($696+) Chicago, IL to Austin, TX Movers
Moving from Chicago, IL, to Austin, TX, runs anywhere from $696 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,140 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,120 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 2 to 8 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 $1,942, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,140 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,205 - $3,972, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $696 - $1,917.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Chicago, IL, to Austin, TX. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,404 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 Austin, TX
Moving options from Chicago to Austin fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $2,404 - $6,171 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 35% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 68% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 1,120 miles, this route usually takes 2 to 8 days from pickup to delivery.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,120-mile route from Chicago to Austin, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $1,942 for a studio up to $8,140 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,205 - $3,972 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $696 - $1,917, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $1,127 - $3,373, 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 November 2, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Chicago, IL to Austin, TX
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 1,120-mile move from Chicago, Illinois, to Austin, Texas, with prices running from $1,942 - $8,140. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $346 - $2,304 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Chicago and Austin are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Chicago movers tend to run around $220 as a base rate plus $100/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Chicago to Austin:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,942 - $4,645
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,404 - $6,171
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,014 - $8,140
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 Austin.
Pro tip: Demand for full-service movers surges during peak moving season from May - September, pushing prices higher. Shifting your move to a cooler month could save you a meaningful amount on your total bill.
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Specialty moving services from Chicago, IL to Austin, TX
Specialty needs vary by market: 60% of Chicago movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Austin, 62% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing78% of local movers | $576 - $5,760 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready60% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $230 - $1,382/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $346 - $2,765 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage10% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs59% of local movers | $1,152 - $3,456 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,880 - $11,520 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $863 - $1,639 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items28% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $1,152 - $2,880 |
| Piano | Any piano type42% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $922 - $4,032 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling11% of local movers | $346 - $1,728 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: New City Moving | $749 - $2,304 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $346 - $17,280+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $346 - $4,032+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Chicago to Austin?
All three below meet the standards set by the Southwest Movers Association, the group most Texas 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 full-service movers are the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in Chicago, IL, often charge 30% - 40% more at that distance because their operations aren't built for long-haul logistics. The exception is if you want a dedicated point-to-point truck with an average 2-day delivery, though that level of service generally increases your total cost.
Moving container costs from Chicago, IL to Austin, TX
Moving containers from Chicago, Illinois, to Austin, Texas, cost between $1,205 and $3,972. With a moving container, you load on your own schedule. U-Haul gives you 3 days to fill yours, while PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're ready, the company transports it straight to your new place. Need more time first? Storage in Chicago typically costs about $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Chicago to Austin:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,205 - $2,183
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,567 - $3,009
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,076 - $3,972
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Because loading is on you with a container move, hourly labor help is a popular add-on. In Chicago, IL, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $806, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: After the first month, ongoing rental fees kick in. A small container (7 - 8 feet) averages about $86 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $173 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Chicago, IL, and Austin, TX, but confirm a facility is within reasonable distance if you need to retrieve items while in storage.
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection provides broader coverage than the standard liability in your contract. It typically costs 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on $50,000 worth of belongings.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Illinois to Texas 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 $1,205. Underestimating how much you have and needing an extra container means paying for another one, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise. For reference, a 2 - 3 bedroom home typically runs $1,567 - $3,009.
What are the best moving containers Chicago to Austin?
- 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
- Windy City Movers Inc. (4.6/5), 44 years in business
- STI Moving & Storage Inc. (4.7/5), 21 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Chicago, IL to Austin, TX
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 1,120 miles from Chicago, Illinois, to Austin, Texas, running $696 - $1,917. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $411 - $469
- Daily insurance: $35/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $23
- 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 Austin based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $696 - $1,391
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $775 - $1,638
- 4+ bedrooms: $927 - $1,917
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $696 - $1,917 does not include fuel ($411 - $469), lodging ($173/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Chicago to Austin typically runs more than the base rate alone, with meals, equipment, and other extras adding roughly $600 - $1,200 on top of fuel and lodging.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Gas: Fuel adds $411 - $469 for the 1,120-mile drive, depending on whether your rental truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: You'll handle the heavy lifting unless you bring in help. Two movers in Chicago, Illinois, for about 5 hours typically costs around $806.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 1,120-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $173 per night, adding $346 - $518 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $58 and $346.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Chicago to Austin?
- 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 Austin, TX
Freight trailers are a good fit for medium-to-large moves where you need more space than a container but don't want to drive a rental truck from Chicago, Illinois, to Austin, Texas. The trailer is delivered to your address, you load it, and the carrier takes it the rest of the way.
Unlike truck rentals with flat rates, freight trailers scale with your shipment. Every additional section of trailer space you fill increases your total. A 2 - 3 bedroom long-distance move using this method runs roughly between $1,179 and $2,505.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Chicago to Austin:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,127 - $2,084
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,179 - $2,505
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,744 - $3,373
Pro tip: A 4-foot ramp sounds simple, but heavy or awkward furniture can make the climb tricky. With 8 feet of height to work with, smart vertical stacking is key. Since freight companies charge by the linear foot, every extra foot you use adds to the bill.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Chicago, Illinois, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $806.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $86 - $173 per additional foot to your total.
- Time of year: Rates tend to climb during peak moving season (mid-May through mid-September) when trailer demand is at its highest.
What are the best freight companies from Chicago to Austin?
- 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.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Chicago to Austin, freight trailers are one of the fastest interstate options available, second only to renting a truck and driving it yourself. The tradeoff is that freight works best when you're ready to receive your belongings on the other end. If your timeline is tight on the receiving side or you need a short storage buffer, a moving container might be a better fit.
Cost of living: Chicago, IL vs Austin, TX
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Austin, side by side with Chicago on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Chicago, IL | Austin, TX |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 106 | 129 |
| Average rent | $2,045/mo | $1,765/mo |
| Median home value | $317,509 | $512,969 |
| Average income | $75,134/yr | $91,461/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 9.0% | 3.5% |
| State income tax | Up to 4.95% | None |
| Walkability score | 77/100 | 42/100 |
| Safety index | 33.87/100 | 59.87/100 |
| 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 Austin, TX 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 Texas, 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 314 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 1,120-mile move like this one.
Our take
For a move from Chicago, IL, to Austin, TX, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $1,942 for a studio to $8,140 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 1,120-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,205 - $3,972. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $696 - $1,917, though you'll be handling the driving and loading yourself. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with quotes starting around $2,404 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live customer support.
Beyond the move itself, people who've relocated to Austin tend to point to delicious barbecue and phenomenal live music, though hot summers and terrible traffic come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include Keller Williams Realty and Whole Foods Market.
FAQs: Moving from Chicago, IL, to Austin, TX
What is the cheapest way to move from Chicago, IL to Austin, TX?
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 $775 - $1,638. 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 Austin, TX?
Costs on this route range from around $696 to $8,140, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,942 and $8,140, 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 4 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 Austin run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Texas?
In-state movers operating in the Lone Star State are legally required to be licensed by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TXDMV), which issues 10-digit TXDMV numbers to commercial carriers.
What percentage of Chicago movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 42% of movers in Chicago handle piano moves, and 28% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.