($543+) Chicago, IL to Greenville, SC Movers
Moving from Chicago, IL, to Greenville, SC, runs anywhere from $511 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,273 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 706 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 6 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 $1,630, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,273 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,072 - $3,611, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $511 - $1,437.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Chicago, IL, to Greenville, SC. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,162 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Fact Checked by:
Compare moving options from Chicago, IL to Greenville, SC
There are 3 main ways to move from Chicago to Greenville: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service is the most expensive but covers everything from labor to transportation, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route averaging $2,162 - $5,798. Containers cost roughly 30% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 60% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 706 miles, expect 1 to 6 days in transit no matter which service you choose.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 706-mile route from Chicago to Greenville, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $1,630 - $4,207, container $1,072 - $2,006, rental truck $511 - $989, freight trailer $927 - $1,787.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $2,162 - $5,798, container $1,419 - $2,616, rental truck $557 - $1,151, freight trailer $1,102 - $2,245.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $3,835 - $8,273, container $1,937 - $3,611, rental truck $690 - $1,437, freight trailer $1,506 - $2,747.
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 Greenville, SC
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 706-mile move from Chicago, Illinois, to Greenville, South Carolina, with costs ranging from $1,630 - $8,273. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $300 - $2,000. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Chicago and Greenville. Local movers in Chicago typically start around $220 as a base rate plus $100/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Chicago to Greenville:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,630 - $4,207
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,162 - $5,798
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,835 - $8,273
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 Greenville.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Illinois to South Carolina. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Peak moving season (May - September) limits truck availability and pushes up full-service moving costs. Booking during slower months can give you more scheduling room and a lower final price.
Don't see your company listed?
Reach customers actively searching for trusted movers in your area. Tell us about your company and services to get your business listed on moveBuddha.
Specialty moving services from Chicago, IL to Greenville, SC
Specialty needs vary by market — 93% of Chicago movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Greenville, 83% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing99% of local movers | $500 - $5,000 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready93% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Reebie Storage and Moving Co. | $200 - $1,200/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $300 - $2,400 |
| 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 | $1,000 - $3,000 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,500 - $10,000 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $749 - $1,423 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items55% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: H2H Movers Inc | $1,000 - $2,500 |
| Piano | Any piano type75% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: H2H Movers Inc | $800 - $3,500 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling36% of local movers | $300 - $1,500 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect23% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Move-tastic | $650 - $2,000 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $300 - $15,000+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $300 - $3,500+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Chicago to Greenville?
South Carolina Trucking Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in South Carolina, on top of the picks below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing means no surprise charges on moving day, and their support team is consistently rated among the most responsive in the industry.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here, with 30+ years in business since 1995. AVL is one of the few national carriers that uses full-time in-house crews instead of contracted labor.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan that covers damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Chicago, IL. At that distance, local movers often charge 30% - 40% more because they don't spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments the way national carriers do. If a direct route and faster delivery (averaging 2 days) are priorities, a local mover may be worth considering, but that service comes at a higher price.
Moving container costs from Chicago, IL to Greenville, SC
Moving containers from Chicago, Illinois, to Greenville, South Carolina, cost between $1,072 and $3,611. You load everything on your own schedule (U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30). When you're ready, the company takes care of getting the container from point A to point B. Need more time than that? Extra storage in Chicago typically runs around $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Chicago to Greenville:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,072 - $2,006
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,419 - $2,616
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,937 - $3,611
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $75 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $150 per month for larger units (12 - 16 feet).
- Moving labor: Containers don't come with loading help, so many customers hire hourly movers for the job. Two movers for about 5 hours will run you around $700 in Chicago, IL, per moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Standard coverage only reimburses by weight. Full-value protection gives you more complete coverage for higher-value items and typically costs 1% - 2% of your total declared value, around $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 shipment.
- Access: National providers generally operate in both cities, but verify that a facility near your Greenville, SC, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Illinois to South Carolina 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 $1,072. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,419 - $2,616, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Chicago to Greenville?
