Top Chicago, IL to Olympia, WA Movers

Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Olympia to Chicago guide.

1. New City Moving: 5.0 out of 5 stars
2. The Professionals Moving Specialists: 4.86 out of 5 stars
3. H2H Movers Inc: 4.8 out of 5 stars
4. STI Moving & Storage Inc.: 4.9 out of 5 stars
5. Alliance Moving & Storage: 4.8 out of 5 stars

Cost to hire movers from Illinois to Washington

Moving a studio or one-bedroom home from Illinois to Washington typically costs between $1,458 and $6,325. For a two- or three-bedroom home, expect prices to fall between $4,189 and $9,383 when moving from IL to WA. If you're tackling a large move (think four or five bedrooms) from Illinois to Washington, you're looking at costs ranging from $7,856 up to $13,524.

Cost of moving containers from Illinois to Washington

If you're moving from Illinois to Washington, expect to pay between $1,415 and $3,837 for a small load. For a home with two or three bedrooms, prices typically range from $2,702 up to $5,685. Larger moves of four bedrooms or more can run between $3,670 and $7,387. Check out our guide on PODS cost for more details.

Check out the most affordable moving container companies for your move from Illinois.

Cost of moving truck rentals from Illinois to Washington

Renting a moving truck is usually your cheapest option, but keep in mind you'll be handling all the loading, unloading, and driving yourself.

If you're moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment with a rental truck, expect to spend between $1,539 and $2,941. For two to three bedrooms, rates typically fall between $1,665 and $3,362. Relocating a four-bedroom (or bigger) home? You're likely looking at anywhere from $2,123 up to $4,289 for your rental truck.

These quotes include estimated fuel costs.

• Rent prices in Olympia are 7% lower than in Chicago, which means you'll have more money in your pocket each month.
• The home prices in Olympia are 72.0% higher than in Chicago, which could mean saving up before buying a home, taking on a bigger mortgage, or downsizing.
• Income in Olympia is 7.1% lower than in Chicago, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in Olympia — including Washington State ESD, The Evergreen State College, and Employment Security Department — may pay more.
• Get ready to save some money on recurring expenses like food, gas, and utility bills in Olympia. On average, the cost of living for a single person there is 32.2% lower than in Chicago.
• A move to Olympia 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 41.8% less than what it costs in Chicago.
• The unemployment rate in Olympia is 37.78% lower than in Chicago.
• You'll spend less on retail and restaurants in Olympia, since the city's sales taxes in Olympia are 8.29% lower than in Chicago.
• One perk of moving to Olympia is paying less in state income taxes, which are 100.00% lower than in Chicago.

• Olympia might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 98% less than Chicago.
• Getting around Olympia without a car might be more difficult than in Chicago. Olympia has a public transportation score of 5 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.
• Olympia neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as Chicago. Based on its score of 39 out of 100, Olympia 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 Olympia, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than Chicago. While Chicago has a bike-friendliness score of 72 out of 100, Olympia earned a 59. 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.
• Olympia has a lower crime rate than Chicago based on scores of 27.95 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 Olympia than in Chicago, based on Olympia's safety index of 62.25 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 Olympia and Chicago is generally the same (Good). Cities with good to moderate ratings have clean or acceptable air quality, with the possibility of small pollutants affecting people with certain health conditions like asthma. Anything beyond the moderate rate means increased impact on residents.

• Weather: July, August and September are the driest months in Olympia, WA and so it would be best to plan moving during these months. Snow and rain might be a challenge deo relocation during the colder months, specially during December and January.
• 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: Movers operating within Washington DC city limits are subject to regulation by the Utilities and Transportation Commission, which issues operating permits to household goods moving companies. Before booking, ensure the moving company is officially licensed to handle your move.
• State regulator: To confirm a moving company's license in Washington, visit the state's public utilities commission.
• Moving Permits: While Washington 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 Olympia 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. When planning a move in Washington state, explore movers' insurance options for added peace of mind. Many moving companies offer Released Value Protection at no extra cost, covering items at 60 cents per pound. Enhance your protection by discussing Full Value Protection with the moving company or exploring personalized plans with third-party insurance providers. Understand coverage limits, potential extra costs, and read reviews to make an informed decision on your Washington state moving insurance.
• Moving checklist: Our moving checklist gives you the peace of mind that comes with being fully prepared.

Best neighborhoods for singles

• South Capitol
• Bigelow Highlands
• Upper Eastside
• Eastside
• Woodfield Estates

Best neighborhoods for families

• Bigelow Highlands
• Holiday Hills
• Cain Road
• Bigelow
• Carlyon-North

Things to do in Olympia

After getting comfortable in your new Washington home, it's time to see what Olympia is all about. Whether you're into food, art, nature, or nightlife — there's plenty to check out:

• Arts and culture: Olympia is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the Hands On Children's Museum, Olympic Flight Museum, WET Science Center, Bigelow House Museum, and Childhood's End Gallery.
• Outdoor recreation: The city's Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, Squaxin Park, Percival Landing, and Tolmie State 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 game.