($1,130) Moving From Illinois to Colorado

Quick answer: The average cost to move from Illinois to Colorado ranges from $728 to $5,577 and takes two-eight days. The top cost factors are how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the move yourself.

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  • Certified crews
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Hiring a full-service Illinois moving company will be on the more expensive side, while a rental truck or a moving container is usually cheaper but requires more work.

You may also want to consider the potential added cost of getting your vehicle or boat to your new home as part of your move. Some full-service movers can coordinate auto transport for you as part of your relocation package for an additional fee. But you can also handle vehicle transport from Illinois to Colorado separately through one of the top car shipping companies.

Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our moving from Colorado to Illinois guide.

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The best Illinois to Colorado movers

Hiring an interstate moving company from Illinois to Colorado 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 Illinois to Colorado:

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
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(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
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(980) 217-6841
Best for Quick Quotes
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 5
(844) 794-6004
At A Glance
  • Family owned & operated
  • Affordable pricing
  • Binding estimates
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(844) 794-6004
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
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
(866) 835-2392
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  • Experienced & fully trained moving crews
  • Specializes in moving art & antiques
  • Competitive pricing
  • Can handle last-minute moves
  • Climate-controlled storage
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(866) 835-2392

If you’re just trying to ship a few items, here’s a list of our recommended services for small moves.

Looking for local Illinois movers?

Company Quote Rating Contact
STI Moving & Storage Inc. Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.96 overall rating
7400 Niles Center Rd, Skokie, IL, 60077
(847) 675-1223
Mid-West Moving & Storage Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.96 overall rating
1255 Tonne Rd, Elk Grove Village, IL, 60007
(847) 593-7201

Visit our Best Movers in Illinois page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.

How much does it cost to move from Illinois to Colorado?

The table below lays out average cost ranges to move from Illinois to Colorado for different moving services depending on the size of your home.

Move size Moving company Moving container Rental truck
Studio / 1 Bedroom $1,130 - $4,554 $809 - $2,112 $634 - $1,279
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,419 - $5,577 $1,465 - $3,063 $728 - $1,416
4+ bedrooms $4,004 - $7,308 $2,036 - $3,797 $843 - $1,759

*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 1,010 miles and historical averages. The actual size of your move, additional services required, truck parking access, market conditions, and availability can greatly affect your final costs.

Factors affecting the cost of moving from IL to CO

There are many factors that influence Illinois moving costs. The cost to move from Illinois to Colorado will depend on these factors:

  • Move size: Moving a large home costs more than moving a studio apartment.
  • Time of year: The peak moving season in Illinois is in the summer, so moving companies will likely charge more.
  • DIY vs. professional mover: DIY moving services are cheaper but you do all the heavy lifting compared to letting the pros handle your move.

How much does it cost to hire movers from Illinois to Colorado?

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Illinois to Colorado will cost between $1,130 and $4,554. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from IL to CO will range from $2,419 to $5,577, and a large move from Illinois to Colorado will cost from $4,004 to $7,308.

How much are moving containers like PODS from Illinois to Colorado?

Moving containers from Illinois to Colorado will cost you $809 to $2,112 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,465 to $3,063. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $2,036 to $3,797. Learn more about PODS cost.

Here are the cheapest moving container companies when moving out of Illinois.

How much is a moving truck from Illinois to Colorado?

A moving rental truck is generally 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 $634 to $1,279. A two to three-bedroom move will cost $728 to $1,416, and moving a home with four or more bedrooms or from Illinois to Colorado costs from $843 to $1,759.
These estimates include the estimated fuel cost.

Is moving from Illinois to Colorado a good idea?

If you’re moving to Colorado from Illinois, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.

Cost of living: Illinois vs. Colorado

Illinois Colorado
Average rent cost $1,179 $1,594
Average home cost $249,224 $541,072
Average income (per capita) $78,433 $87,598
Cost of Living Index 90 91
Unemployment rate 5.3% 4.1%
Average Sales Tax 8.82% 7.81%
State Income Tax 4.95% 5.49%
  • Rent is about 35% more expensive in Colorado than in Illinois.
  • Home prices are about 117% higher in Colorado than in Illinois.
  • The average income is about 12% higher in Colorado than in Illinois.
  • Cost of living is 1% lower in Colorado than in Illinois.
  • Colorado has a lower unemployment rate than Illinois by about 23%.
  • Sales taxes are 11% lower in Colorado than in Illinois.
  • Income taxes are 11% higher in Colorado than in Illinois.

How does life in Colorado differ from Illinois?

