($1,318) Movers From California to Chicago
Quick answer: The cost to move from California to Chicago, IL averages from $1,390 to $7,927 depending on how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the move yourself.
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Hiring a professional California 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 Chicago, IL to California guide.
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Moving from California to Chicago, IL resources
In this article, we’ll lay out everything you need to know for your upcoming move from California to Chicago, IL.
But first, here are a few resources if you need immediate answers:
- Best California to Chicago, IL movers: If you plan on hiring a moving company be sure to check out our list of the top movers from California to Chicago, IL.
- How much will your move cost?: Want to narrow down how much your move will cost? Use our moving cost calculator to get more specific price ranges and recommendations on the best companies to use for your move.
- Consider moving containers: Need a more budget-friendly option? With these companies, you load and they drive! These are the best moving container companies.
- California to Chicago, IL car shippers: Moving your car? Use an experienced company that prioritizes professionalism and cares for your vehicle.
Moving 2,140 miles is no joke. Here's what you need to know.
The best California to Chicago, IL moving companies
Hiring an interstate moving company from California to Chicago 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 California to Chicago.
- Safeway Moving: Best overall value
- Mayzlin Relocation: Best for personalized service
- BLVD Moving: Best for quick quotes
- PODS: Best nationwide coverage
- American Van Lines: Most experienced mover
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If you’re just trying to ship a few items, here our our recommended services for small moves.
What is the average cost to move from California to Chicago, IL?
The table below lays out average cost ranges to move from California to Chicago for different moving services depending on the size of your home.
| Size of the Move | Moving Company | Moving Container | Rental Truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 Bedroom | $1,318 - $5,363 | $1,354 - $3,226 | $1,310 - $2,554 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,762 - $7,927 | $2,385 - $4,542 | $1,390 - $2,980 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $7,267 - $12,284 | $3,019 - $6,334 | $1,808 - $3,615 |
*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 2,140 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 California to Chicago, IL 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 California, 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 letting the pros handle your move.
How much does it cost to hire professional movers from California to Chicago?
Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from California to Chicago will cost between $1,318 to $5,363. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from California to Chicago will range from $3,762 to $7,927, and a large move from California to Chicago will cost from $7,267 to $12,284.
How much are moving containers like PODS from California to Chicago?
Moving containers from California to Chicago will cost you $1,354 to $3,226 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $2,385 to $4,542. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $3,019 to $6,334.
Here are the cheapest moving containers for your move to Chicago.
How much is a moving truck from California to Chicago?
A moving rental truck is generally the cheapest option for moving from California to Chicago, 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 $1,310 to $2,554. A larger move will cost $1,390 to $2,980, and a four-bedroom or more move from California to Chicago costs from $1,808 to $3,615. These estimates include the estimated fuel cost.
Here are the cheapest rental truck companies for your move from California.
Is moving from California to Chicago, IL a good idea?
Cost of living: California vs Chicago, IL
| California | Chicago | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,586 | $1,595 |
| Average home value | $746,055 | $306,098 |
| Average income (per capita) | $91,905 | $65,601 |
| Unemployment rate | 5% | 9% |
| State income tax | 13% | 5% |
Chicago sources: Zumper, Zillow, Numbeo
- Rent is about the same cost in Chicago and California.
- Home prices are about 59% lower in Chicago than in California.
- The average income is about 29% lower in Chicago than in California.
- Chicago has a higher unemployment rate than California by about 88%.
- Income taxes are 63% lower in Chicago than in California.
How is life different in Chicago from California?
| Chicago | California | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,746,388 | 39,029,342 |
| Political leaning | Democrat 74-24 | Democratic 63-34 |
| Summer high | 84ºF | 87ºF |
| Winter low | 19ºF | 59ºF |
| Annual rain | 38" | 22" |
| Annual snow | 35" | 7" |
| Crime index | 35.19 | 27.88 |
Chicago sources: Wikipedia, AllTransit, Walk Score, NeighborhoodScout, AirNow
- The population of Chicago is approximately 93% lower than the population of California.
- In the last presidential election, Chicago voted Democrat and California voted Democratic.
- The average high in the summertime in Chicago is 84ºF and in California, it’s 87ºF.
- During the coldest part of the year, Chicago reaches the temperature of 19ºF and California gets down to 59ºF.
- You can expect about 38 inches of annual rainfall in Chicago vs 22 inches of rainfall in California.
- In Chicago, it snows about 35 inches annually vs 7 inches of snow in California.
- Chicago has a higher crime rate than California with a crime index of 35.19 vs 27.88.
