Quick answer: The cost to move from Chicago to Fort Wayne ranges from $236 to $4,459 and the journey will take approximately one to two days. Key factors influencing these estimates include your moving volume, chosen moving date, and whether you opt for professional movers or handle the 162-mile move on your own.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Fort Wayne to Chicago guide.
Our track record
Best Movers By Type
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Professional
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Container
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Rental Truck
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Labor Only
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Best Professional Movers from Chicago to Fort Wayne
Choosing a long-distance mover for your trip from Chicago to Fort Wayne can be tough. With so many options, it's easy to feel overwhelmed about who you can truly count on.
Save yourself the hassle of sorting through countless moving companies — we've already narrowed down the best for you. Our favorites earned their spots thanks to rave reviews, budget-friendly prices, and versatile services to suit any type of move.
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Safeway Moving
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American Van Lines
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Allied Van Lines
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Mayzlin Relocation
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North American Van Lines
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How we chose the best moving companies for your IL to IN move
Local movers servicing Chicago to Fort Wayne moves
Searching for a dependable local mover in Chicago that also provides long-distance services to Fort Wayne can feel overwhelming. Many companies make similar promises, but not all live up to them.
That's where we come in — we've analyzed local movers in Chicago who specialize in long-distance relocations, factoring in cost, services, and customer feedback.
Below are the top local moving companies for long-distance moves from Chicago to Fort Wayne.
- New City Moving: 5.0 out of 5 stars
- The Professionals Moving Specialists: 4.86 out of 5 stars
- H2H Movers Inc: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- STI Moving & Storage Inc.: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- Alliance Moving & Storage: 4.8 out of 5 stars
Company Info
State license #: 158051
Years in Business: 16
DOT #: 3078026
Alternate Names: Windy City Moving, Inc.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
Company Info
State license #: 136144
Years in Business: 20
DOT #: 3383907
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Safes
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 184599
Years in Business: 10
DOT #: 2428328
Alternate Names: H2H Movers, Inc
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Crane vans
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Safes
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
Company Info
State license #: 139020
Pricing: $150/hr
Years in Business: 20
DOT #: 1308599
Alternate Names: STI Moving & Storage, Inc.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Crane vans
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
Company Info
State license #: 214845
Years in Business: 9
DOT #: 2882675
Alternate Names: HK & RP, LLC
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Safes
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
How much does it cost to move from Chicago to Fort Wayne?
Chicago movers charge $100 per hour on average. Here are average prices for a full-service moving company, moving container, or truck:
| Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $774 - $2,979 | $622 - $1,559 | $220 - $400 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,446 - $4,459 | $1,160 - $2,118 | $236 - $435 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $1,960 - $5,375 | $1,558 - $2,592 | $290 - $503 |
Cost to hire movers from Illinois to Indiana
If you're moving a studio or one-bedroom home from Illinois to Indiana, you can expect to spend between $774 and $2,979. For a two- or three-bedroom place, prices usually range from $1,446 to $4,459 on the same route (IL to IN). Got a larger household? Moving a four- or five-bedroom home from Illinois to Indiana typically runs between $1,960 and $5,375.
Cost of moving containers from Illinois to Indiana
Moving from Illinois to Indiana? For a small load, you'll likely pay between $622 and $1,559. If you have a two- or three-bedroom home, costs usually range from $1,160 to $2,118. Got a big family or a four-plus bedroom house? Expect prices ranging anywhere from $1,558 up to $2,592. 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 Indiana
Renting a moving truck typically costs the least, but you'll be responsible for both the heavy lifting and all the driving.
Expect to pay between $220 and $400 to move a studio or one-bedroom apartment with a rental truck. For a two- or three-bedroom move, prices usually range from $236 to $435. If you're relocating a four-bedroom (or larger) home, you'll likely spend anywhere from $290 to $503.
These estimates factor in the average cost of fuel.
Factors that influence moving costs from Chicago to Fort Wayne
What to know before moving from Chicago to Fort Wayne
Moving from Chicago to Fort Wayne means adjusting to a different pace of life — and a different price tag. On average, it costs significantly more to live in Chicago than in Fort Wayne, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.
Check out how Chicago compares to Fort Wayne so you know what to expect before you relocate:
| Chicago | Fort Wayne | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $2,045 | $1,163 |
| Average home value | $295,743 | $227,803 |
| Average income (per capita) | $71,566 | $53,978 |
| Cost of living (single person) | $3,648 | $2,600 |
| Cost of living (family of 4) | $9,266 | $3,150 |
| Unemployment rate | 9.0% | 5.1% |
| Sales tax | 10.25% | 7.0% |
| State income tax | 4.95% | 3.15% |
- Rent prices in Fort Wayne are 43% lower than in Chicago, which means you'll have more money in your pocket each month.
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In terms of homeownership, you'll be able to get more for your money in Fort Wayne.
Home prices in Fort Wayne are 23.0% lower than in Chicago. - Income in Fort Wayne is 24.6% lower than in Chicago, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in Fort Wayne — including Steel Dynamics, Franklin Electric, and Fort Wayne Community Schools — may pay more.