- 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 Greenville, SC
Truck rentals from Chicago, Illinois, to Greenville, South Carolina, range from $511 - $1,437 for the 706-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $225 - $257
- Daily insurance: $30/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
- 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 Greenville based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $511 - $989
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $557 - $1,151
- 4+ bedrooms: $690 - $1,437
Pro tip: A rental truck from Chicago to Greenville looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $511 - $1,437. But once you factor in fuel ($225 - $257) , overnight lodging ($150/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate suggests. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Chicago, Illinois, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $700.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $225 - $257 for the 706-mile drive, depending on whether your truck takes gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, auto transport trailers, and furniture pads are separate rentals. Expect to spend between $60 and $325, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $150 per night for hotel stops on the 706-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $300 - $450.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Chicago to Greenville?
- 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 Greenville, SC
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 Greenville, South Carolina.
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 $1,102 and $2,245.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Chicago to Greenville:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $927 - $1,787
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,102 - $2,245
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,506 - $2,747
Pro tip: Freight trailers offer generous space but reward good packing strategy. The 4-foot ramp can be challenging for large or heavy pieces, and using the full 8-foot height takes careful stacking. Because you're billed by the linear foot, maximizing vertical space keeps your costs lower.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- More space: Freight trailers are billed by the section you fill. If you misjudge your shipment size, each extra foot of trailer space adds around $75 - $150 to your final bill.
- Peak season pricing: Expect higher rates during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) when trailer availability tightens across the country.
- Moving labor: Loading is on you unless you hire outside help. A half-day crew of two movers in Chicago, Illinois, typically costs $700.
What are the best freight companies from Chicago to Greenville?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is our pick for best for large moves. The company is best known as a top moving container option for its hybrid model where you load and they drive, and that same model translates well to freight thanks to their 53-foot trucks and pay-by-the-foot pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Beyond their flagship container service, U-Pack also runs freight trailers with the same no-deposit, no-upfront-fee model, charging only for the linear footage you actually fill.
- Keller Trucking Co, Inc. (4.54/5 stars): Keller Trucking Co, Inc. is our pick for best locally owned freight company. Their locally owned and operated facilities mean you work with support staff who know the route and the area, giving you more responsive scheduling than national-only carriers typically offer.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Greenville fast. For interstate moves, freight is one of the quickest delivery methods out there. Just keep in mind that freight carriers expect you to be available to receive your shipment, so it works best when your move-in is locked in and you don't need temporary storage on either end.
Cost of living: Chicago, IL vs Greenville, SC
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Greenville, side by side with Chicago on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Chicago, IL | Greenville, SC |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 106 | 91 |
| Average rent | $2,045/mo | $1,551/mo |
| Median home value | $317,509 | $455,774 |
| Average income | $75,134/yr | $68,460/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 9.0% | 2.7% |
| State income tax | Up to 4.95% | Up to 7.0% |
| Walkability score | 77/100 | 43/100 |
| Safety index | 33.87/100 | 61.44/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
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 Greenville, SC to Chicago, IL guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Illinois to South Carolina over the past 3 months, giving us some of the most up-to-date pricing data around. Running your move through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. There are 103 movers in our Illinois network to compare for this 706-mile move.
Our take
A move from Chicago, IL, to Greenville, SC, 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 $1,630 - $8,273 on the 706-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,072 - $3,611, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $511 - $1,437. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,162 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 Michelin and Perrigo.
FAQs: Moving from Chicago, IL, to Greenville, SC
How do I know a mover is licensed in South Carolina?
To promote safety, economic development, and ethical business practices, the South Carolina Office of Regulatory Staff (ORS) oversees movers in the state. They are responsible for inspecting, examining, and auditing public utility providers like movers.
What is the best time of year to move from Chicago, IL to Greenville, SC?
Aim for a move between October and March, when demand drops and rates tend to be lower across all service types. Peak season runs mid-May through mid-September, and weekends and month-end dates are pricier regardless of season. South Carolina also has a hurricane season running June through November, worth factoring into your timing if you have flexibility. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.
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.
Is Greenville a safe place to live?
Greenville has a safety index of 61.44 out of 100 and a crime index of 38.56, compared to 33.87 and 35.19 in Chicago. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What is the cheapest way to move from Chicago, IL to Greenville, SC?
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 $557 - $1,151. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
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.