Colorado Illinois
Population 5,877,610 12,549,689
Political leaning Democrat 54-46 Democratic 55-45
Summer high 86ºF 86ºF
Winter low 13ºF 17ºF
Annual rain 16" 40"
Annual snow 63" 22"
Crime index 36.4 19.7
  • The population of Colorado is approximately 53% lower than the population of Illinois.
  • In the last presidential election, Colorado voted Democrat and Illinois voted Democratic.
  • The average high in the summertime in Colorado is 86ºF and in Illinois, it’s 86ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Colorado reaches the temperature of 13ºF and Illinois gets down to 17ºF.
  • You can expect about sixteen inches of annual rainfall in Colorado versus forty inches of rainfall in Illinois.
  • In Colorado, it snows about sixty-three inches annually versus twenty-two inches of snow in Illinois.
  • Colorado has a higher crime rate than Illinois with a crime index of 36.4 vs 19.7.

Comparing the pros of Illinois vs. Colorado

There are always a lot of reasons to get excited about living somewhere new. These are the best parts of living in Illinois versus Colorado side by side.

Pros of living in Illinois Pros of living in Colorado
Home of Chicago Ample economic opportunity
Ample economic opportunity Awesome snow recreational activities
Bountiful recreational opportunities Quality healthcare
Delicious food High quality of life
World-class sports culture Beautiful outdoors

Comparing the cons of living in Illinois vs. Colorado

Not everything is sunshine and rainbows all the time, no matter where you live. Here are some things to be aware of when leaving Illinois for Colorado.

Cons of living in Illinois Cons of living in Colorado
Harsh winter weather Extreme weather
Bad traffic High cost of living
High crime rate Altitude sickness
Dull landscape Overcrowding
Strict laws Bad traffic

What to know before your move to Colorado

  • Weather: Colorado has a relatively complex climate. Ranging from the famous mountain region of the state to desert. Therefore, keep track of the weather of your new city on move day. The most extreme weather that happens in Colorado happens in the least populated areas of the state but you may drive through these regions to get to your new home so be wary of that too.
  • 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: The Colorado Public Utilities Commission (COPUC) regulates local and intrastate moving service providers in Colorado. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State Regulator: You can verify a Colorado moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
  • Moving Permits: Colorado 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 so that all your mail will get properly forwarded to Colorado. Get started here.
  • Mover's Insurance: Interstate moving companies are required under federal law to provide basic insurance — also called “released value protection” — free of charge to all moving customers. Choose Released Value Protection for its cost-free advantage, provided by movers with minimal coverage. Under this option, the mover's responsibility is capped at 60 cents per pound per article. For instance, if your mover lost or damaged a valuable item, you would only receive compensation based on this limited valuation. If you seek comprehensive coverage for your items' full value, discuss alternative options with the moving company you're hiring or explore third-party insurance providers.
  • Moving Checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.

Things to do in Colorado

While you’re in Colorado, you won’t be bored. These are some of the coolest places to visit in your new home state:

  • Garden of the Gods
  • Mesa Verde National Park
  • Vail Ski Resort
  • Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
  • Denver Museum of Nature and Science
  • Maroon Bells
  • Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
  • Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
  • Elitch Gardens Theme Park
  • Rocky Mountain National Park
  • Durango and the Silverton Narrow Gauge Railway
  • San Juan Skyway Scenic Byway and the Million Dollar Highway
  • Mount Evans Scenic Byway
  • Dinosaur National Monument
  • Bridal Veil Falls
  • Royal Gorge Bridge and Park
  • Hanging Lake
  • Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave
  • Trail Ridge Road
  • Telluride Ski Resort

FAQs

What is the cheapest way to move from Illinois to Colorado?

The cheapest way to move from Illinois to Colorado is with a DIY move. Here’s our guide for the cheapest way to move out of state.

What are the benefits of moving from Illinois to Colorado?

The main reasons people are moving from Illinois to Colorado are the amazing upsides of living in Colorado such as ample economic opportunity and awesome snow recreational activities.

Is it cheaper to live in Illinois or Colorado?

It is generally cheaper to live in Illinois than in Colorado. While the overall cost of living is similar for both states, housing is much more affordable in Illinois, with average rent about 26% less and home prices 54% lower than in Colorado. Taxes are also lower in Illinois, most notably income taxes, which are more than 10% less than those paid by Colorado residents.

How much should you make a year to live comfortably in Colorado?

You should make approximately $36,026 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in Arizona. The cost of living in Arizona is approximately $0 per month for an individual and $0 for a family of four. The exact amount you’ll need to live comfortably may be more or less depending on where in Colorado you live For example, larger cities like Arvada and Aurora will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.

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