($1,079) Moving from Chicago to Philadelphia
Quick answer: A move from Chicago to Philadelphia costs $596 to $5,328 and takes two-seven 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 759-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 Philadelphia to Chicago guide.
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The best Chicago to Philadelphia moving companies
Hiring an interstate moving company to go from Chicago to Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia.
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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 Philadelphia?
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 | $1,079 - $3,723 | $759 - $1,841 | $537 - $960 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,256 - $5,328 | $1,381 - $2,764 | $596 - $1,164 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,544 - $7,133 | $1,779 - $3,257 | $690 - $1,483 |
Factors influencing moving costs from Chicago to Philadelphia
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 Philadelphia can be as low as $1,079 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $6,376.
- 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 $537 to $1,307. However, these options require more work and effort compared to hiring professional movers.
How much are professional moving companies when moving from Chicago to Philadelphia?
Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Chicago to Philadelphia will cost between $1,079 to $3,723. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $2,256 to $5,328, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from Chicago to Philadelphia will cost from $3,544 to $7,133.
How much are moving container companies from Chicago to Philadelphia?
Moving containers from Chicago to Philadelphia will cost you $759 to $1,841 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,381 to $2,764. A larger home will cost $1,779 to $3,257.
How much is a moving truck from Chicago to Philadelphia?
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 $537 to $960. A larger move will cost $596 to $1,164, and a four-bedroom move from Chicago to Philadelphia costs from $690 to $1,483. These estimates include the anticipated fuel cost.
Pros and cons of moving from Chicago to Philadelphia
Cost of living: Chicago vs Philadelphia
| Chicago | Philadelphia | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,595 | $1,695 |
| Average home value | $306,098 | $214,422 |
| Average income (per capita) | $65,601 | $68,961 |
| Cost of Living (single person) | $1,001 | $2,571 |
| Cost of Living (family of 4) | $3,584 | $5,886 |
| Unemployment rate | 9.0% | 10.6% |
| Sales Tax | 10.25% | 8.0% |
| State Income Tax | 4.95% | 3.07% |
- Rent prices in Philadelphia are 6% higher than in Chicago.
- Home prices in Philadelphia are 29.9% lower than in Chicago.
- Income in Philadelphia is 5.1% higher than in Chicago.
- The cost of living for a single person in Philadelphia is 156.8% higher than in Chicago.
- The cost of living for a family in Philadelphia is 64.2% higher than in Chicago.
- The unemployment rate in Philadelphia is 17.78% higher than in Chicago.
- Sales taxes in Philadelphia are 21.95% lower than in Chicago.
- State income taxes in Philadelphia are 37.98% lower than in Chicago.
To put this into perspective, you would need around $7,705.29 in Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia?
| Philadelphia | Chicago | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,603,797 | 2,746,388 |
| AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 9 | 9 |
| Walkability score | 75 | 77 |
| Bike friendliness score | 67 | 72 |
| Crime Index | 34.66 | 35.19 |
| Safety Index | 34.1 | 33.87 |
| Air Quality | Good | Good |
- Philadelphia's population is about 42% less than Chicago.
- Philadelphia's public transportation has a similar score to Chicago.
- Philadelphia is less walkable than Chicago with a score of 75 out of 100 vs Chicago's 77 out of 100.
- Philadelphia is less bike-friendly than Chicago with a score of 67 out of 100 vs Chicago's 72.
- Philadelphia's crime rate is lower than Chicago with a score of 34.66 compared to Chicago's 35.19. This means that Philadelphia neighborhoods are safer than 34.66% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Chicago neighborhoods are safer than 35.19%.
- Philadelphia is considered to be safer than Chicago with a safety index of 34.1 vs Chicago's 33.87.
- Air quality in Philadelphia is good, and in Chicago it's good.
Considerations for moving to Philadelphia
- Weather: Philadelphia has hot and muggy summers and the fall and spring are generally mild, and winter is moderately cold. If you are planning a summer move make sure to check the weather to avoid overall humid and hot days,
- 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: For decades movers In Pennsylvania were regulated by the Public Utility Commission (PUC). Each company was issued a PUC Number and was required to abide by a universal publicly published tariff that established the rates movers could charge for various services. Now, some sources claim that the PUC no longer regulates in-state movers, and it appears as though the PUC’s website is no longer functioning. So if you’re moving within Pennsylvania, you’ll want to address these issues with your moving company representative and if possible, contact the state directly. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
- State regulator: You can verify a Pennsylvania moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving permits: Pennsylvania 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 Philadelphia. Get started here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. In Pennsylvania, movers typically offer Released Value Protection at no extra cost, covering items at 60 cents per pound. For more comprehensive coverage, inquire about Full Value Protection with the moving company, or explore third-party insurance options for tailored plans. Consider coverage limits, additional costs, and reviews before making a decision.
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
most popular
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Get A Quote |
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3918 N Western Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60618 (888) 225-7351 |
| H2H Movers Inc | Get A Quote |
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4250 N Marine Dr Aparment #1136, Chicago, IL, 60613 (773) 236-8797 |
| New City Moving | Get A Quote |
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2929 N Campbell Ave, Chicago, IL, 60618 (773) 489-0600 |
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 Philadelphia
Now that you've decided to make the move to "Philly", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Philadelphia.
Best neighborhoods for singles:
- Cedar Park
- Fishtown
- Manayunk
- Point Breeze
- Washington Square West
Best neighborhoods for families:
- Bella Vista
- Bustleton
- Chestnut Hill
- Fitler Square/Rittenhouse Square (City Center West)
- Foxchase
- Roxborough
What to do in Philadelphia
These are some of the best things to do in your new Pennsylvania home.
- Independence National Historical Park
- Philadelphia Museum of Art
- Eastern State Penitentiary
- Philadelphia Zoo
- Reading Terminal Market
- Please Touch Museum
- Betsy Ross House
- Franklin Square
- Center City Shopping and LOVE Park
- UPenn (The University of Pennsylvania)
- South Street
- Philadelphia Magic Gardens
- Philadelphia Sports Tailgate
- Italian Market
- Chinatown
- Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest and Winterfest
- Barnes Foundation
- Spruce Street Harbor Park
- The Franklin Institute
- Breweries
- Cheesesteaks
- Mutter Museum
- Chestnut Hill
- Wissahickon
- Frankford Ave/Fishtown
Get your sports on!
Philadelphia is a great sports town, these are the local teams to support:
- Philadelphia 76ers (NBA)
- Philadelphia Eagles (NFL)
- Philadelphia Flyers (NHL)
- Philadelphia Phillies (MLB)
- Philadelphia Union (MLS)
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Chicago to Philadelphia?
The best time to move from Chicago to Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia?
Because most people are moving from Chicago to Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia take?
The 759-mile move from Chicago, IL, to Philadelphia, PA, takes two-seven 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 Philadelphia.
