Quick answer: The cost to move from Durham to Chicago ranges from $666 to $5,772 and the journey will take approximately two to seven days. Key factors influencing these estimates include your moving volume, chosen moving date, and whether you opt for professional movers or handle the 783-mile move on your own.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Chicago to Durham guide.
Our track record
Best movers by type
For a move from Durham to Chicago, you’ll have no shortage of options. There are 23 interstate movers in your area, giving you plenty of choices… but also a big decision to make about whether to go full-service or take on more of the work yourself.
We reviewed every Durham company against key criteria, including service variety, affordability, and what people are saying in online reviews. Only the best long-distance movers in Durham made our final list.
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Best professional movers from Durham to Chicago
Making the trip from Durham to Chicago is easier when you hire a full-service moving company to handle every stage of the relocation. From packing and loading to delivery and unpacking, they manage the process so you can focus on the bigger picture.
We’ve put together a list of the best full-service movers for this route to help you make the move with ease.
Safeway Moving
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American Van Lines
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Allied Van Lines
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Mayzlin Relocation
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North American Van Lines
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What moving services are available in Durham?
How we chose the best moving companies for your NC to IL move
Find trusted moving companies for your Durham to Chicago journey
Organizing a move from Durham to Chicago can be daunting, particularly when trying to identify a reliable mover that offers long-distance services. The choices are vast, but which ones stand out?
We've done the groundwork for you, evaluating local movers in Durham known for their long-distance moving capabilities, assessing them on pricing, customer experiences, and reliability.
Here are the top local moving companies to ensure a smooth transition from Durham to Chicago.
- Miracle Movers: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- Bellhop Moving: 4.66 out of 5 stars
- Athens Moving Experts: 4.86 out of 5 stars
- Truckin' Movers Corporation: 4.62 out of 5 stars
- TROSA Moving: 4.58 out of 5 stars
Company Info
State license #: 2894
Years in Business: 19
DOT #: 2461529
Alternate Names: Miracle Movers of Raleigh, LLC
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
Company Info
State license #: 2934
Years in Business: 14
DOT #: 2878240
Alternate Names: Bellhop Moving Services
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
Company Info
State license #: 2657
Years in Business: 8
DOT #: 3205320
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Shipment tracking
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 2262
Years in Business: 48
DOT #: 0233952
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Shipment tracking
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Safes
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
Company Info
State license #: C-726
Years in Business: 31
DOT #: 675014
Alternate Names: TROSA Inc., TROSA Moving & Storage, TROSA Lawn Care, TROSA Thrift, TROSA Moving, Triangle Residential Options for Substance Abusers, Trosa Furniture & Frameshop, TROSA Lawncare
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Pay by credit card
How much does it cost to move from Durham to Chicago?
Durham movers charge $122 per hour on average. Here are average prices for a full-service moving company, moving container, or truck:
Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
---|---|---|---|
Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,299 - $4,219 | $870 - $2,069 | $591 - $1,125 |
2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,433 - $5,772 | $1,519 - $3,170 | $666 - $1,336 |
4+ bedrooms | $4,078 - $8,842 | $2,080 - $4,015 | $867 - $1,688 |
Cost to hire movers from North Carolina to Illinois
Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from North Carolina to Illinois will cost between $1,299 and $4,219. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from NC to IL will range from $2,433 to $5,772, and a large move from North Carolina to Illinois will cost from $4,078 to $8,842.
Cost of moving containers from North Carolina to Illinois
When you're heading from North Carolina to Illinois, and you're only moving a few items, you can expect to spend between $870 and $2,069. For a two- or three-bedroom place, prices usually fall between $1,519 and $3,170. If you're packing up a large home with four or more bedrooms, the cost can range from $2,080 to $4,015. Want more details? Check out our complete PODS cost guide.
Explore the top budget-friendly moving container companies to make your move from North Carolina easier and more affordable.
Cost of moving truck rentals from North Carolina 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 $591 to $1,125. A two to three-bedroom move will cost $666 to $1,336, and moving a home with four or more bedrooms or from North Carolina to Illinois costs around $867 to $1,688.
These quotes include the estimated fuel cost.
Factors influencing moving costs from Durham to Chicago
What to know before moving from Durham to Chicago
Monthly costs run higher in Chicago than in Durham — roughly 30% more for singles and 56% more for families.
Singles spend $3,648 vs. $2,803, and families $9,266 vs. $5,945.
