Moving from Illinois to New Hampshire ($2,750-$6,250)
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The cost to move from Illinois to New Hampshire ranges from $2,750 to $6,250 with full-service movers, based on 1,237 real quotes from moveBuddha users. Your actual quote will depend on your exact distance, home size, and move date, which is exactly what our moving cost calculator accounts for on this Illinois to New Hampshire route. This 1,079-mile route guide draws on our review of 100 movers based in Illinois.
How much does it cost to move from Illinois to New Hampshire?
The average cost of moving from Illinois to New Hampshire with full-service movers typically ranges between $2,750 to $6,250 for a 2-3 bedroom home. We calculated this average by reviewing 1,237 real-time quotes provided to moveBuddha users over the past 90 days. The average moving distance quoted was 1,079 miles.
The final price of your Illinois to New Hampshire move will be dependent on the type of mover you choose, how much you're moving, time of year, distance, access, and add-on services. Get a free and accurate estimate using our moving cost calculator.
The rates below are for full-service movers, meaning the crew loads, transports, and unloads your belongings for you:
| Move Size | Full-Service Mover Cost |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,250 - $5,000 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,750 - $6,250 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,750 - $9,000 |
How much do moving containers cost from Illinois to New Hampshire?
A moving container from Illinois to New Hampshire costs between $1,000 and $4,500, depending on how much you're moving. For a 2-3 bedroom home, expect $1,750 to $3,500, roughly 45% less than full-service movers on this route. You pack and load the container yourself; the container company handles the 1,079-mile drive.
| Move Size | Moving Container Cost |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,000 - $2,500 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,750 - $3,500 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $2,500 - $4,500 |
How much does a rental truck cost from Illinois to New Hampshire?
A rental truck from Illinois to New Hampshire costs between $750 and $2,225. For a 2-3 bedroom home, budget $900 to $1,775, about 75% less than hiring full-service movers. That figure covers the truck itself; with gas in Illinois averaging $3.19 per gallon, fuel for the 1,079-mile drive, plus insurance, equipment rental, and lodging, all land on top of the base rate.
| Move Size | Rental Truck Cost |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $750 - $1,575 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $900 - $1,775 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $1,075 - $2,225 |
Add-on costs for an Illinois to New Hampshire move
Add-on services are where an Illinois to New Hampshire quote quietly grows. The $2,750-$6,250 range above covers loading, 1,079 miles of transport, and unloading. Nothing else is included.
At 1,079 miles, an Illinois to New Hampshire move is typically a one-to-two-day haul. That's the range where storage-in-transit and shuttle fees start appearing on quotes, since your shipment may sit briefly before a delivery window opens in New Hampshire. Guaranteed-delivery upgrades are available but uncommon at this distance.
New Hampshire's cost of living runs about 11% above Illinois's, so destination-side charges on this route price above national averages, including shuttle service, long carries, and storage near Manchester. Origin-side labor in Illinois is the cheaper end of this move.
| Add-On Service | Typical Cost (Illinois to New Hampshire) |
|---|---|
| Full packing service | $950 - $2,500 |
| Packing materials only | $125 - $375 |
| Specialty item (piano, safe, pool table) | $300 - $850 |
| Appliance disconnect & reconnect | $100 - $250 |
| Stair or elevator carry | $75 - $250 |
| Storage-in-transit (per month) | $175 - $425 |
| Shuttle service at delivery | $200 - $575 |
| Auto transport (1 vehicle) | $625 - $925 |
| Full-value protection | 1% - 2% of declared shipment value |
Released-value protection at 60¢ per pound is included at no charge on every interstate move, but it pays out almost nothing on a damaged item. A 40-pound TV settles at $24. Full-value protection is the line item most worth the money on a 1,079-mile haul. Our moving cost calculator prices these accessorials into your Illinois to New Hampshire estimate up front instead of leaving them to surface on moving day.
Our recommended Illinois to New Hampshire Movers
Compare movers for your Illinois to New Hampshire move
Not sure where to start? These are the highest-rated long-distance movers in Illinois for a move to New Hampshire:
1228 Humbracht Circle, Bartlett, IL 60103
7400 Niles Center Rd, Skokie, IL 60077
3201 Tollview Drive, Rolling Meadows, IL 60008
2325 N Clark St #300, Chicago, IL 60614
2627 Kaneville Ct, Geneva, IL 60134
Alternate Illinois to New Hampshire moving options
DIY moving options offer real cost savings on an Illinois to New Hampshire move, with the right choice depending on how hands-on you want to be. Moving containers run about 45% less than full-service interstate movers, and rental trucks come in around 75% less.
With a rental truck (ex: U-Haul), you handle all the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus added costs like fuel, insurance, and equipment rentals on top of the base rate. If you'd rather skip the heavy lifting, local labor-only crews in Illinois run $61 - $79 per hour to load the truck for you, while you still drive and unload on the New Hampshire end.
With a moving container (ex: PODS), you handle the packing and loading in Illinois on your own timeline, and the container company will drop it off in New Hampshire for you to unload. A standard 16-foot container (the size most 2-3 bedroom interstate moves need) typically runs $321 - $829 to rent in Illinois, before the long-distance haul fee shown above is added.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 1,237 real quotes from Illinois to New Hampshire, so we know current pricing better than most. Checking our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our New Hampshire to Illinois guide.
Illinois to New Hampshire cost of living comparison
We track moving trends on every major U.S. route, and the factors that come up again and again are cost of living, job markets, housing affordability, and lifestyle. Here's how Illinois and New Hampshire line up on each:
| Factor | Illinois | New Hampshire |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 90 | 100 |
| Average household income | $78,433 | $90,845 |
| Median home value | $249,224 | $478,955 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.3% | 2.1% |
| State income tax | 4.95% | 4.0% |
New Hampshire has a higher cost of living than Illinois, so most people moving in this direction are doing so for career, family, or lifestyle reasons rather than affordability. Budget for higher housing costs and day-to-day expenses compared to what you're used to in Illinois.
