Moving from Tennessee to Illinois ($1,190-$5,980)
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The cost to move from Tennessee to Illinois ranges from $1,190 to $5,980 with full-service movers, based on 898 real quotes from moveBuddha users. Our moving cost calculator weighs your exact distance, home size, and move date together, so your estimate reflects this specific Tennessee to Illinois route rather than a flat average.
How much does it cost to move from Tennessee to Illinois?
The average cost of moving from Tennessee to Illinois with full-service movers typically ranges between $1,190 to $5,980 for a studio to 3-bedroom home. We calculated this average by reviewing 898 real-time quotes provided to moveBuddha users over the past 90 days. The average moving distance quoted was 500 miles.
The final price of your Tennessee to Illinois move will be dependent on the type of mover you choose, how much you're moving, time of year, distance, access, and add-on services. Get a free and accurate estimate using our moving cost calculator.
The rates below are for full-service movers, meaning the crew loads, transports, and unloads your belongings for you:
| Move Size | Full-Service Mover Cost |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,190 - $3,440 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,160 - $5,980 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,140 - $8,330 |
How much do moving containers cost from Tennessee to Illinois?
A moving container from Tennessee to Illinois costs between $680 and $3,320, depending on how much you're moving. For a 2-3 bedroom home, expect $1,240 to $2,440, roughly 60% less than full-service movers on this route. You pack and load the container yourself; the container company handles the 500-mile drive.
| Move Size | Moving Container Cost |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $680 - $1,750 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,240 - $2,440 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $1,690 - $3,320 |
44% of movers in Tennessee offer climate-controlled storage, worth asking about if your container needs to sit before delivery.
How much does a rental truck cost from Tennessee to Illinois?
A rental truck from Tennessee to Illinois costs between $410 and $1,190. For a 2-3 bedroom home, budget $490 to $980, about 85% less than hiring full-service movers. That figure covers the truck itself; with gas in Tennessee averaging $2.63 per gallon, fuel for the 500-mile drive, plus insurance, equipment rental, and lodging, all land on top of the base rate.
| Move Size | Rental Truck Cost |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $410 - $770 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $490 - $980 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $610 - $1,190 |
Add-on costs for a Tennessee to Illinois move
Add-on services are where a Tennessee to Illinois quote quietly grows. The $1,190-$5,980 range above covers loading, 500 miles of transport, and unloading. Nothing else is included.
At 500 miles, a Tennessee to Illinois move is typically a one-to-two-day haul. That's the range where storage-in-transit and shuttle fees start appearing on quotes, since your shipment may sit briefly before a delivery window opens in Illinois. Guaranteed-delivery upgrades are available but uncommon at this distance.
Cost of living is close between Tennessee and Illinois, so accessorial pricing on this route lands near national averages at both ends. Distance, not local labor rates, is what drives the numbers below.
| Add-On Service | Typical Cost (Tennessee to Illinois) |
|---|---|
| Full packing service | $620 - $1,610 |
| Packing materials only | $140 - $380 |
| Specialty item (piano, safe, pool table) | $290 - $810 |
| Appliance disconnect & reconnect | $90 - $250 |
| Stair or elevator carry | $70 - $230 |
| Storage-in-transit (per month) | $160 - $380 |
| Shuttle service at delivery | $180 - $520 |
| Auto transport (1 vehicle) | $350 - $550 |
| Full-value protection | 1% - 2% of declared shipment value |
Released-value protection at 60¢ per pound is included at no charge on every interstate move, but it pays out almost nothing on a damaged item. A 40-pound TV settles at $24. Full-value protection is the line item most worth the money on a 500-mile haul. Our moving cost calculator prices these accessorials into your Tennessee to Illinois estimate up front instead of leaving them to surface on moving day.
66% of movers in Tennessee handle piano moves, 16% handle pool tables, and 31% handle safes — confirm your mover covers whichever specialty item you're moving before booking. 20% of Tennessee movers require a deposit to book, and 13% offer full-value protection as an add-on rather than folding it into every quote.
Our recommended Tennessee to Illinois Movers
These movers average a 81% positive review rate among Tennessee movers we track.
Compare movers for your Tennessee to Illinois move
We track and rate long-distance movers based in Tennessee year-round — here's how the top options for a Illinois move stack up against each other:
56% of Tennessee movers we track offer instant online quotes, well above the 45% national average, so you can compare several before picking up the phone.
223 Threet Industrial Road, Smyrna, TN 37167
309 Hermitage Avenue, Nashville, TN 37210
1520 Amherst Road, Knoxville, TN 37909
410 Central Ave, Nashville, TN 37211
429 Harding Industrial Dr, Nashville, TN 37211
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Alternate Tennessee to Illinois moving options
DIY moving options offer real cost savings on a Tennessee to Illinois move, with the right choice depending on how hands-on you want to be. Moving containers run about 60% less than full-service interstate movers, and rental trucks come in around 85% less.
