St. Louis, MO to Chicago, IL Movers (NEW 2026 Costs)
Quick answer: Moving from St. Louis to Chicago typically costs $1,800–$5,000 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home (about 297 miles). Use our moving cost calculator below to get an instant estimate.
|
|
|
 rating
4.2 / 5
Licensed
Insured
Price
|
Cost to move from St. Louis to Chicago
Moving from St. Louis, MO to Chicago, IL typically costs $1,800–$5,000 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home.
The price ranges below are estimates for a 297-mile move from St. Louis 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
|
2-3 bedrooms
|
4+ bedrooms
|
Recent moving quotes for similar moves
- BLVD Moving recently quoted $2,996 for a 4 bedroom using professional movers.
- Roadway Moving recently quoted $2,716 for a 2 bedroom using professional movers.
- Colonial Van Lines recently quoted $3,612 for a 5+ bedroom using professional movers.
4 Bedrooms
Jan 31, 2026
2 Bedrooms
Jan 31, 2026
5+ Bedrooms
Jan 22, 2026
1 Bedroom (small)
Jan 16, 2026
1 Bedroom (large)
Jan 15, 2026
3 Bedrooms
Jan 14, 2026
5+ Bedrooms
Dec 20, 2025
4 Bedrooms
Dec 15, 2025
2 Bedrooms
Dec 13, 2025
2 Bedrooms
Nov 25, 2025
Factors that affect moving costs from St. Louis to Chicago
Your total cost will depend on:
- How much stuff you have: A one-bedroom move from St. Louis to Chicago may only cost $1,100, whereas a full four-bedroom relocation can approach $6,800.
- The season you're moving in: Movers charge more in summer, the busiest months in St. Louis.
- Which type of mover you use: Save with a truck rental ($300–$900), but expect more hassle than hiring pros.
Moving the opposite route? We got you covered with our moving from Chicago, IL to St. Louis, MO guide.
Best St. Louis to Chicago movers by type
Professional
|
Local
|
Container
|
Rental Truck
|
Labor Only
|
Best professional movers from St. Louis to Chicago
Choosing a full-service mover is ideal when you prefer experts to oversee your interstate move from St. Louis to Chicago. These companies handle all the details, allowing you to dedicate your energy to your next steps.
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 MO→IL movers
moveBuddha's dedicated analysts have scrutinized moving rates across 57 Missouri moving firms, selecting the top providers by assessing customer approval, reviews, and affordability.
- Customer satisfaction (40%): The team ensures timely service delivery, engages in effective communication, and adheres to the projected costs.
- Dispute resolution (20%): Moving isn’t perfect, and mistakes will happen. We highlight movers that handle those situations honestly and put effort into resolving them fairly.
- Industry reputation (15%): The company is well-regarded within the moving industry and participates in industry conferences and organizations.
- Online reputation (15%): This mover keeps its website up to date and provides timely, professional replies to questions or concerns raised online.
- Service options (10%): Companies stand out when they provide comprehensive options such as full-service packing, safe storage, handling of specialty items, and expedited shipping.
Here is our full moving company rating methodology.
What to know before moving from St. Louis to Chicago
Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move - Chicago runs about 41% higher for singles and 41% higher for families than St. Louis.
Singles spend around $3,648 in Chicago versus $2,589 in St. Louis; families pay $9,266 compared with $6,573.
Dig into the side-by-side details here:
| St. Louis | Chicago | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $2,368 | |
| Average 3 BR rent | $4,581 | |
| Average home value | $171,463 | $295,743 |
| Average income (per capita) | $66,090 | $71,566 |
| Cost of living (single) | $2,589 | $3,648 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $6,573 | $9,266 |
| Unemployment rate | 6.3% | 9.0% |
| Sales tax | 9.68% | 10.25% |
| State income tax | 4.8% | 4.95% |
- Rent is about 64% more expensive in Chicago than in St. Louis. Make sure to include this increase in your monthly budget.
- Plan for a heftier mortgage payment since home prices are approximately 72% steeper in Chicago compared to St. Louis.
- Here's some fantastic news, the average income is approximately 8% greater in Chicago than in St. Louis, offering more potential for savings or investments each month.
- Prepare for elevated costs in Chicago, with the cost of living for a single person being 41% more than in St. Louis. This includes routine costs such as utilities, groceries, clothes, and transportation.
- When considering a family move to Chicago, prepare for a potential rise in household expenses. The cost of living for a family here is 41% higher than in St. Louis.
