($1,286) Movers From Illinois to New York City, NY

Quick answer: Moving from Illinois to New York City, NY, costs $771 to $6,284 and takes two to seven days. How much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the move yourself will affect the overall cost of your 922-mile move.

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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
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  • Family owned
  • East coast focus
  • Affordable pricing
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.85 / 5
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  • Best overall value
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  • Certified crews
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  • Family-owned
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.75 / 5
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  • Specialty packing services
  • White-glove reputation
  • 80+ years' experience
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.45 / 5
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  • 24/7 cust. service
  • Competitive rates
  • 10% discounts

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Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our moving from New York City, NY to Illinois guide.

The best Illinois to New York City, NY, full-service moving companies

Hiring an interstate moving company from Illinois to New York City 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 New York City.

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 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
Most Experienced Mover
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
(866) 825-0554
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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) 825-0554
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.75 / 5
(866) 935-3437
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  • Fragile packing
  • Storage options
  • 24/7 shipment tracking
  • Quick & efficient
  • Accurate quotes
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(866) 935-3437
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.45 / 5
(855) 929-4120
At A Glance
  • 10% discount for veterans and seniors
  • Very competitive rates due to their national coverage
  • Services local, long-distance, and international moves
  • Can service most domestic moves within 48 hours
  • 24/7 customer service
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(855) 929-4120

Cost to hire professional movers from Illinois to New York Citytoggle

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Illinois to New York City will cost between $1,286 to $5,045. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from Illinois to New York City will range from $2,532 to $6,284, and a large move from Illinois to New York City will cost from $4,448 to $8,870.

The best moving containers for your Illinois to New York City move

If you want a budget-friendly move without driving a rental truck, moving containers are a great middle-ground option. You handle the packing and loading, while the company takes care of transportation.

Many providers also offer storage options, giving you extra flexibility if your new home isn’t ready yet. It’s an easy way to move at your own pace while skipping the hassle of long-distance driving.

Here are our moving container companies in Illinois, that can get your belongings safely to your new home in New York City, NY:

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.8 / 5
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  • Unlimited storage
  • 3 container sizes
  • 10% discount
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 5 / 5
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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

Cost of moving containers from Illinois to New York Citytoggle

Moving containers from Illinois to New York City will cost you $935 to $2,185 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,712 to $3,196. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $2,194 to $4,400.

Here are the cheapest moving containers for your move to New York City.

The best moving truck rentals for your Illinois to New York City move

If you don’t mind a little DIY, renting a moving truck is the most affordable way to relocate to Illinois to New York City. You’ll have to handle the packing, loading, and driving — but the upside is you control the timeline from start to finish.

Check out these top-rated truck rental companies in Illinois:

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

Cost of moving truck rentals from Illinois to New York Citytoggle

A moving rental truck is generally the cheapest option for moving from Illinois to New York City, 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 $713 to $1,245. A larger move will cost $771 to $1,526, and a four-bedroom or more move from Illinois to New York City costs from $976 to $1,986. These estimates include the estimated fuel cost.

These are the cheapest rental truck companies for your move from Illinois

The best hourly movers for your Illinois to New York City move

Labor-only movers are a great option if you’ve already arranged transportation for your move to New York City, NY, but want to avoid the strain of moving bulky furniture and heavy boxes on your own.

A moving labor company will provide you with a professional moving crew with enough members to match your move size. They’ll load your items into your moving container or rental truck and you’ll pay them by the hour for their assistance.

We recommend using one of these labor-only moving companies in Illinois to make your move faster and easier:

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
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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 much does it cost to move from Illinois to New York City, NY?

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

Hiring a professional Illinois moving company will be on the more expensive side, while renting a truck or a moving container is usually cheaper but requires more work.

Size of the Move Moving Company Moving Container Rental Truck
Studio / 1 Bedroom $1,286 - $5,045 $935 - $2,185 $713 - $1,245
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,532 - $6,284 $1,712 - $3,196 $771 - $1,526
4+ bedrooms $4,448 - $8,870 $2,194 - $4,400 $976 - $1,986

*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 922 miles and historical averages. The actual size of your move, additional services required, truck parking access, market conditions, and availability can greatly affect the final cost of your move.

The cost to move from Illinois to New York City, NY, will depend on:

  • Move size: The amount of items you have — as well as your home size and layout — will impact the total cost of your relocation.
  • Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in Illinois, so moving companies will likely charge more.
  • DIY vs. professional mover: DIY moving services are usually cheaper but involve more work and stress compared to letting the pros handle your move.

Use our moveBuddha moving cost calculator to get a more accurate estimate for your moving costs.

Things to know before moving from Illinois to New York City, NY

Cost of living: Illinois vs New York City, NY

Illinois New York City
Average rent cost $1,179 $4,340
Average home value $249,224 $752,778
Average income (per capita) $78,433 $78,058
Unemployment rate 5% 11%
State income tax 5% 11%
  • Rent is about 268% more expensive in New York City than in Illinois.
  • Home prices are about 202% higher in New York City than in Illinois.
  • The average income is about the same in New York City and Illinois.
  • New York City has a higher unemployment rate than Illinois by about 111%.
  • Income taxes are 120% higher in New York City than in Illinois.

