($1,251) Moving From Tennessee to Illinois

Quick answer: The average cost to move from Tennessee to Illinois ranges from $460 to $5,550 and takes one-six 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.

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  • Family owned
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  • White glove
  • Expensive items
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Hiring a full-service Tennessee moving company will be on the more expensive side, while a rental truck or a moving container is usually cheaper but requires more work.

You may also want to consider the potential added cost of getting your vehicle or boat to your new home as part of your move. Some full-service movers can coordinate auto transport for you as part of your relocation package for an additional fee. But you can also handle vehicle transport from Tennessee to Illinois separately through one of the top car shipping companies.

Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our moving from Illinois to Tennessee guide.

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The best Tennessee to Illinois movers

Hiring an interstate moving company from Tennessee 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 Tennessee to Illinois:

Best Overall Value
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.85 / 5
(855) 650-0657
At A Glance
  • GPS tracking en route
  • Veteran-owned
  • Dedicated move coordinator
  • Flat-rate pricing
  • Donates a portion of moves to charity
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(855) 650-0657
Most Experienced Mover
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
(866) 835-2392
At A Glance
  • Experienced & fully trained moving crews
  • Specializes in moving art & antiques
  • Competitive pricing
  • Can handle last-minute moves
  • Climate-controlled storage
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(866) 835-2392
Best for personalized service
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
(980) 217-6841
At A Glance
  • Family-owned, with locations covering the East Coast
  • Full refund if you cancel within 7 days of your move
  • Hands-on customer service
  • 24/7 support
  • Price-matching policy
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(980) 217-6841
Best customized Plans
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
(844) 950-2963
At A Glance
  • Custom crates for electronics & art
  • Satellite shipment tracking
  • 1,500 local agents covering all 50 states
  • Self-packing option
  • No deposit required
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(844) 950-2963
Best for high-end moves
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.6 / 5
(703) 972-1772
At A Glance
  • White-glove handling of fragile & high-end items
  • Guaranteed pickup & delivery
  • $250 deposit for interstate moves
  • Mobile app with 24/7 customer service
  • Financing available
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(703) 972-1772

If you’re just trying to ship a few items, here’s a list of our recommended services for small moves.

Looking for local Tennessee movers?

Company Quote Rating Contact
Gouffon Moving & Storage Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.96 overall rating
1520 Amherst Road, Knoxville, TN, 37909
(865) 584-8545
Two Men and a Truck Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.9 overall rating
5959 Shallowford Road, Chattanooga, TN, 37421
(423) 201-4154

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

How much does it cost to move from Tennessee to Illinois?

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

Move size Moving company Moving container Rental truck
Studio / 1 Bedroom $1,251 - $3,318 $708 - $1,826 $463 - $784
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,173 - $5,550 $1,267 - $2,573 $460 - $1,019
4+ bedrooms $4,118 - $8,369 $1,720 - $3,081 $586 - $1,215

*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 501 miles and historical averages. The actual size of your move, additional services required, truck parking access, market conditions, and availability can greatly affect your final costs.

Factors affecting the cost of moving from TN to IL

There are many factors that influence Tennessee moving costs. The cost to move from Tennessee 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 Tennessee 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 Tennessee to Illinois?

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Tennessee to Illinois will cost between $1,251 and $3,318. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from TN to IL will range from $2,173 to $5,550, and a large move from Tennessee to Illinois will cost from $4,118 to $8,369.

How much are moving containers like PODS from Tennessee to Illinois?

Moving containers from Tennessee to Illinois will cost you $708 to $1,826 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,267 to $2,573. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $1,720 to $3,081. Learn more about PODS cost.

Here are the cheapest moving container companies when moving out of Tennessee.

How much is a moving truck from Tennessee 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 $463 to $784. A two to three-bedroom move will cost $460 to $1,019, and moving a home with four or more bedrooms or from Tennessee to Illinois costs from $586 to $1,215.
These estimates include the estimated fuel cost.

