($1,168) Moving from Chicago to Portland
Quick answer: A move from Chicago to Portland costs $737 to $6,067 and takes two-eight 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 1,082-mile move yourself.
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Hiring a long-distance moving company from Chicago 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 Portland to Chicago guide.
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The best Chicago to Portland moving companies
Hiring an interstate moving company to go from Chicago to Portland 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 Chicago to Portland.
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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 Chicago to Portland?
Chicago movers charge $100 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 | $1,168 - $4,923 | $908 - $2,151 | $689 - $1,363 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,602 - $6,067 | $1,501 - $3,154 | $737 - $1,605 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,452 - $7,727 | $2,113 - $4,119 | $983 - $1,914 |
Factors influencing moving costs from Chicago to Portland
The cost of Chicago 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 Chicago to Portland can be as low as $1,168 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $6,731.
- Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in Chicago, 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 $689 to $1,753. However, these options require more work and effort compared to hiring professional movers.
How much are professional moving companies when moving from Chicago to Portland?
Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Chicago to Portland will cost between $1,168 to $4,923. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $2,602 to $6,067, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from Chicago to Portland will cost from $4,452 to $7,727.
How much are moving container companies from Chicago to Portland?
Moving containers from Chicago to Portland will cost you $908 to $2,151 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,501 to $3,154. A larger home will cost $2,113 to $4,119.
How much is a moving truck from Chicago to Portland?
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 $689 to $1,363. A larger move will cost $737 to $1,605, and a four-bedroom move from Chicago to Portland costs from $983 to $1,914. These estimates include the anticipated fuel cost.
Pros and cons of moving from Chicago to Portland
Cost of living: Chicago vs Portland
| Chicago | Portland | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,595 | $2,190 |
| Average home value | $306,098 | $522,252 |
| Average income (per capita) | $65,601 | $62,646 |
| Cost of Living (single person) | $1,001 | $2,430 |
| Cost of Living (family of 4) | $3,584 | $6,125 |
| Unemployment rate | 9.0% | 5.2% |
| Sales Tax | 10.25% | 5.5% |
| State Income Tax | 4.95% | 5.8% |
- Rent prices in Portland are 37% higher than in Chicago.
- Home prices in Portland are 70.6% higher than in Chicago.
- Income in Portland is 4.5% lower than in Chicago.
- The cost of living for a single person in Portland is 142.8% higher than in Chicago.
- The cost of living for a family in Portland is 70.9% higher than in Chicago.
- The unemployment rate in Portland is 42.22% lower than in Chicago.
- Sales taxes in Portland are 46.34% lower than in Chicago.
- State income taxes in Portland are 17.17% higher than in Chicago.
To put this into perspective, you would need around $7,282.72 in Portland to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Chicago.
How is life different in Chicago compared to Portland?
| Portland | Chicago | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 68,408 | 2,746,388 |
| AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 6 | 9 |
| Walkability score | 62 | 77 |
| Bike friendliness score | 68 | 72 |
| Crime Index | 19.79 | 35.19 |
| Safety Index | 67.22 | 33.87 |
| Air Quality | Good | Good |
- Portland's population is about 98% less than Chicago.
- Portland's public transportation has a score of 6 out of 10 versus Chicago's lower score of 9.
- Portland is less walkable than Chicago with a score of 62 out of 100 vs Chicago's 77 out of 100.
- Portland is less bike-friendly than Chicago with a score of 68 out of 100 vs Chicago's 72.
- Portland's crime rate is lower than Chicago with a score of 19.79 compared to Chicago's 35.19. This means that Portland neighborhoods are safer than 19.79% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Chicago neighborhoods are safer than 35.19%.
- Portland is considered to be safer than Chicago with a safety index of 67.22 vs Chicago's 33.87.
- Air quality in Portland is good, and in Chicago it's good.
Considerations for moving to Portland
- Weather: August, July and June are the most pleasant months in Portland, while January and February are the least comfortable months.
- 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: Although a local license is not required in Maine, make sure the moving company you’ll be hiring is registered with U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). To verify if you’re dealing with a legal and licensed mover, you may ask them their USDOT registration number. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
- State regulator: You can verify a Maine moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving permits: Maine 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 Portland. Get started here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. Consider cost-free Released Value Protection from movers in Maine, offering basic coverage at 60 cents per pound. If you seek full-value protection, discuss alternative options with your chosen moving company 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 Chicago movers
| Company | Quote | Rating | Contact |
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most popular
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Get A Quote |
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3201 Tollview Drive, Rolling Meadows, IL, 60008 (847) 378-4949 |
| New City Moving | Get A Quote |
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2929 N Campbell Ave, Chicago, IL, 60618 (773) 489-0600 |
| The Professionals Moving Specialists | Get A Quote |
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3918 N Western Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60618 (888) 225-7351 |
Visit our best long distance movers in Chicago page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.
Where to live in Portland
Now that you've decided to make the move to "Forest City", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Portland.
Best neighborhoods for singles:
- East End
- West End
- West Bayside
- Parkside
- Downtown
- Oakdale
- Back Cove
- Valley Street
Best neighborhoods for families:
- Deering Center
- East End
- Rosemont
- West End
- Valley Street
- North Deering
- Back Cove
- East Deering
- Oakdale
What to do in Portland
These are some of the best things to do in your new Maine home.
- Portland's Old Port District & Commercial Street
- Casco Bay and the Calendar Islands
- Victoria Mansion
- Eastern Promenade
- Portland Museum of Art
- Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine
- Crescent Beach
- Portland Observatory
- Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Co and Museum
- Portland Head Light & Fort Williams Park
- Wadsworth Longfellow House
Get your sports on!
Portland is a great sports town, these are the local teams to support:
- Maine Celtics (G League)
- Maine Mariners (ECHL)
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Chicago to Portland?
The best time to move from Chicago to Portland is during the spring or fall. These seasons offer milder weather and avoid higher moving costs during the peak moving season in Chicago.
When is the cheapest time to move from Chicago to Portland?
Because most people are moving from Chicago to Portland 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 Chicago to Portland take?
The 1,082-mile move from Chicago, IL, to Portland, ME, takes two-eight days. Some Chicago movers may offer expedited moving if you need it faster. If you need more time, ask your mover about storage options in Portland.