With a rental truck (ex: U-Haul), you handle all the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus added costs like fuel, insurance, and equipment rentals on top of the base rate. If you'd rather skip the heavy lifting, local labor-only crews in Tennessee run $60 - $79 per hour to load the truck for you, while you still drive and unload on the Illinois end. 57% of movers in Tennessee offer labor-only service, so finding one shouldn't take long.
With a moving container (ex: PODS), you handle the packing and loading in Tennessee on your own timeline, and the container company will drop it off in Illinois for you to unload. A standard 16-foot container (the size most 2-3 bedroom interstate moves need) typically runs $315 - $817 to rent in Tennessee, before the long-distance haul fee shown above is added.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed over 898 quotes from Tennessee to Illinois, so our pricing data reflects what movers are actually charging right now. Check our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers, the best way to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and bad actors.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Illinois to Tennessee guide.
Tennessee to Illinois cost of living comparison
Moving from Tennessee to Illinois means adjusting to a different cost of living, job market, and housing landscape. Our moving trends data across major U.S. routes shows these are the factors that most commonly shape a relocation like this one:
| Factor | Tennessee | Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 90 | 90 |
| Average household income | $64,035 | $78,433 |
| Median home value | $319,208 | $249,224 |
| Unemployment rate | 3.3% | 5.3% |
| State income tax | 0.0% | 4.95% |
| Average monthly rent | $1,047 | $1,179 |
| Average sales tax | 9.55% | 8.82% |
| Crime index | 29.24 | 19.7 |
| College graduation rate | 30.48% | 37.14% |
| Population | 7,126,489 | 12,549,689 |
The cost of living in Illinois is comparable to Tennessee, so most people making this move are driven by career, family, or personal reasons rather than cost differences. Day-to-day expenses should feel familiar after you settle in.
Illinois's largest industries are Manufacturing ($37.6 billion), Real estate and rental and leasing ($23.6 billion), and Professional and business services ($22 billion), worth a look if a job change is part of this move.
FAQs: Moving from Tennessee to Illinois
How does the cost of living in Illinois compare to Tennessee?
Illinois's cost of living index of 90 is about the same as Tennessee's 90 (100 is the national average), so day-to-day costs should feel familiar. Average rent runs $1,047 in Tennessee versus $1,179 in Illinois. Crime index is 29.24 in Tennessee vs 19.7 in Illinois. 37.14% of Illinois adults hold a college degree, versus 30.48% in Tennessee.
Who regulates interstate moves?
Interstate moves are regulated federally by the FMCSA. Verify your mover's USDOT number for free at FMCSA's carrier lookup tool. Report violations at 1-888-368-7238. You can also look up licensed movers in Tennessee at Tennessee's official regulatorandin Illinois at Illinois's official regulator.
Are full-service movers worth it for a Tennessee to Illinois move?
People making this move are often chasing home of Chicago in Illinois.Full-service makes sense for a large home (3+ bedrooms), a tight timeline, or high-value items. DIY fits a smaller home (1-2 bedrooms) when cost matters most and you have time to spare. Moving containers, about 60% less than full-service, split the difference by skipping the drive.
What hidden fees should I watch for on an interstate move?
Access fees run $70 - $230, and long carries over 75ft add $110 - $360. Shuttle service costs $180 - $520 if the truck can't reach your home. Fuel surcharges add 10% - 22% (about $120 - $1,320 here), specialty items like pianos run $290 - $810 each, and storage-in-transit is $160 - $380 per month. 20% of Tennessee movers also require a deposit.
What are the best ways to lower my full-service moving bill?
Decluttering before the move saves about $130 - $660 for every 500 pounds cut. Moving off-season saves 20% - 30%, and a Tuesday - Thursday, mid-month pickup saves another 10% - 30%. Among Tennessee movers, 7.14% offer a military discount, 4.29% offer a senior discount, and 2.86% offer a student discount. Get at least 3 quotes and ask if any will price-match a lower one.
Popular Tennessee to Illinois moving routes
These are the most common city-to-city moves on the Tennessee to Illinois corridor. Each guide covers local mover recommendations, cost estimates specific to those metro areas, and neighborhood information to help you plan your destination.
Moving from Tennessee to Illinois: the bottom line
The cost to move from Tennessee to Illinois ranges from $1,190 - $5,980 for a studio to 3-bedroom home with full-service movers. Moving containers and rental trucks cost 60% - 85% less for the same move. For most people making this 500-mile relocation, hiring a full-service mover is the most reliable option, especially for larger homes, time-sensitive moves, or relocations involving high-value items.
To get the best price, collect at least 3 quotes, book 4 - 12 weeks in advance depending on your season, and schedule a mid-week, mid-month pickup date when possible. Use our moving cost calculator to compare costs across all service types for your specific home size.
