Industry-trained crews
Local moving companies in Pennsylvania
- Zip to Zip Moving Inc: 4.72 out of 5 stars
- The Armstrong Company: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- South Hills Movers: 4.76 out of 5 stars
- Don Farr Moving & Storage: 4.76 out of 5 stars
- Efficient service
- Careful handling
- Professional and polite staff
- Helpful movers
- Good communication
- Unexpected charges
- Inaccurate estimates
- Lack of communication
Company Info
State license #: 8925314
Years in Business: 6
DOT #: 2969363
Zip to Zip Moving Inc has been a trusted local residential moving company in and around Exton, PA since 2018. With an impressive array of services, including packing, unpacking, and specialized moving for items like pianos, safes, and antiques, they outshine many nearby competitors. Their stellar reputation is backed by numerous positive reviews, boasting an average rating of 4.8 on Yelp and a perfect score of 5.0 on Google. Additionally, their A rating from the Better Business Bureau further cements their standing as a reputable choice for local moves.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- Professional and polite staff
- Careful handling
- Efficient service
- Quick moving process
- Good communication
- Damage to items
- Hard-to-resolve claims
- Unexpected charges
Company Info
State license #: 8917264
Years in Business: 74
DOT #: 1170867
Alternate Names: Jack Treier Moving & Storage
Armstrong Relocation, a local moving company in Mount Joy, PA, has been providing residential moving services since 1950. They distinguish themselves with a broad range of services including packing, unpacking, and handling fragile items, as well as the expertise to move pianos, art, and antiques. Unlike many nearby competitors, Armstrong Relocation accepts credit cards and requires no deposit. With an impressive 205 reviews on Google averaging 4.7 stars and an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, their strong reputation is a testament to their reliability and customer satisfaction.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Pay by credit card
- Efficient service
- Professional and polite staff
- Quick moving process
- Friendly and approachable staff
- Careful handling
- Damage to items
- Lack of communication
- Unprofessional behavior
Company Info
State license #: 8919262
Years in Business: 7
DOT #: 2378173
Alternate Names: BLL Charles Inc
College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving has been serving the Glenshaw, PA area with reliable local residential moving services since 2018. Renowned for its comprehensive offerings, such as office moving, packing, unpacking, and labor-only services, this company stands out among local competitors. Clients appreciate their no-deposit policy and credit card payment options, evidenced by an impressive 4.7-star average from 853 Google reviews and an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, though Yelp reviews are more mixed. Overall, College Hunks offers a trustworthy and versatile moving experience.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
- Professional and polite staff
- Efficient service
- Careful handling
- Quick moving process
- Good communication
- Damage to items
- Poor complaint handling
- Delayed arrival or delivery
Company Info
Years in Business: 94
DOT #: 98045
South Hills Movers, a trusted name in Bethel Park, PA, has been providing local residential moving services since 1931. With an impressive array of offerings that include packing, unpacking, and specialized services for moving pianos, art, and antiques, they cater to a wide range of customer needs. While their Yelp profile shows a modest rating, they boast a stronger 4.1 average on Google and a stellar A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, indicating a generally positive reputation. Compared to other nearby movers, South Hills Movers stands out for their long history and comprehensive service options, making them a reliable choice for local moves.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
- Efficient service
- Professional and polite staff
- Careful handling
- Quick moving process
- Helpful movers
- Damage to items
- Poor complaint handling
- Delayed arrival or delivery
Company Info
State license #: 8922932
Years in Business: 43
DOT #: 345157
Alternate Names: Exclusive Services, Inc.
Don Farr Moving & Storage, a trusted name in West Mifflin, PA since 1982, specializes in local residential moving services. While consumer reviews are mixed, with average ratings of 2.2 on Yelp and 3.6 on Google, their A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau stands out. They offer comprehensive services including packing, unpacking, and specialty moving for items like pianos, hot tubs, and antiques. Compared to other nearby movers, Don Farr's extensive experience and variety of services make them a solid choice for local moves.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by money order
- Pay by credit card
- DOD certified
Things to know before moving from Pennsylvania to Chicago, IL
Cost of living: Pennsylvania vs Chicago, IL
| Pennsylvania | Chicago | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,110 | $2,045 |
| Average home value | $268,824 | $295,743 |
| Average income (per capita) | $73,170 | $71,566 |
| Unemployment rate | 3% | 9% |
| State income tax | 3% | 5% |
Chicago sources: Zumper, Zillow, Numbeo
- Rent is about 84% more expensive in Chicago than in Pennsylvania.
