Moving From New York to Illinois (Movers From $1,211)

Ryan Carrigan

Last Updated: Sep 1, 2024 • 5 min read
Fact Checked by: Hilary Snow

Quick answer: The average cost to move from New York to Illinois ranges from $760 to $6,222 and takes 2-7 days. The top cost factors are how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the move yourself.

Best Overall Value Safeway Moving rating 4.85 / 5 Licensed Insured Price Best overall value Portion to charity Veteran owned Get A Quote (855) 650-0657

Most Experienced Mover American Van Lines rating 4.5 / 5 Licensed Insured Price Certified crews Flat-rate pricing Family-owned Get A Quote (866) 835-2392

Best for personalized service Mayzlin Relocation rating 4.9 / 5 Licensed Insured Price Family owned East coast focus Affordable pricing Get A Quote (980) 217-6841

Best customized Plans North American Van Lines rating 4.5 / 5 Licensed Insured Price 1,800 trucks Storage available Customized moving plans Get A Quote (844) 950-2963

Best for high-end moves JK Moving Services rating 4.6 / 5 Licensed Insured Price White glove Expensive items Guaranteed delivery Get A Quote (703) 972-1772

Hiring a full-service New York moving company will be on the more expensive side, while a rental 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 New York guide.

The best New York to Illinois movers

Hiring an interstate moving company from New York 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 New York to Illinois.

• Safeway Moving: Best overall value
• American Van Lines: Most experienced mover
• Mayzlin Relocation: Best for personalized service
• North American Van Lines: Best customized plans
• JK Moving Services: Best for high-end moves

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 New York to Illinois?

The table below lays out average cost ranges when moving from New York to Illinois for different moving services depending on the size of your home.

*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 922 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.

There are many factors that influence New York moving costs. The cost to move from New York to Illinois will depend on these factors:

• Move size: Moving a large home costs more than moving a studio apartment.
• Time of year: The peak moving season in New York is in the summer, so moving companies will likely charge more.
• DIY vs. professional mover: DIY moving services are cheaper but you do all the heavy lifting compared to letting the pros handle your move.

How much does it cost to hire movers from New York to Illinois?

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from New York to Illinois will cost between $1,211 to $4,521. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from NY to IL will range from $2,460 to $6,222, and a large move from New York to Illinois will cost from $3,982 to $7,868.

How much are moving containers like PODS from New York to Illinois?

Moving containers from New York to Illinois will cost you $931 to $2,309 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,639 to $3,211. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $2,160 to $4,339. Learn more about PODS cost.

Here are the cheapest moving container companies when moving out of New York.

How much is a moving truck from New York to Illinois?

A moving rental truck is generally the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor; these estimates include the estimated fuel cost:

Moving a studio or 1-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $739 to $1,357. A larger move will cost $760 to $1,613, and a 4+ bedroom move from New York to Illinois costs from $924 to $1,998.

Is moving from New York to Illinois a good idea?

If you’re moving to Illinois from New York, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.

Cost of Living: New York vs Illinois

• Rent is about 21% less expensive in Illinois than in New York.
• Home prices are about 44.7% lower in Illinois than in New York.
• The average income is about 3.6% lower in Illinois than in New York.
• Cost of living is 10.0% lower in Illinois than in New York.
• Illinois has a higher unemployment rate than New York by about 21.1%.
• Sales taxes are 3.52% higher in Illinois than in New York.
• Income taxes are 54.59% lower in Illinois than in New York.

How is life different in Illinois from New York?

• The population of Illinois is approximately 36% lower than the population of New York.
• In the last presidential election, Illinois voted Democrat and New York voted Democratic.
• The average high in the summertime in Illinois is 86ºF and in New York, it’s 81ºF.
• During the coldest part of the year, Illinois reaches the temperature of 17ºF and New York gets down to 16ºF.
• You can expect about 40 inches of annual rainfall in Illinois vs 44 inches of rainfall in New York.
• In Illinois, it snows about 22 inches annually vs 62 inches of snow in New York.
• Illinois has a higher crime rate than New York with a crime index of 18.79 vs 16.65.

Comparing the pros of New York vs. Illinois:

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

Comparing the cons of living in New York vs. Illinois:

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

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: One common and important example of something that should be handled ahead of time is reserving the building's elevator and finding out their rules for using the elevator.
• Parking Permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles, find out ahead of time with your new local rules.
• 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 New York movers?

Company	Quote	Rating	Contact
most popular Mabey's Moving & Storage	Get A Quote	4.96 overall rating	515 Third Avenue Extension, Rensselaer, NY, 12144 (518) 283-0017
Dumbo Moving and Storage	Get A Quote	4.9 overall rating	15 N Oxford St, Brooklyn, NY, 11205 (718) 222-8282
Gentle Giant Moving Company	Get A Quote	4.86 overall rating	100 Bowne Street, New York, NY, 11231 (718) 907-1830

Visit our Best Movers in New York page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.

Things to do in Illinois

While you’re in Illinois, you won’t be bored. These are some of the coolest places to visit in your new home state.

• Millennium Park
• Navy Pier
• The Magnificent Mile
• Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
• Shedd Aquarium
• The Art Institute of Chicago
• Starved Rock State Park
• Garden of the Gods - Shawnee National Forest
• Lincoln Park Zoo
• Anderson Japanese Gardens
• Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site
• Dana-Thomas House
• Ulysses S. Grant Home State Historic Site
• Discovery Center Museum
• Buffalo Rock State Park
• Museum of Science and Industry
• Illinois Beach State Park
• Grand View Drive
• Mississippi Palisades State Park
• Matthiessen State Park

Helpful moving resources