10 Best Moving Companies in Illinois (2025 Reviews)

Quick answer: We recommend STI Moving & Storage Inc. for local moves in Illinois based on their professionalism and transparent pricing. If you’re leaving Illinois, Safeway Moving is our pick for best interstate moving company, thanks to their balance of affordability and quality service.

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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.85 / 5
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  • Best overall value
  • Portion to charity
  • Veteran owned
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
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  • Family owned
  • East coast focus
  • Affordable pricing
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
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  • Certified crews
  • Flat-rate pricing
  • Family-owned
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.8 / 5
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  • Unlimited storage
  • 3 container sizes
  • 10% discount

Our track recordtoggle

Recommended by Time Magazine
Recommended by The New York Times
Recommended by Forbes
Recommended by Money.com
Recommended by Consumer Reports
Recommended by Time Magazine
Recommended by The New York Times
Recommended by Forbes
Recommended by Money.com
Recommended by Consumer Reports

Each year, 400,000+ people trust our moving recommendations. Here are a few reasons why:

  • Founded in 2015
  • 3,500+ moving companies analyzed
  • $50,000 in moving grants delivered
  • Up-to-date pricing info & industry data
  • Fact-checked for accuracy

Best movers for those moving locally in Illinois

If you are moving within Chicago, Aurora, or another Illinois city — or relocating to a nearby town 50 miles away or less — a local SC mover may be your best choice.

After reviewing 63 local Illinois movers, here are our top five recommendations:

  1. STI Moving & Storage Inc.: 4.96 out of 5 stars
  2. Planes Moving & Storage Company: 4.96 out of 5 stars
  3. New City Moving: 4.9 out of 5 stars
  4. The Professionals Moving Specialists: 4.9 out of 5 stars
  5. Move-tastic: 4.86 out of 5 stars
Customer Praise
  • Efficient service (36%)
  • Professional and polite staff (32%)
  • Good communication (29%)
Customer Complaints
  • Damage to items (38%)
  • Delayed arrival or delivery (30%)
  • Unexpected charges (28%)
Review Analysis
STI Moving & Storage Inc. has 517 online customer reviews, with 66% being positive. Customers praise the company for its efficient service, friendly staff, and competitive pricing. Many found the movers to be professional and careful with their belongings. However, negative feedback highlights issues with communication, unexpected charges, and damage to items during the move. Some customers reported delays in delivery and difficulties in resolving claims for damaged goods. Overall, while many appreciated the low costs and quick moves, others felt let down by the company's handling of their possessions and customer service.
Get a Quote (847) 675-1223

Company Info

State license #: 139020

Pricing: $150/hr

Years in Business: 20

DOT #: 1308599

Alternate Names: STI Moving & Storage, Inc.


STI Moving & Storage Inc., serving Skokie, IL since 2004, has established itself as a reputable choice for local residential moving. Standing out from competitors, STI boasts an impressive Google rating of 4.7 from over 1000 reviews and holds an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. They offer comprehensive services including packing, unpacking, and specialized handling for fragile items and antiques. With a competitive rate of $150 per hour and options for full valuation insurance coverage, they cater to a variety of moving needs, ensuring peace of mind for their clients.

Services Offered

  • Local moves
  • Interstate moves
  • Packing
  • Unpacking
  • Offices
  • Pianos
  • Pool Tables
  • Art
  • Antiques
  • Grandfather clocks
  • Crating
  • Crane vans
  • Full-valuation coverage
  • Storage
  • Fragile-only packing
  • Pay by cash
  • Pay by credit card
  • Deposit Required
Customer Praise
  • Professional and polite staff (35%)
  • Efficient service (30%)
  • Good communication (27%)
Customer Complaints
  • Damage to items (22%)
  • Delayed arrival or delivery (19%)
  • Unexpected charges (16%)
Review Analysis
Planes Moving & Storage Company has 232 online customer reviews, 76% of which are positive. Customers praised the company's professional and efficient staff, highlighting their careful handling of belongings and excellent communication throughout the moving process. Many appreciated the timely service and friendly attitude of the movers. However, some negative feedback pointed to issues such as damaged items, unexpected charges, and a lack of clear communication during the delivery process. Overall, while many customers had a positive experience, some faced challenges that impacted their satisfaction with the service.
Get a Quote (630) 381-6952

Company Info

State license #: 7545

Years in Business: 104

DOT #:  1458935

Alternate Names: Planes Moving & Storage of Chicago, L.L.C.


