($1,225) Moving From Minnesota to Illinois

Quick answer: The average cost to move from Minnesota to Illinois ranges from $513 to $5,911 and takes one-six days. The top cost factors are how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the move yourself.

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  • Family owned
  • East coast focus
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  • Family owned & operated
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  • Certified crews
  • Flat-rate pricing
  • Family-owned

Hiring a full-service Minnesota moving company will be on the more expensive side, while a rental truck or a moving container is usually cheaper but requires more work.

You may also want to consider the potential added cost of getting your vehicle or boat to your new home as part of your move. Some full-service movers can coordinate auto transport for you as part of your relocation package for an additional fee. But you can also handle vehicle transport from Minnesota to Illinois separately through one of the top car shipping companies.

Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our moving from Illinois to Minnesota guide.

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The best Minnesota to Illinois movers

Hiring an interstate moving company from Minnesota to Illinois 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 Minnesota to Illinois:

Best Overall Value
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.85 / 5
(855) 650-0657
At A Glance
  • GPS tracking en route
  • Veteran-owned
  • Dedicated move coordinator
  • Flat-rate pricing
  • Donates a portion of moves to charity
read our full review
(855) 650-0657
Best for personalized service
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
(980) 217-6841
At A Glance
  • 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
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(980) 217-6841
Best for Quick Quotes
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 5
(844) 794-6004
At A Glance
  • Family owned & operated
  • Affordable pricing
  • Binding estimates
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(844) 794-6004
Best Nationwide Coverage
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.8 / 5
At A Glance
  • 30 days storage included
  • Local and long distance moving options
  • Unlimited loading/unloading time
  • Store on property or at a facility
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Most Experienced Mover
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
(866) 835-2392
At A Glance
  • Experienced & fully trained moving crews
  • Specializes in moving art & antiques
  • Competitive pricing
  • Can handle last-minute moves
  • Climate-controlled storage
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(866) 835-2392

If you’re just trying to ship a few items, here’s a list of our recommended services for small moves.

Looking for local Minnesota movers?

Company Quote Rating Contact
Matt's Moving Company Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.96 overall rating
290 Chester St, St. Paul, MN, 55107
(651) 210-8271
Metcalf Moving & Storage Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.72 overall rating
1255 East Highway 36, St. Paul, MN, 55109
(651) 484-0211

Visit our Best Movers in Minnesota page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.

How much does it cost to move from Minnesota to Illinois?

The table below lays out average cost ranges to move from Minnesota to Illinois for different moving services depending on the size of your home.

Move size Moving company Moving container Rental truck
Studio / 1 Bedroom $1,225 - $3,725 $723 - $1,711 $480 - $915
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,260 - $5,911 $1,265 - $2,512 $513 - $1,033
4+ bedrooms $4,219 - $8,328 $1,689 - $3,116 $628 - $1,248

*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 618 miles and historical averages. The actual size of your move, additional services required, truck parking access, market conditions, and availability can greatly affect your final costs.

Factors affecting the cost of moving from MN to IL

There are many factors that influence Minnesota moving costs. The cost to move from Minnesota to Illinois will depend on these factors:

  • Move size: Moving a large home costs more than moving a studio apartment.
  • Time of year: The peak moving season in Minnesota is in the summer, so moving companies will likely charge more.
  • DIY vs. professional mover: DIY moving services are cheaper but you do all the heavy lifting compared to letting the pros handle your move.

How much does it cost to hire movers from Minnesota to Illinois?

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Minnesota to Illinois will cost between $1,225 and $3,725. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from MN to IL will range from $2,260 to $5,911, and a large move from Minnesota to Illinois will cost from $4,219 to $8,328.

How much are moving containers like PODS from Minnesota to Illinois?

Moving containers from Minnesota to Illinois will cost you $723 to $1,711 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,265 to $2,512. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $1,689 to $3,116. Learn more about PODS cost.

Here are the cheapest moving container companies when moving out of Minnesota.

How much is a moving truck from Minnesota to Illinois?

A moving rental truck is generally the cheapest option, 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 $480 to $915. A two to three-bedroom move will cost $513 to $1,033, and moving a home with four or more bedrooms or from Minnesota to Illinois costs from $628 to $1,248.
These estimates include the estimated fuel cost.

Is moving from Minnesota to Illinois a good idea?

If you’re moving to Illinois from Minnesota, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.

