$1,140 Movers From Illinois to Kentucky

The cost to move from Illinois to Kentucky averages from $456 to $5,396 depending on how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the move yourself.

Hiring a full-service Illinois moving company will be on the more expensive side, while a rental truck or a moving container is usually cheaper but requires more work.

Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Moving from Kentucky to Illinois guide.

Moving from Illinois to Kentucky resources

Moving 409 miles is no joke. Here's what you need to know.

The best Illinois to Kentucky movers

Hiring an interstate moving company from Illinois to Kentucky is a big deal.

There are more than 8,000 moving companies in the U.S. But don’t worry, you won’t have to filter through all of them. We’ve done the research for you and narrowed the list based on customer satisfaction, cost, and services. Here are the best long-distance moving companies serving Illinois to Kentucky.

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Best overall value
  • Portion to charity
  • Veteran owned
Get A Quote
(855) 650-0657

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • 20 yrs experience
  • Flat rate pricing
  • Family owned
Get A Quote
(866) 835-2392

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.45 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Family owned
  • East coast focus
  • Affordable pricing
Get A Quote
(980) 217-6841

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • 74 years in biz
  • 1,800 trucks
  • Storage available
Get A Quote
(844) 950-2963

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • White glove
  • Expensive items
  • Guaranteed delivery
Get A Quote
(703) 972-1772

% of users select this mover

If you’re just trying to ship a few items, here’s a list of our recommended services for small moves.

How much does it cost to move from Illinois to Kentucky?

The table below lays out average cost ranges when moving from Illinois to Kentucky for different moving services depending on the size of your home.

Move size Moving company Moving container Rental truck
Studio / 1 Bedroom $1,140 - $3,397 $780 - $1,816 $428 - $786
2 - 3 bedrooms $1,989 - $5,396 $1,398 - $2,551 $456 - $959
4+ bedrooms $3,307 - $7,712 $1,729 - $3,159 $583 - $1,051
get a quote

*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 409 miles and historical averages. The actual size of your move, additional services required, truck parking access, market conditions, and availability can greatly affect the final cost of your move.

There are many factors that influence Illinois moving costs. The cost to move from Illinois to Kentucky 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.

How much does it cost to hire movers from Illinois to Kentucky?

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Illinois to Kentucky will cost between $1,140 to $3,397. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from IL to KY will range from $1,989 to $5,396, and a large move from Illinois to Kentucky will cost from $3,307 to $7,712.

How much are moving containers like PODS from Illinois to Kentucky?

Moving containers from Illinois to Kentucky will cost you $780 to $1,816 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,398 to $2,551. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $1,729 to $3,159. Learn more about PODS cost.

Here are the cheapest moving container companies when moving out of Illinois.

How much is a moving truck from Illinois to Kentucky?

A moving rental truck is generally the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor; these estimates include the estimated fuel cost:

Moving a studio or 1-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $428 to $786. A larger move will cost $456 to $959, and a 4+ bedroom move from Illinois to Kentucky costs from $583 to $1,051.

Is moving from Illinois to Kentucky a good idea?

If you’re moving to Kentucky from Illinois, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.

Cost of Living: Illinois vs Kentucky

Illinois Kentucky
Average rent cost $1,038 $783
Average home cost $249,224 $196,580
Average income (per capita) $78,433 $60,183
Cost of Living Index 90 93
Unemployment rate 4.6% 4.2%
Average Sales Tax 8.82% 6.0%
State Income Tax 4.95% 4.5%
  • Rent is about 25% less expensive in Kentucky than in Illinois.
  • Home prices are about 21.1% lower in Kentucky than in Illinois.
  • The average income is about 23.3% lower in Kentucky than in Illinois.
  • Cost of living is 3.3% lower in Kentucky than in Illinois.
  • Kentucky has a lower unemployment rate than Illinois by about 8.7%.
  • Sales taxes are 31.97% lower in Kentucky than in Illinois.
  • Income taxes are 9.09% lower in Kentucky than in Illinois.

How is life different in Kentucky from Illinois?

