$1,144 Movers From Columbus, OH to Illinois

Quick answer: The cost to move from Columbus, OH to Illinois averages from $442 to $5,410 depending on how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the move yourself.

Hiring a professional Columbus moving company will be on the more expensive side, while renting a 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 Columbus, OH guide.

Moving from Columbus, OH to Illinois resources

In this article, we’ll lay out everything you need to know for your upcoming move to Illinois. But first, here are a few resources if you need immediate answers:

Moving 374 miles is no joke. Here's what you need to know.

The best Columbus to Illinois moving companies

Hiring an interstate moving company from Columbus 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 Columbus to Illinois.

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Best overall value
  • Portion to charity
  • Veteran owned
Get A Quote
(855) 650-0657

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • 20 yrs experience
  • Flat rate pricing
  • Family owned
Get A Quote
(866) 835-2392

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.45 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Family owned
  • East coast focus
  • Affordable pricing
Get A Quote
(980) 217-6841

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • 74 years in biz
  • 1,800 trucks
  • Storage available
Get A Quote
(844) 950-2963

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • White glove
  • Expensive items
  • Guaranteed delivery
Get A Quote
(703) 972-1772

% of users select this mover

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 Columbus, OH to Illinois?

Here are average prices of hire a moving company, rent a moving container, or rent a moving truck when moving from Columbus to Illinois:

Move size Moving company Moving container Rental truck
Studio / 1 Bedroom $1,144 - $3,703 $746 - $1,715 $406 - $743
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,031 - $5,410 $1,259 - $2,578 $442 - $855
4+ bedrooms $3,127 - $7,942 $1,736 - $3,314 $511 - $1,064
get a quote

*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 374 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.

The cost to move from Columbus, OH to Illinois will depend on:

  • Move size: The amount of items you have — as well as your home size and layout — will impact the total cost of your relocation.
  • Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in Columbus, so moving companies will likely charge more.
  • DIY vs. professional mover: DIY moving services are usually cheaper but involve more work and stress compared to hiring the pros.

How much does it cost to hire movers from Columbus, OH to Illinois?

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Columbus to Illinois will cost between $1,144 to $3,703. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from Columbus to IL will range from $2,031 to $5,410, and a large move from Columbus to Illinois will cost from $3,127 to $7,942.

How much are moving containers like PODS from Columbus, OH to Illinois?

Moving pods from Columbus to Illinois will cost you $746 to $1,715. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,259 to $2,578. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $1,736 to $3,314. Learn more about PODS cost.

Here are the cheapest moving containers for your move from Columbus to Illinois.

How much is a moving truck from Columbus, OH 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 $406 to $743. A larger move will cost $442 to $855, and a four-bedroom or bigger move from Columbus to Illinois costs from $511 to $1,064.

Is moving from Columbus, OH to Illinois a good idea?

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

Cost of living: Columbus, OH vs Illinois

Columbus, OH Illinois
Average rent cost $1,450 $1,038
Average home cost $235,958 $249,224
Average income (per capita) $63,639 $78,433
Unemployment rate 5.7% 4.6%
State income tax 3.99% 4.95%
  • Rent is about 50% less expensive in Illinois than in Columbus.
  • Home prices are about 6.1% higher in Illinois than in Columbus.
  • The average income is about 22.1% higher in Illinois than in Columbus.
  • Illinois has a lower unemployment rate than Columbus by about 30.6%.
  • Income taxes are 24.06% higher in Illinois than in Columbus.

How is life different in Columbus, OH from Illinois?

Columbus, OH Illinois
Population 905,748 12,582,032
Political leaning Democrat 65-33 Democrat 58-41
Summer high 85ºF 86ºF
Winter low 21ºF 17ºF
Annual rain 40" 40"
Annual snow 22" 22"
Crime index 37.49 18.79
  • The population of Illinois is approximately 1,289% greater than the population of Columbus.
  • In the last presidential election, Illinois voted Democrat and Columbus voted Democrat.
  • The average high in the summertime in Illinois is 86ºF and in Columbus, it’s 85ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Illinois reaches the temperature of 17ºF and Columbus gets down to 21ºF.
  • You can expect about 40 inches of annual rainfall in Illinois vs 40 inches of rainfall in Columbus.
  • In Illinois, it snows about 22 inches annually vs 22 inches of snow in Columbus.
  • Illinois has a lower crime rate than Columbus with a crime index of 37.49 vs 18.79.

Comparing the pros of Columbus, OH vs. Illinois:

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

Pros of living in Columbus, OH Pros of living in Illinois
Low cost of living Home of Chicago
Delicious food Ample economic opportunity
Bountiful arts and recreational activities Bountiful recreational opportunities
Friendly people Delicious food
Ample economic opportunity World-class sports culture

Comparing the cons of living in Columbus, OH vs. Illinois:

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

Cons of living in Columbus, OH Cons of living in Illinois
Bad drivers Harsh winter weather
Terrible traffic Bad traffic
Bad weather High crime rate
High taxes Dull landscape
Limited public transportation Strict laws

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: If your building has an elevator you’ll want to check on how to reserve it for move day.
  • Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
  • 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 Columbus movers?

Company Quote Rating Contact
E.E. Ward Moving & Storage Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
5 overall rating
2235 Southwest Blvd Suite A, Grove City, OH, 43123
(614) 401-6796
MVM Moving & Storage Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.96 overall rating
3979 Parkway Lane, Hilliard, OH, 43026
(614) 230-0667

Visit our best movers in Columbus page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.

What to do in Illinois?

Whether you’re looking for parks, museums, sports, or even universities, you’ll be happy to find a plethora of these in Illinois.

Museums in Illinois

  • The Art Institute of Chicago
  • Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
  • Caterpillar Visitors Center
  • Lincoln Home National Historic Site
  • Museum of Hummels
  • Fabyan Villa Museum & Japanese Garden
  • World's Tallest Man Statue
  • Halim Time & Glass Museum
  • Museum of Science and Industry
  • Graue Mill & Museum

Parks in Illinois

  • Starved Rock State Park
  • Matthiessen State Park
  • Illinois Beach State Park
  • Pere Marquette State Park
  • Kankakee river State Park
  • Shawnee National Forest
  • Castle Rock State Park
  • Rock Cut State Park
  • Giant city State Park
  • Ferne Clyffe State Park

Sports Teams in Illinois

  • Chicago Cubs (MLB)
  • Chicago White Sox (MLB)
  • Chicago Bulls (NBA)
  • Chicago Sky (WNBA)
  • Chicago Bears (NFL)
  • Chicago Blackhawks (NHL)
  • Chicago Fire FC (MLS)
  • Chicago Red Stars (NWSL)

Universities in Illinois

  • University of Chicago
  • University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
  • Northwestern University
  • University of Illinois at Chicago
  • Northern Illinois University
  • DePaul University
  • Illinois Institute of Technology
  • Loyola University Chicago
  • Southern Illinois University Carbondale
  • Illinois State University
  • Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
  • Western Illinois University

Moving from Columbus to Illinois FAQs

Why are people moving from Columbus to Illinois?

Many people are moving to Illinois because of home of Chicago and ample economic opportunity. On the other hand, people are moving away from Columbus because of bad drivers and terrible traffic.

Where can I find a list of long-distance moving companies from Columbus?

Here are our top picks for the best long-distance movers in Columbus.

Related articles to your move

Learn more about Illinois