($1,000) Movers From Iowa to Chicago, IL
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: Moving from Iowa to Chicago, IL, costs $326 to $4,746 and takes one to four days. How much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the move yourself will affect the overall cost of your 316-mile move.
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Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our moving from Chicago, IL to Iowa guide.
The best Iowa to Chicago, IL, full-service moving companies
Hiring an interstate moving company from Iowa 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 Iowa to Chicago.
- Safeway Moving: 4.85 out of 5 stars
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5 stars
- PODS: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- International Van Lines: 4.45 out of 5 stars
- GPS tracking en route
- Veteran-owned
- Dedicated move coordinator
- Flat-rate pricing
- Donates a portion of moves to charity
- 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
- Experienced & fully trained moving crews
- Specializes in moving art & antiques
- Competitive pricing
- Can handle last-minute moves
- Climate-controlled storage
- 30 days storage included
- Local and long distance moving options
- Unlimited loading/unloading time
- Store on property or at a facility
- 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
Cost to hire professional movers from Iowa to Chicago
The best moving containers for your Iowa to Chicago move
If you want a budget-friendly move without driving a rental truck, moving containers are a great middle-ground option. You handle the packing and loading, while the company takes care of transportation.
Many providers also offer storage options, giving you extra flexibility if your new home isn’t ready yet. It’s an easy way to move at your own pace while skipping the hassle of long-distance driving.
Here are our moving container companies in Iowa, that can get your belongings safely to your new home in Chicago, IL:
- 30 days storage included
- Local and long distance moving options
- Unlimited loading/unloading time
- Store on property or at a facility
- Long distance moves only
- Only pay for the space you use
- No deposit or initial fees
- Fast delivery time frames
- Combines affordability of DIY moving with convenience of a truck and driver
- Only pay for the truck space you use
- Offers vehicle shipping
Cost of moving containers from Iowa to Chicago
The best moving truck rentals for your Iowa to Chicago move
If you don’t mind a little DIY, renting a moving truck is the most affordable way to relocate to Iowa to Chicago. You’ll have to handle the packing, loading, and driving — but the upside is you control the timeline from start to finish.
Check out these top-rated truck rental companies in Iowa:
- Competitive base prices with specialized discounts
- Round-trip and one-way moves available
- User-friendly website makes it easy to book the right truck
- More than 20,000 locations with prominent pricing
- Rental options include everything from pick-up trucks to 26-foot moving trucks
- Gentle-Ride Suspension add protection to avoid damaging your items during transit
- U-Box moving containers available if you don't want to drive
Cost of moving truck rentals from Iowa to Chicago
The best hourly movers for your Iowa to Chicago move
Labor-only movers are a great option if you’ve already arranged transportation for your move to Chicago, IL, but want to avoid the strain of moving bulky furniture and heavy boxes on your own.
A moving labor company will provide you with a professional moving crew with enough members to match your move size. They’ll load your items into your moving container or rental truck and you’ll pay them by the hour for their assistance.
We recommend using one of these labor-only moving companies in Iowa to make your move faster and easier:
- First call quoting, get a quote in just a couple of minutes
- Rates are typically 20-40% lower than the industry averages
- $1,000 money-back service guarantee
- Fast and accurate delivery times
- Free damage coverage with additional coverage options
- Quick and easy booking process
- National 4.75/5 star rating (these guys are good at what they do)
- Dedicated move concierge specialist
- Pay as you go service. 2-hour minimum and then prorated down to the minute
- The time clock starts when the movers arrive and ends when you tell them
How much does it cost to move from Iowa to Chicago, IL?
The table below lays out average cost ranges to move from Iowa to Chicago for different moving services depending on the size of your home.
Hiring a professional Iowa moving company will be on the more expensive side, while renting a truck or a moving container is usually cheaper but requires more work.
| Size of the Move | Moving Company | Moving Container | Rental Truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 Bedroom | $1,000 - $2,974 | $584 - $1,425 | $312 - $551 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,718 - $4,746 | $1,137 - $2,014 | $326 - $714 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $2,325 - $6,186 | $1,503 - $2,662 | $428 - $779 |
*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 316 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 Iowa 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 Iowa, 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.