Planes Moving & Storage Company, established in 1921, offers reliable local residential moving services in and around Aurora, IL. With a strong reputation built over a century, the company also provides packing, unpacking, and crating services, ensuring valuable items like pianos and antiques are handled with care. They have an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, a 4.7 average rating from 320 Google reviews, and a solid consumer satisfaction. While their Yelp reviews show mixed feedback with a 3.1 average rating, their long-standing presence and comprehensive service offerings make them a trustworthy choice compared to other local movers.

Services Offered

  • Local moves
  • Interstate moves
  • International moves
  • Packing
  • Unpacking
  • Offices
  • Pianos
  • Pool Tables
  • Art
  • Antiques
  • Crating
  • Shipment tracking
  • Storage
  • Pay by credit card
Customer Praise
  • Professional and polite staff (30%)
  • Efficient service (28%)
  • Careful handling (25%)
Customer Complaints
  • Damage to items (20%)
  • Delayed arrival or delivery (15%)
  • Lack of communication (10%)
Review Analysis
New City Moving has impressed customers with its reliable service. Out of 1385 reviews analyzed, 95% are positive, highlighting the company's dedication to customer satisfaction. Many consumers praised the team for being efficient, polite, and careful with belongings. A few negative experiences included issues with communication and unexpected damages, but most feedback emphasized New City's professionalism and speed. Compared to other moving companies, New City stands out for its outstanding service and competitive pricing, making it a preferred choice for many customers.
Get a Quote (773) 489-0600

Company Info

State license #: 158051

Years in Business: 16

DOT #: 3078026

Alternate Names: Windy City Moving, Inc.


New City Moving, a reputable moving company based in Chicago, IL, has been providing local residential moving services since 2010. With an impressive 4.7 average rating from 1,096 Yelp reviews and a 4.8 average rating from 2,393 Google reviews, they stand out among nearby movers. They also boast an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, reflecting their commitment to customer satisfaction. Beyond local moves, New City Moving offers office moving, packing, and unpacking services, along with full valuation insurance coverage. They accept both cash and credit cards, ensuring a flexible payment process.

Services Offered

  • Local moves
  • Interstate moves
  • Packing
  • Unpacking
  • Offices
  • Full-valuation coverage
  • Storage
  • Fragile-only packing
  • Pay by cash
  • Pay by credit card
  • Deposit Required
Customer Praise
  • Amazing Experience
  • Efficient Team
  • Customer Satisfaction
Customer Complaints
  • Higher Price
  • Limited Discounts
  • Physically Demanding
Review Analysis
The overall sentiment is highly positive. Customers commend the company's swift, reliable service and attention to detail but note the cost can be above average, underscoring the value they get for these services.
Get a Quote (888) 225-7351

Company Info

State license #: 136144

Years in Business: 20

DOT #: 3383907


The Professionals Moving Specialists, serving Chicago, IL, since 2005, are a highly reputable local moving company specializing in residential relocations. With an impressive 4.6 average rating from 1013 Yelp reviews and a perfect 5.0 from 3993 Google My Business reviews, they stand out as a top choice compared to other area movers. They also boast an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. The company offers a variety of services, including packing, unpacking, and fragile-only packing, as well as the ability to move specialized items such as pianos, pool tables, and antiques. Known for their customer satisfaction and comprehensive services, The Professionals Moving Specialists are well-equipped to handle all local moving needs.

Services Offered

  • Local moves
  • Interstate moves
  • Packing
  • Unpacking
  • Offices
  • Pianos
  • Pool Tables
  • Art
  • Antiques
  • Grandfather clocks
  • Crating
  • Full-valuation coverage
  • Storage
  • Fragile-only packing
  • Safes
  • Pay by money order
  • Pay by cash
  • Pay by credit card
Customer Praise
  • Efficient service (29%)
  • Professional and polite staff (25%)
  • Good communication (23%)
Customer Complaints
  • Damage to items (18%)
  • Delayed arrival or delivery (15%)
  • Higher-than-expected costs (12%)
Review Analysis
Moving day is stressful, but Move-tastic helps ease that burden. Out of 1,154 reviews analyzed, 90% are positive. Customers praise the quick, efficient service and friendly, professional staff. Many reviews highlight the careful handling of belongings. However, some feedback indicates concerns about unexpected charges and minor damages during the move. Despite these issues, Move-tastic stands out compared to competitors with their reliable communication and overall positive experiences.
Get a Quote (773) 715-3227

Company Info

State license #: 158678

Years in Business: 16


Move-tastic, a reputable local moving company based in Chicago, IL, has been delivering exceptional residential moving services since 2009. Comparing favorably to other nearby movers, Move-tastic stands out with over 2,000 positive reviews, boasting an impressive 4.6 Yelp rating and a stellar 4.9 on Google, alongside an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. Their comprehensive service offerings include packing, unpacking, and office moving services, and they also provide labor-only services. Move-tastic secures customer trust by accepting both cash and credit cards, and no deposit is required, making them a reliable and convenient choice for local moves.

