Moving from Massachusetts to Illinois ($1,180-$6,080)
The cost to move from Massachusetts to Illinois ranges from $1,180 to $6,080 with full-service movers, based on 539 real quotes from moveBuddha users. Our moving cost calculator weighs your exact distance, home size, and move date together, so your estimate reflects this specific Massachusetts to Illinois route rather than a flat average.
How much does it cost to move from Massachusetts to Illinois?
The average cost of moving from Massachusetts to Illinois with full-service movers typically ranges between $1,180 to $6,080 for a studio to 3-bedroom home. We calculated this average by reviewing 539 real-time quotes provided to moveBuddha users over the past 90 days. The average moving distance quoted was 1,099 miles.
The final price of your Massachusetts to Illinois move will be dependent on the type of mover you choose, how much you're moving, time of year, distance, access, and add-on services. Get a free and accurate estimate using our moving cost calculator.
The rates below are for full-service movers, meaning the crew loads, transports, and unloads your belongings for you:
| Move Size | Full-Service Mover Cost |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,180 - $4,560 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,630 - $6,080 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,170 - $8,150 |
How much do moving containers cost from Massachusetts to Illinois?
A moving container from Massachusetts to Illinois costs between $860 and $4,210, depending on how much you're moving. For a 2-3 bedroom home, expect $1,520 to $3,070, roughly 50% less than full-service movers on this route. You pack and load the container yourself; the container company handles the 1,099-mile drive.
| Move Size | Moving Container Cost |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $860 - $2,160 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,520 - $3,070 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $2,100 - $4,210 |
37% of movers in Massachusetts offer climate-controlled storage, worth asking about if your container needs to sit before delivery.
How much does a rental truck cost from Massachusetts to Illinois?
A rental truck from Massachusetts to Illinois costs between $720 and $1,840. For a 2-3 bedroom home, budget $720 to $1,610, about 70% less than hiring full-service movers. That figure covers the truck itself; with gas in Massachusetts averaging $2.99 per gallon, fuel for the 1,099-mile drive, plus insurance, equipment rental, and lodging, all land on top of the base rate.
| Move Size | Rental Truck Cost |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $720 - $1,330 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $720 - $1,610 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $920 - $1,840 |
Add-on costs for a Massachusetts to Illinois move
The figures above are linehaul: crew time on both ends plus 1,099 miles of transport. Accessorial charges are quoted separately, and on a Massachusetts to Illinois route they commonly add 10% to 22% to the final invoice.
At 1,099 miles, a Massachusetts to Illinois move is typically a one-to-two-day haul. That's the range where storage-in-transit and shuttle fees start appearing on quotes, since your shipment may sit briefly before a delivery window opens in Illinois. Guaranteed-delivery upgrades are available but uncommon at this distance.
Illinois's cost of living sits roughly 10% below Massachusetts's, which pulls destination-side fees like shuttle service and storage near Chicago down. Origin-side labor in Massachusetts stays the expensive half of this route, so packing services and stair carries at pickup deserve the closest scrutiny on your quote.
| Add-On Service | Typical Cost (Massachusetts to Illinois) |
|---|---|
| Full packing service | $510 - $1,320 |
| Packing materials only | $150 - $430 |
| Specialty item (piano, safe, pool table) | $310 - $860 |
| Appliance disconnect & reconnect | $100 - $280 |
| Stair or elevator carry | $70 - $230 |
| Storage-in-transit (per month) | $160 - $380 |
| Shuttle service at delivery | $180 - $520 |
| Auto transport (1 vehicle) | $630 - $940 |
| Full-value protection | 1% - 2% of declared shipment value |
Released-value protection at 60¢ per pound is included at no charge on every interstate move, but it pays out almost nothing on a damaged item. A 40-pound TV settles at $24. Full-value protection is the line item most worth the money on a 1,099-mile haul. Our moving cost calculator prices these accessorials into your Massachusetts to Illinois estimate up front instead of leaving them to surface on moving day.
46% of movers in Massachusetts handle piano moves, 6% handle pool tables, and 14% handle safes — confirm your mover covers whichever specialty item you're moving before booking. 14% of Massachusetts movers require a deposit to book, and 15% offer full-value protection as an add-on rather than folding it into every quote.
Our recommended Massachusetts to Illinois Movers
These movers average a 90% positive review rate among Massachusetts movers we track.
Compare movers for your Massachusetts to Illinois move
We track and rate long-distance movers based in Massachusetts year-round — here's how the top options for a Illinois move stack up against each other:
2% of Massachusetts movers we track offer instant online quotes, so you can compare several before picking up the phone.
132 Emerson St, Boston, MA 02127
252R Calvary St, Waltham, MA 02453
45 Longwood Ave, Brookline, MA 02446
151 Newton St, Waltham, MA 02453
8 Bunker Hill Industrial Park, Boston, MA 02129
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Alternate Massachusetts to Illinois moving options
DIY moving options offer real cost savings on a Massachusetts to Illinois move, with the right choice depending on how hands-on you want to be. Moving containers run about 50% less than full-service interstate movers, and rental trucks come in around 70% less.