How life is different in New York City from Illinois

New York City Illinois
Population 8,258,035 12,549,689
Political leaning Democratic 76-23 Democratic 55-45
Summer high 84ºF 86ºF
Winter low 26ºF 17ºF
Annual rain 47" 40"
Annual snow 25" 22"
Crime index 50.83 19.7
  • The population of New York City is approximately 34% lower than the population of Illinois.
  • In the last presidential election, New York City voted Democratic and Illinois voted Democratic.
  • The average high in the summertime in New York City is 84ºF and in Illinois, it’s 86ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, New York City reaches the temperature of 26ºF and Illinois gets down to 17ºF.
  • You can expect about 47 inches of annual rainfall in New York City vs 40 inches of rainfall in Illinois.
  • In New York City, it snows about 25 inches annually vs 22 inches of snow in Illinois.
  • New York City has a higher crime rate than Illinois with a crime index of 50.83 vs 19.7.

Things to do in New York City

Whether you’re looking for parks, museums, sports, or even universities, you’ll be happy to find a plethora of these in New York City.

Museums in New York Citytoggle

  • The National 9/11 Memorial & Museum
  • The Metropolitan Museum of Art
  • The Met Cloisters
  • New York Public Library
  • Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
  • Ellis Island
  • American Museum of Natural History
  • The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
  • Ellis Island Immigration Museum
  • The Morgan Library & Museum
  • Tenement Museum
  • New-York Historical Society Museum & Library

Parks in New York Citytoggle

  • Central Park
  • The High Line
  • Bryant Park
  • Washington Square Park
  • Hudson River Park
  • Union Square
  • World Trade Center's Liberty Park
  • Strawberry Fields, John Lennon Memorial
  • Fort Tryon Park
  • Riverside Park
  • Battery Park
  • Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park
  • The High Line Park
  • Inwood Hill Park
  • Carl Schurz Park

Sports Teams in New York Citytoggle

  • Brooklyn Nets (NBA)
  • Long Island Nets (NBA G League)
  • New York City FC (MLS)
  • New York Giants (NFL)
  • New York Islanders (NHL)
  • New York Jets (NFL)
  • New York Knicks (NBA)
  • New York Liberty (WNBA)
  • New York Mets (MLB)
  • New York Rangers (NHL)
  • New York Red Bulls (MLS)
  • New York Yankees (MLB)

Universities in New York Citytoggle

  • New York University
  • Nyack College
  • Pace University
  • Rockefeller University
  • Wagner College
  • Hunter College
  • Baruch College
  • Brooklyn College
  • City College of New York
  • College of Staten Island

Other considerations when moving to New York City, NY

  • Weather: New York City tends to have chilly and damp winters and rather hot summers. New York City tends to have warm and humid summers with mixes of rain, and very cold, snowy, and windy winters. The city is generally cloudy year-round. Temperatures typically vary from 26°F to 87°F. Temps are rarely below 10°F or above 95°F.
  • 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: New York requires moving companies to have a license and obtain a New York Department of Transportation (NYDOT) number. A NYDOT license ensures your mover is in compliance with the state's safety, insurance, and operational regulations. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a New York moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
  • Moving permits: New York 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 New York. Get started here.
  • Mover's insurance: Every state has their own requirements when it comes to insurance. Choose Released Value Protection for no-cost, minimal coverage from movers. They're responsible for a maximum of 60 cents per pound per article. For comprehensive coverage, discuss alternatives with your moving company 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.

Compare the pros and cons of Illinois vs. New York City, NY

Comparing the pros of Illinois vs. New York City, NY:

There are always a lot of reasons to get excited about living somewhere new. These are the best parts of living in Illinois vs New York City side-by-side.

Pros of living in Illinois Pros of living in New York City, NY
Home of Chicago Ample economic opportunity
Ample economic opportunity Diverse cuisine
Bountiful recreational opportunities Bountiful arts and recreational activities
Delicious food Incredible landmarks
World-class sports culture Abundant entertainment

Comparing the cons of living in Illinois vs. New York City, NY:

Not everything is sunshine and rainbows, these are the things to be aware of when leaving Illinois for New York City.

Cons of living in Illinois Cons of living in New York City, NY
Harsh winter weather Overcrowded
Bad traffic Pollution
High crime rate Terrible traffic
Dull landscape Crime
Strict laws High cost of living

FAQ

How long does a move from Illinois to New York City take?

The time frame for a move from Illinois to New York City, NY, varies based on your moving method and starting location. The actual loading up of your items should not take more than a day, even with DIY moves.

Obviously, the further upstate you are in Illinois, the longer the drive time to New York City will be. If you’re driving a rental truck, the move could be completed in one or two days, on average, depending on your route and how often you stop.

With professional movers or moving containers, delivery times to New York City from Illinois can range from a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the company’s schedule and transit logistics. You can always ask for a general timeline before booking.

How far in advance should I book movers when moving from Illinois to New York City?

Because of the 922-mile move, it’s best to book your move from Illinois to New York City as soon as you have your moving details. Ideally, you’d book your move two to three months ahead of time.

What time of year is the cheapest to move to New York City, NY?

With the summer highs of 84ºF and the winter lows of 26ºF, most people move to New York City from Illinois during the spring and fall months. To avoid competing during those busy moving seasons, you could save some money by booking your move to New York City during summer or winter.

Helpful moving resources