Cost of living: Minnesota vs. Illinois

Minnesota Illinois
Average rent cost $1,178 $1,179
Average home cost $334,119 $249,224
Average income (per capita) $84,313 $78,433
Cost of Living Index 94 90
Unemployment rate 3.4% 5.3%
Average Sales Tax 8.03% 8.82%
State Income Tax 9.85% 4.95%
  • Rent is about the same cost in Illinois and Minnesota.
  • Home prices are about 25% lower in Illinois than in Minnesota.
  • The average income is about 7% lower in Illinois than in Minnesota.
  • Cost of living is 4% lower in Illinois than in Minnesota.
  • Illinois has a higher unemployment rate than Minnesota by about 56%.
  • Sales taxes are 10% higher in Illinois than in Minnesota.
  • Income taxes are 50% lower in Illinois than in Minnesota.

How does life in Illinois differ from Minnesota?

Illinois Minnesota
Population 12,549,689 5,737,915
Political leaning Democratic 55-45 Democratic 51.1-46.9
Summer high 86ºF 81ºF
Winter low 17ºF 2ºF
Annual rain 40" 29"
Annual snow 22" 47"
Crime index 19.7 22.47
  • The population of Illinois is approximately 119% greater than the population of Minnesota.
  • In the last presidential election, Illinois voted Democratic and Minnesota voted Democratic.
  • The average high in the summertime in Illinois is 86ºF and in Minnesota, it’s 81ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Illinois reaches the temperature of 17ºF and Minnesota gets down to 2ºF.
  • You can expect about forty inches of annual rainfall in Illinois versus twenty-nine inches of rainfall in Minnesota.
  • In Illinois, it snows about twenty-two inches annually versus forty-seven inches of snow in Minnesota.
  • Illinois has a lower crime rate than Minnesota with a crime index of 22.47 vs 19.7.

Comparing the pros of Minnesota vs. Illinois

There are always a lot of reasons to get excited about living somewhere new. These are the best parts of living in Minnesota versus Illinois side by side.

Pros of living in Minnesota Pros of living in Illinois
Ample economic opportunity Home of Chicago
Bountiful recreational outdoor opportunities Ample economic opportunity
Multitudinous lakes Bountiful recreational opportunities
Diverse festivals Delicious food
Friendly people World-class sports culture

Comparing the cons of living in Minnesota vs. Illinois

Not everything is sunshine and rainbows all the time, no matter where you live. Here are some things to be aware of when leaving Minnesota for Illinois.

Cons of living in Minnesota Cons of living in Illinois
Bland food Harsh winter weather
Cold snowy winters Bad traffic
Terrible traffic High crime rate
High tax burden Dull landscape
Thick accents Strict laws

What to know before your move to Illinois

  • Weather: Illinois' climate is clearly different in the northern and southern halves of the state. The northern half experiences cold winters and mild summers whereas the southern half experiences mild winters and hot and humid summers. Illinois is a part of "tornado alley"
  • 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 so that all your mail will get properly forwarded to Illinois. Get started here.
  • Mover's Insurance: Interstate moving companies are required under federal law to provide basic insurance — also called “released value protection” — free of charge to all moving customers. 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.

Things to do in Illinois

While you’re in Illinois, you won’t be bored. These are some of the coolest places to visit in your new home state:

  • Millennium Park
  • Navy Pier
  • The Magnificent Mile
  • Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
  • Shedd Aquarium
  • The Art Institute of Chicago
  • Starved Rock State Park
  • Garden of the Gods - Shawnee National Forest
  • Lincoln Park Zoo
  • Anderson Japanese Gardens
  • Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site
  • Dana-Thomas House
  • Ulysses S. Grant Home State Historic Site
  • Discovery Center Museum
  • Buffalo Rock State Park
  • Museum of Science and Industry
  • Illinois Beach State Park
  • Grand View Drive
  • Mississippi Palisades State Park
  • Matthiessen State Park

FAQs

What is the cheapest way to move from Minnesota to Illinois?

The cheapest way to move from Minnesota to Illinois is with a DIY move. Here’s our guide for the cheapest way to move out of state.

What are the benefits of moving from Minnesota to Illinois?

The main reasons people are moving from Minnesota to Illinois are the amazing upsides of living in Illinois such as home of Chicago and ample economic opportunity.

Is it cheaper to live in Minnesota or Illinois?

It is generally cheaper to live in Illinois than in Minnesota. Housing is much more affordable in Illinois, with average rent about 0% less and home prices 25.4% lower than in Minnesota. Taxes are also lower in Illinois, most notably income taxes, which are more than 40% less than those paid by Minnesota residents.

How much should you make a year to live comfortably in Illinois?

You should make approximately $0 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in Arizona. The cost of living in Arizona is approximately $0 per month for an individual and $0 for a family of four. The exact amount you’ll need to live comfortably may be more or less depending on where in Illinois you live For example, larger cities like Addison and Algonquin will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.

Helpful moving resources