($1,302) Movers From Chapel Hill, NC to Chicago, IL

What to know before moving from Chapel Hill to Chicago

Moving from Chapel Hill to Chicago comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Chicago is generally more expensive than Chapel Hill, it’s important to plan ahead and budget carefully for the change.

Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in Chicago are 5% higher than in Chapel Hill, which means you’ll have less money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Chicago.
  Home prices in Chicago are 50.1% lower than in Chapel Hill.
• Income in Chicago is 9.1% higher than in Chapel Hill, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in Chicago include U.S. Government, Chicago Public Schools, and City of Chicago.
• Be sure to budget for higher bills in Chicago, since the cost of living for a single person in Chicago is 62.3% higher than in Chapel Hill. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• If you’re moving your family to Chicago, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Chicago is 93.4% higher than in Chapel Hill.
• The unemployment rate in Chicago is 181.25% higher than in Chapel Hill.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Chicago, since the city’s sales taxes in Chicago are 36.67% higher than in Chapel Hill.
• State income taxes in Chicago are 10.00% higher than in Chapel Hill.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $4,868.33 in Chicago to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Chapel Hill.

How life is different in Chapel Hill vs. Chicago

• Chicago's population is about 4,207% greater than Chapel Hill.
• Chicago's public transportation has a score of 9 out of 10 versus Chapel Hill's lower score of 6.
• Chicago is more walkable than Chapel Hill with a score of 77 out of 100 vs Chapel Hill's 34 out of 100.
• With a score of 72 out of 100, Chicago is more bike-friendly than Chapel Hill, which has a score of 50 out of 100. The higher a city's score, the more suited they are to safely accommodating cyclists.
• Chicago's crime rate is higher than Chapel Hill with a score of 35.19 compared to Chapel Hill's 26.42. This means that Chicago neighborhoods are safer than 35.19% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Chapel Hill neighborhoods are safer than 26.42%.
• Chicago is considered to be less safe than Chapel Hill with a score of 33.87 vs Chapel Hill's 73.58.
• Air quality in Chicago is good, and in Chapel Hill it's moderate.

Other things to consider for your Chapel Hill vs. Chicago move

• 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: To keep things running smoothly, make sure you're familiar with any HOA or community moving policies before the big day.
• Elevator reservation: Make sure to arrange elevator access in advance if your building requires reservations for moving.
• Truck parking permits: Make sure to look into local parking regulations—some areas require permits for large moving trucks.
• 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: You can verify a Illinois moving company\’s license by visiting the state'spublic utilities commission
• Moving permits: You won’t need a moving permit in Illinois, though it\’s smart to double-check any local parking restrictions ahead of your move.
• Change of address: To avoid missing any mail, we recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least a week before your move. You can choose your official move date to make sure everything gets forwarded properly toChicago Start the process here.
• Moving company insurance: The amount and type of insurance movers must have depends on state regulations.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

Now that you’ve chosen "Chi-Town" as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in Chicago to check out.

Helpful moving resources