Services Offered

  • Local moves
  • Packing
  • Unpacking
  • Offices
  • Hot Tubs
  • Crating
  • Storage
  • Fragile-only packing
  • Pay by cash
  • Pay by credit card

Other local IL moverstoggle

While these local Illinois movers did not make our top list, they are still worth looking into:

Best movers for those moving out of Illinois

If you’re leaving the Land of Lincoln altogether, we recommend these top-rated interstate moving companies:

  1. Safeway Moving: 4.85 out of 5 stars
  2. Mayzlin Relocation: 4.9 out of 5 stars
  3. American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  4. PODS: 4.8 out of 5 stars
  5. International Van Lines: 4.45 out of 5 stars
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
read our full review
(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
read our full review
(980) 217-6841
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
read our full review
(866) 835-2392
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
read our full review
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Best customer service
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.45 / 5
(855) 929-4120
At A Glance
  • 10% discount for veterans and seniors
  • Very competitive rates due to their national coverage
  • Services local, long-distance, and international moves
  • Can service most domestic moves within 48 hours
  • 24/7 customer service
read our full review
(855) 929-4120

Best moving containers in Illinois

If you want to save some money, need storage, or just prefer to move at your own pace, moving containers can be an ideal alternative to full-service movers. You’ll have to load your moving container yourself — but you’ll have multiple days to do so. When you’re ready, the container company will pick up your container and transport it to your new home.

Here are our favorite moving containers in Illinois:

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.8 / 5
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  • Unlimited storage
  • 3 container sizes
  • 10% discount
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 5 / 5
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  • Fast delivery
  • Nationwide
  • 100+ miles moves
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
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  • Affordable pricing
  • Offers car shipping
  • No hidden fees

Best rental trucks for your Illinois move

Rental trucks are the most cost-effective method of moving… and the most labor-intensive. You’ll need to do the packing, loading, driving, unloading, and unpacking, but doing it all yourself means you’ll be paying significantly less, particularly on local moves.

While moving trucks are certainly a thrifty option for long-distance moves, keep in mind that related expenses like mileage fees and gas can add up quickly the further you have to go. Be sure to factor in these often overlooked charges to see if this really is your cheapest option.

These are our picks for best rental moving trucks in Illinois:

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.3 / 5
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  • Affordable pricing
  • Online pricing
  • Several discounts
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4 / 5
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  • Most expensive
  • 4 truck sizes
  • Unlimited mileage
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.15 / 5
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  • Greatest coverage
  • 7 truck sizes
  • One way rentals

Labor-only hourly movers in Illinois

Want a hand with the heavy lifting without having to hire a full-service mover? Labor-only companies can send crews to help you with loading, packing, and even disassembly and reassembly of furniture and electronics. However, you’ll still need to rent a moving truck and handle the driving.

Take a look at these highly rated labor-only movers for your Illinois move:

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
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  • Hire moving labor
  • Online quotes
  • Nationwide
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.3 / 5
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  • Online booking
  • Move Concierge
  • Affordable
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.15 / 5
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  • Get multiple labor quotes
  • Online booking system
  • Available nationwide

Top-rated movers in nearby cities

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How we chose the best moving companies in Illinoistoggle

moveBuddha’s expert team analyzed moving rates from 63 Illinois movers and listed the top movers based on customer satisfaction, reviews, and cost.

Customer satisfaction (40%): The company consistently delivers services in a timely matter with good communication and within the estimated cost.

Dispute resolution (20%): Mistakes cannot be avoided in the moving industry. We look for companies that own their mistakes and make genuine efforts to fix any issues that arise during a move.

Industry reputation (15%): The company is well-regarded within the moving industry and participates in industry conferences and organizations.

Online reputation (15%): The company maintains a professional website with accurate information. The company promptly and professionally responds to online customer inquiries.

