($633) Cost to Move From Chicago, IL to Grand Rapids, MI

1. New City Moving: 4.72 out of 5 stars
2. STI Moving & Storage Inc.: 4.78 out of 5 stars
3. The Professionals Moving Specialists: 4.66 out of 5 stars
4. H2H Movers Inc: 4.64 out of 5 stars
5. Move-tastic: 4.64 out of 5 stars

Cost to hire movers from Chicago to Grand Rapids

When planning a move to Grand Rapids from Chicago, for a studio or one-bedroom, you’ll likely pay between $633 and $2,497. If you have a two- or three-bedroom home, expect costs to fall somewhere between $1,183 and $3,748 for the same journey. Moving four or five bedrooms? Typical prices range from $1,600 to $4,774.

Cost of moving containers from Chicago to Grand Rapids

When you’re heading from Chicago to Grand Rapids, and you’re only moving a few items, you can expect to spend between $536 and $1,253. For a two- or three-bedroom place, prices usually fall between $950 and $1,740. If you’re packing up a large home with four or more bedrooms, the cost can range from $1,264 to $2,266. Want more details? Check out our complete PODS cost guide.

Explore the top budget-friendly moving container companies to make your move from Illinois easier and more affordable.

Cost of moving truck rentals from Chicago to Grand Rapids

A moving rental truck from Chicago to Grand Rapids 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 $199 to $325. A two to three-bedroom move will cost $203 to $403, and moving a home with four or more bedrooms from Chicago to Grand Rapids costs around $238 to $450.

These quotes include the estimated fuel cost.

• Rent is about 19% less expensive in Grand Rapids than in Chicago, so you will have more cash on hand each month.
• Plan for a heftier mortgage payment since home prices are approximately 11% steeper in Grand Rapids compared to Chicago.
• You might want to reassess your budget before relocating. The average income is roughly 12% less in Grand Rapids than in Chicago.
• Prepare for elevated costs in Grand Rapids, with the cost of living for a single person being 46% more than in Chicago. This includes routine costs such as utilities, groceries, clothes, and transportation.
• A move to Grand Rapids can offer your family a more affordable lifestyle, with savings on everyday costs such as utilities, groceries, and transport. The cost of living for a family is 23% lower compared to Chicago.
• Grand Rapids has a lower unemployment rate than Chicago by about 52%. This signals a stronger job market and healthier local economy, both promising indicators for someone relocating.
• Sales taxes are 41% cheaper in Grand Rapids compared to Chicago. This could significantly slash costs for families or individuals with higher spending on taxable necessities.
• Income taxes are 14% less in Michigan compared to Illinois, offering a relief on your paycheck, which can enhance your budgeting options.

• Grand Rapids’s population is about 93% less than Chicago.
• Grand Rapids’s public transportation score of 6 out of 10 is lower than Chicago’s score of 9.
• Grand Rapids is less walkable than Chicago with a score of 56 out of 100 vs Chicago’s 77 out of 100.
• Grand Rapids has a bike-friendliness score of 52 out of 100, which means it isn’t as accessible or safe for cyclists as Chicago, which has a score of 72.
• Grand Rapids’s crime rate is higher than Chicago with a score of 44.23 compared to Chicago’s 35.19. This means that Grand Rapids neighborhoods are safer than 44.23% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Chicago neighborhoods are safer than 35.19%.
• Grand Rapids is considered to be safer than Chicago with a safety index of 55.77 vs Chicago’s 33.87.
• Air quality in Grand Rapids is Good, and in Chicago it’s Good.

• HOA rules: Costs across Chicago and Grand Rapids are largely aligned, so your monthly budget shouldn’t shift much after the 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: Many cities require special permits for parking large moving trucks. Check in advance to see if one is needed for your move.
• State licensing: The agency regulating local and intrastate household goods movers in Michigan is the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC). State regulation and oversight activities include commercial vehicle registration and safety compliance, review of published tariff rates, licensing, and consumer protection efforts. Ensure the company you choose is licensed to handle your move.
• State regulator: To confirm a moving company’s license in Michigan, visit the state’s public utilities commission.
• Moving Permits: Moving permits aren’t typically required in Michigan, but always confirm with local authorities to avoid surprises.
• 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 Grand Rapids. Get started here.
• Moving company insurance: Each state has its own requirements for the level of insurance moving companies must carry. In Alabama, Massachusetts, and Michigan, choose the economical option of Released Value Protection, provided by movers at no extra cost. However, it offers minimal coverage at 60 cents per pound per article. For comprehensive coverage of your items’ full value, consult with your moving company for alternatives or explore third-party insurance providers.
• Moving checklist: Let our moving checklist guide you through the process and help ensure nothing slips through the cracks.

Best neighborhoods for singles

• Fulton Heights
• Heritage Hill
• South Hill
• Heartside-Downtown
• East Hills
• Midtown
• Belknap Lookout

Best neighborhoods for families

• Eastgate
• Ottawa Hills
• Eastown
• Fulton Heights
• South East End
• North East Citizens Action
• Millbrook
• East Hills
• Belknap Lookout
• Heritage Hill

Things to do in Grand Rapids

With your move to Michigan complete, you can dive right into experiencing Grand Rapids. From cultural attractions to outdoor adventures, you’ll never run out of things to do:

• Arts and culture: Grand Rapids is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the Gerald R. Ford Museum, Grand Rapids Public Museum, Grand Rapids Children’s Museum, and Grand Rapids Art Museum.
• Outdoor recreation: The city’s Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, Gerald R. Ford Airport Viewing Park, Blandford Nature Center Richmond Park, and Riverside Park — among other spots — perfect for hiking, biking, or simply soaking up the outdoors.
• Sports: Experience the energy of a live game and back the home team at an Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL) game.