Baltimore, MD to Chicago, IL Movers (NEW 2026 Costs)
Quick answer: Moving from Baltimore to Chicago typically costs $2,400–$5,600 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home (about 702 miles). Use our moving cost calculator below to get an instant estimate.
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Cost to move from Baltimore to Chicago
Moving from Baltimore, MD to Chicago, IL typically costs $2,400–$5,600 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home.
The price ranges below are estimates for a 702-mile move from Baltimore to Chicago, based on moveBuddha pricing data as of Mar 16, 2026. Pricing is updated monthly to reflect seasonality and market changes.
Studio / 1 bedroom
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2-3 bedrooms
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4+ bedrooms
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Recent moving quotes for similar moves
- Safeway Moving recently quoted $3,588 for a 2 bedroom using professional movers.
- BLVD Moving recently quoted $1,765 for a studio apartment using professional movers.
- United Van Lines recently quoted $3,687 for a 2 bedroom using professional movers.
2 Bedrooms
Feb 17, 2026
Studio apartment
Feb 06, 2026
2 Bedrooms
Feb 05, 2026
2 Bedrooms
Feb 05, 2026
Studio apartment
Jan 01, 2026
3 Bedrooms
Jan 01, 2026
3 Bedrooms
Dec 20, 2025
2 Bedrooms
Dec 17, 2025
1 Bedroom (small)
Dec 05, 2025
2 Bedrooms
Nov 30, 2025
Factors that impact moving costs from Baltimore to Chicago
Your total cost will depend on:
- The size of your move: Costs rise with more belongings. A small one-bedroom move can start at $1,700, but larger homes can run up to $8,200.
- Seasonal timing: Demand peaks in summer — expect premium rates during moving season in Baltimore.
- Whether you hire pros or do it yourself: Choosing DIY with a truck ($600–$1,600) is cheaper, though tougher, than using movers.
Moving the opposite route? We got you covered with our moving from Chicago, IL to Baltimore, MD guide.
Best Baltimore to Chicago movers by type
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Labor Only
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Best professional movers from Baltimore to Chicago
For a stress-free interstate move from Baltimore to Chicago, selecting a full-service mover is a wise choice. These professionals cover all aspects of the move, freeing you to focus on the excitement of your new adventure.
Want a deeper breakdown of the top long-distance movers? See our best interstate movers guide.
- Safeway Moving: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- American Van Lines: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- Allied Van Lines: 4.2 out of 5 stars
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- North American Van Lines: 4.8 out of 5 stars
Best overall value
How we chose the best MD→IL movers
Our team at moveBuddha evaluated moving rates from 51 Maryland moving companies, highlighting the top options based on client feedback, reviews, and pricing.
- Customer satisfaction (40%): Services are delivered promptly, with excellent communication, and at the cost initially quoted.
- Dispute resolution (20%): Problems sometimes come up during moves. We favor companies that admit faults and focus on making things right for the customer.
- Industry reputation (15%): Known for its positive standing, the company is respected in the moving industry and contributes through conferences and memberships.
- Online reputation (15%): The company maintains a professional website with accurate information and responds to online customer inquiries promptly and courteously.
- Service options (10%): Movers that offer a wide range of services — from packing and storage to specialty handling and fast delivery — rank higher in our evaluations.
Here is our full moving company rating methodology.
What to know before moving from Baltimore to Chicago
Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move - Chicago runs about 64% higher for singles and 82% higher for families than Baltimore.
Singles spend around $3,648 in Chicago versus $2,223 in Baltimore; families pay $9,266 compared with $5,088.
Dig into the side-by-side details here:
| Baltimore | Chicago | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $1,892 | $2,368 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $3,333 | $4,581 |
| Average home value | $180,790 | $295,743 |
| Average income (per capita) | $58,349 | $71,566 |
| Cost of living (single) | $2,223 | $3,648 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $5,088 | $9,266 |
| Unemployment rate | 7.9% | 9.0% |
| Sales tax | 6.0% | 10.25% |
| State income tax | 5.75% | 4.95% |
- As you consider relocating to Chicago, note that rent can be roughly 28% more expensive than it is in Baltimore; adjust your financial plans to accommodate this change.
- Be sure to budget for a higher monthly mortgage payment, as home prices are about 64% higher in Chicago than in Baltimore.
- Great news! You'll find the average income is about 23% higher in Chicago compared to Baltimore, giving you some extra room for savings or investments.
- Plan for higher expenses in Chicago, since the cost of living for a single person is 64% more than in Baltimore. This encompasses usual costs like utilities, groceries, apparel, and transit.
- If your journey leads to Chicago, be prepared for higher living expenditures. The cost of living for a family in Chicago is 82% more than it is in Baltimore.
- The unemployment rate in Chicago is 14% higher compared to Baltimore, translating to more job seekers for available positions, which might elevate competition.
- Sales taxes are 71% higher in Chicago than in Baltimore. This means you'll likely pay more out-of-pocket for everyday purchases on taxable goods like clothing, electronics, dining out, and household items.
- Income taxes are 14% lower in Illinois compared to Maryland. With these reduced income tax rates, your paycheck will reflect more of your earnings, allowing you greater freedom in managing your finances.
