($1,152) Movers From Chicago, IL to Portland, ME
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: A move from Chicago to Portland costs $765–$5,866 and takes two to 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 1,081-mile move yourself.
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Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Portland to Chicago guide.
The best Chicago to Portland full-service moving companies
Choosing a long-distance moving company in Chicago to go to Portland can be overwhelming. With so many options, it’s hard to know which movers to trust… and which ones to avoid.
Don't worry — you won't have to sort through all of them. We've done the research for you and narrowed down the list based on customer satisfaction, cost, and services.
Here are the best long-distance moving companies serving Chicago to Portland.
- 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
- North American Van Lines: 4.5 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
- Custom crates for electronics & art
- Satellite shipment tracking
- 1,500 local agents covering all 50 states
- Self-packing option
- No deposit required
How much are professional moving companies when moving from Chicago to Portland?
The best moving containers for your Chicago to Portland move
Moving containers can be a cost-effective option for moving from Chicago to Portland. You’ll save a little money by opting to pack and load everything yourself, but the container company will take care of the transportation for you.
We recommend these moving container companies:
- 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
How much are moving container companies from Chicago to Portland?
The best moving truck rentals for your Chicago to Portland move
If you want to save even more money on your Chicago to Portland move, renting a moving truck is your cheapest option. Keep in mind that you’ll be handling all the work — packing, loading, and driving. But that extra work will pay off in terms of keeping costs low.
These top moving truck rentals are a great place to start:
- 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
- Competitive base prices with specialized discounts
- Round-trip and one-way moves available
- User-friendly website makes it easy to book the right truck
How much is a moving truck from Chicago to Portland?
The best labor-only movers for your Chicago to Portland move
If you need some extra hands to help you with your move, you’ll want to hire labor-only movers with reasonable hourly rates and professional crews. Labor-only companies that offer add-on options like packing and cleaning allow you to more fully tailor services to your needs and budget.
Consider these highly rated labor-only movers to help you move from Chicago to Portland:
- 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 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 | $1,152 - $4,480 | $826 - $2,038 | $687 - $1,304 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,618 - $5,866 | $1,590 - $3,174 | $765 - $1,568 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,100 - $7,942 | $2,042 - $4,310 | $980 - $1,947 |
Factors influencing moving costs from Chicago to Portland
What to know before moving from Chicago to Portland
| Chicago | Portland | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $2,045 | $1,991 |
| Average home value | $295,743 | $542,001 |
| Average income (per capita) | $71,566 | $64,171 |
| Cost of living (single person) | $1,280 | $2,491 |
| Cost of living (family of 4) | $4,685 | $6,060 |
| Unemployment rate | 9.0% | 5.2% |
| Sales tax | 10.25% | 5.5% |
| State income tax | 4.95% | 5.8% |
- Rent prices in Portland are 3% lower than in Chicago.
- Home prices in Portland are 83.3% higher than in Chicago.
- Income in Portland is 10.3% lower than in Chicago.
- The cost of living for a single person in Portland is 94.6% higher than in Chicago.
- The cost of living for a family in Portland is 29.3% 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 in perspective, you would need around $5,838.28 in Portland to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Chicago.
How life is different in Chicago vs. 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 | 32.16 | 35.19 |
| Safety Index | 67.84 | 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 32.16 compared to Chicago's 35.19. This means that Portland neighborhoods are safer than 32.16% 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 67.84 vs Chicago's 33.87.
- Air quality in Portland is good, and in Chicago it's good.
Other things to consider for your Chicago vs. Portland move
- 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.
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
Best neighborhoods for families
Things to do in Portland
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 1,081-mile move from Chicago, IL, to Portland, ME, takes two to 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.
