($538+) Chicago, IL to Wichita, KS Movers
Moving from Chicago, IL, to Wichita, KS, runs anywhere from $511 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,637 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 707 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 6 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
- Full-service moves for smaller spaces (studio apartments and 1-bedrooms) start around $1,598, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $7,637 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,116 - $3,682, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $511 - $1,437.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Chicago, IL, to Wichita, KS. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,364 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
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Compare moving options from Chicago, IL to Wichita, KS
Moving options from Chicago to Wichita fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $2,364 - $5,347 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 60% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 707-mile route typically takes 1 to 6 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 707-mile route from Chicago to Wichita, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $1,598 - $4,207 with full-service movers, $1,116 - $1,927 with a container, $511 - $969 with a rental truck, or $966 - $1,823 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $2,364 - $5,347 full-service, $1,447 - $2,698 by container, $557 - $1,247 by rental truck, or $1,069 - $2,114 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $3,914 - $7,637 full-service, $1,770 - $3,682 by container, $711 - $1,437 by rental truck, or $1,565 - $2,973 by freight.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Chicago, IL to Wichita, KS
Full-service movers for the 707-mile relocation from Chicago, Illinois, to Wichita, Kansas, cost between $1,598 and $7,637. With a long-distance moving company, loading, transportation, and unloading are all taken care of. If you want to skip packing boxes, too, that can be added for $290 - $1,936, depending on your home size. What you pay in the end is mainly a function of how much your shipment weighs and how far it's traveling. As a point of reference, local movers in Chicago typically charge a base rate around $220 plus $100 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Chicago to Wichita:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,598 - $4,207
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,364 - $5,347
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,914 - $7,637
Packing, storage, shuttle fees, and added coverage can stack on top of the base price. See the full add-ons and specialty services table below for what each runs from Chicago to Wichita.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Illinois to Kansas. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Peak moving season (May - September) limits truck availability and pushes up full-service moving costs. Booking during slower months can give you more scheduling room and a lower final price.
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Specialty moving services from Chicago, IL to Wichita, KS
Specialty needs vary by market — 93% of Chicago movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Wichita, 83% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing99% of local movers | $484 - $4,840 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready93% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Reebie Storage and Moving Co. | $194 - $1,162/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $290 - $2,323 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage36% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs62% of local movers | $968 - $2,904 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,420 - $9,680 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $725 - $1,377 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items55% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: H2H Movers Inc | $968 - $2,420 |
| Piano | Any piano type75% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: H2H Movers Inc | $774 - $3,388 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling36% of local movers | $290 - $1,452 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect23% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Move-tastic | $629 - $1,936 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $290 - $14,520+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $290 - $3,388+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Chicago to Wichita?
Movers licensed to operate in Kansas are typically members of the Kansas Motor Carriers Association, worth checking for before you book any of the three below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 customer support, and 30 days of free storage are included with every move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list, with 30+ years in business since 1995. AVL is one of the few national carriers that uses full-time in-house crews instead of contracted labor.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, combining fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan that covers damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Chicago, IL. At that distance, local movers often charge 30% - 40% more because they don't spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments the way national carriers do. If a direct route and faster delivery (averaging 2 days) are priorities, a local mover may be worth considering, but that service comes at a higher price.
Moving container costs from Chicago, IL to Wichita, KS
Moving containers from Chicago, Illinois, to Wichita, Kansas, cost between $1,116 and $3,682. A container is delivered to your home and you load it on your own time. Loading windows vary by company: U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30. From there, the company takes over and transports it to Wichita. If you go over that window, storage in Chicago adds around $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Chicago to Wichita:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,116 - $1,927
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,447 - $2,698
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,770 - $3,682
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $73 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $145 per month for larger units (12 - 16 feet).
- Moving labor: Containers don't come with loading help, so many customers hire hourly movers for the job. Two movers for about 5 hours will run you around $678 in Chicago, IL, per moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Standard coverage only reimburses by weight. Full-value protection gives you more complete coverage for higher-value items and typically costs 1% - 2% of your total declared value, around $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 shipment.
- Access: National providers generally operate in both cities, but verify that a facility near your Wichita, KS, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Illinois to Kansas move in the past 90 days. Our pricing data is drawn from 1,500+ monthly data points across our vetted mover network and refreshed every month.
Pro tip: Before ordering moving containers, take a careful inventory of everything you're moving. A typical 1-bedroom home weighs around 3,000 pounds and fits in a single container starting at $1,116. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,447 - $2,698, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Chicago to Wichita?
- Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
- U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
- MovingYourself (5.0/5 stars)
Want a hand without paying for full service? A container or truck move does not mean doing all the heavy lifting yourself. You can hire a labor-only crew in Chicago to load and unload while you handle the drive, then book full help later if you change your mind. Three top-rated local crews for labor-only help in Chicago:
- Move-tastic (5.0/5), 17 years in business
- H2H Movers Inc (4.9/5), 12 years in business
- Stark Moving and Storage (5.0/5), 7 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Chicago, IL to Wichita, KS
Truck rentals from Chicago, Illinois, to Wichita, Kansas, range from $511 - $1,437 for the 707-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $218 - $249
- Daily insurance: $29/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $19
- Chicago daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.79
| Home size | Typical truck size |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | 10 - 12 ft |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | 15 - 17 ft |
| 4+ bedrooms | 20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel) |
These are typical moving truck rental costs from Chicago to Wichita based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $511 - $969
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $557 - $1,247
- 4+ bedrooms: $711 - $1,437
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $511 - $1,437 does not include fuel ($218 - $249) , lodging ($145/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Chicago to Wichita typically runs $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate alone.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Chicago, Illinois, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $678.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $218 - $249 for the 707-mile drive, depending on whether your truck takes gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, auto transport trailers, and furniture pads are separate rentals. Expect to spend between $58 and $315, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $145 per night for hotel stops on the 707-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $290 - $436.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Chicago to Wichita?
- Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
- Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
- U-Haul Truck Rental (4.2/5 stars)
The best truck rental companies for this route, based on moveBuddha's ratings.
Freight trailer costs from Chicago, IL to Wichita, KS
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Chicago, Illinois, to Wichita, Kansas. Standard trailers run 28 feet long, and you're only charged for the portion you actually fill. The carrier drops the trailer off, you load it at your own pace, and they handle the drive to your new city.
Pricing is based entirely on the linear footage your shipment occupies, not the full trailer length. Most long-distance freight moves land somewhere between $871 and $2,114.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Chicago to Wichita:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $966 - $1,823
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,069 - $2,114
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,565 - $2,973
Pro tip: Freight trailers offer generous space but reward good packing strategy. The 4-foot ramp can be challenging for large or heavy pieces, and using the full 8-foot height takes careful stacking. Because you're billed by the linear foot, maximizing vertical space keeps your costs lower.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Demand cycles: Trailer costs climb during peak moving season, especially from mid-May through mid-September when demand is at its highest.
- More space: You're billed only for the linear feet you use, but underestimating your inventory means paying for extra space, typically around $73 - $145 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Chicago, Illinois, for about five hours typically runs $678.
What are the best freight companies from Chicago to Wichita?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Best known as a top moving container option thanks to its DIY hybrid model (you load, they drive), MovingYourself also doubles as a strong freight choice with their 53-foot trucks and pay-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. In addition to their well-known container service, U-Pack offers freight trailers that follow the same pay-by-the-foot model with no deposits or upfront fees, making them one of the most flexible freight options for budget-conscious moves.
- Keller Trucking Co, Inc. (4.54/5 stars): Keller Trucking Co, Inc. is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and operated facilities give you direct access to support staff who know the area and can coordinate pickups and deliveries with greater flexibility than national carriers.
Pro tip: One of the biggest advantages of freight trailers is speed. For an interstate move, freight delivery is one of the fastest options you have short of driving a rental truck yourself. It's a smart choice when your timeline is firm and you'll be ready to receive your shipment. If there's any chance your new place won't be ready or you need a few weeks of storage, a moving container with built-in storage may serve you better.
Cost of living: Chicago, IL vs Wichita, KS
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Wichita, side by side with Chicago on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Chicago, IL | Wichita, KS |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 106 | 83 |
| Average rent | $2,045/mo | $930/mo |
| Median home value | $317,509 | $179,630 |
| Average income | $75,134/yr | $63,072/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 9.0% | 5.9% |
| State income tax | Up to 4.95% | Up to 5.7% |
| Walkability score | 77/100 | 35/100 |
| Safety index | 33.87/100 | 50.81/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Moderate |
Cost of living index is relative to the U.S. average of 100. Figures reflect the latest available city and state data.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Wichita, KS to Chicago, IL guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Illinois to Kansas, so our pricing data reflects what movers are actually charging right now. Check our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers, the best way to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and bad actors. We track 103 movers in Illinois, so you have real options to compare for this 707-mile move.
Our take
A move from Chicago, IL, to Wichita, KS, gives you several options depending on your budget and how much you want to do yourself. Full-service movers handle everything but cost the most, ranging from $1,598 - $7,637 on the 707-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,116 - $3,682, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $511 - $1,437. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,364 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Koch Industries and Spirit AeroSystems.
FAQs: Moving from Chicago, IL, to Wichita, KS
How long does a move from Chicago, IL to Wichita, KS take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 5 - 7 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are usually the fastest option outside of driving yourself, with deliveries in 3 - 5 days, though you'll need to be ready to receive your shipment on arrival. Driving a rental truck yourself puts the schedule entirely in your hands.
What are the best neighborhoods in Wichita?
For families, College Hill, Courtland, and Village are worth a look in Wichita. If you're moving solo or without kids, Sleepy Hollow, Riverside, and Cottonwood Village tend to be popular picks instead.
What is the cheapest way to move from Chicago, IL to Wichita, KS?
Renting a moving truck is almost always the most affordable option, since you handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself. A 2-bedroom rental truck move on this route averages $557 - $1,247. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
Is Wichita a safe place to live?
Wichita has a safety index of 50.81 out of 100 and a crime index of 49.19, compared to 33.87 and 35.19 in Chicago. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What size moving truck do I need for this route?
Rental trucks generally range from 10 to 26 feet. A 15- to 17-foot truck covers most 2-bedroom moves, while a smaller 10- to 12-foot truck works for a studio or 1-bedroom. Homes with 3 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
What percentage of Chicago movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 75% of movers in Chicago handle piano moves, and 55% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
