Best overall value
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
Customer Praise
- Efficient service
- Professional and polite staff
- Careful handling
- Quick moving process
- Good communication
Customer Complaints
- Damage to items
- Delayed arrival or delivery
- Unexpected charges
Review Analysis
High marks for speed, professionalism, and careful handling set STI Moving & Storage apart from most competitors. In an analysis of 538 reviews, 68% reflect satisfied customers who consistently praise the efficient crews, friendly staff, and reliable communication. Many detail moves finished faster than expected, with careful packing and respect for belongings. Negative feedback (29%) focuses on damage to items, delays in deliveryโespecially for long-distance movesโand surprise or higher-than-expected charges. Customers also note issues with complex claims for damage resolution. Neutral feedback highlights occasional late arrivals and some pricing misalignments, but still mentions professionalism from staff. Compared to industry standards, STI earns stronger praise for crew attitude and efficiency but faces similar criticism to peers regarding damage claims and delivery timelines. Most customers find their moves easier and less stressful thanks to STI's organized and diligent teams, though potential clients should review policies closely for long-distance or specialty needs.
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
Customer Praise
- Efficient service
- Careful handling
- Professional and polite staff
- Quick moving process
- Good communication
Customer Complaints
- Damage to items
- Unexpected charges
- Poor complaint handling
Review Analysis
Moving magic happens when speed meets serviceโNew City Moving delivers exactly that, according to 1,451 pieces of customer feedback analyzed. With 92.4% positive reviews, most customers rave about the companyโs efficient service, professional and polite staff, careful handling, and quick turnaroundโwhich set them apart from many competitors. A high number praised clear communication throughout the move. While affordability and responsiveness also stood out, some reported problems. About 6% said their main issue was damage to their belongings, unexpected charges, or struggles resolving complaints when things went wrong. Only 1.8% of feedback landed in the neutral zone, typically due to minor organizational or packing concerns rather than major failures. New City Moving earns above-average praise for efficiency and professionalism compared to other moving services, but a handful of customers cite billing, compensation, or damage disputes where they wanted swifter or better follow-up. For most, the companyโs efforts made moving faster, simpler, and safer.
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
Customer Praise
- Efficient service
- Careful handling
- Professional and polite staff
- Good communication
- Quick moving process
Customer Complaints
- Unexpected charges
- Damage to items
- Delayed arrival or delivery
Review Analysis
Moving day just got easier for H2H customers. Out of 640 real customer reviews analyzed, a remarkable 88% delivered positive feedback, placing H2H Movers above most competitors in the moving industry. Clients most frequently highlighted the companyโs efficient service, careful handling of possessions, professional and polite staff, great communication, and a quick moving process. People appreciated teams who arrived on time, completed moves ahead of schedule, and made stressful relocations feel manageable, often noting that quoted prices were accurate or even lower than expected. On the other hand, the most common complaints were unexpected charges, occasional damage to items, and delays in arrival or delivery. A few customers reported being billed more than their estimates due to extra fees or poor packing, and some faced slow resolution for claims or communication gaps after their move. While some neutral reviews cited problems with lost items or payment methods, these were far less frequent than the praise received. H2H Movers stands out with efficient, reliable, and friendly crewsโa reputation that exceeds the service level of many moving companies, though attention to transparent billing and timeliness could make experiences even better.
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
Customer Praise
- Efficient service
- Careful handling
- Quick moving process
- Professional and polite staff
- Good communication
Customer Complaints
- Damage to items
- Higher-than-expected costs
- Unexpected charges
Review Analysis
Word travels fast when a moving company makes relocations easier than expected. After analyzing 1,349 reviews, 92.5% of feedback for The Professionals Moving Specialists is positive. Customers routinely highlight efficient service, careful handling of belongings, moving crews that work quickly, a professional attitude, and clear communication. People appreciate arriving on time, speedy completion, and the rare occurrence of damage compared to other movers. The overwhelming majority find the booking process straightforward, pricing fair, and the teams respectful of property and special requests. Some input does point to a few drawbacks: complaints about items being scratched or dented, final charges being higher than expected due to extra materials or time, and unexpected add-ons. These issues are reported far less often than praise for skilled, polite, and diligent crews. Compared to most moving companies, The Professionals stand out with stronger reliability and care for customer property. If dependability, efficiency, and peace of mind are top priorities, this company outperforms many local competitors.
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
Customer Praise
- Efficient service
- Careful handling
- Professional and polite staff
- Quick moving process
- Good communication
Customer Complaints
- Unexpected charges
- Damage to items
- Lack of communication
Review Analysis
Moving with Alliance Moving & Storage feels like a breath of fresh air: 247 customer feedback entries were analyzed, with a remarkable 95.5% being positive. Most people describe the company as efficient, careful with belongings, highly professional, and quick. Customers consistently mention respectful staff and clear, reliable communication throughout the process. Affordable, transparent pricing and rapid scheduling compared favorably versus rival companies. On the downside, a minority report unexpected charges, occasional damage to items, or trouble reaching someone after problems arose. Issues like last-minute price increases or lack of follow-up were sometimes cited by dissatisfied customers. Negative experiences remain much less common than positive ones. Compared with typical moving companies, Alliance stands out for speed, professionalism, and care, though some customers recommend confirming all charges up front to prevent misunderstandings.
