($1,235) Movers From Chicago, IL to Philadelphia, PA
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: A move from Chicago to Philadelphia costs $663–$6,160 and takes two to seven days. The main factors that determine the cost and time are how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the 759-mile move yourself.
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Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Philadelphia to Chicago guide.
The best Chicago to Philadelphia full-service moving companies
Choosing a long-distance moving company in Chicago to go to Philadelphia can be overwhelming. With so many options, it’s hard to know which movers to trust… and which ones to avoid.
Don't worry — you won't have to sort through all of them. We've done the research for you and narrowed down the list based on customer satisfaction, cost, and services.
Here are the best long-distance moving companies serving Chicago to Philadelphia.
- Safeway Moving: 4.85 out of 5 stars
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5 stars
- International Van Lines: 4.45 out of 5 stars
- North American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5 stars
- GPS tracking en route
- Veteran-owned
- Dedicated move coordinator
- Flat-rate pricing
- Donates a portion of moves to charity
- Family-owned, with locations covering the East Coast
- Full refund if you cancel within 7 days of your move
- Hands-on customer service
- 24/7 support
- Price-matching policy
- Experienced & fully trained moving crews
- Specializes in moving art & antiques
- Competitive pricing
- Can handle last-minute moves
- Climate-controlled storage
- 10% discount for veterans and seniors
- Very competitive rates due to their national coverage
- Services local, long-distance, and international moves
- Can service most domestic moves within 48 hours
- 24/7 customer service
- Custom crates for electronics & art
- Satellite shipment tracking
- 1,500 local agents covering all 50 states
- Self-packing option
- No deposit required
How much are professional moving companies when moving from Chicago to Philadelphia?
Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Chicago to Philadelphia will cost between $1,235 to $4,304. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $2,483 to $6,160, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from Chicago to Philadelphia will cost from $4,312 to $8,938.
The best moving containers for your Chicago to Philadelphia move
Moving containers can be a cost-effective option for moving from Chicago to Philadelphia. You’ll save a little money by opting to pack and load everything yourself, but the container company will take care of the transportation for you.
We recommend these moving container companies:
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How much are moving container companies from Chicago to Philadelphia?
Moving containers from Chicago to Philadelphia will cost you $827 to $2,127 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,550 to $3,074. A larger home will cost $2,098 to $4,120.
The best moving truck rentals for your Chicago to Philadelphia move
If you want to save even more money on your Chicago to Philadelphia move, renting a moving truck is your cheapest option. Keep in mind that you’ll be handling all the work — packing, loading, and driving. But that extra work will pay off in terms of keeping costs low.
These top moving truck rentals are a great place to start:
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How much is a moving truck from Chicago to Philadelphia?
Renting a moving truck is usually 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 $579 to $1,099. A larger move will cost $663 to $1,346, and a four-bedroom move from Chicago to Philadelphia costs from $790 to $1,632. These estimates include the anticipated fuel cost.
The best labor-only movers for your Chicago to Philadelphia move
If you need some extra hands to help you with your move, you’ll want to hire labor-only movers with reasonable hourly rates and professional crews. Labor-only companies that offer add-on options like packing and cleaning allow you to more fully tailor services to your needs and budget.
Consider these highly rated labor-only movers to help you move from Chicago to Philadelphia:
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How much does it cost to move from Chicago to Philadelphia?
Chicago movers charge $100 per hour on average. Here are average prices for a full-service moving company, moving container, or truck:
| Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,235 - $4,304 | $827 - $2,127 | $579 - $1,099 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,483 - $6,160 | $1,550 - $3,074 | $663 - $1,346 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,312 - $8,938 | $2,098 - $4,120 | $790 - $1,632 |
Factors influencing moving costs from Chicago to Philadelphia
The cost of Chicago movers will depend on:
- Move size: The cost of your move will depend on the amount of items you have in your home. For example, moving a one-bedroom apartment from Chicago to Philadelphia can be as low as $1,235 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $7,517.
- Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in Chicago, so moving companies will likely charge more.
- Do-it-yourself vs professional mover: Renting a truck or using a moving container can be cheaper options, with prices for a rental truck ranging from $579 to $1,481. However, these options require more work and effort compared to hiring professional movers.
