($1,262) Cost of Moving From Illinois to Minnesota

Quick answer: The average cost to move from Illinois to Minnesota ranges from $544 to $6,025 and takes one–six 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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  • Best overall value
  • Portion to charity
  • Veteran owned
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  • Family owned
  • East coast focus
  • Affordable pricing
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
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  • Certified crews
  • Flat-rate pricing
  • Family-owned
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.75 / 5
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  • Specialty packing services
  • White-glove reputation
  • 80+ years' experience
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  • 1,800 trucks
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  • Customized moving plans

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

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The best Illinois to Minnesota full-service movers

Moving from Illinois to Minnesota? With thousands of moving companies in the U.S., hiring the right interstate moving company can be a challenge.

To simplify your search, we've selected the most reliable movers based on our detailed analysis of customer reviews, pricing, and service offerings.

Start with these top long-distance moving companies serving Illinois for your Minnesota relocation:

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
Most Experienced Mover
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
(866) 825-0554
At A Glance
  • 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) 825-0554
Best for Contents Coverage
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.75 / 5
(866) 935-3437
At A Glance
  • Fragile packing
  • Storage options
  • 24/7 shipment tracking
  • Quick & efficient
  • Accurate quotes
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(866) 935-3437
Best customized Plans
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
(844) 950-2963
At A Glance
  • Custom crates for electronics & art
  • Satellite shipment tracking
  • 1,500 local agents covering all 50 states
  • Self-packing option
  • No deposit required
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(844) 950-2963

The best Illinois to Minnesota moving container companies

Moving containers allow you to save money without having to go the full DIY route. While you’ll have to handle loading and unloading, the container company has you covered on transportation — they’ll pick up your pod in Illinois and drop it off at your new home in Minnesota.

Check out these highly rated moving container companies:

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.8 / 5
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  • Unlimited storage
  • 3 container sizes
  • 10% discount
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  • Fast delivery
  • Nationwide
  • 100+ miles moves
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
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  • Affordable pricing
  • Offers car shipping
  • No hidden fees

The best Illinois to Minnesota moving truck rentals

Moving truck rentals are the most cost-effective way to move from Illinois to Minnesota, although they’re also the most labor-intensive. You’ll save big by doing all the heavy lifting and driving.

We like these rental moving trucks:

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.3 / 5
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  • Affordable pricing
  • Online pricing
  • Several discounts
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4 / 5
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  • Most expensive
  • 4 truck sizes
  • Unlimited mileage
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.15 / 5
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  • Greatest coverage
  • 7 truck sizes
  • One way rentals

The best Illinois to Minnesota labor-only movers

If you need help moving some or all of your items into a container or rental truck, you can hire labor-only movers. They’ll send over a professional crew the right size for your move and you’ll pay only for the amount of time they work.

Consider one of these top-notch moving labor companies for your move from Illinois to Minnesota:

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  • Hire moving labor
  • Online quotes
  • Nationwide
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.3 / 5
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  • Online booking
  • Move Concierge
  • Affordable

How we chose the best moving companies for your IL to MN movetoggle

moveBuddha’s expert team analyzed moving rates from 63 Illinois movers and listed the top movers based on customer satisfaction, reviews, and cost.

Customer satisfaction (40%): The company consistently delivers services in a timely matter with good communication and within the estimated cost.

Dispute resolution (20%): Mistakes cannot be avoided in the moving industry. We look for companies that own their mistakes and make genuine efforts to fix any issues that arise during a move.

Industry reputation (15%): The company is well-regarded within the moving industry and participates in industry conferences and organizations.

Online reputation (15%): The company maintains a professional website with accurate information. The company promptly and professionally responds to online customer inquiries.

Service options (10%): We look for companies with a deep breadth of services including full packing, storage, specialty item handling, and expedited delivery.

Here is our full moving company rating methodology.

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

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

Move size Moving company Moving container Rental truck
Studio / 1 Bedroom $1,262 - $3,722 $797 - $1,886 $524 - $989
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,328 - $6,025 $1,496 - $2,686 $544 - $1,116
4+ bedrooms $4,342 - $8,491 $1,997 - $3,580 $700 - $1,432

*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 620 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.

Cost to hire movers from Illinois to Minnesotatoggle

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Illinois to Minnesota will cost between $1,262 and $3,722. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from IL to MN will range from $2,328 to $6,025, and a large move from Illinois to Minnesota will cost from $4,342 to $8,491.

Cost of moving containers from Illinois to Minnesotatoggle

Moving containers from Illinois to Minnesota will cost you $797 to $1,886 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,496 to $2,686. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $1,997 to $3,580. Learn more about PODS cost.

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

Cost of moving truck rentals from Illinois to Minnesotatoggle

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 $524 to $989. A two to three-bedroom move will cost $544 to $1,116, and moving a home with four or more bedrooms or from Illinois to Minnesota costs from $700 to $1,432.
These estimates include the estimated fuel cost.

Factors affecting the cost of moving from IL to MN

There are many factors that influence Illinois moving costs. The cost to move from Illinois to Minnesota 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.