Is moving from Tennessee to Illinois a good idea?

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

Cost of living: Tennessee vs. Illinois

Tennessee Illinois
Average rent cost $897 $1,038
Average home cost $309,913 $249,224
Average income (per capita) $64,035 $78,433
Cost of Living Index 0 90
Unemployment rate 3.5% 4.6%
Average Sales Tax 9.55% 8.82%
State Income Tax 0.0% 4.95%
  • Rent is about 16% more expensive in Illinois than in Tennessee.
  • Home prices are about 20% lower in Illinois than in Tennessee.
  • The average income is about 22% higher in Illinois than in Tennessee.
  • Cost of living is inf% lower in Illinois than in Tennessee.
  • Illinois has a higher unemployment rate than Tennessee by about 31%.
  • Sales taxes are 8% lower in Illinois than in Tennessee.
  • Income taxes are 5% higher in Illinois than in Tennessee.

How does life in Illinois differ from Tennessee?

Illinois Tennessee
Population 12,582,032 7,051,339
Political leaning Democrat 58-41 Republican 61-37
Summer high 86ºF 88ºF
Winter low 17ºF 27ºF
Annual rain 40" 53"
Annual snow 22" 5"
Crime index 18.79 29.59
  • The population of Illinois is approximately 78% greater than the population of Tennessee.
  • In the last presidential election, Illinois voted Democrat and Tennessee voted Republican.
  • The average high in the summertime in Illinois is 86ºF and in Tennessee, it’s 88ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Illinois reaches the temperature of 17ºF and Tennessee gets down to 27ºF.
  • You can expect about forty inches of annual rainfall in Illinois versus fifty-three inches of rainfall in Tennessee.
  • In Illinois, it snows about twenty-two inches annually versus five inches of snow in Tennessee.
  • Illinois has a lower crime rate than Tennessee with a crime index of 29.59 vs 18.79.

Comparing the pros of Tennessee vs. Illinois

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

Pros of living in Tennessee Pros of living in Illinois
Abundant recreational opportunities Home of Chicago
No income taxes Ample economic opportunity
Legendary music scene Bountiful recreational opportunities
Natural beauty and parks galore Delicious food
Delicious southern comfort food World-class sports culture

Comparing the cons of living in Tennessee vs. Illinois

Not everything is sunshine and rainbows all the time, no matter where you live. Here are some things to be aware of when leaving Tennessee for Illinois.

Cons of living in Tennessee Cons of living in Illinois
Tendency for severe weather Harsh winter weather
Oppressive summer heat and humidity Bad traffic
Abundant presence of nuclear power plants High crime rate
Traffic congestion Dull landscape
High urban crime rates Strict laws

What to know before your move 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 so that all your mail will get properly forwarded to Illinois. Get started here.
  • Mover's Insurance: Interstate moving companies are required under federal law to provide basic insurance — also called “released value protection” — free of charge to all moving customers. 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.

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

FAQs

What is the cheapest way to move from Tennessee to Illinois?

The cheapest way to move from Tennessee to Illinois is with a DIY move. Here’s our guide for the cheapest way to move out of state.

What are the benefits of moving from Tennessee to Illinois?

The main reasons people are moving from Tennessee to Illinois are the amazing upsides of living in Illinois such as home of Chicago and ample economic opportunity.

Is it cheaper to live in Tennessee or Illinois?

It is generally cheaper to live in Tennessee than in Illinois. Housing is more affordable in Illinois, with average rent about 16% less and home prices 19.6% lower than in Tennessee. Tennessee has no income tax.

How much should you make a year to live comfortably in Illinois?

You should make approximately $0 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in Arizona. The cost of living in Arizona is approximately $0 per month for an individual and $0 for a family of four. The exact amount you’ll need to live comfortably may be more or less depending on where in Illinois you live For example, larger cities like Addison and Algonquin will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.

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