($538+) Wichita, KS to Chicago, IL Movers
Moving from Wichita, KS, to Chicago, IL, runs anywhere from $532 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,193 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 709 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 $8,193 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,062 - $3,611, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $532 - $1,379.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Wichita, KS, to Chicago, IL. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,319 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 Wichita, KS to Chicago, IL
Moving options from Wichita to Chicago fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $2,319 - $5,679 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 60% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 709-mile route typically takes 1 to 6 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 709-mile route from Wichita to Chicago, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $1,630 - $4,287, container $1,062 - $2,045, rental truck $532 - $979, freight trailer $1,005 - $1,699.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $2,319 - $5,679, container $1,391 - $2,753, rental truck $580 - $1,139, freight trailer $1,169 - $2,136.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $4,113 - $8,193, container $1,956 - $3,611, rental truck $762 - $1,379, freight trailer $1,416 - $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 Wichita, KS to Chicago, IL
Full-service movers for the 709-mile relocation from Wichita, Kansas, to Chicago, Illinois, cost between $1,630 and $8,193. With a long-distance moving company, loading, transportation, and unloading are all taken care of. If you want to skip packing boxes, too, that can be added for $277 - $1,844, depending on your home size. What you pay in the end is mainly a function of how much your shipment weighs and how far it's traveling. As a point of reference, local movers in Wichita typically charge a base rate around $194 plus $100 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Wichita to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,630 - $4,287
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,319 - $5,679
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,113 - $8,193
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 Wichita to Chicago.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Kansas to Illinois. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Avoiding peak moving season dates (May - September) is one of the easiest ways to reduce costs. Off-season moves typically come with lower pricing and more room to negotiate since movers have fewer bookings.
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 Wichita, KS to Chicago, IL
Specialty needs vary by market — 83% of Wichita movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Chicago, 93% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $461 - $4,610 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready83% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $184 - $1,106/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $277 - $2,213 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage33% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs50% of local movers | $922 - $2,766 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,305 - $9,220 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $691 - $1,312 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items33% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: American Movers | $922 - $2,305 |
| Piano | Any piano type83% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $738 - $3,227 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling17% of local movers | $277 - $1,383 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect17% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: American Movers | $599 - $1,844 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $277 - $13,830+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $277 - $3,227+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Wichita to Chicago?
All three below meet the standards set by the Illinois Movers’ and Warehousemen’s Association, the group most Illinois 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 almost always better priced than local movers in Wichita, KS. Local companies typically run 30% - 40% more at longer distances because they aren't set up to consolidate shipments the way national carriers do. The one case where a local mover might be worth the premium is if you want a dedicated direct-route truck, which averages a 2-day delivery time, but expect to pay more for that convenience.
Moving container costs from Wichita, KS to Chicago, IL
Moving containers from Wichita, Kansas, to Chicago, Illinois, cost between $1,062 and $3,611. You're in charge of loading, and the timeline is yours to set. U-Haul allows 3 days while PODS gives you a full 30. After that, the company picks it up and delivers it to your new address. Running behind schedule? Storage in Wichita costs roughly $60/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Wichita to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,062 - $2,045
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,391 - $2,753
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,956 - $3,611
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Containers are self-loaded, so many people hire hourly help for the heavy lifting. moveBuddha data shows two movers for about five hours runs around $645 in Wichita, KS. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: If you want stronger coverage than the default liability, full-value protection is the upgrade to consider. Most providers charge 1% - 2% of your shipment value, roughly $500 - $1,000 for $50,000 in contents.
- Storage: After the first month, rental fees average $69 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $138 per month for a larger 12- to 16-foot unit.
- Access: If you anticipate needing to access items while in storage, confirm there's a facility conveniently located near your Chicago, IL, destination before booking.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Kansas to Illinois 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 $1,062. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,391 - $2,753, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Wichita to Chicago?
