Moving to Chicago can be a dream for many people, and if you are someone who has an eye on the Windy City, then you’re making the right choice.
Chicago features iconic attractions and adventure spots, including the Skydeck Chicago, Millennium Park, Lakefront Trail, Lincoln Park, and the Chicago water taxi.
But we know, when moving to this new city, the most important question that would come to your mind is: What are the moving costs in Chicago?
To give you an approximate figure, the average hourly rate of hiring movers in Chicago comes around $139-$259.
Hence, the average moving cost in Chicago would be around $470-$5,250 if you are planning to relocate locally.
These costs will vary if you plan to move long distances.
However, it is essential to note that these are estimated figures, and the actual cost will depend on various factors, including distance, the size of the move, the number of movers hired, and the time of the move.
The cost would increase if you hire an additional mover. You should also be aware that beyond 100 miles, some moving companies in Chicago may charge you extra.
In this blog, we will go into detail about how much movers charge in Chicago based on the type of your move, the distance, factors that affect your move, and tips on how you can cut down on moving costs.
DIY Moving Vs. Hiring Professional Movers: What’s Better?
Before planning your move to Chicago, you need to decide between DIY moving vs. hiring professional movers and choose what works best for you.
DIY Moving
If you want to move locally within the city and don’t want to spend too much money on hiring professional movers, then DIY moving is for you.
With a proper moving budget in place, you can rent a moving truck or containers to transport your belongings safely to your new house.
However convenient it may sound, the one thing you need to be prepared for is that if you opt for DIY moving, you will need to pack, rent a truck, load and unload all your belongings on your own, which can be physically exhausting.
Below, given in the table, is the approximate estimate of how much it will cost to rent a truck per day in Chicago.
| Size of Your Home | Truck Size | Truck Rental |
|---|---|---|
| Studio apartment or 1-bedroom apartment | 10-15ft | $19-$29 +$1.09 per mile |
| 2-Bedroom apartment | 17-20ft | $29-$39 +$1.09 per mile |
| 3-bedroom or more | 20-26ft | $39-$49 + $1.09 per mile |
Apart from that, you’ll need high-quality moving supplies to ensure that all your belongings are securely loaded onto the moving truck and transported to your new home.
Please note that these are estimated figures; the actual moving costs will depend on several factors, including fuel charges, duration of the truck rental, parking, accommodation, food, tolls, and other expenses.
Hiring Professional Movers
If you don’t have enough help from your friends or family, then consider hiring a professional moving company; they are well-equipped to handle all your belongings carefully.
If you have bulky furniture or specialty items, such as a treadmill, artwork, or a piano, professional movers have the expertise and the right moving supplies to safely transport them to your new home.
While the movers handle the difficult task of packing, loading, and unloading your stuff, you have all the time to focus on other essential tasks.
How Much Do Local Movers Charge In Chicago
To give you an estimate, the average cost of hiring movers in Chicago is around $139-$259 per hour; however, it may vary depending on your location and the moving company you choose.
This means that the total cost of moving would be around $470-$5,250, depending on the size of your home.
In Chicago, every move is unique. Some moves may require to move a 2-bedroom apartment, while others may require office moving services. Local movers have the expertise and knowledge to handle all the moves seamlessly.
It all depends on the customers’ needs. Therefore, before finalizing your move, it is essential that you create a moving checklist of the items you need to move.
Now, let’s get an estimate of how much you will have to pay if you take residential moving services or commercial moving services.
1. Residential Moving Cost
The residential moving cost will vary based on the number of rooms your property has. We have mentioned an approximate breakdown of what you can expect in the residential moving process.
| Size of The Home | Average Hourly Cost | Number of Movers Required | Number of Hours | Average Moving Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio Apartment | $139 | 2 movers +1 truck | 3-4 hours | $470-$560 |
| 1-Bedroom | $139 | 2 movers +1 truck | 4-5 hours | $580-$1020 |
| 2-Bedrooms | $199 | 3 movers + 1 truck | 6-8 hours | $1,220-$1,670 |
| 3-Bedrooms | $199 | 3 movers +1 truck | 9-12 hours | $1,850-$2,480 |
| 4 or More Bedrooms | $259 | 4 movers +1 truck | 12 or more hours | $3,125-$5,250 |
Please note that these figures are approximate and can differ based on the moving company you choose, the number of additional movers you hire, the distance, and the time taken to complete the move.
For every additional mover, some moving companies may charge you around $80 extra. The price is not fixed and can vary depending on each company.
2. Office Moving Cost
If you plan to take on commercial moving services, then the moving cost will depend on various factors, including the size of your office, the number of movers you hire, and the distance of your move.
Office Size
The size of your office is important to know how many belongings your movers will have to move.
It all depends on the overall square footage; the more office equipment you have, the more time movers will take to move your belongings.
Number of Movers You Hire
The average cost of hiring two movers and one truck would be around $139 per hour if you are planning to move a small office.
However, if you have a large office along with heavy and bulky office equipment that weighs over 200 pounds, then moving companies might charge you extra.
To lift the heavy equipment, you would need additional movers, too, which can increase your cost of hiring movers to $259 per hour.
Below are the approximate cost ranges for an office move in Chicago:
| Size of the office | Number of Movers | Average Hourly Charges | Time Duration | Average Moving Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small-Sized Office | 2 movers +1 truck | $139 | 5-8 hours | $750-$1,275 |
| Medium-sized Office | 3 movers + 1 truck | $199 | 8-10 hours | $1680-$2,160 |
| Large-sized office | 4 movers + 1 truck | $259 | 10-14 hours | $2,640-$4,250 |
Please note that these approximate costs and the final price may vary based on various factors.
