Quick answer: A typical 282-mile move from Chicago to Detroit runs $424–$5,420 and takes one to four days. Price and timing vary based on how much stuff you are moving, move date, and choice of DIY or full-service.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Detroit to Chicago guide.
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Best Professional Movers from Chicago to Detroit
Choosing a long-distance mover for your move from Chicago to Detroit can be tough. With so many options, it's hard to know which companies you can actually trust.
Skip the hassle of endless research — we've narrowed down the top choices for you. We picked these movers based on real reviews, competitive pricing, and the variety of services they offer.
Safeway Moving
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American Van Lines
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Allied Van Lines
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Mayzlin Relocation
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North American Van Lines
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How we chose the best moving companies for your IL to MI move
Find trusted moving companies for your Chicago to Detroit journey
Organizing a move from Chicago to Detroit can be daunting, particularly when trying to identify a reliable mover that offers long-distance services. The choices are vast, but which ones stand out?
We've done the groundwork for you, evaluating local movers in Chicago known for their long-distance moving capabilities, assessing them on pricing, customer experiences, and reliability.
Here are the top local moving companies to ensure a smooth transition from Chicago to Detroit.
- New City Moving: 5.0 out of 5 stars
- The Professionals Moving Specialists: 4.86 out of 5 stars
- H2H Movers Inc: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- STI Moving & Storage Inc.: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- Alliance Moving & Storage: 4.8 out of 5 stars
Company Info
State license #: 158051
Years in Business: 16
DOT #: 3078026
Alternate Names: Windy City Moving, Inc.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
Company Info
State license #: 136144
Years in Business: 20
DOT #: 3383907
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Safes
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 184599
Years in Business: 10
DOT #: 2428328
Alternate Names: H2H Movers, Inc
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Crane vans
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Safes
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
Company Info
State license #: 139020
Pricing: $150/hr
Years in Business: 20
DOT #: 1308599
Alternate Names: STI Moving & Storage, Inc.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Crane vans
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
Company Info
State license #: 214845
Years in Business: 9
DOT #: 2882675
Alternate Names: HK & RP, LLC
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Safes
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
How much does it cost to move from Chicago to Detroit?
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 | $1,097 - $3,402 | $742 - $1,770 | $371 - $693 |
2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,955 - $5,420 | $1,319 - $2,450 | $424 - $844 |
4+ bedrooms | $2,677 - $7,612 | $1,866 - $3,100 | $494 - $929 |
Cost to hire movers from Illinois to Michigan
Planning a move from Illinois to Michigan? For a studio or one-bedroom, you'll likely pay between $1,097 and $3,402. If you have a two- or three-bedroom home, expect costs to fall somewhere between $1,955 and $5,420 for the same journey (IL to MI). Moving four or five bedrooms? Typical prices range from $2,677 to $7,612.
Cost of moving containers from Illinois to Michigan
Moving from Illinois to Michigan? For a small load, you'll likely pay between $742 and $1,770. If you have a two- or three-bedroom home, costs usually range from $1,319 to $2,450. Got a big family or a four-plus bedroom house? Expect prices ranging anywhere from $1,866 up to $3,100. For detailed pricing info, take a look at our complete PODS cost guide.
Check out the most affordable moving container companies to help with your move from Illinois.
Cost of moving truck rentals from Illinois to Michigan
Renting a moving truck is typically the most budget-friendly choice, but remember, you'll be responsible for all the heavy lifting, packing, and driving on your own.
If you're moving from a studio or one-bedroom place with a rental truck, expect to pay between $371 and $693. For a two- or three-bedroom move, costs usually range from $424 to $844. If you're tackling a four-bedroom or bigger move, your rental truck will likely run between $494 and $929.
Estimated fuel costs are already factored into these quotes.
Key factors that influence moving costs from Chicago to Detroit
What to know before moving from Chicago to Detroit
Moving from Chicago to Detroit means adjusting to a different pace of life — and a different price tag. On average, it costs significantly more to live in Chicago than in Detroit, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.
Check out how Chicago compares to Detroit so you know what to expect before you relocate:
Chicago | Detroit | |
---|---|---|
Average rent cost | $2,045 | $1,250 |
Average home value | $295,743 | $73,156 |
Average income (per capita) | $71,566 | $37,761 |
Cost of living (single person) | $3,648 | $2,500 |
Cost of living (family of 4) | $9,266 | $6,687 |
Unemployment rate | 9.0% | 9.06% |
Sales tax | 10.25% | 6.0% |
State income tax | 4.95% | 4.25% |
- Rent prices in Detroit are 39% lower than in Chicago, which means you'll have more money in your pocket each month.
-
In terms of homeownership, you'll be able to get more for your money in Detroit.
Home prices in Detroit are 75.3% lower than in Chicago. - Income in Detroit is 47.2% lower than in Chicago, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in Detroit — including General Motors, Henry Ford Health System, and American Axle & Manufacturing — may pay more.
- Get ready to save some money on recurring expenses like food, gas, and utility bills in Detroit. On average, the cost of living for a single person there is 31.5% lower than in Chicago.