Getting to know New Hampshire
New Hampshire is nicknamed the Granite State. People who've made this move point to natural beauty, tranquil, and ample economic opportunity as the biggest draws. The first potato grown in the United States was planted in New Hampshire in 1719.
Coming from Illinois, where winters average 17°F, expect winters in New Hampshire to run about 8° colder. New Hampshire has warm, humid summers, and long, cold, and snowy winters. Winters are cold and snowy throughout the state, and especially severe in the northern and mountainous areas. Average annual snowfall ranges from 60 inches to over 100 inches across the state.
And in case you're feeling nostalgic once you're settled: Chicago’s Mercantile Exchange building was built entirely without an internal steel skeleton, as most skyscrapers; it depends on its thick walls to keep itself up
Moving from Illinois to New Hampshire FAQs
What's the cheapest way to move from Illinois to New Hampshire?
At 1,079 miles, driving a rental truck yourself takes about 3 days behind the wheel, which is where the multi-day drive starts pushing people toward a moving container instead.
The cheapest way to move from Illinois to New Hampshire is to rent a truck and handle all the loading, driving, and unloading yourself. Rental trucks cost $900 - $1,775 for a 2-3 bedroom move, roughly 75% less than full-service movers, though fuel, insurance, lodging, and equipment rental fees add to the base rate on a long-distance route.
Moving containers ($1,750 - $3,500 for 2-3 bedrooms) cost about 45% less than full-service and let you skip the long drive. Labor-only crews fall in the middle: you hire local crews to handle the loading and unloading at both ends while you cover the truck and the drive between Illinois and New Hampshire. Use our moveBuddha moving cost calculator to compare all 3 options side by side for your specific move size.
What should I know before moving to New Hampshire?
Before your Illinois to New Hampshire move, plan for these practical steps:
- Update your driver's license: New Hampshire residents must obtain a NH driver license within 60 days of establishing residency. Out-of-state license holders over 18 can transfer their license by scheduling an appointment at a DMV office.
- Vehicle registration and inspection: Vehicles in New Hampshire can be inspected and OBD tested at any state-licensed inspection station or authorized car dealership; these stations are required to display a notice of authorization. Inspection prices may vary and typically range from $20 to $50.
- Voter registration: update it for New Hampshire once you've settled into your new address.
- Utilities: line up electricity, gas, internet, and water before move-in day — activation can take 1 - 2 weeks in a new state.
- Address changes: your bank, employer, insurance carriers, and the IRS should all have your new address within 30 days of the move.
Who regulates interstate moves?
Interstate moves (any move that crosses state lines, like an Illinois to New Hampshire relocation) are regulated federally by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Every interstate mover needs a valid USDOT number — verify one for free at FMCSA's carrier lookup tool, and report violations to FMCSA at 1-888-368-7238.
In Illinois: In Illinois, regulations on in-state moves and local movers are set forth by the Illinois Commerce Commission. To move household goods locally and intrastate, companies need to have a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity, so make sure the companies you’re considering have one and that it’s current. In New Hampshire: The New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT) is the agency tasked with regulating and overseeing movers that offer relocation services within the state. If you’ve already moved and had a dispute with your moving company, they may be able to help resolve the issue, but you’ll need to file a formal complaint first.
Are full-service movers worth it for an Illinois to New Hampshire move?
People making the Illinois to New Hampshire move are often chasing natural beauty in New Hampshire — the kind of move worth protecting with professional handling rather than risking on a DIY haul.
Full-service movers are worth it for an Illinois to New Hampshire move when any of the following apply: you're moving a large home (3+ bedrooms), your timeline is tight, you have high-value or fragile items that need professional handling, or you can't take time away from work to manage the logistics of a multi-day drive across state lines.
DIY options make more sense when you're moving a smaller home (1-2 bedrooms), cost is the primary constraint, and you have the time and physical capacity to handle loading, driving, and unloading yourself. Moving containers, about 45% less than full-service, are the best middle-ground for people who want to skip the drive but still save significantly over full-service pricing.
How does the cost of living in New Hampshire compare to Illinois?
The cost of living in New Hampshire is higher than in Illinois. Illinois has a cost of living index of 90 compared to 100 in New Hampshire. Expect to budget for higher rates on everyday expenses like groceries, gas, utilities, and housing once you move. Reviewing your monthly spending plan before relocating helps avoid sticker shock on essentials.
The cost of living index measures how each state stacks up against the national average (baseline of 100). For example, a state with a score of 83 has costs that are 17% lower than the national average, while a score of 115 means costs are 15% higher than the national average.
Popular Illinois to New Hampshire moving routes
These are the most common city-to-city moves on the Illinois to New Hampshire corridor. Each guide covers local mover recommendations, cost estimates specific to those metro areas, and neighborhood information to help you plan your destination.
Moving from Illinois to New Hampshire: the bottom line
The cost to move from Illinois to New Hampshire ranges from $2,750 - $6,250 for a 2-3 bedroom home with full-service movers. Moving containers and rental trucks cost 45% - 75% less for the same move. For most people making this 1,079-mile relocation, hiring a full-service mover is the most reliable option, especially for larger homes, time-sensitive moves, or relocations involving high-value items.
To get the best price, collect at least 3 quotes, book 4 - 12 weeks in advance depending on your season, and schedule a mid-week, mid-month pickup date when possible. Use our moving cost calculator to compare costs across all service types for your specific home size.