With a rental truck (ex: U-Haul), you handle all the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus added costs like fuel, insurance, and equipment rentals on top of the base rate. If you'd rather skip the heavy lifting, local labor-only crews in Massachusetts run $59 - $79 per hour to load the truck for you, while you still drive and unload on the Illinois end. 21% of movers in Massachusetts offer labor-only service, so finding one shouldn't take long.
With a moving container (ex: PODS), you handle the packing and loading in Massachusetts on your own timeline, and the container company will drop it off in Illinois for you to unload. A standard 16-foot container (the size most 2-3 bedroom interstate moves need) typically runs $325 - $826 to rent in Massachusetts, before the long-distance haul fee shown above is added.
Why book a moveBuddha Certified mover for your Massachusetts to Illinois move:
Every moveBuddha Certified mover passes our vetting for safety, licensing, reputation, transparency, and pricing, and agrees to ongoing monitoring. That adds a layer of protection most interstate moves don't come with.
- Up to $1,000 in coverage: Get up to $1,000 in added move coverage on eligible moves.
- Dispute mediation: If something goes wrong, we work with your Certified mover to resolve it.
- Dedicated support: Enjoy ongoing support from moveBuddha throughout your move.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Illinois to Massachusetts guide.
Massachusetts to Illinois cost of living comparison
Moving from Massachusetts to Illinois means adjusting to a different cost of living, job market, and housing landscape. Our moving trends data across major U.S. routes shows these are the factors that most commonly shape a relocation like this one:
| Factor | Massachusetts | Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 100 | 90 |
| Average household income | $96,505 | $78,433 |
| Median home value | $623,131 | $249,224 |
| Unemployment rate | 3.9% | 5.3% |
| State income tax | 9.0% | 4.95% |
| Average monthly rent | $1,588 | $1,179 |
| Average sales tax | 6.25% | 8.82% |
| Crime index | 13.92 | 19.7 |
| College graduation rate | 50.62% | 37.14% |
| Population | 7,001,399 | 12,549,689 |
Illinois's cost of living index of 90 is lower than Massachusetts's 100, making affordability a common driver of this move. Lower housing costs and everyday expenses can offset the upfront cost of a long-distance move within the first 1 - 2 years.
Illinois's largest industries are Manufacturing ($37.6 billion), Real estate and rental and leasing ($23.6 billion), and Professional and business services ($22 billion), worth a look if a job change is part of this move.
FAQs: Moving from Massachusetts to Illinois
What's the cheapest way to move from Massachusetts to Illinois?
A rental truck is cheapest: $720 - $1,610 for a 2-3 bedroom move, about 70% less than full-service. At 1,099 miles, that's 3 days behind the wheel, plus around $393 in fuel. Moving containers ($1,520 - $3,070, about 50% less than full-service) skip the drive entirely. Use our moving cost calculator to compare all 3 for your move size.
How do I get a moving quote from Massachusetts to Illinois?
Use our moving cost calculator for an instant estimate on this 1,099-mile route. Full-service runs $1,180-$6,080, or a rental truck starts at $719. Take a room-by-room inventory of your furniture and bulky items so your quote matches your final bill. Then collect a few real quotes and confirm whether each is binding or non-binding — moveBuddha has reviewed 299 movers in Massachusetts alone.
How long does it take to move from Massachusetts to Illinois?
Plan for 2 - 8 days from pickup to delivery, depending on distance, your mover's routing, and whether your shipment is consolidated with others. Moving containers take longer, typically 1 - 2 weeks from loading to delivery since they ship by scheduled ground freight. Rental trucks give you the most control since you drive directly, but add 1 - 2 days depending on distance.
Who regulates interstate moves?
Interstate moves are regulated federally by the FMCSA. Verify your mover's USDOT number for free at FMCSA's carrier lookup tool. Report violations at 1-888-368-7238. You can also look up licensed movers in Massachusetts at Massachusetts's official regulatorandin Illinois at Illinois's official regulator.
Are full-service movers worth it for a Massachusetts to Illinois move?
People making this move are often chasing home of Chicago in Illinois.Full-service makes sense for a large home (3+ bedrooms), a tight timeline, or high-value items. DIY fits a smaller home (1-2 bedrooms) when cost matters most and you have time to spare. Moving containers, about 50% less than full-service, split the difference by skipping the drive.
Popular Massachusetts to Illinois moving routes
These are the most common city-to-city moves on the Massachusetts to Illinois corridor. Each guide covers local mover recommendations, cost estimates specific to those metro areas, and neighborhood information to help you plan your destination.
Moving from Massachusetts to Illinois: the bottom line
The cost to move from Massachusetts to Illinois ranges from $1,180 - $6,080 for a studio to 3-bedroom home with full-service movers. Moving containers and rental trucks cost 50% - 70% less for the same move. For most people making this 1,099-mile relocation, hiring a full-service mover is the most reliable option, especially for larger homes, time-sensitive moves, or relocations involving high-value items.
To get the best price, collect at least 3 quotes, book 4 - 12 weeks in advance depending on your season, and schedule a mid-week, mid-month pickup date when possible. Use our moving cost calculator to compare costs across all service types for your specific home size.