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 Cincinnati
What to know before moving from Chicago to Cincinnati
Moving from Chicago to Cincinnati means adjusting to a different pace of life โ and a different price tag. On average, it costs significantly more to live in Chicago than in Cincinnati, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.
Check out how Chicago compares to Cincinnati so you know what to expect before you relocate:
| Chicago | Cincinnati | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $2,045 | $1,450 |
| Average home value | $295,743 | $232,735 |
| Average income (per capita) | $71,566 | $65,682 |
| Cost of living (single person) | $3,648 | $2,467 |
| Cost of living (family of 4) | $9,266 | $6,418 |
| Unemployment rate | 9.0% | 4.9% |
| Sales tax | 10.25% | 6.5% |
| State income tax | 4.95% | 3.5% |
- Rent prices in Cincinnati are 29% 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 Cincinnati.
Home prices in Cincinnati are 21.3% lower than in Chicago. - Income in Cincinnati is 8.2% lower than in Chicago, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in Cincinnati include Kroger, First Student, and Macy's.
- The cost of living for a single person in Cincinnati is 32.4% lower than in Chicago. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
- The cost of living for a family in Cincinnati is 30.7% lower than in Chicago.
- The unemployment rate in Cincinnati is 45.56% lower than in Chicago.
- You'll spend less on retail and restaurants in Cincinnati, since the city's sales taxes in Cincinnati are 36.59% lower than in Chicago.
- One perk of moving to Cincinnati is paying less in state income taxes, which are 29.29% lower than in Chicago.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,028.78 in Cincinnati to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Chicago.
How life is different in Chicago vs. Cincinnati
| Cincinnati | Chicago | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,317 | 2,746,388 |
| AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 6 | 9 |
| Walkability score | 49 | 77 |
| Bike friendliness score | 36 | 72 |
| Crime Index | 48.47 | 35.19 |
| Safety Index | 49.53 | 33.87 |
| Air Quality | Good | Good |
- Cincinnati's population is about 89% less than Chicago.
- Cincinnati's public transportation has a score of 6 out of 10 versus Chicago's higher score of 9.
- Cincinnati is less walkable than Chicago with a score of 49 out of 100 vs Chicago's 77 out of 100.
- Cincinnati has a bike-friendliness score 36 out of 100, which means it isn't as accessible to and safe for cyclists as Chicago, which has a score of 72 out of 100.
- Cincinnati's crime rate is higher than Chicago with a score of 48.47 compared to Chicago's 35.19. This means that Cincinnati neighborhoods are safer than 48.47% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Chicago neighborhoods are safer than 35.19%.
- Cincinnati is considered to be safer than Chicago with a safety index of 49.53 vs Chicago's 33.87.
- Air quality in Cincinnati is good, and in Chicago it's good.
Other things to consider for your Chicago vs. Cincinnati move
- Weather: Snowfall and freezing weather is common in the winters and severe thunderstorms may happen in the warmer months.
- HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth 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: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
- State licensing: Although a local license is not required in Ohio, make sure the moving company youโll be hiring is registered with U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). To verify if youโre dealing with a legal and licensed mover, you may ask them their USDOT registration number. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
- State regulator: You can verify a Ohio moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving permits: Ohio 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 forwarded to Cincinnati. Get started here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance.Opt for cost-free Released Value Protection from movers, offering minimal coverage with a maximum liability of 60 cents per pound per article. For comprehensive coverage, explore alternatives with your chosen moving company or consider a third-party insurance provider.
- Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.
Where to live in Cincinnati
Now that you've decided to make the move to "Blue Chip City", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Cincinnati.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Central Business District
- Clifton
- Columbia-Tusculum
- Oakley
- Over-The-Rhine
Best neighborhoods for families
- Hyde Park
- Mount Adams
- Mount Lookout
- Oakley
- Pleasant Ridge
Things to do in Cincinnati
After settling into your new Ohio home, you'll want to branch out and explore your new city. Luckily, Cincinnati has lots to offer, no matter what you're interested in:
- Arts and culture: Cincinnati is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the American Classical Music Hall of Fame and Museum, American Sign Museum, Art Academy of Cincinnati, Betts House, and Center for Holocaust and Humanity Education.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Ault Park, Smale Riverfront Park, Mt. Airy Forest, and Eden Park โ among other sites โ are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.
- Sports: Catch a live game and cheer on the home team at an Cincinnati Reds (MLB), Cincinnati Bengals (NFL), FC Cincinnati (MLS), or Cincinnati Cyclones (ECHL) game.
source: AttractionsofAmerica
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Chicago to Cincinnati?
The best time to move from Chicago to Cincinnati 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 Cincinnati?
Because most people are moving from Chicago to Cincinnati in the spring or fall, you can often catch discounts by moving in the winter. Read our guide on moving discounts to learn more.
How long does a move from Chicago to Cincinnati take?
The 295-mile move from Chicago, IL, to Cincinnati, OH, takes one to four 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 Cincinnati.
