($599+) Chicago, IL to Jersey City, NJ Movers
Moving from Chicago, IL, to Jersey City, NJ, runs anywhere from $594 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,884 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 788 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 2 to 7 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 $1,632, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $7,884 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,140 - $3,682, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $594 - $1,548.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Chicago, IL, to Jersey City, NJ. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,231 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 Jersey City, NJ
Moving options from Chicago to Jersey City fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $2,231 - $5,918 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 788-mile route typically takes 2 to 7 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 788-mile route from Chicago to Jersey City, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $1,632 for a studio up to $7,884 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,140 - $3,682 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $594 - $1,548, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $1,006 - $3,004, billed by the space you actually use.
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 Jersey City, NJ
Hiring full-service movers from Chicago, Illinois, to Jersey City, New Jersey, costs between $1,632 and $7,884. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 788-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $359 - $2,392, depending on the size of your home. Your final cost comes down to two things: the total weight of your shipment and the distance between Chicago and Jersey City. For a rough baseline, movers based in Chicago tend to start around $220 plus $100/hour per mover on local jobs, before long-distance pricing takes over for a move this size.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Chicago to Jersey City:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,632 - $4,626
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,231 - $5,918
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,896 - $7,884
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 Jersey City.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Illinois to New Jersey. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: The summer months (May - September) are the busiest time of year for movers during peak moving season, which drives up prices and limits scheduling options. If you can move in the fall or winter, you'll likely find better rates and more flexibility.
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Specialty moving services from Chicago, IL to Jersey City, NJ
Specialty needs vary by market — 93% of Chicago movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Jersey City, 93% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing99% of local movers | $598 - $5,980 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready93% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Reebie Storage and Moving Co. | $239 - $1,435/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $359 - $2,870 |
| 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 | $1,196 - $3,588 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,990 - $11,960 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $896 - $1,702 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items55% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: H2H Movers Inc | $1,196 - $2,990 |
| Piano | Any piano type75% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: H2H Movers Inc | $957 - $4,186 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling36% of local movers | $359 - $1,794 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect23% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Move-tastic | $777 - $2,392 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $359 - $17,940+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $359 - $4,186+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Chicago to Jersey City?
All three below meet the standards set by the New Jersey Warehouse & Movers Association, the group most New Jersey movers are affiliated with.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list, with flat-rate pricing that holds firm on moving day and a customer support team available around the clock.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here. With 30+ years of interstate moves behind them, AVL uses full-time in-house crews instead of the contracted labor most national carriers rely on.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan available on every long-distance move.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Chicago, IL. Van lines spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments, while local movers tend to charge 30% - 40% more for the same distance. A direct route with a local mover averages 2-day delivery, but that added speed typically carries a higher price tag.
Moving container costs from Chicago, IL to Jersey City, NJ
Moving containers from Chicago, Illinois, to Jersey City, New Jersey, cost between $1,140 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 Jersey City. 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 Jersey City:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,140 - $1,935
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,364 - $2,965
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,907 - $3,682
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Containers are self-loaded, so many people hire hourly help for the heavy lifting. moveBuddha data shows two movers for about five hours runs around $837 in Chicago, IL. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: If you want stronger coverage than the default liability, full-value protection is the upgrade to consider. Most providers charge 1% - 2% of your shipment value, roughly $500 - $1,000 for $50,000 in contents.
- Storage: After the first month, rental fees average $90 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $179 per month for a larger 12- to 16-foot unit.
- Access: If you anticipate needing to access items while in storage, confirm there's a facility conveniently located near your Jersey City, NJ, destination before booking.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Illinois to New Jersey 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 $1,140. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,364 - $2,965, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Chicago to Jersey City?