- 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 Wichita 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 Wichita:
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.6/5), 23 years in business
- Titan Moving (4.8/5), 11 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.9/5), 4 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Wichita, KS to Chicago, IL
Truck rentals from Wichita, Kansas, to Chicago, Illinois, range from $532 - $1,379 for the 709-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $208 - $238
- Daily insurance: $28/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $18
- Wichita daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $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 Wichita to Chicago based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $532 - $979
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $580 - $1,139
- 4+ bedrooms: $762 - $1,379
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $532 - $1,379 does not include fuel ($208 - $238) , lodging ($138/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Wichita to Chicago typically runs $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate alone.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $138 per night if your drive requires an overnight stop. Typically, you'll make 1 - 3 overnight stops, depending on move distance.
- Moving labor: Bringing in professional loading help in Wichita, Kansas, usually costs about $645 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 709-mile drive falls between $208 and $238, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, moving pads, and vehicle trailers are easy to overlook but can add between $46 and $277 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Wichita to Chicago?
- 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 Wichita, KS to Chicago, IL
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Wichita, Kansas, to Chicago, Illinois. Standard trailers run 28 feet long, and you're only charged for the portion you actually fill. The carrier drops the trailer off, you load it at your own pace, and they handle the drive to your new city.
Pricing is based entirely on the linear footage your shipment occupies, not the full trailer length. Most long-distance freight moves land somewhere between $830 and $2,136.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Wichita to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,005 - $1,699
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,169 - $2,136
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,416 - $2,747
Pro tip: Freight pricing rewards efficient packing. Trailers are 8 feet tall and accessed via a 4-foot ramp, so technique matters, especially for heavy pieces. Since each additional linear foot adds to your quote, packing strategically is one of the easiest ways to control costs.
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 $69 - $138 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 Wichita, Kansas, typically costs $645.
What are the best freight companies from Wichita to Chicago?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Primarily known as a top moving container option for its DIY hybrid model where customers load and the company drives, MovingYourself also functions as a strong freight option thanks to its 53-foot trucks and pay-only-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. Best known for its container service, U-Pack also runs a top-notch freight trailer operation with the same no-deposit, pay-by-the-foot approach that keeps overall costs lower than most freight competitors.
- Jantz Trucking (4.5/5 stars): Jantz Trucking is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned facilities and accessible live support staff make scheduling and route coordination easier on local-area routes than what most national freight providers can offer.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Wichita to Chicago, 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: Wichita, KS vs Chicago, IL
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Chicago, side by side with Wichita on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Wichita, KS | Chicago, IL |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 83 | 106 |
| Average rent | $930/mo | $2,045/mo |
| Median home value | $179,630 | $317,509 |
| Average income | $63,072/yr | $75,134/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.9% | 9.0% |
| State income tax | Up to 5.7% | Up to 4.95% |
| Walkability score | 35/100 | 77/100 |
| Safety index | 50.81/100 | 33.87/100 |
| Air quality | Moderate | 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 Chicago, IL to Wichita, KS guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Kansas to Illinois in the past 3 months alone, keeping our pricing data current. Run your numbers through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. For context, we track 23 movers based in Kansas, handy for sizing up options on this 709-mile route.
Our take
A move from Wichita, KS, to Chicago, IL, 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 - $8,193 on the 709-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,062 - $3,611, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $532 - $1,379. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,319 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live support.
Beyond the move itself, people who've relocated to Chicago tend to point to bountiful arts and recreational activities and delicious food, though high crime rate and temperamental weather come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include U.S. Government and Chicago Public Schools.
FAQs: Moving from Wichita, KS, to Chicago, IL
What do local movers charge in Wichita?
Local movers based in Wichita typically start around $194 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 Chicago run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Illinois?
In Illinois, regulations on in-state moves and local movers are set forth by the Illinois Commerce Commission. To move household goods locally and intrastate, companies need to have a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity, so make sure the companies you’re considering have one and that it’s current.
What are the best neighborhoods in Chicago?
For families, Beverly, Edison Park, and Lincoln Park are worth a look in Chicago. If you're moving solo or without kids, Lake View, Lincoln Park, and The Loop tend to be popular picks instead.
How walkable is Chicago?
Chicago has a walkability score of 77 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 72, compared to 35 and 44 in Wichita. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
Is Chicago a safe place to live?
Chicago has a safety index of 33.87 out of 100 and a crime index of 35.19, compared to 50.81 and 49.19 in Wichita. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What percentage of Wichita movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 83% of movers in Wichita handle piano moves, and 33% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
