($913) Movers From Michigan to Chicago, IL
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: Moving from Michigan to Chicago, IL, costs $346 to $4,556 and takes one to four days. How much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the move yourself will affect the overall cost of your 281-mile move.
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Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our moving from Chicago, IL to Michigan guide.
The best Michigan to Chicago, IL, full-service moving companies
Hiring an interstate moving company from Michigan to Chicago is a big deal.
There are more than 8,000 moving companies in the U.S. But don’t worry, you won’t have to filter through all of them. We’ve done the research for you and narrowed the list based on customer satisfaction, cost, and services.
Here are the best long-distance moving companies serving Michigan to Chicago.
- Safeway Moving: 4.85 out of 5 stars
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5 stars
- PODS: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- International Van Lines: 4.45 out of 5 stars
- GPS tracking en route
- Veteran-owned
- Dedicated move coordinator
- Flat-rate pricing
- Donates a portion of moves to charity
- Family-owned, with locations covering the East Coast
- Full refund if you cancel within 7 days of your move
- Hands-on customer service
- 24/7 support
- Price-matching policy
- Experienced & fully trained moving crews
- Specializes in moving art & antiques
- Competitive pricing
- Can handle last-minute moves
- Climate-controlled storage
- 30 days storage included
- Local and long distance moving options
- Unlimited loading/unloading time
- Store on property or at a facility
- 10% discount for veterans and seniors
- Very competitive rates due to their national coverage
- Services local, long-distance, and international moves
- Can service most domestic moves within 48 hours
- 24/7 customer service
Cost to hire professional movers from Michigan to Chicago
Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Michigan to Chicago will cost between $913 to $3,261. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from Michigan to Chicago will range from $1,729 to $4,556, and a large move from Michigan to Chicago will cost from $2,438 to $6,221.
The best moving containers for your Michigan to Chicago move
If you want a budget-friendly move without driving a rental truck, moving containers are a great middle-ground option. You handle the packing and loading, while the company takes care of transportation.
Many providers also offer storage options, giving you extra flexibility if your new home isn’t ready yet. It’s an easy way to move at your own pace while skipping the hassle of long-distance driving.
Here are our moving container companies in Michigan, that can get your belongings safely to your new home in Chicago, IL:
- 30 days storage included
- Local and long distance moving options
- Unlimited loading/unloading time
- Store on property or at a facility
- Long distance moves only
- Only pay for the space you use
- No deposit or initial fees
- Fast delivery time frames
- Combines affordability of DIY moving with convenience of a truck and driver
- Only pay for the truck space you use
- Offers vehicle shipping
Cost of moving containers from Michigan to Chicago
Moving containers from Michigan to Chicago will cost you $589 to $1,448 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,090 to $2,108. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $1,525 to $2,721.
Here are the cheapest moving containers for your move to Chicago.
The best moving truck rentals for your Michigan to Chicago move
If you don’t mind a little DIY, renting a moving truck is the most affordable way to relocate to Michigan to Chicago. You’ll have to handle the packing, loading, and driving — but the upside is you control the timeline from start to finish.
Check out these top-rated truck rental companies in Michigan:
- Competitive base prices with specialized discounts
- Round-trip and one-way moves available
- User-friendly website makes it easy to book the right truck
- More than 20,000 locations with prominent pricing
- Rental options include everything from pick-up trucks to 26-foot moving trucks
- Gentle-Ride Suspension add protection to avoid damaging your items during transit
- U-Box moving containers available if you don't want to drive
Cost of moving truck rentals from Michigan to Chicago
A moving rental truck is generally the cheapest option for moving from Michigan to Chicago, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor.
Moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $307 to $561. A larger move will cost $346 to $690, and a four-bedroom or more move from Michigan to Chicago costs from $424 to $792. These estimates include the estimated fuel cost.
These are the cheapest rental truck companies for your move from Michigan
The best hourly movers for your Michigan to Chicago move
Labor-only movers are a great option if you’ve already arranged transportation for your move to Chicago, IL, but want to avoid the strain of moving bulky furniture and heavy boxes on your own.
