($629+) Boston, MA to Chicago, IL Movers

Full-service moving costs from Boston, MA to Chicago, IL

Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 982-mile move from Boston, Massachusetts, to Chicago, Illinois, with costs ranging from $1,939 - $7,532. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $399 - $2,660. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Boston and Chicago. Local movers in Boston typically start around $340 as a base rate plus $100/hour per mover.

Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Boston to Chicago:

• Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,939 - $4,876
• 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,348 - $5,597
• 4+ bedrooms: $3,866 - $7,532

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 Boston to Chicago.

Specialty moving services from Boston, MA to Chicago, IL

Specialty needs vary by market: 76% of Boston movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Chicago, 60% of movers offer the same service.

What are the best full-service movers from Boston 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.

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.

Moving container costs from Boston, MA to Chicago, IL

Moving containers from Boston, Massachusetts, to Chicago, Illinois, cost between $1,162 and $3,830. 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 Boston costs roughly $145/month if you need it.

Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Boston to Chicago:

• Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,162 - $2,096
• 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,540 - $2,855
• 4+ bedrooms: $2,075 - $3,830

What other costs come with moving containers?

• Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $100 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $200 per month.
• Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Chicago, IL, if you need to retrieve anything while items are still in storage.
• Moving labor: Since you're responsible for loading the container yourself, many customers bring in hourly help. Based on moveBuddha data, hiring 2 movers for approximately 5 hours costs about $931 in Boston, MA. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
• Added contents protection: Full-value protection goes beyond the standard minimum and covers repair, replacement, or reimbursement at declared value. Pricing is typically 1% - 2% of your total shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 move.

What are the best moving containers Boston to Chicago?

1. Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
2. U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
3. MovingYourself (5.0/5 stars)

Moving truck rental costs from Boston, MA to Chicago, IL

Plan on $629 - $1,795 for a rental moving truck on the 982-mile route from Boston, Massachusetts, to Chicago, Illinois. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:

• Fuel for the drive: $416 - $475
• Daily insurance: $40/day
• Equipment rentals: $9 - $27
• Boston daily rental rate: $19 - $39
• Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.89 - $1.09

These are typical moving truck rental costs from Boston to Chicago based on home size:

• Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $629 - $1,180
• 2 - 3 bedrooms: $729 - $1,374
• 4+ bedrooms: $896 - $1,795

What other costs come with rental trucks?

• Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
• Lodging: Budget around $200 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 Boston, Massachusetts, usually costs about $931 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
• Gas: Fuel for the 982-mile drive falls between $416 and $475, 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 $67 and $399 to your total.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Boston to Chicago?

1. Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
2. Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
3. 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 Boston, MA to Chicago, IL

Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Boston, Massachusetts, 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 $1,197 and $2,447.

Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Boston to Chicago:

• Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,076 - $1,943
• 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,220 - $2,447
• 4+ bedrooms: $1,613 - $3,217

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 $100 - $200 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 Boston, Massachusetts, typically costs $931.

What are the best freight companies from Boston to Chicago?

1. 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.
2. 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.

Cost of living: Boston, MA 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 Boston on housing, income, and taxes.

Cost of living index is relative to the U.S. average of 100. Figures reflect the latest available city and state data.

Our take

The 982-mile move from Boston, MA, to Chicago, IL, costs between $1,939 and $7,532 with full-service movers, $1,162 - $3,830 with a moving container, and $629 - $1,795 for a rental truck. Your budget and how much heavy lifting you want to do are the two biggest factors in choosing the right option. If you go with full-service movers, Safeway Moving is our top recommendation, with transparent flat-rate pricing starting around $2,348 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage, and 24/7 customer 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.