Use the comparison below to plan your budget with confidence:
- You may want to budget more for rent in Chicago, since prices are typically 20% higher than in Durham.
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In terms of homeownership, you'll be able to get more for your money in Chicago.
Home prices in Chicago are 24.5% lower than in Durham. - Income in Chicago is 81.9% lower than in Durham, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in Chicago — including U.S. Government, Chicago Public Schools, and City of Chicago — may pay more.
- Be sure to budget for higher bills in Chicago, since the cost of living for a single person in Chicago is 30.1% higher than in Durham. 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 55.9% higher than in Durham.
- The unemployment rate in Chicago is 119.51% higher than in Durham.
- Shopping and dining out will likely be a little pricier in Chicago, since its sales taxes are 36.67% higher than what you are paying in Durham.
- State income taxes in Chicago are 10.00% higher than in Durham.
Here’s a closer snapshot of how common everyday costs and monthly bills compare between Durham and Chicago:
Durham | Chicago | |
---|---|---|
Basic utilities | $148.21 | $191.26 |
Cell phone plan | $51.67 | $61.1 |
Dozen eggs | $4.53 | $4.52 |
Loaf of bread | $3.66 | $4.15 |
Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $15 | $25 |
Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $70 | $100 |
Gym membership | $40 | $78.31 |
- Basic utilities cost less in Durham than in Chicago, helping trim your monthly bills.
- Cell phone plans are cheaper in Durham than in Chicago.
- Eggs cost more in Durham than in Chicago.
- Bread costs less in Durham than in Chicago.
- A quick meal is cheaper in Durham than in Chicago.
- A mid-range dinner for two costs less in Durham than in Chicago.
- Gym memberships are more affordable in Durham than in Chicago.
How life is different in Durham vs. Chicago
Chicago | Durham | |
---|---|---|
Population | 2,746,388 | 283,506 |
Transportation Score | 9 | 4 |
Walkability score | 77 | 30 |
Bike friendliness score | 72 | 38 |
Crime Index | 35.19 | 54.72 |
Safety Index | 33.87 | 45.28 |
Air Quality | Good | Good |
- Chicago's population is about 869% greater than Durham.
- Chicago's public transportation has a score of 9 out of 10 versus Durham's lower score of 4.
- Chicago is more walkable than Durham with a score of 77 out of 100 vs Durham's 30 out of 100.
- With a score of 72 out of 100, Chicago is more bike-friendly than Durham, which has a score of 38 out of 100. The higher a city's score, the more suited they are to safely accommodating cyclists.
- Chicago's crime rate is lower than Durham with a score of 35.19 compared to Durham's 54.72. This means that Chicago neighborhoods are safer than 35.19% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Durham neighborhoods are safer than 54.72%.
- Chicago is considered to be less safe than Durham with a score of 33.87 vs Durham's 45.28.
- Air quality in Chicago is good, and in Durham it's good.
Other things to consider for your Durham 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's public 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 to Chicago 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.
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
Now that you've made the move to Illinois it's the perfect time to explore Chicago From local hotspots to hidden gems, there's something to enjoy for every lifestyle:
- Arts and culture: Chicago features a variety of museums and cultural arts centers, including the The Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago History Museum, and Museum of Contemporary Art.
- 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: Grab a seat and root for the home team during an Chicago Bears (NFL), Chicago Cubs (MLB), Chicago White Sox (MLB), or Chicago Blackhawks (NHL) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Durham to Chicago?
Spring and fall are the ideal times to move from Durham to Chicago. You'll benefit from more comfortable weather and avoid the higher prices that come with peak moving season in Durham.
When is the cheapest time to move from Durham to Chicago?
Because spring and fall moves from Durham to Chicago are so common, winter can be a great time to move if you're looking for lower prices. Read our moving discounts guide to see how.
How long does a move from Durham to Chicago take?
The 783-mile journey from Durham, NC to Chicago, IL, typically takes two to seven days. Some movers in Durham offer expedited services if you're on a tight schedule, and if you need extra time, be sure to ask about storage options in Chicago.
How many movers in Durham can handle specialty items for my move to Chicago?
Specialty moving services aren’t offered by every company. In Durham, 16 movers can handle pianos. 5 offer antique moving services. Compared to the rest of NC, there are 72 piano movers and 33 antique movers, while nationwide the numbers are 1919 and 1190 respectively.
If you need these services, it’s best to book early — availability can be limited, especially during peak moving months.