Moving from Texas to Illinois ($1,200-$6,370)
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The cost to move from Texas to Illinois ranges from $1,200 to $6,370 with full-service movers, based on 1,208 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 Texas to Illinois route rather than a flat average.
How much does it cost to move from Texas to Illinois?
The average cost of moving from Texas to Illinois with full-service movers typically ranges between $1,200 to $6,370 for a studio to 3-bedroom home. We calculated this average by reviewing 1,208 real-time quotes provided to moveBuddha users over the past 90 days. The average moving distance quoted was 994 miles.
The final price of your Texas 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 | $1,200 - $5,040 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,620 - $6,370 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,480 - $8,400 |
How much do moving containers cost from Texas to Illinois?
A moving container from Texas to Illinois costs between $910 and $4,020, depending on how much you're moving. For a 2-3 bedroom home, expect $1,630 to $2,930, roughly 50% less than full-service movers on this route. You pack and load the container yourself; the container company handles the 994-mile drive.
| Move Size | Moving Container Cost |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $910 - $2,110 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,630 - $2,930 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $2,140 - $4,020 |
35% of movers in Texas offer climate-controlled storage, worth asking about if your container needs to sit before delivery.
How much does a rental truck cost from Texas to Illinois?
A rental truck from Texas to Illinois costs between $700 and $1,940. For a 2-3 bedroom home, budget $750 to $1,530, about 75% less than hiring full-service movers. That figure covers the truck itself; with gas in Texas averaging $2.55 per gallon, fuel for the 994-mile drive, plus insurance, equipment rental, and lodging, all land on top of the base rate.
| Move Size | Rental Truck Cost |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $700 - $1,340 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $750 - $1,530 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $950 - $1,940 |
Add-on costs for a Texas to Illinois move
The figures above are linehaul: crew time on both ends plus 994 miles of transport. Accessorial charges are quoted separately, and on a Texas to Illinois route they commonly add 10% to 22% to the final invoice.
At 994 miles, a Texas 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 Texas 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 (Texas to Illinois) |
|---|---|
| Full packing service | $510 - $1,340 |
| Packing materials only | $140 - $400 |
| Specialty item (piano, safe, pool table) | $300 - $820 |
| Appliance disconnect & reconnect | $90 - $260 |
| Stair or elevator carry | $70 - $230 |
| Storage-in-transit (per month) | $160 - $380 |
| Shuttle service at delivery | $180 - $520 |
| Auto transport (1 vehicle) | $540 - $810 |
| 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 994-mile haul. Our moving cost calculator prices these accessorials into your Texas to Illinois estimate up front instead of leaving them to surface on moving day.
60% of movers in Texas handle piano moves, 29% handle pool tables, and 34% handle safes — confirm your mover covers whichever specialty item you're moving before booking. 16% of Texas movers require a deposit to book, and 19% offer full-value protection as an add-on rather than folding it into every quote.
Our recommended Texas to Illinois Movers
These movers average a 85% positive review rate among Texas movers we track.
Compare movers for your Texas to Illinois move
We track and rate long-distance movers based in Texas year-round — here's how the top options for a Illinois move stack up against each other:
52% of Texas movers we track offer instant online quotes, so you can compare several before picking up the phone.
5100 West Airport Freeway, Irving, TX 75062
646 Bronze Way, Dallas, TX 75236
1190 Old Lorena Rd. #21, Lorena, TX 76655
302 Casa Blanca St, San Antonio, TX 78215
1701 Summit Ave Suite 8, Plano, TX 75074
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Alternate Texas to Illinois moving options
DIY moving options offer real cost savings on a Texas to Illinois move, with the right choice depending on how hands-on you want to be. Moving containers run about 50% less than full-service interstate movers, and rental trucks come in around 75% 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 Texas run $60 - $80 per hour to load the truck for you, while you still drive and unload on the Illinois end. 54% of movers in Texas offer labor-only service, so finding one shouldn't take long.
With a moving container (ex: PODS), you handle the packing and loading in Texas 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 $322 - $837 to rent in Texas, 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 1,208 quotes from Texas 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 Texas guide.
Texas to Illinois cost of living comparison
Moving from Texas 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 | Texas | Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 93 | 90 |
| Average household income | $73,035 | $78,433 |
| Median home value | $300,267 | $249,224 |
| Unemployment rate | 4.1% | 5.3% |
| State income tax | 0.0% | 4.95% |
| Average monthly rent | $1,251 | $1,179 |
| Average sales tax | 8.19% | 8.82% |
| Crime index | 27.32 | 19.7 |
| College graduation rate | 33.12% | 37.14% |
| Population | 30,503,301 | 12,549,689 |
The cost of living in Illinois is comparable to Texas, 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 Texas to Illinois
What are the best ways to lower my full-service moving bill?
Decluttering before the move saves about $160 - $700 for every 500 pounds cut. Moving off-season saves 20% - 30%, and a Tuesday - Thursday, mid-month pickup saves another 10% - 30%. Among Texas movers, 7.61% offer a military discount, 6.57% offer a senior discount, and 1.04% offer a student discount. Get at least 3 quotes and ask if any will price-match a lower one.
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 Texas at Texas's official regulatorandin Illinois at Illinois's official regulator.
Are full-service movers worth it for a Texas 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 50% less than full-service, split the difference by skipping the drive.
How far in advance should I book an interstate move?
Book 4-8 weeks ahead for off-season moves (October-April), or 8-12 weeks ahead for peak season (mid-May-mid-September). This 994-mile route runs Texas to Illinois.
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 - $1,400 here), specialty items like pianos run $300 - $820 each, and storage-in-transit is $160 - $380 per month. 16% of Texas movers also require a deposit.
Popular Texas to Illinois moving routes
These are the most common city-to-city moves on the Texas 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.
- Houston, TX to Chicago, IL Movers
- San Antonio, TX to Chicago, IL Movers
- Dallas, TX to Chicago, IL Movers
- Austin, TX to Chicago, IL Movers
- Fort Worth, TX to Chicago, IL Movers
- El Paso, TX to Chicago, IL Movers
- Corpus Christi, TX to Chicago, IL Movers
- Amarillo, TX to Chicago, IL Movers
- Plano, TX to Chicago, IL Movers
- Lubbock, TX to Chicago, IL Movers
- Browse All Texas Routes
Moving from Texas to Illinois: the bottom line
The cost to move from Texas to Illinois ranges from $1,200 - $6,370 for a studio to 3-bedroom home with full-service movers. Moving containers and rental trucks cost 50% - 75% less for the same move. For most people making this 994-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.