- Chicago has a higher unemployment rate than St. Louis by about 43%. This means that more people are out of work, so employers may have a larger pool of candidates to choose from, which can lead to a more competitive hiring process.
- Sales taxes in Chicago surpass those in St. Louis by 6%. This means everyday items like clothing, dining, and electronics may cost more at checkout.
- Income taxes are nearly the same between Illinois and Missouri, within a 5% range. This consistency assures you of predictable financial planning during your state move.
Here’s the side-by-side view of common monthly bills and day-to-day expenses in St. Louis versus Chicago:
| Living Expense | St. Louis | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $191.26 | |
| Cell phone plan | $61.10 | |
| Dozen eggs | $4.52 | |
| Loaf of bread | $4.15 | |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $25.00 | |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $100.00 | |
| Gym membership | $78.31 |
How life is different in St. Louis vs. Chicago
| St. Louis | Chicago | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 293,310 | 2,746,388 |
| Transportation score | 8 | 9 |
| Walkability score | 66 | 77 |
| Bike friendliness score | 58 | 72 |
| Crime index | 69.65 | 35.19 |
| Safety index | 30.35 | 33.87 |
| Air quality | Moderate | Good |
- Chicago's population is about 836% greater than St. Louis.
- Chicago's public transportation score of 9 out of 10 is higher than St. Louis's score of 8.
- Chicago is more walkable than St. Louis with a score of 77 out of 100 vs St. Louis's 66 out of 100.
- With a score of 72 out of 100, Chicago is more bike-friendly than St. Louis, which has a score of 58 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 St. Louis with a score of 35.19 compared to St. Louis's 69.65. This means that Chicago neighborhoods are safer than 35.19% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and St. Louis neighborhoods are safer than 69.65%.
- Chicago is considered to be safer than St. Louis with a safety index of 33.87 vs St. Louis's 30.35.
- Air quality in Chicago is Good, and in St. Louis it's Moderate.
Other things to consider for your St. Louis to Chicago move
- HOA rules: Plan time to look into your HOA or community rules and regulations before moving day arrives, to avoid any delays.
- Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator you'll want to check on how to reserve it for move day.
- Truck parking permits: Many cities require special permits for parking large moving trucks. Check in advance to see if one is needed for your move.
- 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. Ensure the company you choose is licensed to handle your move.
- State regulator: To confirm a moving company's license in Illinois, visit the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: Moving permits aren’t typically required in Illinois, but always confirm with local authorities to avoid surprises.
- Change of address: You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Chicago. Get started here.
- Moving company insurance: Each state has its own requirements for the level of insurance moving companies must carry. 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: Let our moving checklist guide you through the process and help ensure nothing slips through the cracks.
Where to live in Chicago
With your sights set on Chi-Town, these are some of the most popular neighborhoods to consider in Chicago.
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
With your move to Illinois complete, you can dive right into experiencing Chicago. From cultural attractions to outdoor adventures, you'll never run out of things to do:
- Arts and culture: Chicago is home to museums and cultural arts centers 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 spots — perfect for hiking, biking, or simply soaking up the outdoors.
- Sports: Experience the energy of a live game and back the home team at 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 St. Louis to Chicago?
If you're flexible with timing, spring and fall are great seasons to move from St. Louis to Chicago. You'll dodge the heat, the crowds, and the higher moving costs typical of peak season in St. Louis.
When is the cheapest time to move from St. Louis to Chicago?
Want to save on your move from St. Louis to Chicago? Consider scheduling it in winter, when demand is lower and rates are often cheaper. Our moving discounts guide shows you how.
How long does a move from St. Louis to Chicago take?
The 297-mile move from St. Louis, MO, to Chicago, IL, takes one to four days. Some St. Louis movers may offer expedited moving if you need it faster. If you need more time, ask your mover about storage options in Chicago.
What kinds of discounts do St. Louis movers offer?
Many local moving companies provide ways to save, from ongoing deals to seasonal offers. 1 movers extend discounts to senior citizens.
Check with each mover to confirm discount availability, eligibility requirements, and how much you can save.
Need help moving a piano or antiques in St. Louis?
These delicate items require movers with specialized training. Currently, 9 movers in St. Louis provide piano moving services. 5 can transport antiques with care. Statewide, there are 37 piano movers and 22 antique movers, with nationwide counts at 2,296 and 1,463.
Demand for these services can be high, so schedule your specialty move as far ahead as possible.
