Local moving companies in Chicago
- STI Moving & Storage Inc.: 4.96 out of 5 stars
- New City Moving: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- H2H Movers Inc: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- The Professionals Moving Specialists: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- Alliance Moving & Storage: 4.76 out of 5 stars
- Efficient service
- Professional and polite staff
- Careful handling
- Quick moving process
- Good communication
- Damage to items
- Delayed arrival or delivery
- Unexpected charges
Company Info
State license #: 139020
Pricing: $150/hr
Years in Business: 20
DOT #: 1308599
Alternate Names: STI Moving & Storage, Inc.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Crane vans
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- Efficient service
- Careful handling
- Professional and polite staff
- Quick moving process
- Good communication
- Damage to items
- Unexpected charges
- Poor complaint handling
Company Info
State license #: 158051
Years in Business: 16
DOT #: 3078026
Alternate Names: Windy City Moving, Inc.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- Efficient service
- Careful handling
- Professional and polite staff
- Good communication
- Quick moving process
- Unexpected charges
- Damage to items
- Delayed arrival or delivery
Company Info
State license #: 184599
Years in Business: 10
DOT #: 2428328
Alternate Names: H2H Movers, Inc
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Crane vans
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Safes
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- Efficient service
- Careful handling
- Quick moving process
- Professional and polite staff
- Good communication
- Damage to items
- Higher-than-expected costs
- Unexpected charges
Company Info
State license #: 136144
Years in Business: 20
DOT #: 3383907
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Safes
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Efficient service
- Careful handling
- Professional and polite staff
- Quick moving process
- Good communication
- Unexpected charges
- Damage to items
- Lack of communication
Company Info
State license #: 214845
Years in Business: 9
DOT #: 2882675
Alternate Names: HK & RP, LLC
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Safes
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
Factors influencing moving costs from Chicago to Buffalo
What to know before moving from Chicago to Buffalo
Moving from Chicago to Buffalo means adjusting to a different pace of life — and a different price tag. On average, it costs significantly more to live in Chicago than in Buffalo, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.
Check out how Chicago compares to Buffalo so you know what to expect before you relocate:
Chicago | Buffalo | |
---|---|---|
Average rent cost | $2,045 | $1,200 |
Average home value | $295,743 | $213,418 |
Average income (per capita) | $71,566 | $63,443 |
Cost of living (single person) | $3,648 | $2,589 |
Cost of living (family of 4) | $9,266 | $5,720 |
Unemployment rate | 9.0% | 9.5% |
Sales tax | 10.25% | 8.75% |
State income tax | 4.95% | 10.9% |
- Rent prices in Buffalo are 41% lower than in Chicago, which means you'll have more money in your pocket each month.
-
In terms of homeownership, you'll be able to get more for your money in Buffalo.
Home prices in Buffalo are 27.8% lower than in Chicago. - Income in Buffalo is 11.4% lower than in Chicago, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in Buffalo — including UBS, Delaware North, and Human — may pay more.
- Get ready to save some money on recurring expenses like food, gas, and utility bills in Buffalo. On average, the cost of living for a single person there is 29.0% lower than in Chicago.
- A move to Buffalo can help cut down on a family’s routine expenses, including utilities, transportation, and groceries. The cost of living for a family of four is 38.3% less than what it costs in Chicago.
- The unemployment rate in Buffalo is 5.56% higher than in Chicago.
- You'll spend less on retail and restaurants in Buffalo, since the city's sales taxes in Buffalo are 14.63% lower than in Chicago.
- State income taxes in Buffalo are 120.20% higher than in Chicago.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,129.11 in Buffalo to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Chicago.
How life is different in Chicago vs. Buffalo
Buffalo | Chicago | |
---|---|---|
Population | 278,349 | 2,746,388 |
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 7 | 9 |
Walkability score | 67 | 77 |
Bike friendliness score | 63 | 72 |
Crime Index | 8.0 | 35.19 |
Safety Index | 53.55 | 33.87 |
Air Quality | Moderate | Good |
- Buffalo might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 90% less than Chicago.
- Getting around Buffalo without a car might be more difficult than in Chicago. Buffalo has a public transportation score of 7 out of 10, whereas Chicago is ranked 9. Ratings are based on a city's transit connectivity, service frequency, and accessibility to key destinations like jobs and grocery stores.