- 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 Jersey City, NJ
Renting a moving truck for the 788-mile move from Chicago, Illinois, to Jersey City, New Jersey, costs between $594 and $1,548, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $300 - $343
- Daily insurance: $36/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $24
- 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 Jersey City based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $594 - $1,129
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $636 - $1,289
- 4+ bedrooms: $803 - $1,548
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $594 - $1,548 when pricing out a rental truck from Chicago to Jersey City. Fuel alone runs ($300 - $343) , and overnight lodging ($179/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend an additional $600 - $1,200 beyond the base rate by the time the move is done.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $179 per night if your drive requires an overnight stop. Typically, you'll make 1 - 3 overnight stops, depending on move distance.
- Moving labor: Bringing in professional loading help in Chicago, Illinois, usually costs about $837 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 788-mile drive falls between $300 and $343, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, moving pads, and vehicle trailers are easy to overlook but can add between $60 and $359 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Chicago to Jersey City?
- 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 Jersey City, NJ
For larger DIY moves from Chicago, Illinois, freight trailers give you plenty of room without putting you behind the wheel. Standard trailers are 28 feet long. You load the section you need, and the carrier transports everything to Jersey City, New Jersey.
Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For most medium-to-large moves on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,103 and $2,146.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Chicago to Jersey City:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,006 - $1,888
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,103 - $2,146
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,510 - $3,004
Pro tip: Freight pricing rewards efficient packing. Trailers are 8 feet tall and accessed via a 4-foot ramp, so technique matters, especially for heavy pieces. Since each additional linear foot adds to your quote, packing strategically is one of the easiest ways to control costs.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- More space: Freight pricing is based on exactly how much of the trailer you fill. If your items take up more than expected, the added footage can increase your cost by between $90 and $179.
- Peak season impact: Moving during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) often means higher trailer rates as demand increases across the board.
- Moving labor: Unless you plan to load everything yourself, factor in labor costs. Two movers in Chicago, Illinois, for roughly five hours typically average $837.
What are the best freight companies from Chicago to Jersey City?
- 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: Freight trailers are one of the fastest ways to move your belongings interstate, often beating full-service movers on delivery time. If getting your stuff to Jersey City quickly is a priority, freight is worth a hard look. That said, freight carriers typically require you to be available to receive your shipment within a set window, so if you need short-term storage or your new place won't be ready right away, a container or full-service mover may give you more flexibility.
Cost of living: Chicago, IL vs Jersey City, NJ
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Jersey City, side by side with Chicago on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Chicago, IL | Jersey City, NJ |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 106 | 140 |
| Average rent | $2,045/mo | $2,975/mo |
| Median home value | $317,509 | $538,163 |
| Average income | $75,134/yr | $94,813/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 9.0% | 8.3% |
| State income tax | Up to 4.95% | Up to 10.7% |
| Walkability score | 77/100 | 87/100 |
| Safety index | 33.87/100 | 56.79/100 |
| 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 Jersey City, NJ to Chicago, IL guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Illinois to New Jersey, 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. Illinois alone has 103 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 788-mile move like this one.
Our take
A move from Chicago, IL, to Jersey City, NJ, 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 $1,632 - $7,884 on the 788-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,140 - $3,682, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $594 - $1,548. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,231 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 Kuehne + Nagel International AG and Tokio Marine Management.
FAQs: Moving from Chicago, IL, to Jersey City, NJ
What is the cheapest way to move from Chicago, IL to Jersey City, NJ?
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 $636 - $1,289. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
How much does it cost to move from Chicago, IL to Jersey City, NJ?
Costs on this route range from around $1,632 to $7,884, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,632 and $7,884, while DIY options like rental trucks and containers come in lower. Moving during peak season (May - September) tends to push prices higher across the board.
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 do local movers charge in Chicago?
Local movers based in Chicago typically start around $220 as a base rate, plus $100/hour per mover. That's a useful baseline if you're hiring help just to load a rental truck or container rather than booking a full long-distance move. Rates in Jersey City run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
How do I know a mover is licensed in New Jersey?
In New Jersey, the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs handles the regulation of in-state moving companies. The state’s Division of Consumer Affairs works to ensure that warehousemen (public storage companies) and public movers provide safe, reliable, and ethical services while adhering to all relevant state rules and regulations.
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.
