($556+) New York City, NY to Chicago, IL Movers

Full-service moving costs from NYC to Chicago, IL

For the 790-mile move from NYC, New York, to Chicago, Illinois, full-service movers cost between $1,506 and $7,330. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $437 - $2,912 (1 - 5+ bedrooms), crews will pack your boxes. The weight of your shipment and the mileage between the two cities are what drive your final cost. For scale, local movers in NYC generally start around $239 plus $110 per hour, per mover.

Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from NYC to Chicago:

• Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,506 - $4,056
• 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,139 - $5,036
• 4+ bedrooms: $3,590 - $7,330

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 NYC to Chicago.

Specialty moving services from NYC to Chicago, IL

Specialty needs vary by market: 62% of New York City movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Chicago, 60% of movers offer the same service.

What are the best full-service movers from NYC 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.

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.

Moving container costs from NYC to Chicago, IL

Moving containers from NYC, New York, to Chicago, Illinois, cost between $1,045 and $3,620. A container is delivered to your home and you load it on your own time. Loading windows vary by company: U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30. From there, the company takes over and transports it to Chicago. If you go over that window, storage in NYC adds around $190/month.

Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from NYC to Chicago:

• Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,045 - $1,944
• 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,398 - $2,615
• 4+ bedrooms: $1,876 - $3,620

What other costs come with moving containers?

• Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $109 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $218 per month.
• Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Chicago, IL, if you need to retrieve anything while items are still in storage.
• Moving labor: Since you're responsible for loading the container yourself, many customers bring in hourly help. Based on moveBuddha data, hiring 2 movers for approximately 5 hours costs about $1,019 in NYC. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
• Added contents protection: Full-value protection goes beyond the standard minimum and covers repair, replacement, or reimbursement at declared value. Pricing is typically 1% - 2% of your total shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 move.

What are the best moving containers NYC to Chicago?

1. Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
2. U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
3. MovingYourself (5.0/5 stars)

Moving truck rental costs from NYC to Chicago, IL

Truck rentals from NYC, New York, to Chicago, Illinois, range from $556 - $1,433 for the 790-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:

• Fuel for the drive: $366 - $418
• Daily insurance: $44/day
• Equipment rentals: $10 - $29
• NYC daily rental rate: $19 - $50
• Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $1.99 - $2.29

These are typical moving truck rental costs from NYC to Chicago based on home size:

• Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $556 - $1,068
• 2 - 3 bedrooms: $619 - $1,292
• 4+ bedrooms: $744 - $1,433

What other costs come with rental trucks?

• Gas: Fuel adds $366 - $418 for the 790-mile drive, depending on whether your rental truck runs on gas or diesel.
• Moving labor: You'll handle the heavy lifting unless you bring in help. Two movers in NYC, New York, for about 5 hours typically costs around $1,019.
• Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
• Lodging: The 790-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $218 per night, adding $437 - $655 in hotel costs total.
• Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $73 and $437.

What are the best moving truck rentals from NYC to Chicago?

1. Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
2. Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
3. 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 NYC to Chicago, IL

If you're moving a larger household from NYC, New York, 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 $1,053 and $2,221.

Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from NYC to Chicago:

• Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $922 - $1,767
• 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,053 - $2,221
• 4+ bedrooms: $1,471 - $2,896

What other costs come with freight trailers?

• More space: Freight pricing is based on exactly how much of the trailer you fill. If your items take up more than expected, the added footage can increase your cost by between $109 and $218.
• Peak season impact: Moving during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) often means higher trailer rates as demand increases across the board.
• Moving labor: Unless you plan to load everything yourself, factor in labor costs. Two movers in NYC, New York, for roughly five hours typically average $1,019.

What are the best freight companies from NYC to Chicago?

1. 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.
2. 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.

Cost of living: NYC 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 NYC on housing, income, and taxes.

Cost of living index is relative to the U.S. average of 100. Figures reflect the latest available city and state data.

Our take

How you handle your interstate move from NYC, to Chicago, IL, comes down to your budget and how much time and work you're able to put into it. Hands-off relocations handled by full-service movers range from $1,506 - $7,330 on the 790-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,045 - $3,620 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $556 - $1,433 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $2,139 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and 24/7 live 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.