Use our moveBuddha moving cost calculator to get a more accurate estimate for your moving costs.
Things to know before moving from Iowa to Chicago, IL
Cost of living: Iowa vs Chicago, IL
| Iowa | Chicago | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $914 | $2,045 |
| Average home value | $220,277 | $295,743 |
| Average income (per capita) | $70,571 | $71,566 |
| Unemployment rate | 3% | 9% |
| State income tax | 4% | 5% |
Chicago sources: Zumper, Zillow, Numbeo
- Rent is about 124% more expensive in Chicago than in Iowa.
- Home prices are about 34% higher in Chicago than in Iowa.
- The average income is about 1% higher in Chicago than in Iowa.
- Chicago has a higher unemployment rate than Iowa by about 200%.
- Income taxes are 13% higher in Chicago than in Iowa.
How life is different in Chicago from Iowa
| Chicago | Iowa | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,746,388 | 3,207,004 |
| Political leaning | Democrat 74-24 | Republican 53-45 |
| Summer high | 84ºF | 84ºF |
| Winter low | 19ºF | 10ºF |
| Annual rain | 38" | 35" |
| Annual snow | 35" | 30" |
| Crime index | 35.19 | 16.18 |
Chicago sources: Wikipedia, AllTransit, Walk Score, NeighborhoodScout, AirNow
- The population of Chicago is approximately 14% lower than the population of Iowa.
- In the last presidential election, Chicago voted Democrat and Iowa voted Republican.
- The average high in the summertime in Chicago is 84ºF and in Iowa, it’s 84ºF.
- During the coldest part of the year, Chicago reaches the temperature of 19ºF and Iowa gets down to 10ºF.
- You can expect about 38 inches of annual rainfall in Chicago vs 35 inches of rainfall in Iowa.
- In Chicago, it snows about 35 inches annually vs 30 inches of snow in Iowa.
- Chicago has a higher crime rate than Iowa with a crime index of 35.19 vs 16.18.
Things 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
Parks in Chicago
Sports Teams in Chicago
Universities in Chicago
Other considerations when 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.
Compare the pros and cons of Iowa vs. Chicago, IL
Comparing the pros of Iowa 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 Iowa vs Chicago side-by-side.
| Pros of living in Iowa | Pros of living in Chicago, IL |
|---|---|
| Low cost of living | Bountiful arts and recreational activities |
| Ample economic opportunity | Delicious food |
| High quality of education | Abundant entertainment |
| No traffic | Intense sports culture |
| Beautiful outdoors | Ample economic opportunity |
Comparing the cons of living in Iowa vs. Chicago, IL:
Not everything is sunshine and rainbows, these are the things to be aware of when leaving Iowa for Chicago.
| Cons of living in Iowa | Cons of living in Chicago, IL |
|---|---|
| Severe weather conditions | High crime rate |
| Limited recreational opportunities | Temperamental weather |
| High taxes | Terrible traffic |
| High emphasis on politics | High taxes |
| Rustic food | Pollution |
FAQ
How long does a move from Iowa to Chicago take?
The time frame for a move from Iowa to Chicago, IL, varies based on your moving method and starting location. The actual loading up of your items should not take more than a day, even with DIY moves.
Obviously, the further upstate you are in Iowa, the longer the drive time to Chicago will be. If you’re driving a rental truck, the move could be completed in one or two days, on average, depending on your route and how often you stop.
With professional movers or moving containers, delivery times to Chicago from Iowa can range from a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the company’s schedule and transit logistics. You can always ask for a general timeline before booking.
How far in advance should I book movers when moving from Iowa to Chicago?
Because of the 316-mile move, it’s best to book your move from Iowa 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 Iowa during the spring and fall months. To avoid competing during those busy moving seasons, you could save some money by booking your move to Chicago during summer or winter.