- Buffalo neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as Chicago. Based on its score of 67 out of 100, Buffalo isn't as walkable as Chicago, which has a score of 77 out of 100. The higher the walkability score a city has, the easier it is to access amenities. The most walkable cities also tend to be more densely populated and have shorter block lengths.
- You probably won't see as many cycling lanes or off-road trails in Buffalo, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than Chicago. While Chicago has a bike-friendliness score of 72 out of 100, Buffalo earned a 63. Scores are based on factors like whether a city accommodates cyclists on major roadways, how often people bike to work, and how many steep hills it has.
- Buffalo has a lower crime rate than Chicago based on scores of 8.0 and Chicago's 35.19, respectively. The crime index shows how safe a city is perceived to be. So, a lower score generally means less crime.
- You might find more confidence in your overall safety in Buffalo than in Chicago, based on Buffalo's safety index of 53.55 versus 33.87 for Chicago. With this index, higher scores indicate more safety, particularly around how comfortable residents feel walking alone during the day and at night.
- The air quality in Buffalo isn't as good as it is in Chicago, so you may want to take precautions if you suffer from conditions like allergies or asthma. Buffalo has an air quality rating of Moderate, and Chicago is considered to be good. Cities with good to moderate air quality may have varying levels of minor potential for health risks for certain people. Beyond the moderate rating, those health risks increase in severity and the amount of residents affected.
Other things to consider for your Chicago vs. Buffalo move
- Weather: Best months to move to Buffalo are August, July and June are the most pleasant months in Buffalo, while January and December are the least comfortable months due to extreme winter weather.
- HOA rules: It's a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
- Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, it's a good idea to secure a reservation before your moving day.
- Truck parking permits: To avoid fines or delays, check whether a parking permit is needed for your moving truck.
- State licensing: New York requires moving companies to have a license and obtain a New York Department of Transportation (NYDOT) number. A NYDOT license ensures your mover is in compliance with the state's safety, insurance, and operational regulations. Before booking, ensure the moving company is officially licensed to handle your move.
- State regulator: To confirm a moving company's license in New York, visit the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: While New York doesn't mandate moving permits, checking local parking guidelines before your move-in day is still a good idea.
- Change of address: We recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move to ensure your mail gets forwarded to Buffalo without delay. You can select your official move date when completing the form. Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state sets its own rules for what insurance moving companies need to maintain. Choose Released Value Protection for no-cost, minimal coverage from movers. They're responsible for a maximum of 60 cents per pound per article. For comprehensive coverage, discuss alternatives with your moving company or consider a third-party insurance provider.
- Moving checklist: Our moving checklist gives you the peace of mind that comes with being fully prepared.
Where to live in Buffalo
Ready to relocate to Queen City? Here are some of the top neighborhoods to consider in Buffalo.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Lower West Side
- Downtown
- Parkside
- North Park
- First Ward
Best neighborhoods for families
- Williamsville
- Clarence Center
- Eggertsville
- East Aurora
- Rapids
Things to do in Buffalo
After settling into your new New York home, you'll want to branch out and explore your new city. Luckily, Buffalo has lots to offer, no matter what you're interested in:
- Arts and culture: You'll find museums and cultural hubs throughout Buffalo, such as the Buffalo & Erie County Naval and Military Park, Pierce-Arrow Museum, Albright-Knox Art Gallery, Buffalo Museum of Science, and Burchfield Penney Art Center.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens, The Buffalo Zoo, Delaware Park, and Erie Basin Marina — along with other locations, ideal for trails, cycling, or enjoying the fresh air.
- Sports: Experience the energy of a live game and back the home team at an Buffalo Bandits, Buffalo Beauts, Buffalo Bills (AAFC), or Buffalo Bisons (AHL) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Chicago to Buffalo?
The best time to move from Chicago to Buffalo is during the spring or fall. These seasons offer milder weather and avoid higher moving costs during the peak moving season in Chicago.
When is the cheapest time to move from Chicago to Buffalo?
With many people choosing to move from Chicago to Buffalo in spring or fall, winter moves often come with better rates. Take a look at our moving discounts guide to find out how to save.
How long does a move from Chicago to Buffalo take?
The 533-mile move from Chicago, IL, to Buffalo, NY, takes one to six days. Some Chicago movers may offer expedited moving if you need it faster. If you need more time, ask your mover about storage options in Buffalo.