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
Key factors that influence moving costs from Chicago to Seattle
What to know before moving from Chicago to Seattle
Moving from Chicago to Seattle comes with exciting new opportunities โ but also higher living costs. Since Seattle is generally more expensive than Chicago, it's important to plan ahead and budget carefully for the change.
Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:
| Chicago | Seattle | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $2,045 | $1,975 |
| Average home value | $295,743 | $842,068 |
| Average income (per capita) | $71,566 | $77,845 |
| Cost of living (single person) | $3,648 | $3,740 |
| Cost of living (family of 4) | $9,266 | $9,801 |
| Unemployment rate | 9.0% | 4.8% |
| Sales tax | 10.25% | 10.35% |
| State income tax | 4.95% | 0.0% |
- Rent prices in Seattle are 3% lower than in Chicago, which means you'll have more money in your pocket each month.
- The home prices in Seattle are 184.7% higher than in Chicago, which could mean saving up before buying a home, taking on a bigger mortgage, or downsizing.
- Youโre likely to make a higher income living in Seattle, where incomes are, on average, 8.8% higher than in Chicago. Major employers in Seattle include Amazon.com, Starbucks, and Costco Wholesale.
- Be sure to budget for higher bills in Seattle, since the cost of living for a single person in Seattle is 2.5% higher than in Chicago. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
- If you're moving your family to Seattle, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Seattle is 5.8% higher than in Chicago.
- The unemployment rate in Seattle is 46.67% lower than in Chicago.
- Sales taxes are the same in Seattle and Chicago.
- One perk of moving to Seattle is paying less in state income taxes, which are 100.00% lower than in Chicago.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,075.66 in Seattle to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Chicago.
How life is different in Chicago vs. Seattle
| Seattle | Chicago | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 737,015 | 2,746,388 |
| AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 8 | 9 |
| Walkability score | 74 | 77 |
| Bike friendliness score | 71 | 72 |
| Crime Index | 58.88 | 35.19 |
| Safety Index | 49.23 | 33.87 |
| Air Quality | Good | Good |
- Seattle might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 73% less than Chicago.
- Getting around Seattle without a car might be more difficult than in Chicago. Seattle has a public transportation score of 8 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.
- You'll find Seattle to be about as walkable as Chicago. The two cities have similar walkability scores of 74 and 77 respectively out of 100 in terms of how close housing is to businesses, recreational facilities, and jobs.
- Seattle and Chicago are similarly bike-friendly based on their comparable ratings of 71 and 72 respectively. Bike-friendliness scores between 50 and 100 indicate varying levels of infrastructure to support cyclists, including bike lanes and roadway connectivity. Cities with scores under 50 are considered more car-dependent.
- The crime rate in Seattle is higher than in Chicago, so you may want to exercise a little extra caution as you're acclimating to your new location. While the crime index is 58.88 in Seattle, it is 35.19 in Chicago. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a city's crime levels.
- You might find more confidence in your overall safety in Seattle than in Chicago, based on Seattle's safety index of 49.23 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 Seattle 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.
Other things to consider for your Chicago vs. Seattle move
- Weather: Although Seattle has a reputation for frequent rain, the climate in Seattle is very unlikely to affect your move.
- 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 Seattle 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.
Where to live in Seattle
Now that you've chosen Emerald City as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in Seattle to check out.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Ballard
- Capitol Hill
- Fremont
- Lower Queen Anne
- South Lake Union
Best neighborhoods for families
- Greenwood
- Laurelhurst
- Magnolia
- Upper Queen Anne
- West Seattle
Things to do in Seattle
Now that you've made the move to Washington it's the perfect time to explore Seattle From local hotspots to hidden gems, there's something to enjoy for every lifestyle:
- Arts and culture: You'll find museums and cultural hubs throughout Seattle, such as the Museum of Popular Culture (MoPOP), Olympic Sculpture Park, National Nordic Museum, Chihuly Garden and Glass, and Museum of Flight.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Discovery Park, Olympic Sculpture Park, Green Lake Park, and Carkeek Park โ along with other locations, ideal for trails, cycling, or enjoying the fresh air.
- Sports: Experience the energy of a live game and back the home team at an Seattle Seahawks (NFL), Seattle Mariners (MLB), Seattle Kraken (NHL), or Seattle Sounders FC (MLS) game.
source: AttractionsofAmerica
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Chicago to Seattle?
The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from Chicago to Seattle are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in Chicago. are lower.
When is the cheapest time to move from Chicago to Seattle?
Because most people are moving from Chicago to Seattle 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 Seattle take?
Moving from Chicago, IL to Seattle, WA covers 2,064 miles and usually takes six to 17 days Need to move faster? Some Chicago movers offer expedited options. If you're not ready to receive your items, look into storage solutions in Seattle.
