that you'll handle all the lifting, packing, and driving yourself.

If you're moving out of a studio or one-bedroom and renting a truck, plan to spend between $1,432 and $2,933. For two- or three-bedroom moves, prices typically land between $1,519 and $3,256. Dealing with a four-bedroom-plus home? Expect rental truck costs to be somewhere between $1,997 and $4,030.

These cost ranges already include estimated fuel costs.

• You may want to budget more for rent in Long Beach, since prices are typically 2% higher than in Chicago.
• The home prices in Long Beach are 182.6% higher than in Chicago, which could mean saving up before buying a home, taking on a bigger mortgage, or downsizing.
• You're likely to make a higher income living in Long Beach, where incomes are, on average, 10.4% higher than in Chicago. Major employers in Long Beach include UTi Worldwide, Molina Healthcare, and Promises Behavioral Health.
• Get ready to save some money on recurring expenses like food, gas, and utility bills in Long Beach. On average, the cost of living for a single person there is 26.5% lower than in Chicago.
• A move to Long Beach can help cut down on a family's routine expenses, including utilities, transportation, and groceries. The cost of living for a family of four is 34.7% less than what it costs in Chicago.
• The unemployment rate in Long Beach is 42.22% lower than in Chicago.
• Sales taxes are the same in Long Beach and Chicago.
• State income taxes in Long Beach are 168.69% higher than in Chicago.

• Long Beach might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 84% less than Chicago.
• Getting around Long Beach without a car might be more difficult than in Chicago. Long Beach has a public transportation score of 8 out of 10, whereas Chicago is ranked 9. Ratings are based on a city's transit connectivity, service frequency, and accessibility to key destinations like jobs and grocery stores.
• Long Beach neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as Chicago. Based on its score of 73 out of 100, Long Beach isn't as walkable as Chicago, which has a score of 77 out of 100. The higher the walkability score a city has, the easier it is to access amenities. The most walkable cities also tend to be more densely populated and have shorter block lengths.
• Long Beach and Chicago are similarly bike-friendly based on their comparable ratings of 70 and 72 respectively. Bike-friendliness scores between 50 and 100 indicate varying levels of infrastructure to support cyclists, including bike lanes and roadway connectivity. Cities with scores under 50 are considered more car-dependent.
• The crime rate in Long Beach is higher than in Chicago, so you may want to exercise a little extra caution as you're acclimating to your new location. While the crime index is 58.58 in Long Beach, it is 35.19 in Chicago. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a city's crime levels.
• You might find more confidence in your overall safety in Long Beach than in Chicago, based on Long Beach's safety index of 41.42 versus 33.87 for Chicago. With this index, higher scores indicate more safety, particularly around how comfortable residents feel walking alone during the day and at night.
• The air quality in Long Beach and Chicago 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: Long Beach has hot summers and mild to warm winters with occasional rainfall.
• 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: 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 through the state's public utilities commission.
• Moving Permits: California does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state. We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move.
• Change of address: You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Long Beach. Get started here.
• Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. 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: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you\'ve got everything covered.

Best neighborhoods for singles

• Belmont Shore
• Recreation Park
• Carroll Park
• Alamitos Beach
• Bluff Heights

Best neighborhoods for families

• Bixby Village
• Los Altos
• Wrigley Heights
• Park Estates
• Alamitos Heights

Things to do in Long Beach

After getting comfortable in your new California home, it's time to see what Long Beach is all about. Whether you're into food, art, nature, or nightlife — there's plenty to check out:

• Arts and culture: Cultural attractions in Long Beach include museums and art centers like the The Queen Mary, Museum of Latin American Art, Rancho Los Cerritos, Long Beach Museum of Art, and Pacific Island Ethnic Art Museum.
• Outdoor recreation: The city's Bluff Park, Rainbow Lagoon Park, Bixby Park, and El Dorado Park West — and more, offering great opportunities to hike, bike, or relax in nature.
• Sports: Nothing beats the thrill of cheering on the home team at an game.