Top Arlington, VA to Chicago, IL Movers

Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Chicago to Arlington guide.

1. Olympia Moving & Storage: 4.9 out of 5 stars
2. BoxStar Movers: 4.72 out of 5 stars
3. My Pro Movers: 4.8 out of 5 stars
4. Artisan Movers: 4.86 out of 5 stars
5. Bookstore Movers, LLC: 4.8 out of 5 stars

Cost to hire movers from Virginia to Illinois

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Virginia to Illinois will cost between $1,444 and $4,734. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from VA to IL will range from $2,579 to $6,645, and a large move from Virginia to Illinois will cost from $4,483 to $9,019.

Cost of moving containers from Virginia to Illinois

Moving containers from Virginia to Illinois will cost you $876 to $2,232 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,610 to $3,122. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $2,201 to $4,182. Learn more about PODS cost.

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

Cost of moving truck rentals from Virginia 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 $635 to $1,228. A two to three-bedroom move will cost $699 to $1,387, and moving a home with four or more bedrooms or from Virginia to Illinois costs around $849 to $1,819.

These quotes include the estimated fuel cost.

• Rent prices in Chicago are 25% lower than in Arlington, which means you'll have more money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you'll be able to get more for your money in Chicago.
  Home prices in Chicago are 63.5% lower than in Arlington.
• Income in Chicago is 44.2% lower than in Arlington, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in Chicago — including U.S. Government, Chicago Public Schools, and City of Chicago — may pay more.
• Get ready to save some money on recurring expenses like food, gas, and utility bills in Chicago. On average, the cost of living for a single person there is 46.9% lower than in Arlington.
• A move to Chicago can help cut down on a family's routine expenses, including utilities, transportation, and groceries. The cost of living for a family of four is 22.6% less than what it costs in Arlington.
• The unemployment rate in Chicago is 125.00% higher than in Arlington.
• Shopping and dining out will likely be a little pricier in Chicago, since its sales taxes are 70.83% higher than what you are paying in Arlington.
• One perk of moving to Chicago is paying less in state income taxes, which are 13.91% lower than in Arlington.

• The population of Chicago is about 1,051% greater than Arlington, so you may find more to see and do in your new surroundings. Of course, with more people can also come increased competition for jobs and housing.
• Your access to buses, shuttles, trams, or trains in Chicago will be about the same as it currently is in Arlington. The cities share a similar public transportation score, which means their transit systems are comparable in terms of how connected they are, how often they provide service, and how close they are to jobs, housing, retail and food stores, and other important locations.
• Living in Chicago means you'll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Arlington. Chicago is considered more walkable than Arlington, with a score of 77 out of 100 versus 71 out of 100 in Arlington. A city's walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
• Chicago and Arlington are similarly bike-friendly based on their rating of 72. Bike-friendliness scores between 50 and 100 indicate varying levels of infrastructure to support cyclists, including bike lanes and roadway connectivity. Cities with scores under 50 are considered more car-dependent.
• The crime rate in Chicago is higher than in Arlington, so you may want to exercise a little extra caution as you're acclimating to your new location. While the crime index is 35.19 in Chicago, it is 15.67 in Arlington. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a city's crime levels.
• You may want to exercise more caution as you're getting used to your new surroundings in Chicago. With a crime index of 33.87, Chicago ranks lower in overall safety than Arlington, whose index is 79.15. The safety index measures how safe people in a city feel about walking alone, both during the day and at night, as well as data on muggings, theft, vandalism, and other instances of petty crime.
• The air quality in Chicago and Arlington is generally the same (Good). Cities with good to moderate ratings have clean or acceptable air quality, with the possibility of small pollutants affecting people with certain health conditions like asthma. Anything beyond the moderate rate means increased impact on residents.

• Weather: Although Chicago gets less snowfall than surrounding areas in the Midwest and the Great Lakes region, heavy snowfall could still affect your move in the wintertime.
• HOA rules: It's a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, it's a good idea to secure a reservation before your moving day.
• Truck parking permits: To avoid fines or delays, check whether a parking permit is needed for your moving truck.
• 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. Before booking, ensure the moving company is officially licensed to handle your move.
• State regulator: To confirm a moving company's license in Illinois, visit the state's public utilities commission.
• Moving Permits: While Illinois doesn't mandate moving permits, checking local parking guidelines before your move-in day is still a good idea.
• Change of address: We recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move to ensure your mail gets forwarded to Chicago without delay. You can select your official move date when completing the form. Start the process here.
• Moving company insurance: Every state sets its own rules for what insurance moving companies need to maintain. 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: Our moving checklist gives you the peace of mind that comes with being fully prepared.

Best neighborhoods for singles

• Lake View
• Lincoln Park
• The Loop
• Near North Side
• West Town

Best neighborhoods for families

• Beverly
• Edison Park
• Lincoln Park
• North Center
• West Loop

Things to do in Chicago

Now that you've made the move to Illinois it's the perfect time to explore Chicago From local hotspots to hidden gems, there's something to enjoy for every lifestyle:

• Arts and culture: Cultural attractions in Chicago include museums and art centers like the The Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago History Museum, and Museum of Contemporary Art.
• Outdoor recreation: The city's Millennium Park, Grant Park, The 606, and Lincoln Park — and more, offering great opportunities to hike, bike, or relax in nature.
• Sports: Nothing beats the thrill of cheering on the home team at an Chicago Bears (NFL), Chicago Cubs (MLB), Chicago White Sox (MLB), or Chicago Blackhawks (NHL) game.