- A move to Detroit can help cut down on a family's routine expenses, including utilities, transportation, and groceries. The cost of living for a family of four is 27.8% less than what it costs in Chicago.
- The unemployment rate in Detroit and Chicago.
- You'll spend less on retail and restaurants in Detroit, since the city's sales taxes in Detroit are 41.46% lower than in Chicago.
- One perk of moving to Detroit is paying less in state income taxes, which are 14.14% lower than in Chicago.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,055.92 in Detroit to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Chicago.
How life is different in Chicago vs. Detroit
Detroit | Chicago | |
---|---|---|
Population | 639,111 | 2,746,388 |
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 7 | 9 |
Walkability score | 51 | 77 |
Bike friendliness score | 52 | 72 |
Crime Index | 72.92 | 35.19 |
Safety Index | 27.08 | 33.87 |
Air Quality | Good | Good |
- Detroit might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 77% less than Chicago.
- Getting around Detroit without a car might be more difficult than in Chicago. Detroit has a public transportation score of 7 out of 10, whereas Chicago is ranked 9. Ratings are based on a city's transit connectivity, service frequency, and accessibility to key destinations like jobs and grocery stores.
- Detroit neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as Chicago. Based on its score of 51 out of 100, Detroit isn't as walkable as Chicago, which has a score of 77 out of 100. The higher the walkability score a city has, the easier it is to access amenities. The most walkable cities also tend to be more densely populated and have shorter block lengths.
- You probably won't see as many cycling lanes or off-road trails in Detroit, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than Chicago. While Chicago has a bike-friendliness score of 72 out of 100, Detroit earned a 52. Scores are based on factors like whether a city accommodates cyclists on major roadways, how often people bike to work, and how many steep hills it has.
- The crime rate in Detroit is higher than in Chicago, so you may want to exercise a little extra caution as you're acclimating to your new location. While the crime index is 72.92 in Detroit, it is 35.19 in Chicago. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a city's crime levels.
- You may want to exercise more caution as you're getting used to your new surroundings in Detroit. With a crime index of 27.08, Detroit ranks lower in overall safety than Chicago, whose index is 33.87. The safety index measures how safe people in a city feel about walking alone, both during the day and at night, as well as data on muggings, theft, vandalism, and other instances of petty crime.
- The air quality in Detroit and Chicago is generally the same (Good). Cities with good to moderate ratings have clean or acceptable air quality, with the possibility of small pollutants affecting people with certain health conditions like asthma. Anything beyond the moderate rate means increased impact on residents.
Other things to consider for your Chicago vs. Detroit move
- Weather: Detroit winters are cold, with moderate snowfall and temperatures not rising above freezing on an average 44 days annually. Summers are warm to hot with temperatures exceeding. Be sure to check your weather app to avoid heavy snowfall during your move.
- 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: The agency regulating local and intrastate household goods movers in Michigan is the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC). State regulation and oversight activities include commercial vehicle registration and safety compliance, review of published tariff rates, licensing, and consumer protection efforts. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
- State regulator: You can verify a Michigan moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: Michigan does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state. We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move.
- Change of address: You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Detroit. Get started here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. In Alabama, Massachusetts, and Michigan, choose the economical option of Released Value Protection, provided by movers at no extra cost. However, it offers minimal coverage at 60 cents per pound per article. For comprehensive coverage of your items' full value, consult with your moving company for alternatives or explore third-party insurance providers.
- Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you\'ve got everything covered.
Where to live in Detroit
Now that you've chosen America's Comeback City as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in Detroit to check out.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Corktown
- Brush Park
- Woodbridge
- Downtown
- Lafayette Park
Best neighborhoods for families
- Sherwood Forest
- Palmer Woods
- University District
- Corktown
- Lafayette Park
Things to do in Detroit
After settling into your new Michigan home, you'll want to branch out and explore your new city. Luckily, Detroit has lots to offer, no matter what you're interested in:
- Arts and culture: You'll find museums and cultural hubs throughout Detroit, such as the Detroit Institute of Arts, Motown Museum, The Ford Piquette Avenue Plant, Detroit Historical Museum, and Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Belle Isle Park, Beacon Park, Palmer Park, and Balduck Park — along with other locations, ideal for trails, cycling, or enjoying the fresh air.
- Sports: Experience the energy of a live game and back the home team at an Detriot Tigers (MLB), Detroit Red Wings (NHL), Detroit Lions (NFL), or Detroit Pistons (NBA) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Chicago to Detroit?
Spring and fall are the ideal times to move from Chicago to Detroit You'll benefit from more comfortable weather and avoid the higher prices that come with peak moving season in Chicago.
When is the cheapest time to move from Chicago to Detroit?
Because spring and fall moves from Chicago to Detroit are so common, winter can be a great time to move if you're looking for lower prices. Read our moving discounts guide to see how.
How long does a move from Chicago to Detroit take?
The 282-mile journey from Chicago, IL to Detroit, MI, typically takes one to four days. Some movers in Chicago offer expedited services if you're on a tight schedule, and if you need extra time, be sure to ask about storage options in Detroit.