What to know before moving from IL to MN

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

Cost of living: Illinois vs. Minnesota

Illinois Minnesota
Average rent cost $1,179 $1,178
Average home cost $249,224 $334,119
Average income (per capita) $78,433 $84,313
Cost of Living Index 90 94
Unemployment rate 5.3% 3.4%
Average Sales Tax 8.82% 8.03%
State Income Tax 4.95% 9.85%
  • Rent is about the same cost in Minnesota and Illinois.
  • Home prices are about 34% higher in Minnesota than in Illinois.
  • The average income is about 7% higher in Minnesota than in Illinois.
  • Cost of living is 4% lower in Minnesota than in Illinois.
  • Minnesota has a lower unemployment rate than Illinois by about 36%.
  • Sales taxes are 9% lower in Minnesota than in Illinois.
  • Income taxes are 99% higher in Minnesota than in Illinois.

How life is different in Minnesota vs. Illinois

Minnesota Illinois
Population 5,737,915 12,549,689
Political leaning Democratic 51.1-46.9 Democratic 55-45
Summer high 81ºF 86ºF
Winter low 2ºF 17ºF
Annual rain 29" 40"
Annual snow 47" 22"
Crime index 22.47 19.7
  • The population of Minnesota is approximately 54% lower than the population of Illinois.
  • In the last presidential election, Minnesota voted Democratic and Illinois voted Democratic.
  • The average high in the summertime in Minnesota is 81ºF and in Illinois, it’s 86ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Minnesota reaches the temperature of 2ºF and Illinois gets down to 17ºF.
  • You can expect about 29 inches of annual rainfall in Minnesota versus 40 inches of rainfall in Illinois.
  • In Minnesota, it snows about 47 inches annually versus 22 inches of snow in Illinois.
  • Minnesota has a higher crime rate than Illinois with a crime index of 22.47 vs. 19.7.

Comparing the pros of Illinois vs. Minnesota

Getting a fresh start in a new location is exciting. Here’s a side-by-side look at the perks of living in Minnesota compared to Illinois.

Pros of living in Illinois Pros of living in Minnesota
Home of Chicago Ample economic opportunity
Ample economic opportunity Bountiful recreational outdoor opportunities
Bountiful recreational opportunities Multitudinous lakes
Delicious food Diverse festivals
World-class sports culture Friendly people

Comparing the cons of living in Illinois vs. Minnesota

Everything can’t be sunshine and rainbows all the time, no matter where you live. Here are some things to be aware of when leaving Illinois for Minnesota.

Cons of living in Illinois Cons of living in Minnesota
Harsh winter weather Bland food
Bad traffic Cold snowy winters
High crime rate Terrible traffic
Dull landscape High tax burden
Strict laws Thick accents

Other things to consider for your Illinois to Minnesota movetoggle

  • Weather: Minnesota experiences temperature extremes characteristic of its continental climate, with cold winters and hot summers. Minnesota does experience weather such as: rain, snow, blizzards, thunderstorms, hail, derechos, tornadoes, and high-velocity straight-line winds.
  • 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: To operate legally within the state, Minnesota household goods movers must have a current permit from the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT). Before being granted operating authority, each moving company must file a public tariff, provide proof of insurance and submit a Certificate of Compliance to MnDOT. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Minnesota moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
  • Moving permits: Minnesota 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 Minnesota. 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. In Minnesota, opt for the budget-friendly Released Value Protection provided by movers at no extra charge. While economical, it offers minimal coverage at 60 cents per pound per article. For full value coverage of your items, consult with your chosen moving company for alternatives 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.

Things to do in Minnesotatoggle

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

  • Mall of America
  • Como Park Zoo and Conservatory
  • Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness
  • Cathedral of Saint Paul
  • North Shore Scenic Drive
  • Split Rock Lighthouse State Park
  • Minnehaha Falls
  • Munsinger Clemens Gardens
  • Itasca State Park
  • Valleyfair Amusement Park
  • Voyageurs National Park
  • International Wolf Center
  • Frederick R. Weisman Art Museum
  • Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge
  • Gooseberry Falls State Park
  • Devil’s Kettle
  • Niagara Cave
  • Greyhound Bus Museum
  • Minneapolis Institute of Art
  • Stone Arch Bridge
  • Pipestone National Monument
  • Guthrie Theater
  • Paul Bunyan & Babe the Blue Ox Statues
  • SPAM Museum
  • Quarry Hill Nature Center

FAQs

What is the cheapest way to move from Illinois to Minnesota?toggle

Hiring a full-service Illinois moving company will be on the more expensive side, while a rental truck or a moving container is usually the cheaper way to go, but requires more work. Here’s our guide for the cheapest way to move out of state.

Do movers transport your car from Illinois to Minnesota?toggle

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 Minnesota separately through one of the top car shipping companies.

What are the benefits of moving from Illinois to Minnesota?toggle

The main reasons people are moving from Illinois to Minnesota are the amazing upsides of living in Minnesota such as ample economic opportunity and bountiful recreational outdoor opportunities.

Is it cheaper to live in Illinois or Minnesota?toggle

It is generally cheaper to live in Illinois than in Minnesota. Housing is much more affordable in Illinois, with average rent about 0% less and home prices 25% lower than in Minnesota. Taxes are also lower in Illinois, most notably income taxes, which are more than 40% less than those paid by Minnesota residents.

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

You should make approximately $66,791 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in Minnesota. The cost of living in Minnesota is approximately $3,767 per month for an individual and $4,500 for a family of four. The exact amount you’ll need to live comfortably may be more or less depending on where in Minnesota you live For example, larger cities like Minneapolis and St. Paul will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.

Helpful moving resources