- Home prices are about 10% higher in Chicago than in Pennsylvania.
- The average income is about 2% lower in Chicago than in Pennsylvania.
- Chicago has a higher unemployment rate than Pennsylvania by about 165%.
- Income taxes are 61% higher in Chicago than in Pennsylvania.
How life is different in Chicago from Pennsylvania
| Chicago | Pennsylvania | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,746,388 | 12,961,683 |
| Political leaning | Democrat 74-24 | Republican 51-49 |
| Summer high | 84ºF | 83ºF |
| Winter low | 19ºF | 19ºF |
| Annual rain | 38" | 44" |
| Annual snow | 35" | 38" |
| Crime index | 35.19 | 17.62 |
Chicago sources: Wikipedia, AllTransit, Walk Score, NeighborhoodScout, AirNow
- The population of Chicago is approximately 79% lower than the population of Pennsylvania.
- In the last presidential election, Chicago voted Democrat and Pennsylvania voted Republican.
- The average high in the summertime in Chicago is 84ºF and in Pennsylvania, it’s 83ºF.
- During the coldest part of the year, Chicago reaches the temperature of 19ºF and Pennsylvania gets down to 19ºF.
- You can expect about 38 inches of annual rainfall in Chicago vs 44 inches of rainfall in Pennsylvania.
- In Chicago, it snows about 35 inches annually vs 38 inches of snow in Pennsylvania.
- Chicago has a higher crime rate than Pennsylvania with a crime index of 35.19 vs 17.62.
Things to do in Chicago
Whether you’re looking for parks, museums, sports, or even universities, you’ll be happy to find a plethora of these in Chicago.
Museums in Chicago
Parks in Chicago
Sports Teams in Chicago
Universities in Chicago
Other considerations when moving to Chicago, IL
- 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: 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 forwarded 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.
Compare the pros and cons of Pennsylvania vs. Chicago, IL
Comparing the pros of Pennsylvania vs. Chicago, IL:
There are always a lot of reasons to get excited about living somewhere new. These are the best parts of living in Pennsylvania vs Chicago side-by-side.
| Pros of living in Pennsylvania | Pros of living in Chicago, IL |
|---|---|
| Low cost of living | Bountiful arts and recreational activities |
| Abundant fun and recreational activities | Delicious food |
| Beautiful landscapes | Abundant entertainment |
| Ample economic opportunity | Intense sports culture |
| Excellent education options | Ample economic opportunity |
Comparing the cons of living in Pennsylvania vs. Chicago, IL:
Not everything is sunshine and rainbows, these are the things to be aware of when leaving Pennsylvania for Chicago.
| Cons of living in Pennsylvania | Cons of living in Chicago, IL |
|---|---|
| Harsh winter weather | High crime rate |
| Bad driving conditions | Temperamental weather |
| Nuclear power plants | Terrible traffic |
| Unpredictable weather | High taxes |
| High taxes on gasoline | Pollution |
FAQ
How long does a move from Pennsylvania to Chicago take?
The time frame for a move from Pennsylvania to Chicago, IL, varies based on your moving method and starting location. The actual loading up of your items should not take more than a day, even with DIY moves.
Obviously, the further upstate you are in Pennsylvania, the longer the drive time to Chicago will be. If you’re driving a rental truck, the move could be completed in one or two days, on average, depending on your route and how often you stop.
With professional movers or moving containers, delivery times to Chicago from Pennsylvania can range from a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the company’s schedule and transit logistics. You can always ask for a general timeline before booking.
How far in advance should I book movers when moving from Pennsylvania to Chicago?
Because of the 606-mile move, it’s best to book your move from Pennsylvania to Chicago as soon as you have your moving details. Ideally, you’d book your move two to three months ahead of time.
What time of year is the cheapest to move to Chicago, IL?
With the summer highs of 84ºF and the winter lows of 19ºF, most people move to Chicago from Pennsylvania during the spring and fall months. To avoid competing during those busy moving seasons, you could save some money by booking your move to Chicago during summer or winter.
