$1,443 Movers From Houston, TX to Illinois

Quick answer: The cost to move from Houston, TX to Illinois averages from $744 to $7,097 depending on how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the move yourself.

Hiring a professional Houston moving company will be on the more expensive side, while renting a truck or a moving container is usually cheaper but requires more work.

Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Moving from Illinois to Houston, TX guide.

Moving from Houston, TX to Illinois resources

In this article, we’ll lay out everything you need to know for your upcoming move to Illinois. But first, here are a few resources if you need immediate answers:

Moving 942 miles is no joke. Here's what you need to know.

The best Houston to Illinois moving companies

Hiring an interstate moving company from Houston 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 Houston to Illinois.

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Best overall value
  • Portion to charity
  • Veteran owned
Get A Quote
(855) 650-0657

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • 20 yrs experience
  • Flat rate pricing
  • Family owned
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(866) 835-2392

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.45 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Family owned
  • East coast focus
  • Affordable pricing
Get A Quote
(980) 217-6841

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • 74 years in biz
  • 1,800 trucks
  • Storage available
Get A Quote
(844) 950-2963

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • White glove
  • Expensive items
  • Guaranteed delivery
Get A Quote
(703) 972-1772

% of users select this mover

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

How much does it cost to move from Houston, TX to Illinois?

Here are average prices of hire a moving company, rent a moving container, or rent a moving truck when moving from Houston to Illinois:

Move size Moving company Moving container Rental truck
Studio / 1 Bedroom $1,443 - $5,433 $922 - $2,402 $754 - $1,358
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,929 - $7,097 $1,654 - $3,481 $744 - $1,647
4+ bedrooms $4,630 - $9,564 $2,182 - $4,523 $933 - $2,002
get a quote

*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 942 miles and historical averages. The actual size of your move, additional services required, truck parking access, market conditions, and availability can greatly affect the final cost of your move.

The cost to move from Houston, TX to Illinois will depend on:

  • Move size: The amount of items you have — as well as your home size and layout — will impact the total cost of your relocation.
  • Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in Houston, so moving companies will likely charge more.
  • DIY vs. professional mover: DIY moving services are usually cheaper but involve more work and stress compared to hiring the pros.

How much does it cost to hire movers from Houston, TX to Illinois?

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Houston to Illinois will cost between $1,443 to $5,433. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from Houston to IL will range from $2,929 to $7,097, and a large move from Houston to Illinois will cost from $4,630 to $9,564.

How much are moving containers like PODS from Houston, TX to Illinois?

Moving pods from Houston to Illinois will cost you $922 to $2,402. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,654 to $3,481. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $2,182 to $4,523. Learn more about PODS cost.

Here are the cheapest moving containers for your move from Houston to Illinois.

How much is a moving truck from Houston, TX 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 $754 to $1,358. A larger move will cost $744 to $1,647, and a four-bedroom or bigger move from Houston to Illinois costs from $933 to $2,002.

Is moving from Houston, TX to Illinois a good idea?

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

Cost of living: Houston, TX vs Illinois

Houston, TX Illinois
Average rent cost $1,684 $1,038
Average home cost $261,764 $249,224
Average income (per capita) $67,621 $78,433
Unemployment rate 4.1% 4.6%
State income tax 0.0% 4.95%
  • Rent is about 60% less expensive in Illinois than in Houston.
  • Home prices are about 4.2% lower in Illinois than in Houston.
  • The average income is about 14.8% higher in Illinois than in Houston.
  • Illinois has a higher unemployment rate than Houston by about 12.2%.
  • Income taxes are 4.95% higher in Illinois than in Houston.

How is life different in Houston, TX from Illinois?

Houston, TX Illinois
Population 2,301,572 12,582,032
Political leaning Democrat 56-43 Democrat 58-41
Summer high 94ºF 86ºF
Winter low 43ºF 17ºF
Annual rain 53" 40"
Annual snow 0" 22"
Crime index 63.21 18.79
  • The population of Illinois is approximately 447% greater than the population of Houston.
  • In the last presidential election, Illinois voted Democrat and Houston voted Democrat.
  • The average high in the summertime in Illinois is 86ºF and in Houston, it’s 94ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Illinois reaches the temperature of 17ºF and Houston gets down to 43ºF.
  • You can expect about 40 inches of annual rainfall in Illinois vs 53 inches of rainfall in Houston.
  • In Illinois, it snows about 22 inches annually vs 0 inches of snow in Houston.
  • Illinois has a lower crime rate than Houston with a crime index of 63.21 vs 18.79.

Comparing the pros of Houston, TX vs. Illinois:

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

Pros of living in Houston, TX Pros of living in Illinois
Bountiful arts and recreational activities Home of Chicago
Ample economic opportunity Ample economic opportunity
Delicious seafood Bountiful recreational opportunities
Diversity Delicious food
Affordable housing World-class sports culture

Comparing the cons of living in Houston, TX vs. Illinois:

Not everything is sunshine and rainbows, these are the things to be aware of when leaving Houston for Illinois.

Cons of living in Houston, TX Cons of living in Illinois
Tropical storms Harsh winter weather
Heat and humidity Bad traffic
Terrible traffic High crime rate
Limited public transportation Dull landscape
High crime rate Strict laws

Considerations for moving 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: If your building has an elevator you’ll want to check on how to reserve it for move day.
  • Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
  • 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 forward 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.

Looking for local Houston movers?

Company Quote Rating Contact
Olde World Movers Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
5 overall rating
909 Heather Dr, Euless, TX, 76040
(817) 545-7477
Square Cow Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
5 overall rating
20816 Park Row Drive, Katy, TX, 77449
(832) 437-8511

Visit our best movers in Houston page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.

What to do in Illinois?

Whether you’re looking for parks, museums, sports, or even universities, you’ll be happy to find a plethora of these in Illinois.

Museums in Illinois

  • The Art Institute of Chicago
  • Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
  • Caterpillar Visitors Center
  • Lincoln Home National Historic Site
  • Museum of Hummels
  • Fabyan Villa Museum & Japanese Garden
  • World's Tallest Man Statue
  • Halim Time & Glass Museum
  • Museum of Science and Industry
  • Graue Mill & Museum

Parks in Illinois

  • Starved Rock State Park
  • Matthiessen State Park
  • Illinois Beach State Park
  • Pere Marquette State Park
  • Kankakee river State Park
  • Shawnee National Forest
  • Castle Rock State Park
  • Rock Cut State Park
  • Giant city State Park
  • Ferne Clyffe State Park

Sports Teams in Illinois

  • Chicago Cubs (MLB)
  • Chicago White Sox (MLB)
  • Chicago Bulls (NBA)
  • Chicago Sky (WNBA)
  • Chicago Bears (NFL)
  • Chicago Blackhawks (NHL)
  • Chicago Fire FC (MLS)
  • Chicago Red Stars (NWSL)

Universities in Illinois

  • University of Chicago
  • University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
  • Northwestern University
  • University of Illinois at Chicago
  • Northern Illinois University
  • DePaul University
  • Illinois Institute of Technology
  • Loyola University Chicago
  • Southern Illinois University Carbondale
  • Illinois State University
  • Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
  • Western Illinois University

Moving from Houston to Illinois FAQs

Why are people moving from Houston to Illinois?

Many people are moving to Illinois because of home of Chicago and ample economic opportunity. On the other hand, people are moving away from Houston because of tropical storms and heat and humidity.

Where can I find a list of long-distance moving companies from Houston?

Here are our top picks for the best long-distance movers in Houston.

Related articles to your move

Learn more about Illinois