($1,258) Moving from San Francisco to Chicago
Quick answer: A move from San Francisco to Chicago costs $1,354 to $7,644 and takes six-seventeen days. The main factors that determine the cost and time are how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the 2,131-mile move yourself.
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Hiring a long-distance moving company from San Francisco will be more expensive, while renting a truck or using a moving container is usually cheaper but requires more work.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Chicago to San Francisco guide.
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The best San Francisco to Chicago moving companies
Hiring an interstate moving company to go from San Francisco 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 San Francisco to Chicago.
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- Safeway Moving: 4.85 out of 5
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.9 out of 5
- BLVD Moving: 4.25 out of 5
- PODS: 4.8 out of 5
- American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5
How much does it cost to move from San Francisco to Chicago?
San Francisco movers charge $150 per hour on average. Here are average prices for a full-service moving company, moving container, or truck:
| Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,258 - $4,912 | $1,181 - $2,958 | $1,288 - $2,487 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,485 - $7,644 | $2,145 - $4,562 | $1,354 - $2,989 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $6,737 - $11,494 | $2,912 - $6,168 | $1,691 - $3,697 |
Factors influencing moving costs from San Francisco to Chicago
The cost of San Francisco movers will depend on:
- Move size: The cost of your move will depend on the amount of items you have in your home. For example, moving a one-bedroom apartment from San Francisco to Chicago can be as low as $1,258 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $10,481.
- Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in San Francisco, so moving companies will likely charge more.
- Do-it-yourself vs professional mover: Renting a truck or using a moving container can be cheaper options, with prices for a rental truck ranging from $1,288 to $3,309. However, these options require more work and effort compared to hiring professional movers.
How much are professional moving companies when moving from San Francisco to Chicago?
Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from San Francisco to Chicago will cost between $1,258 to $4,912. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $3,485 to $7,644, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from San Francisco to Chicago will cost from $6,737 to $11,494.
How much are moving container companies from San Francisco to Chicago?
Moving containers from San Francisco to Chicago will cost you $1,181 to $2,958 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $2,145 to $4,562. A larger home will cost $2,912 to $6,168.
How much is a moving truck from San Francisco to Chicago?
Renting a moving truck is usually 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 $1,288 to $2,487. A larger move will cost $1,354 to $2,989, and a four-bedroom move from San Francisco to Chicago costs from $1,691 to $3,697. These estimates include the anticipated fuel cost.
Pros and cons of moving from San Francisco to Chicago
Cost of living: San Francisco vs Chicago
| San Francisco | Chicago | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $3,220 | $1,595 |
| Average home value | $1,234,246 | $306,098 |
| Average income (per capita) | $126,187 | $65,601 |
| Cost of Living (single person) | $3,840 | $1,001 |
| Cost of Living (family of 4) | $8,998 | $3,584 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4% | 9.0% |
| Sales Tax | 8.63% | 10.25% |
| State Income Tax | 13.3% | 4.95% |
- Rent prices in Chicago are 51% lower than in San Francisco.
- Home prices in Chicago are 75.2% lower than in San Francisco.
- Income in Chicago is 48.0% lower than in San Francisco.
- The cost of living for a single person in Chicago is 73.9% lower than in San Francisco.
- The cost of living for a family in Chicago is 60.2% lower than in San Francisco.
- The unemployment rate in Chicago is 66.67% higher than in San Francisco.
- Sales taxes in Chicago are 18.77% higher than in San Francisco.
- State income taxes in Chicago are 62.78% lower than in San Francisco.
To put this into perspective, you would need around $782.03 in Chicago to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in San Francisco.
How is life different in San Francisco compared to Chicago?
| Chicago | San Francisco | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,746,388 | 808,437 |
| AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 9 | 10 |
| Walkability score | 77 | 99 |
| Bike friendliness score | 72 | 99 |
| Crime Index | 35.19 | 54.33 |
| Safety Index | 33.87 | 37.9 |
| Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
- Chicago's population is about 240% greater than San Francisco.
- Chicago's public transportation has a score of 9 out of 10 versus San Francisco's lower score of 10.
- Chicago is less walkable than San Francisco with a score of 77 out of 100 vs San Francisco's 99 out of 100.
- Chicago is less bike-friendly than San Francisco with a score of 72 out of 100 vs San Francisco's 99.
- Chicago's crime rate is lower than San Francisco with a score of 35.19 compared to San Francisco's 54.33. This means that Chicago neighborhoods are safer than 35.19% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and San Francisco neighborhoods are safer than 54.33%.
- Chicago is considered to be less safe than San Francisco with a score of 33.87 vs San Francisco's 37.9.
- Air quality in Chicago is good, and in San Francisco it's moderate.
Considerations for moving to Chicago
- 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: 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 through the state's public utilities commission.
- 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 Chicago. Get started here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of 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: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.
Local San Francisco movers
| Company | Quote | Rating | Contact |
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most popular
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Get A Quote |
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274 Wattis Way, South San Francisco, CA, 94080 (415) 404-7400 |
| Luigy's Moving & Storage | Get A Quote |
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5550 Mission St, San Francisco, CA, 94112 (415) 413-4646 |
| Gentle Giant Moving Company | Get A Quote |
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361 Swift Ave, South San Francisco, CA, 94080 (415) 544-7000 |
Visit our best long distance movers in San Francisco page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.
Where to live in Chicago
Now that you've decided to make the move to "Chi-Town", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Chicago.
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
What to do in Chicago
These are some of the best things to do in your new Illinois home.
- Millennium Park, Crown Fountain, and The Cloud Gate
- Navy Pier
- Art Institute of Chicago
- Buckingham Fountain
- Chicago Riverwalk and Lakefront Trail
- 360 Chicago and the John Hancock Center
- Museum of Science and Industry
- Lincoln Park Zoo
- Field Museum
- The Magnificent Mile
- Willis Tower SkyDeck
- Garfield Park Conservatory
- Chicago Cultural Center
- Wrigley Field
- Chicago Pizza Tours
- Oz Park
- Chicago Architecture Foundation River Cruise
- Maggie Daley Park
- Woolly Mammoth Antiques and Oddities
- Shedd Aquarium
- Museum of Contemporary Art
- Green Mill Jazz Club
- The Richard H. Driehaus Museum
- The Chicago Theatre
- The Second City
Get your sports on!
Chicago is a great sports town, these are the local teams to support:
- Chicago Bears (NFL)
- Chicago Cubs (MLB)
- Chicago White Sox (MLB)
- Chicago Blackhawks (NHL)
- Chicago Bulls (NBA)
- Chicago Fire (MLS)
- Chicago Sky (WNBA)
FAQ
When is the best time to move from San Francisco to Chicago?
The best time to move from San Francisco to Chicago is during the spring or fall. These seasons offer milder weather and avoid higher moving costs during the peak moving season in San Francisco.
When is the cheapest time to move from San Francisco to Chicago?
Because most people are moving from San Francisco to Chicago in the spring or fall, you can often catch discounts by moving in the winter. Read our guide on moving discounts to learn more.
How long does a move from San Francisco to Chicago take?
The 2,131-mile move from San Francisco, CA, to Chicago, IL, takes six-seventeen days. Some San Francisco movers may offer expedited moving if you need it faster. If you need more time, ask your mover about storage options in Chicago.