Service options (10%): We look for companies with a deep breadth of services including full packing, storage, specialty item handling, and expedited delivery.

Here is our full moving company rating methodology.

Average cost of moving companies in Illinois

The pricing table below shows ballpark moving costs for local moves within Illinois. For more pricing information, check out our post on the cost to move in Illinois.

Keep in mind the price ranges listed are only averages. Actual moving costs can vary greatly depending on the specific requirements of your move and whether the moving company offers flat-rate pricing.

You can also check out our free moving cost calculator for more accurate moving cost estimates.

Home size Avg. total cost Cost/hour # of movers # hours
Studio $507 $269 2 movers 3 hours
1 bedroom $775 $269 2 movers 4 hours
2 bedroom $1,367 $377 3 movers 5 hours
3 bedroom $3,400 $527 4 movers 8 hours
4 bedroom $3,927 $527 4 movers 9 hours
5+ bedroom $6,143 $738 5 movers 10 hours

Read more about the average cost of IL movers:toggle

  • Illinois moving companies will cost about $507 to move a studio locally.
  • If you're moving one bedroom, a moving company in Illinois will charge about $775.
  • A two-bedroom move in Illinois will cost about $1,367.
  • A three-bedroom move costs $3,400 on average in Illinois.
  • To move a four-bedroom house in Illinois, you should expect to pay $3,927.
  • For a house that's five bedrooms or larger, your move will cost $6,143 in Illinois.

Factors that affect moving costs in Illinois

Getting an online moving quote can lead to confusion, but these factors will affect the cost of your Illinois move.

  • Distance: The time and fuel can affect local moves, but if you’re moving out of Illinois you may see additional fees
  • Size: Larger homes with more belongings require more labor and larger trucks, resulting in higher costs
  • Time of year: Peak moving seasons in Illinois, like summer or around holidays, often come with higher rates due to increased demand
  • Additional services: Services like packing, unpacking, or assembly/disassembly of furniture will add to the total cost

Things to keep in mind when moving

Whether you are moving one town over in Illinois or are making a big cross-country relocation, here are some common considerations:

  • 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: If you are moving to or from a neighborhood that has an HOA, it’s a good idea to brush up on the handbook. Many HOAs have established restrictions on which days and/or times moving is allowed, as well as guidelines on permissible truck sizes, parking, and notifying residents about when your move will occur. Checking the rules before moving day will ensure you won’t get hit with fines — or end up with angry neighbors!
  • Elevator reservation: If you're moving to or from a multi-level building with an elevator, property management may require you to you a service elevator or reserve an elevator ahead of time. You may also have some restrictions on when you can move, so be sure to check on the guidelines ahead of time.
  • Parking permits: Illinois does not require special permits for moving rental trucks and vans or moving containers, but your destination state and/or city might. You can visit the municipal website for your new location for a list of parking rules and restrictions, or a contact number to call for additional help.
  • Licensing and compliance: All the movers on our list are verified as licensed and insured, but you can check licensing, USDOT status, and safety violations for a mover in Illinois or any other U.S. state, by searching by their name in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration database.
  • Change of address: You should submit your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. This will notify the postal service of your official moving date and help ensure all of your mail is forwarded to your new Illinois or out-of-state residence. .
  • Moving insurance: Federal law mandates that movers provide basic coverage — known as released value protection — at no charge to customers. While it is free, this insurance offers very minimal coverage, however — just $0.60 per pound per item. So, if a 25-pound TV valued at $2,000 is lost or damaged, your compensation would only be $15 ($0.60 x 25 pounds). For high-value items, you may want to consider purchasing more comprehensive protection directly through your moving company or with a third-party insurance provider.

FAQs

What should I look for when choosing a moving company in Illinois?toggle

When choosing a moving company in Illinois, you should look for a solid reputation, fair and transparent pricing, a variety of services, and multiple insurance options. We consider those key factors, among others, in our analysis and rating of moving companies, so you can find the best moving companies in Illinois by reading our top picks.

We recommend obtaining quotes from at least three moving companies — including a top flat-rate mover — in Illinois to compare prices and services.

Do Illinois moving companies offer services for long-distance or interstate moves?toggle

Yes, many moving companies in Illinois offer long-distance or interstate moving services. These companies should have a USDOT number from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration for interstate moves.

For more information, check out our guide on the best long-distance movers in Illinois.

How can I see all moving companies in Illinois?toggle

You can see all moving companies in Illinois in our comprehensive list of Illinois movers.

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