What to know before moving from Chicago to Philadelphia
| Chicago | Philadelphia | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $2,045 | $1,695 |
| Average home value | $295,743 | $216,914 |
| Average income (per capita) | $71,566 | $70,746 |
| Cost of living (single person) | $1,280 | $2,541 |
| Cost of living (family of 4) | $4,685 | $6,190 |
| Unemployment rate | 9.0% | 10.6% |
| Sales tax | 10.25% | 8.0% |
| State income tax | 4.95% | 3.07% |
- Rent prices in Philadelphia are 17% lower than in Chicago.
- Home prices in Philadelphia are 26.7% lower than in Chicago.
- Income in Philadelphia is 1.1% lower than in Chicago.
- The cost of living for a single person in Philadelphia is 98.5% higher than in Chicago.
- The cost of living for a family in Philadelphia is 32.1% higher than in Chicago.
- The unemployment rate in Philadelphia is 17.78% higher than in Chicago.
- Sales taxes in Philadelphia are 21.95% lower than in Chicago.
- State income taxes in Philadelphia are 37.98% lower than in Chicago.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $5,955.47 in Philadelphia to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Chicago.
How life is different in Chicago vs. Philadelphia
| Philadelphia | Chicago | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,603,797 | 2,746,388 |
| AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 9 | 9 |
| Walkability score | 75 | 77 |
| Bike friendliness score | 67 | 72 |
| Crime Index | 66.09 | 35.19 |
| Safety Index | 33.91 | 33.87 |
| Air Quality | Good | Good |
- Philadelphia's population is about 42% less than Chicago.
- Philadelphia's public transportation has a similar score to Chicago.
- Philadelphia is less walkable than Chicago with a score of 75 out of 100 vs Chicago's 77 out of 100.
- Philadelphia has a bike-friendliness score 67 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.
- Philadelphia's crime rate is higher than Chicago with a score of 66.09 compared to Chicago's 35.19. This means that Philadelphia neighborhoods are safer than 66.09% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Chicago neighborhoods are safer than 35.19%.
- Philadelphia is considered to be safer than Chicago with a safety index of 33.91 vs Chicago's 33.87.
- Air quality in Philadelphia is good, and in Chicago it's good.
Other things to consider for your Chicago vs. Philadelphia move
- Weather: Philadelphia has hot and muggy summers and the fall and spring are generally mild, and winter is moderately cold. If you are planning a summer move make sure to check the weather to avoid overall humid and hot days,
- 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: For decades movers In Pennsylvania were regulated by the Public Utility Commission (PUC). Each company was issued a PUC Number and was required to abide by a universal publicly published tariff that established the rates movers could charge for various services. Now, some sources claim that the PUC no longer regulates in-state movers, and it appears as though the PUC’s website is no longer functioning. So if you’re moving within Pennsylvania, you’ll want to address these issues with your moving company representative and if possible, contact the state directly. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
- State regulator: You can verify a Pennsylvania moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving permits: Pennsylvania 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 Philadelphia. Get started here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. In Pennsylvania, movers typically offer Released Value Protection at no extra cost, covering items at 60 cents per pound. For more comprehensive coverage, inquire about Full Value Protection with the moving company, or explore third-party insurance options for tailored plans. Consider coverage limits, additional costs, and reviews before making a decision.
- Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.
Where to live in Philadelphia
Now that you've decided to make the move to "Philly", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Philadelphia.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Cedar Park
- Fishtown
- Manayunk
- Point Breeze
- Washington Square West
Best neighborhoods for families
- Bella Vista
- Bustleton
- Chestnut Hill
- Fitler Square/Rittenhouse Square (City Center West)
- Foxchase
- Roxborough
Things to do in Philadelphia
After settling into your new Pennsylvania home, you’ll want to branch out and explore your new city. Luckily, Philadelphia has lots to offer, no matter what you’re interested in:
- Arts and culture: Philadelphia is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Barnes, Museum of the American Revolution, and The Franklin Institute.
- Outdoor recreation: The city’s Wissahickon Valley Park, Spruce Street Harbor Park, Fairmount Park, and Love Park — among other sites — are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.
- Sports: Catch a live game and cheer on the home team at an Philadelphia 76ers (NBA), Philadelphia Eagles (NFL), Philadelphia Flyers (NHL), or Philadelphia Phillies (MLB) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Chicago to Philadelphia?
The best time to move from Chicago to Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia?
Because most people are moving from Chicago to Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia take?
The 759-mile move from Chicago, IL, to Philadelphia, PA, takes two to seven 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 Philadelphia.