Considerations for moving to Chicago, IL
- 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: 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 and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded 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 California movers?
| Company | Quote | Rating | Contact |
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3600 S Higuera St, San Luis Obispo, CA, 93401 (805) 544-6328 |
| Luigy's Moving & Storage | Get A Quote |
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5550 Mission St, San Francisco, CA, 94112 (415) 413-4646 |
| Air 1 Moving & Storage | Get A Quote |
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9556 Cozycroft Ave, Chatsworth, CA, 91311 (866) 485-1030 |
Visit our best movers in California page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.
Comparing the pros of California vs. Chicago, IL:
There are always a lot of reasons to get excited about living somewhere new. These are the best parts of living in California vs Chicago side-by-side.
| Pros of living in California | Pros of living in Chicago, IL |
|---|---|
| Ample economic opportunity | Bountiful arts and recreational activities |
| Pleasant weather | Delicious food |
| Abundant recreational options | Abundant entertainment |
| High quality of life | Intense sports culture |
| Fresh and healthy foods | Ample economic opportunity |
Comparing the cons of living in California vs. Chicago, IL:
Not everything is sunshine and rainbows, these are the things to be aware of when leaving California for Chicago.
| Cons of living in California | Cons of living in Chicago, IL |
|---|---|
| High cost of living | High crime rate |
| Heavy tax burdens | Temperamental weather |
| Natural disasters | Terrible traffic |
| Terrible traffic | High taxes |
| Strange laws | Pollution |
Need a local Chicago mover?
| Company | Quote | Rating | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
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2929 N Campbell Ave, Chicago, IL, 60618 (773) 489-0600 |
| Alliance Moving & Storage | Get A Quote |
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3201 Tollview Drive, Rolling Meadows, IL, 60008 (847) 378-4949 |
| The Professionals Moving Specialists | Get A Quote |
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3918 N Western Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60618 (888) 225-7351 |
Visit our best movers in Chicago page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.
What to do in Chicago?
Whether you’re looking for parks, museums, sports, or even universities, you’ll be happy to find a plethora of these in Chicago.
Museums in Chicago
- The Field Museum
- Shedd Aquarium
- Art Institute of Chicago
- Chicago History Museum
- Museum of Contemporary Art
- Museum of Contemporary Photography
- Museum of Science and Industry
- Smart Museum of Art
- The Oriental Institute Museum
- Adler Planetarium
- DuSable Museum of African American History
- The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
- National Museum of Mexican Art
Parks in Chicago
- Millennium Park
- Grant Park
- The 606
- Lincoln Park
- Garfield Park
- Jackson Park
- Maggie Daley Park
- South Shore Cultural Center Park
- Humboldt Park
- Douglass Park
Sports Teams in Chicago
- Chicago Bears (NFL)
- Chicago Cubs (MLB)
- Chicago White Sox (MLB)
- Chicago Blackhawks (NHL)
- Chicago Bulls (NBA)
- Chicago Fire (MLS)
- Chicago Sky (WNBA)
Universities in Chicago
- Chicago State University
- Governors State University
- Northeastern Illinois University
- Northern Illinois University
- University of Illinois at Chicago
- Aurora University
- Benedictine University
- Concordia University Chicago
- DePaul University
- Dominican University
- East–West University
- Elmhurst University
- Illinois Institute of Technology
- Judson University
- Kendall College
- Lewis University
- Loyola University Chicago
- Midwestern University
- National Louis University
- National University of Health Sciences
- North Park University
- Northwestern University
- Resurrection University
- Roosevelt University
- Saint Xavier University
- Trinity International University
- University of Chicago
- University of St. Francis
- University of Saint Mary of the Lake
FAQs
How far in advance should I book movers when moving from California to Chicago?
Because of the 2140-mile move, it’s best to book your move from California to Chicago as soon as you have your moving details. Ideally, you’d book your move two to three months ahead of time.
What time of year is the cheapest to move to Chicago, IL?
With the summer highs of 84ºF and the winter lows of 19ºF, most people move to Chicago from California during the spring and fall months. To avoid competing during those busy seasons, you could save some money by booking your move to Chicago during summer or winter.
Where can I find a list of long-distance moving companies from Chicago?
Check out our full breakdown of the best long-distance movers in Chicago.
Related articles to your move
Learn more about Chicago, IL
- What is the cost to move in Chicago?
- What is the cost to move to Illinois?
- Chicago Nightlife: Living it Up in the Windy City
- Chicago, IL: Surrounding Suburbs Guide
- What’s the cost of living in Chicago, IL?
- Chicago, IL: Surrounding Neighborhood Guide
- Moving to Chicago: What To Know and How To Make the Move
- Best moving companies in Illinois
