$764 Movers From St. Louis, MO to Illinois

Quick answer: The cost to move from St. Louis, MO to Illinois averages from $215 to $4,264 depending on how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the move yourself.

Hiring a professional St. Louis moving company will be on the more expensive side, while renting a truck or a moving container is usually cheaper but requires more work.

Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Moving from Illinois to St. Louis, MO guide.

Moving from St. Louis, MO to Illinois resources

In this article, we’ll lay out everything you need to know for your upcoming move to Illinois. But first, here are a few resources if you need immediate answers:

Moving 165 miles is no joke. Here's what you need to know.

The best St. Louis to Illinois moving companies

Hiring an interstate moving company from St. Louis 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 St. Louis to Illinois.

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Best overall value
  • Portion to charity
  • Veteran owned
Get A Quote
(855) 650-0657

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • 20 yrs experience
  • Flat rate pricing
  • Family owned
Get A Quote
(866) 835-2392

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.45 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Family owned
  • East coast focus
  • Affordable pricing
Get A Quote
(980) 217-6841

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • 74 years in biz
  • 1,800 trucks
  • Storage available
Get A Quote
(844) 950-2963

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • White glove
  • Expensive items
  • Guaranteed delivery
Get A Quote
(703) 972-1772

% of users select this mover

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

How much does it cost to move from St. Louis, MO to Illinois?

Here are average prices of hire a moving company, rent a moving container, or rent a moving truck when moving from St. Louis to Illinois:

Move size Moving company Moving container Rental truck
Studio / 1 Bedroom $764 - $2,821 $577 - $1,418 $204 - $357
2 - 3 bedrooms $1,427 - $4,264 $1,142 - $1,945 $215 - $429
4+ bedrooms $1,992 - $5,143 $1,432 - $2,505 $263 - $462
get a quote

*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 165 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 St. Louis, MO to Illinois 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 St. Louis, 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 hiring the pros.

How much does it cost to hire movers from St. Louis, MO to Illinois?

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from St. Louis to Illinois will cost between $764 to $2,821. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from St. Louis to IL will range from $1,427 to $4,264, and a large move from St. Louis to Illinois will cost from $1,992 to $5,143.

How much are moving containers like PODS from St. Louis, MO to Illinois?

Moving pods from St. Louis to Illinois will cost you $577 to $1,418. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,142 to $1,945. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $1,432 to $2,505. Learn more about PODS cost.

Here are the cheapest moving containers for your move from St. Louis to Illinois.

How much is a moving truck from St. Louis, MO 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 $204 to $357. A larger move will cost $215 to $429, and a four-bedroom or bigger move from St. Louis to Illinois costs from $263 to $462.

Is moving from St. Louis, MO to Illinois a good idea?

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

Cost of living: St. Louis, MO vs Illinois

St. Louis, MO Illinois
Average rent cost $1,125 $1,038
Average home cost $166,529 $249,224
Average income (per capita) $60,947 $78,433
Unemployment rate 6.3% 4.6%
State income tax 4.95% 4.95%
  • Rent is about 10% less expensive in Illinois than in St. Louis.
  • Home prices are about 35.1% higher in Illinois than in St. Louis.
  • The average income is about 26.5% higher in Illinois than in St. Louis.
  • Illinois has a lower unemployment rate than St. Louis by about 54.8%.
  • Income taxes are the same in Illinois and St. Louis.

How is life different in St. Louis, MO from Illinois?

St. Louis, MO Illinois
Population 293,310 12,582,032
Political leaning Democrat 81-16 Democrat 58-41
Summer high 89ºF 86ºF
Winter low 23ºF 17ºF
Annual rain 42" 40"
Annual snow 16" 22"
Crime index 77.64 18.79
  • The population of Illinois is approximately 4,190% greater than the population of St. Louis.
  • In the last presidential election, Illinois voted Democrat and St. Louis voted Democrat.
  • The average high in the summertime in Illinois is 86ºF and in St. Louis, it’s 89ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Illinois reaches the temperature of 17ºF and St. Louis gets down to 23ºF.
  • You can expect about 40 inches of annual rainfall in Illinois vs 42 inches of rainfall in St. Louis.
  • In Illinois, it snows about 22 inches annually vs 16 inches of snow in St. Louis.
  • Illinois has a lower crime rate than St. Louis with a crime index of 77.64 vs 18.79.

Comparing the pros of St. Louis, MO vs. Illinois:

There are always a lot of reasons to get excited about living somewhere new. These are the best parts of living in St. Louis vs Illinois side-by-side.

Pros of living in St. Louis, MO Pros of living in Illinois
Rich culture Home of Chicago
Bountiful arts and recreational activities Ample economic opportunity
Quality public transportation Bountiful recreational opportunities
Low cost of living Delicious food
Friendly people World-class sports culture

Comparing the cons of living in St. Louis, MO vs. Illinois:

Not everything is sunshine and rainbows, these are the things to be aware of when leaving St. Louis for Illinois.

Cons of living in St. Louis, MO Cons of living in Illinois
Poor education Harsh winter weather
High crime rate Bad traffic
Urban sprawl High crime rate
Lack of economic opportunity Dull landscape
Pervasive poverty Strict laws

Considerations for moving 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: If your building has an elevator you’ll want to check on how to reserve it for move 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. 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 forward 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.

Looking for local St. Louis movers?

Company Quote Rating Contact
McGuire Moving and Storage Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.9 overall rating
8645 South Broadway,, St. Louis, MO, 63111
(314) 241-0600
Cord Moving and Storage Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.8 overall rating
4101 Rider Trail N,, Earth city, MO, 63045
(866) 742-1558

Visit our best movers in St. Louis page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.

What to do in Illinois?

Whether you’re looking for parks, museums, sports, or even universities, you’ll be happy to find a plethora of these in Illinois.

Museums in Illinois

  • The Art Institute of Chicago
  • Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
  • Caterpillar Visitors Center
  • Lincoln Home National Historic Site
  • Museum of Hummels
  • Fabyan Villa Museum & Japanese Garden
  • World's Tallest Man Statue
  • Halim Time & Glass Museum
  • Museum of Science and Industry
  • Graue Mill & Museum

Parks in Illinois

  • Starved Rock State Park
  • Matthiessen State Park
  • Illinois Beach State Park
  • Pere Marquette State Park
  • Kankakee river State Park
  • Shawnee National Forest
  • Castle Rock State Park
  • Rock Cut State Park
  • Giant city State Park
  • Ferne Clyffe State Park

Sports Teams in Illinois

  • Chicago Cubs (MLB)
  • Chicago White Sox (MLB)
  • Chicago Bulls (NBA)
  • Chicago Sky (WNBA)
  • Chicago Bears (NFL)
  • Chicago Blackhawks (NHL)
  • Chicago Fire FC (MLS)
  • Chicago Red Stars (NWSL)

Universities in Illinois

  • University of Chicago
  • University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
  • Northwestern University
  • University of Illinois at Chicago
  • Northern Illinois University
  • DePaul University
  • Illinois Institute of Technology
  • Loyola University Chicago
  • Southern Illinois University Carbondale
  • Illinois State University
  • Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
  • Western Illinois University

Moving from St. Louis to Illinois FAQs

Why are people moving from St. Louis to Illinois?

Many people are moving to Illinois because of home of Chicago and ample economic opportunity. On the other hand, people are moving away from St. Louis because of poor education and high crime rate.

Where can I find a list of long-distance moving companies from St. Louis?

Here are our top picks for the best long-distance movers in St. Louis.

Related articles to your move

Learn more about Illinois