A moving labor company will provide you with a professional moving crew with enough members to match your move size. They’ll load your items into your moving container or rental truck and you’ll pay them by the hour for their assistance.
We recommend using one of these labor-only moving companies in Michigan to make your move faster and easier:
- First call quoting, get a quote in just a couple of minutes
- Rates are typically 20-40% lower than the industry averages
- $1,000 money-back service guarantee
- Fast and accurate delivery times
- Free damage coverage with additional coverage options
- Quick and easy booking process
- National 4.75/5 star rating (these guys are good at what they do)
- Dedicated move concierge specialist
- Pay as you go service. 2-hour minimum and then prorated down to the minute
- The time clock starts when the movers arrive and ends when you tell them
How much does it cost to move from Michigan to Chicago, IL?
The table below lays out average cost ranges to move from Michigan to Chicago for different moving services depending on the size of your home.
Hiring a professional Michigan moving company will be on the more expensive side, while renting a truck or a moving container is usually cheaper but requires more work.
| Size of the Move | Moving Company | Moving Container | Rental Truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 Bedroom | $913 - $3,261 | $589 - $1,448 | $307 - $561 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,729 - $4,556 | $1,090 - $2,108 | $346 - $690 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $2,438 - $6,221 | $1,525 - $2,721 | $424 - $792 |
*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 281 miles and historical averages. The actual size of your move, additional services required, truck parking access, market conditions, and availability can greatly affect the final cost of your move.
The cost to move from Michigan to Chicago, IL, will depend on:
- Move size: The amount of items you have — as well as your home size and layout — will impact the total cost of your relocation.
- Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in Michigan, so moving companies will likely charge more.
- DIY vs. professional mover: DIY moving services are usually cheaper but involve more work and stress compared to letting the pros handle your move.
Use our moveBuddha moving cost calculator to get a more accurate estimate for your moving costs.
Things to know before moving from Michigan to Chicago, IL
Cost of living: Michigan vs Chicago, IL
| Michigan | Chicago | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,037 | $2,045 |
| Average home value | $245,716 | $295,743 |
| Average income (per capita) | $68,505 | $71,566 |
| Unemployment rate | 5% | 9% |
| State income tax | 4% | 5% |
Chicago sources: Zumper, Zillow, Numbeo
- Rent is about 97% more expensive in Chicago than in Michigan.
- Home prices are about 20% higher in Chicago than in Michigan.
- The average income is about 4% higher in Chicago than in Michigan.
- Chicago has a higher unemployment rate than Michigan by about 91%.
- Income taxes are 16% higher in Chicago than in Michigan.
How life is different in Chicago from Michigan
| Chicago | Michigan | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,746,388 | 10,037,261 |
| Political leaning | Democrat 74-24 | Republican 49.7-48.3 |
| Summer high | 84ºF | 81ºF |
| Winter low | 19ºF | 14ºF |
| Annual rain | 38" | 34" |
| Annual snow | 35" | 64" |
| Crime index | 35.19 | 19.98 |
Chicago sources: Wikipedia, AllTransit, Walk Score, NeighborhoodScout, AirNow
- The population of Chicago is approximately 73% lower than the population of Michigan.
- In the last presidential election, Chicago voted Democrat and Michigan voted Republican.
- The average high in the summertime in Chicago is 84ºF and in Michigan, it’s 81ºF.
- During the coldest part of the year, Chicago reaches the temperature of 19ºF and Michigan gets down to 14ºF.
- You can expect about 38 inches of annual rainfall in Chicago vs 34 inches of rainfall in Michigan.
- In Chicago, it snows about 35 inches annually vs 64 inches of snow in Michigan.
- Chicago has a higher crime rate than Michigan with a crime index of 35.19 vs 19.98.
Things to do in Chicago
Whether you’re looking for parks, museums, sports, or even universities, you’ll be happy to find a plethora of these in Chicago.