- Get ready to save some money on recurring expenses like food, gas, and utility bills in Fort Wayne. On average, the cost of living for a single person there is 28.7% lower than in Chicago.
- A move to Fort Wayne 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 66.0% less than what it costs in Chicago.
- The unemployment rate in Fort Wayne is 43.33% lower than in Chicago.
- You'll spend less on retail and restaurants in Fort Wayne, since the city's sales taxes in Fort Wayne are 31.71% lower than in Chicago.
- One perk of moving to Fort Wayne is paying less in state income taxes, which are 36.36% lower than in Chicago.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,138.16 in Fort Wayne to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Chicago.
How life is different in Chicago vs. Fort Wayne
| Fort Wayne | Chicago | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 265,974 | 2,746,388 |
| AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 3 | 9 |
| Walkability score | 32 | 77 |
| Bike friendliness score | 41 | 72 |
| Crime Index | 40.9 | 35.19 |
| Safety Index | 59.1 | 33.87 |
| Air Quality | Good | Good |
- Fort Wayne might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 90% less than Chicago.
- Getting around Fort Wayne without a car might be more difficult than in Chicago. Fort Wayne has a public transportation score of 3 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.
- Fort Wayne neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as Chicago. Based on its score of 32 out of 100, Fort Wayne 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.
- You probably won't see as many cycling lanes or off-road trails in Fort Wayne, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than Chicago. While Chicago has a bike-friendliness score of 72 out of 100, Fort Wayne earned a 41. Scores are based on factors like whether a city accommodates cyclists on major roadways, how often people bike to work, and how many steep hills it has.
- The crime rate in Fort Wayne 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 40.9 in Fort Wayne, 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 Fort Wayne than in Chicago, based on Fort Wayne's safety index of 59.1 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 Fort Wayne 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.
Other things to consider for your Chicago vs. Fort Wayne move
- Weather: Fort Wayne summers are hot, humid, and wet. Winters are generally cold with moderate snowfall. Severe weather is not uncommon, particularly in the spring and summer months; the city experiences an average of 39 thunderstorm days and about 10 severe weather days annually.
- HOA rules: It's a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
- Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, it's a good idea to secure a reservation before your moving day.
- Truck parking permits: To avoid fines or delays, check whether a parking permit is needed for your moving truck.
- State licensing: The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) regulate movers operating within Indiana and issue moving companies Indiana Households Goods Carriers Numbers. Check to make sure prospective movers have one and that it’s up to date. Before booking, ensure the moving company is officially licensed to handle your move.
- State regulator: To confirm a moving company's license in Indiana, visit the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: While Indiana doesn't mandate moving permits, checking local parking guidelines before your move-in day is still a good idea.
- Change of address: We recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move to ensure your mail gets forwarded to Fort Wayne without delay. You can select your official move date when completing the form. Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state sets its own rules for what insurance moving companies need to maintain. Opt for Released Value Protection – a budget-friendly choice with no extra cost from movers, though coverage is limited to 60 cents per pound. For instance, if a 50-inch TV weighing 25 pounds is lost or damaged, reimbursement is just $15. To ensure coverage for your items' full value, discuss alternative options with your chosen moving company or consider third-party insurance providers.
- Moving checklist: Our moving checklist gives you the peace of mind that comes with being fully prepared.
Where to live in Fort Wayne
Ready to relocate to City of Churches? Here are some of the top neighborhoods to consider in Fort Wayne.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- West Central
- North Anthony
- Downtown
- Northside
- Historic Northeast
Best neighborhoods for families
- Pine Valley
- Aboite Township
- Cherry Hill
- Arlington Park
- Georgetown
Things to do in Fort Wayne
Now that you've made the move to Indiana it's the perfect time to explore Fort Wayne From local hotspots to hidden gems, there's something to enjoy for every lifestyle:
- Arts and culture: You'll find museums and cultural hubs throughout Fort Wayne, such as the Science Central, Fort Wayne Museum of Art, Fort Wayne Firefighters Museum, History Center, and Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Lakeside Park & Rose Garden, Kreager Park, Buckner Park, and Promenade Park — along with other locations, ideal for trails, cycling, or enjoying the fresh air.
- Sports: Experience the energy of a live game and back the home team at an Fort Wayne Komets (ECHL) and Fort Wayne Ants (NBA G League) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Chicago to Fort Wayne?
The best time to move from Chicago to Fort Wayne is during the spring or fall. These seasons offer milder weather and avoid higher moving costs during the peak moving season in Chicago.
When is the cheapest time to move from Chicago to Fort Wayne?
With many people choosing to move from Chicago to Fort Wayne in spring or fall, winter moves often come with better rates. Take a look at our moving discounts guide to find out how to save.
How long does a move from Chicago to Fort Wayne take?
The 162-mile move from Chicago, IL, to Fort Wayne, IN, takes one to two days. Some Chicago movers may offer expedited moving if you need it faster. If you need more time, ask your mover about storage options in Fort Wayne.