Average Long-Distance Moving Cost In Chicago: Here’s What You Can Expect
Whether you’re planning to move out of Chicago for work or want to start a new life from scratch, you need to hire a professional moving company to make your long-distance move successful and seamless.
Here are the estimated average costs of moving out of Chicago to different cities.
Average Moving Cost From Chicago To New York City
The 790-mile move from Chicago to New York City can cost you between $3,780 and $11,800 and can take around 12-15 hours to complete the move.
Average Moving Cost From Chicago To Houston
The move from Chicago to Houston, TX, can cost around $4,690 to $13,975. The 1084-mile move can take around 17-20 hours to complete.
Average Moving Cost From Chicago To Los Angeles
The 2,015-mile move to Los Angeles can take approximately 30-34 hours and would cost between $5,970 and $23,450.
Average Moving Cost From Chicago To Phoenix
The move from Chicago to Phoenix would cost you between $4,985 and $19,130. The 1754-mile move would take you around 11-13 hours.
4 Factors Affecting The Moving Cost In Chicago
Several factors influence your final moving cost in Chicago. Let’s discuss these factors in detail so that you can make an informed decision.
1. How Much Is The Distance
The most important factor that determines your moving cost is the distance between your old location and your new location.
If you have plans to move (locally), the moving cost will be significantly lower than for a long-distance move.
If you are moving locally (within 100 miles), then the cost of hiring movers in Chicago is around $139-$145 per hour, approximately, for two movers and one truck
However, if you are moving long distances (beyond 100 miles), your moving costs will increase, as you will have to pay for fuel, lodging, food, and other expenses.
2. When Are You Planning To Move
Your moving date also plays a significant role in determining your moving costs.
During the peak moving season in summer, expect to pay higher prices as moving companies charge more than the average moving costs.
The busiest months for moving are from May to September. However, you can expect to pay less to Chicago movers between October and April.
Moving companies also charge higher prices on the weekends.
3. Complexity of The Move
The complexity of the move also impacts your final moving cost. For instance, if your home has narrow hallways, several flights of stairs, and no elevator, then some moving companies might charge you extra.
Similarly, if the moving truck cannot park close to your home, and the items have to be carried over a longer distance, then the movers might charge you extra.
4. Any Add-On Services You Take
Your moving costs also depend on the additional services you choose. Some moving companies may charge you extra if you want to take the packing and unpacking services.
Similarly, if you have specialty items like artwork, a pool table, or a chandelier, you don’t have to stress about carrying them on your own, as professional movers have the expertise to handle them carefully and transport them to your new house, but this service comes with an extra cost.
However, if you feel you don’t have enough space to store your belongings in your new home, movers can help you keep your belongings in 24-hour surveillance, climate-controlled storage units, but that would require an additional fee as well.
How To Cut Down On Moving Costs When Hiring Movers In Chicago
1. Declutter Before Moving
This is a must-do task before you even pack your moving boxes. Now you must be thinking, why?
The fewer items you have, the less time it will take to pack those belongings, which means you’ll pay less money in the end.
To declutter, consider selling items online or donating those in decent condition that are no longer of use to you.
2. Do The Packing Yourself
A professional moving company provides services including packing/unpacking, loading, unloading, and furniture assembly or disassembly.
The simplest way you can save that extra money is by packing your belongings yourself instead of choosing professional packing services.
Apart from that, if you pack yourself, you’ll have the peace of mind that all your valuables are packed safely.
3. Consider Relocating During Off-Peak Season
Moving during the off-peak season (October-April) can help you cut down on the moving costs even more.
Most moving companies will reduce their prices during the cold months of the year because there is less demand for their moving services during that time.
4. Get Multiple Moving Estimates
To get the best deal, it would be beneficial to compare multiple moving quotes and then decide which one suits you the best.
Finding the right moving company is essential to ensure that you get the best deal, along with the services, and that your items are safely transported to your new home.
Also, inquire about the charges for any additional services you plan to take to avoid any unwanted surprises later.
Final Thoughts
Living in Chicago, IL, is 5% higher than the state average, but with proper planning and a realistic moving budget, you can cut down on extra costs.
Before finalizing your move, it is essential to create a moving checklist of all the belongings you need to transport.
Call junk removal experts and discard all the old and broken furniture you no longer need.
You need to remember that the final moving cost in Chicago will depend on the size of your home, the number of belongings you have, and the time of your move.
Consider hiring a professional moving company if you want a stress-free move.
They will take care of all your belongings and ensure that all your stuff is safely transported to your new home.
This might increase your moving costs, but you can rest assured that you won’t have a difficult time moving houses in and out of Chicago.
However, if you feel that hiring professional movers would increase your budget, then DIY moving can also be a suitable option; choose what works best for you and your family.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How can I save money on moving costs in Chicago?
To save money on moving costs in Chicago, declutter your home and get rid of all the unwanted items.
If you’re moving on a tight budget, find free packing materials instead of buying new ones, especially moving boxes. However, ensure that they are of high quality.
Another way to save on moving costs is to obtain multiple moving quotes from different moving companies, compare their services, and select the one that best meets your needs, along with a reasonable price.
2. How can I ensure that I am working with licensed movers in Chicago?
In Illinois, regulations on in-state moves and local movers are set by the Illinois Commerce Commission.
If moving household goods locally and intrastate, moving companies need to have a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity, so it’s important to ensure the companies you’re considering have that and it’s a current one.
3. How much does it cost to live comfortably in Chicago?
The total annual cost of living in Chicago is approximately $46,999, while a salary of around $93,999 is needed to live comfortably in the city.
4. How much should I tip the movers?
According to industry standards, it is considered a nice gesture to tip 10%-20% of the total billing amount.
However, the tip amount can vary depending on the mover’s shift. The tip amount can range from $20 to $60 per mover.