Kentucky Illinois
Population 4,512,310 12,582,032
Political leaning Republican 62-36 Democrat 58-41
Summer High 87ºF 86ºF
Winter Low 24ºF 17ºF
Annual Rain 48" 40"
Annual Snow 11" 22"
Crime Index 20.19 18.79
  • The population of Kentucky is approximately 64% lower than the population of Illinois.
  • In the last presidential election, Kentucky voted Republican and Illinois voted Democrat.
  • The average high in the summertime in Kentucky is 87ºF and in Illinois, it’s 86ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Kentucky reaches the temperature of 24ºF and Illinois gets down to 17ºF.
  • You can expect about 48 inches of annual rainfall in Kentucky vs 40 inches of rainfall in Illinois.
  • In Kentucky, it snows about 11 inches annually vs 22 inches of snow in Illinois.
  • Kentucky has a higher crime rate than Illinois with a crime index of 20.19 vs 18.79.

Comparing the pros of Illinois vs. Kentucky:

There are always a lot of reasons to get excited about living somewhere new. These are the best parts of living in Illinois vs Kentucky side-by-side.

Pros of living in Illinois Pros of living in Kentucky
Home of Chicago Low cost of living
Ample economic opportunity Abundant outdoor adventures
Bountiful recreational opportunities Delicious food and drink
Delicious food Horse racing
World-class sports culture Four season weather

Comparing the cons of living in Illinois vs. Kentucky:

Not everything is sunshine and rainbows, these are the things to be aware of when leaving Illinois for Kentucky.

Cons of living in Illinois Cons of living in Kentucky
Harsh winter weather Extreme weather
Bad traffic Low diversity
High crime rate Poor air quality
Dull landscape Poor infrastructure
Strict laws Poor education system

Considerations for moving to Kentucky

  • Weather: Kentucky has relatively hot, humid, rainy summers, and moderately cold and rainy winters. Kansas rarely experiences the extremes cold of the northern states nor the heat of the state in the Deep South.
  • 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: Movers in Kentucky are licensed and regulated by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) – Division of Motor Carriers. Moving companies that operate within the state must carry adequate cargo insurance and file public tariffs detailing the services they offer and the cost for each. The KYTC can assist consumers with resolving disputes with movers, but only after a customer makes a formal written complaint. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State Regulator: You can verify a Kentucky moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
  • Moving Permits: Kentucky 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 and this way all of your mail will get properly forward to Kentucky. Get started here.
  • Mover's Insurance: Every state has their own requirements when it comes to insurance. Choose Released Value Protection for free, basic coverage from movers at 60 cents per pound. For comprehensive protection matching your items' full value, consult your moving company for alternative options or consider a third-party insurance provider.
  • Moving Checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.

Looking for local Illinois movers?

Company Quote Rating Contact
Mid-West Moving & Storage Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.9 overall rating
1255 Tonne Rd, Elk Grove Village, IL, 60007
(847) 593-7201
Alliance Moving & Storage Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.8 overall rating
3201 Tollview Drive, Rolling Meadows, IL, 60008
(847) 378-4949

Visit our Best Movers in Illinois page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.

Things to do in Kentucky

While you’re in Kentucky, you won’t be bored. These are some of the coolest places to visit in your new home state.

  • Mammoth Cave National Park
  • Churchill Downs
  • Kentucky Horse Park
  • Cumberland Falls State Resort Park
  • Daniel Boone National Forest
  • Creation Museum
  • Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill
  • Louisville Zoo
  • Newport Aquarium
  • Kentucky Kingdom and Hurricane Bay
  • Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory
  • Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park
  • Muhammad Ali Center
  • Lost River Cave
  • Louisville Mega Cavern
  • Great American Dollhouse Museum
  • Big Four Bridge
  • National Corvette Museum
  • Ark Encounter
  • Perryville Battlefield State Historic Site
  • My Old Kentucky Home State Park
  • National Quilt Museum
  • Apple Valley Hillbilly Garden and Toyland
  • Waverly Hills Sanatorium
  • Harland Sanders Cafe and Museum

FAQs about moving from Illinois to Kentucky

What is the cheapest way to move from Illinois to Kentucky?

The cheapest way to move from Illinois to Kentucky is with a DIY move. Here’s our guide for the cheapest way to move out of state.

What are the benefits of moving from Illinois to Kentucky?

The main reasons people are moving from Illinois to Kentucky are the amazing upsides of living in Kentucky such as low cost of living and abundant outdoor adventures.

Related articles to your move

Learn more about Kentucky