Museums in Chicago
- The Field Museum
- Shedd Aquarium
- Art Institute of Chicago
- Chicago History Museum
- Museum of Contemporary Art
- Museum of Contemporary Photography
- Museum of Science and Industry
- Smart Museum of Art
- The Oriental Institute Museum
- Adler Planetarium
- DuSable Museum of African American History
- The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
- National Museum of Mexican Art
Parks in Chicago
- Millennium Park
- Grant Park
- The 606
- Lincoln Park
- Garfield Park
- Jackson Park
- Maggie Daley Park
- South Shore Cultural Center Park
- Humboldt Park
- Douglass Park
Sports Teams in Chicago
- Chicago Bears (NFL)
- Chicago Cubs (MLB)
- Chicago White Sox (MLB)
- Chicago Blackhawks (NHL)
- Chicago Bulls (NBA)
- Chicago Fire (MLS)
- Chicago Sky (WNBA)
Universities in Chicago
- Chicago State University
- Governors State University
- Northeastern Illinois University
- Northern Illinois University
- University of Illinois at Chicago
- Aurora University
- Benedictine University
- Concordia University Chicago
- DePaul University
- Dominican University
- East–West University
- Elmhurst University
- Illinois Institute of Technology
- Judson University
- Kendall College
- Lewis University
- Loyola University Chicago
- Midwestern University
- National Louis University
- National University of Health Sciences
- North Park University
- Northwestern University
- Resurrection University
- Roosevelt University
- Saint Xavier University
- Trinity International University
- University of Chicago
- University of St. Francis
- University of Saint Mary of the Lake
Other considerations when moving to Chicago, IL
- Weather: Although Chicago gets less snowfall than surrounding areas in the Midwest and the Great Lakes region, heavy snowfall could still affect your move in the wintertime.
- HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
- Elevator reservation: One common and important example of something that should be handled ahead of time is reserving the building's elevator and finding out their rules for using the elevator.
- Parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles, find out ahead of time with your new local rules.
- 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. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
- State regulator: You can verify a Illinois moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
- Moving permits: Illinois does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
- Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Illinois. Get started here.
- Mover's insurance: Every state has their own requirements when it comes to 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: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.
Compare the pros and cons of Michigan vs. Chicago, IL
Comparing the pros of Michigan vs. Chicago, IL:
There are always a lot of reasons to get excited about living somewhere new. These are the best parts of living in Michigan vs Chicago side-by-side.
| Pros of living in Michigan | Pros of living in Chicago, IL |
|---|---|
| Scenic beauty | Bountiful arts and recreational activities |
| Good higher education | Delicious food |
| Bountiful recreational opportunities | Abundant entertainment |
| Low cost of living | Intense sports culture |
| Beautiful lakes | Ample economic opportunity |
Comparing the cons of living in Michigan vs. Chicago, IL:
Not everything is sunshine and rainbows, these are the things to be aware of when leaving Michigan for Chicago.
| Cons of living in Michigan | Cons of living in Chicago, IL |
|---|---|
| Cold snowy winters | High crime rate |
| Spotty economic opportunity | Temperamental weather |
| Poor transportation infrastructure | Terrible traffic |
| Expensive education | High taxes |
| Thick accents | Pollution |
FAQ
How long does a move from Michigan to Chicago take?
The time frame for a move from Michigan to Chicago, IL, varies based on your moving method and starting location. The actual loading up of your items should not take more than a day, even with DIY moves.
Obviously, the further upstate you are in Michigan, the longer the drive time to Chicago will be. If you’re driving a rental truck, the move could be completed in one or two days, on average, depending on your route and how often you stop.
With professional movers or moving containers, delivery times to Chicago from Michigan can range from a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the company’s schedule and transit logistics. You can always ask for a general timeline before booking.
How far in advance should I book movers when moving from Michigan to Chicago?
Because of the 281-mile move, it’s best to book your move from Michigan to Chicago as soon as you have your moving details. Ideally, you’d book your move two to three months ahead of time.
What time of year is the cheapest to move to Chicago, IL?
With the summer highs of 84ºF and the winter lows of 19ºF, most people move to Chicago from Michigan during the spring and fall months. To avoid competing during those busy moving seasons, you could save some money by booking your move to Chicago during summer or winter.
