($1,174) Moving From Texas to Illinois

Quick answer: The average cost to move from Texas to Illinois ranges from $694 to $5,947 and takes two-seven 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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  • Certified crews
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Hiring a full-service Texas 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 Texas 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 Texas guide.

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The best Texas to Illinois movers

Hiring an interstate moving company from Texas 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 Texas 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
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 for Quick Quotes
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 5
(844) 794-6004
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  • Family owned & operated
  • Affordable pricing
  • Binding estimates
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(844) 794-6004
Best Nationwide Coverage
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.8 / 5
At A Glance
  • 30 days storage included
  • Local and long distance moving options
  • Unlimited loading/unloading time
  • Store on property or at a facility
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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

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

Looking for local Texas movers?

Company Quote Rating Contact
Olde World Movers Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
5 overall rating
909 Heather Dr, Euless, TX, 76040
(817) 545-7477
3 Men Movers Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.96 overall rating
6805 Sands Point Drive, Houston, TX, 77074
(713) 333-6683

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

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

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

Move size Moving company Moving container Rental truck
Studio / 1 Bedroom $1,174 - $4,752 $849 - $1,911 $629 - $1,241
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,593 - $5,947 $1,393 - $2,768 $694 - $1,418
4+ bedrooms $3,943 - $7,996 $2,075 - $3,984 $835 - $1,707

*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 984 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 TX to IL

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

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Texas to Illinois will cost between $1,174 and $4,752. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from TX to IL will range from $2,593 to $5,947, and a large move from Texas to Illinois will cost from $3,943 to $7,996.

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

Moving containers from Texas to Illinois will cost you $849 to $1,911 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,393 to $2,768. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $2,075 to $3,984. Learn more about PODS cost.

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

How much is a moving truck from Texas 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 $629 to $1,241. A two to three-bedroom move will cost $694 to $1,418, and moving a home with four or more bedrooms or from Texas to Illinois costs from $835 to $1,707.
These estimates include the estimated fuel cost.

Is moving from Texas to Illinois a good idea?

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

Cost of living: Texas vs. Illinois

Texas Illinois
Average rent cost $1,251 $1,179
Average home cost $300,267 $249,224
Average income (per capita) $73,035 $78,433
Cost of Living Index 93 90
Unemployment rate 4.1% 5.3%
Average Sales Tax 8.19% 8.82%
State Income Tax 0.0% 4.95%
  • Rent is about 6% less expensive in Illinois than in Texas.
  • Home prices are about 17% lower in Illinois than in Texas.
  • The average income is about 7% higher in Illinois than in Texas.
  • Cost of living is 3% lower in Illinois than in Texas.
  • Illinois has a higher unemployment rate than Texas by about 29%.
  • Sales taxes are 8% higher in Illinois than in Texas.
  • Income taxes are 5% higher in Illinois than in Texas.

How does life in Illinois differ from Texas?

Illinois Texas
Population 12,549,689 30,503,301
Political leaning Democratic 55-45 Republican 56-44
Summer high 86ºF 94ºF
Winter low 17ºF 36ºF
Annual rain 40" 36"
Annual snow 22" 2"
Crime index 19.7 27.32
  • The population of Illinois is approximately 59% lower than the population of Texas.
  • In the last presidential election, Illinois voted Democratic and Texas voted Republican.
  • The average high in the summertime in Illinois is 86ºF and in Texas, it’s 94ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Illinois reaches the temperature of 17ºF and Texas gets down to 36ºF.
  • You can expect about forty inches of annual rainfall in Illinois versus thirty-six inches of rainfall in Texas.
  • In Illinois, it snows about twenty-two inches annually versus two inches of snow in Texas.
  • Illinois has a lower crime rate than Texas with a crime index of 27.32 vs 19.7.

Comparing the pros of Texas vs. Illinois

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

Pros of living in Texas Pros of living in Illinois
Ample economic opportunity Home of Chicago
Favorable climate Ample economic opportunity
Delicious barbecue Bountiful recreational opportunities
Low taxes Delicious food
Privacy and freedom World-class sports culture

Comparing the cons of living in Texas 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 Texas for Illinois.

Cons of living in Texas Cons of living in Illinois
Severe weather Harsh winter weather
Limited healthcare access Bad traffic
High crime rate High crime rate
Traffic issues Dull landscape
Politics 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 Texas to Illinois?

The cheapest way to move from Texas 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 Texas to Illinois?

The main reasons people are moving from Texas 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 Texas or Illinois?

It is generally cheaper to live in Illinois than in Texas. Housing is more affordable in Illinois, with average rent about 6% less and home prices 17.0% lower than in Texas. Texas 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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