The breakdown below shows how typical living costs and monthly expenses line up when comparing Baltimore with Chicago:
| Living Expense | Baltimore | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $181.61 | $191.26 |
| Cell phone plan | $56.81 | $61.10 |
| Dozen eggs | $4.34 | $4.52 |
| Loaf of bread | $3.91 | $4.15 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $20.00 | $25.00 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $80.00 | $100.00 |
| Gym membership | $57.63 | $78.31 |
- Basic utilities cost less in Baltimore than in Chicago, helping trim your monthly bills.
- Cell phone plans are cheaper in Baltimore than in Chicago.
- Eggs are less expensive in Baltimore than in Chicago.
- Bread costs less in Baltimore than in Chicago.
- A quick meal is cheaper in Baltimore than in Chicago.
- A mid-range dinner for two costs less in Baltimore than in Chicago.
- Gym memberships are more affordable in Baltimore than in Chicago.
How life is different in Baltimore vs. Chicago
| Baltimore | Chicago | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 585,708 | 2,746,388 |
| Transportation score | 8 | 9 |
| Walkability score | 64 | 77 |
| Bike friendliness score | 53 | 72 |
| Crime index | 72.72 | 35.19 |
| Safety index | 27.28 | 33.87 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
- Chicago's population is about 369% greater than Baltimore.
- Chicago's public transportation score of 9 out of 10 is higher than Baltimore's score of 8.
- Chicago is more walkable than Baltimore with a score of 77 out of 100 vs Baltimore's 64 out of 100.
- With a score of 72 out of 100, Chicago is more bike-friendly than Baltimore, which has a score of 53 out of 100. The higher a city's score, the more suited it is to safely accommodating cyclists.
- Chicago's crime rate is lower than Baltimore with a score of 35.19 compared to Baltimore's 72.72. This means that Chicago neighborhoods are safer than 35.19% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Baltimore neighborhoods are safer than 72.72%.
- Chicago is considered to be safer than Baltimore with a safety index of 33.87 vs Baltimore's 27.28.
- Air quality in Chicago is Good, and in Baltimore it's Good.
Other things to consider for your Baltimore to Chicago move
- HOA rules: It's a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
- Elevator reservation: Reserve elevator access early if your building requires it, to avoid delays on moving day.
- Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
- State licensing: 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. Double-check that the moving company is properly licensed before you hire them.
- State regulator: You can verify a Illinois moving company's license by visiting the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: While Illinois doesn't mandate moving permits, checking local parking guidelines before your move-in day is still a good idea.
- Change of address: File your USPS change of address about a week before moving so mail reaches Chicago smoothly. Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. Choose cost-free Released Value Protection from movers for basic coverage at 60 cents per pound. For more extensive protection matching your items' full value, consult your moving company for alternative options or consider a third-party insurance provider.
- Moving checklist: Use our moving checklist to stay on top of every detail and reduce last-minute stress.
Where to live in Chicago
Now that you've chosen Chi-Town as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in Chicago to check out.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Lake View
- Lincoln Park
- The Loop
- Near North Side
- West Town
Best neighborhoods for families
- Beverly
- Edison Park
- Lincoln Park
- North Center
- West Loop
Things to do in Chicago
After getting comfortable in your new Illinois home, it's time to see what Chicago is all about. Whether you're into food, art, nature, or nightlife — there's plenty to check out:
- Arts and culture: From historic museums to vibrant art centers, Chicago offers cultural landmarks like the The Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Art Institute of Chicago, and Chicago History Museum.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Millennium Park, Grant Park, The 606, and Lincoln Park — among other sites — are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.
- Sports: Grab a seat and root for the home team during an Chicago Bears (NFL)Chicago Cubs (MLB)Chicago White Sox (MLB)Chicago Blackhawks (NHL)Chicago Bulls (NBA)Chicago Fire (MLS)Chicago Sky (WNBA) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Baltimore to Chicago?
The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from Baltimore to Chicago are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in Baltimore are lower.
When is the cheapest time to move from Baltimore to Chicago?
Because spring and fall moves from Baltimore to Chicago are so common, winter can be a great time to move if you're looking for lower prices. Read our moving discounts guide to see how.
How long does a move from Baltimore to Chicago take?
A move of 702 miles from Baltimore, MD to Chicago, IL generally takes one to six days. Movers in Baltimore sometimes provide expedited service, while storage in Chicago is a good fallback if you need extra time.
Which discounts can you find from movers in Baltimore?
Plenty of moving companies offer ways to help you save, from seasonal promotions to ongoing deals. 7 companies offer special pricing for members of the military. 12 extend savings to senior citizens.
Discount types, amounts, and availability can differ, so it’s worth confirming the details with each mover before you book.
Which movers in Baltimore offer piano or antique moving?
Some moving jobs call for extra care and expertise. 42 movers in Baltimore have the skills and equipment for piano transport. 32 specialize in safely moving antiques. Across MD, there are 37 piano movers and 30 antique movers, while nationwide the numbers reach 2,296 and 1,463.
Because not every mover offers these services, ask about specialty experience and insurance coverage when you request quotes.
