($540+) Jackson, MS to Chicago, IL Movers
Moving from Jackson, MS, to Chicago, IL, runs anywhere from $540 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,956 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 740 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 6 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
- Full-service moves for smaller spaces (studio apartments and 1-bedrooms) start around $1,727, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,956 or more.
- Moving containers run $981 - $3,282, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $540 - $1,376.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Jackson, MS, to Chicago, IL. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,391 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
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Compare moving options from Jackson, MS to Chicago, IL
Moving options from Jackson to Chicago fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move on this route costs $2,391 - $5,898 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 43% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 76% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 740 miles and typically takes 1 to 6 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 740-mile route from Jackson to Chicago, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $1,727 for a studio up to $7,956 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $981 - $3,282 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $540 - $1,376, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $911 - $2,625, billed by the space you actually use.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated November 2, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Jackson, MS to Chicago, IL
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 740-mile move from Jackson, Mississippi, to Chicago, Illinois, with costs ranging from $1,727 - $7,956. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $264 - $1,760. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Jackson and Chicago. Local movers in Jackson typically start around $279 as a base rate plus $127/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Jackson to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,727 - $4,607
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,391 - $5,898
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,813 - $7,956
Packing, storage, shuttle fees, and added coverage can stack on top of the base price. See the full add-ons and specialty services table below for what each runs from Jackson to Chicago.
Pro tip: Demand for full-service movers surges during peak moving season from May - September, pushing prices higher. Shifting your move to a cooler month could save you a meaningful amount on your total bill.
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Specialty moving services from Jackson, MS to Chicago, IL
Specialty needs vary by market: 82% of Jackson movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Chicago, 60% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing82% of local movers | $440 - $4,400 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready82% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: The Armstrong Company | $176 - $1,056/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $264 - $2,112 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage25% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs75% of local movers | $880 - $2,640 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,200 - $8,800 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $659 - $1,252 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items13% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: McCorquodale Transfer | $880 - $2,200 |
| Piano | Any piano type36% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: My Two Movers | $704 - $3,080 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling13% of local movers | $264 - $1,320 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect13% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk | $572 - $1,760 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $264 - $13,200+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $264 - $3,080+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Jackson to Chicago?
Movers licensed to operate in Illinois are typically members of the Illinois Movers’ and Warehousemen’s Association, worth checking for before you book any of the three below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 customer support, and 30 days of free storage are included with every move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list, with 30+ years in business since 1995. AVL is one of the few national carriers that uses full-time in-house crews instead of contracted labor.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, combining fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan that covers damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Jackson, MS. At that distance, local movers often charge 30% - 40% more because they don't spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments the way national carriers do. If a direct route and faster delivery (averaging 2 days) are priorities, a local mover may be worth considering, but that service comes at a higher price.
Moving container costs from Jackson, MS to Chicago, IL
Moving containers from Jackson, Mississippi, to Chicago, Illinois, cost between $981 and $3,282. You load everything on your own schedule (U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30). When you're ready, the company takes care of getting the container from point A to point B. Need more time than that? Extra storage in Jackson typically runs around $70/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Jackson to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $981 - $1,970
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,366 - $2,601
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,741 - $3,282
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Because loading is on you with a container move, hourly labor help is a popular add-on. In Jackson, MS, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $616, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: After the first month, ongoing rental fees kick in. A small container (7 - 8 feet) averages about $66 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $132 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Jackson, MS, and Chicago, IL, but confirm a facility is within reasonable distance if you need to retrieve items while in storage.
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection provides broader coverage than the standard liability in your contract. It typically costs 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on $50,000 worth of belongings.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Mississippi to Illinois move in the past 90 days. Our pricing data is drawn from 1,500+ monthly data points across our vetted mover network and refreshed every month.
Pro tip: Before ordering moving containers, take a careful inventory of everything you're moving. A typical 1-bedroom home weighs around 3,000 pounds and fits in a single container starting at $981. Underestimating how much you have and needing an extra container means paying for another one, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise. For reference, a 2 - 3 bedroom home typically runs $1,366 - $2,601.
What are the best moving containers Jackson to Chicago?
- Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
- U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
- MovingYourself (5.0/5 stars)
Want a hand without paying for full service? A container or truck move does not mean doing all the heavy lifting yourself. You can hire a labor-only crew in Jackson to load and unload while you handle the drive, then book full help later if you change your mind. Three top-rated local crews for labor-only help in Jackson:
- My Two Movers (4.8/5), 18 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk (4.9/5)
Moving truck rental costs from Jackson, MS to Chicago, IL
A rental truck for this 740-mile move from Jackson, Mississippi, to Chicago, Illinois, costs between $540 and $1,376. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $207 - $237
- Daily insurance: $26/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $18
- Jackson daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.89
| Home size | Typical truck size |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | 10 - 12 ft |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | 15 - 17 ft |
| 4+ bedrooms | 20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel) |
These are typical moving truck rental costs from Jackson to Chicago based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $540 - $986
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $578 - $1,170
- 4+ bedrooms: $715 - $1,376
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $540 - $1,376 does not include fuel ($207 - $237), lodging ($132/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Jackson to Chicago typically runs more than the base rate alone, with meals, equipment, and other extras adding roughly $600 - $1,200 on top of fuel and lodging.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Equipment: Tow dollies, appliance dollies, and moving pads are not included in the base rate. These extras often total between $66 and $308.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $132.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $207 and $237 for the 740-mile drive, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: If you'd rather not do all the heavy lifting, budget around $616 for 2 movers in Jackson, Mississippi, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Jackson to Chicago?
- Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
- Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
- U-Haul Truck Rental (4.2/5 stars)
The best truck rental companies for this route, based on moveBuddha's ratings.
Freight trailer costs from Jackson, MS to Chicago, IL
If you're moving a larger household from Jackson, Mississippi, and want to stay in control of the loading process, freight trailers offer a practical middle ground between hiring movers and renting a truck yourself. A 28-foot trailer is delivered to your door, you load what you need, and the carrier handles the drive to Chicago, Illinois.
Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. A 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route typically falls between $1,114 and $1,977.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Jackson to Chicago:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $911 - $1,621
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,114 - $1,977
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,408 - $2,625
Pro tip: Loading a freight trailer is a bit different from filling a container. The 4-foot ramp can be steep with large items, and getting the most out of 8 feet of vertical clearance takes planning. Since pricing is based on linear feet used, every inch of wasted space has a cost.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- More space: Freight trailers are billed by the section you fill. If you misjudge your shipment size, each extra foot of trailer space adds around $66 - $132 to your final bill.
- Peak season pricing: Expect higher rates during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) when trailer availability tightens across the country.
- Moving labor: Loading is on you unless you hire outside help. A half-day crew of two movers in Jackson, Mississippi, typically costs $616.
What are the best freight companies from Jackson to Chicago?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the pick for best for large moves. The company is well-regarded as a top moving container option for its load-it-yourself, we-drive-it model, and that same model makes it a strong freight option for larger homes that benefit from the company's 53-foot trucks and footage-based pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Alongside their flagship container service, U-Pack provides a top-notch freight trailer option that follows the same model: no deposits, no upfront fees, and pricing based on the linear footage you actually use.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Chicago fast. For interstate moves, freight is one of the quickest delivery methods out there. Just keep in mind that freight carriers expect you to be available to receive your shipment, so it works best when your move-in is locked in and you don't need temporary storage on either end.
Cost of living: Jackson, MS vs Chicago, IL
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Chicago, side by side with Jackson on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Jackson, MS | Chicago, IL |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 76 | 106 |
| Average rent | $1,170/mo | $2,045/mo |
| Median home value | $107,872 | $317,509 |
| Average income | $43,238/yr | $75,134/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 7.7% | 9.0% |
| State income tax | Up to 4.7% | Up to 4.95% |
| Walkability score | 26/100 | 77/100 |
| Safety index | 17.62/100 | 33.87/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
Cost of living index is relative to the U.S. average of 100. Figures reflect the latest available city and state data.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Chicago, IL to Jackson, MS guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Mississippi to Illinois over the past 3 months, giving us some of the most up-to-date pricing data around. Running your move through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. There are 42 movers in our Mississippi network to compare for this 740-mile move.
Our take
For a move from Jackson, MS, to Chicago, IL, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $1,727 for a studio to $7,956 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 740-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $981 - $3,282. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $540 - $1,376, though you'll be handling the driving and loading yourself. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with quotes starting around $2,391 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live customer support.
Beyond the move itself, people who've relocated to Chicago tend to point to bountiful arts and recreational activities and delicious food, though high crime rate and temperamental weather come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include U.S. Government and Chicago Public Schools.
FAQs: Moving from Jackson, MS, to Chicago, IL
Is Chicago a safe place to live?
Chicago has a safety index of 33.87 out of 100 and a crime index of 35.19, compared to 17.62 and 82.38 in Jackson. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
How walkable is Chicago?
Chicago has a walkability score of 77 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 72, compared to 26 and 33 in Jackson. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What are the best neighborhoods in Chicago?
For families, Beverly, Edison Park, and Lincoln Park are worth a look in Chicago. If you're moving solo or without kids, Lake View, Lincoln Park, and The Loop tend to be popular picks instead.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Illinois?
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.
What do local movers charge in Jackson?
Local movers based in Jackson typically start around $279 as a base rate, plus $127/hour per mover. That's a useful baseline if you're hiring help just to load a rental truck or container rather than booking a full long-distance move. Rates in Chicago run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
What percentage of Jackson movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 36% of movers in Jackson handle piano moves, and 13% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.