($1,184) Movers From Chicago, IL to San Antonio, TX

Quick answer: A move from Chicago to San Antonio costs $827–$6,422 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 1,199-mile move yourself.

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Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from San Antonio to Chicago guide.

The best Chicago to San Antonio full-service moving companies

Choosing a long-distance moving company in Chicago to go to San Antonio 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 San Antonio.

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
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(866) 835-2392
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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) 835-2392
Best for high-end moves
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.6 / 5
(703) 972-1772
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  • White-glove handling of fragile & high-end items
  • Guaranteed pickup & delivery
  • $250 deposit for interstate moves
  • Mobile app with 24/7 customer service
  • Financing available
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(703) 972-1772
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(844) 950-2963
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  • 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

How much are professional moving companies when moving from Chicago to San Antonio?toggle

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Chicago to San Antonio will cost between $1,184 to $4,675. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $2,732 to $6,422, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from Chicago to San Antonio will cost from $4,445 to $7,994.

The best moving containers for your Chicago to San Antonio move

Moving containers can be a cost-effective option for moving from Chicago to San Antonio. 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:

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  • Unlimited storage
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  • Affordable pricing
  • Offers car shipping
  • No hidden fees

How much are moving container companies from Chicago to San Antonio?toggle

Moving containers from Chicago to San Antonio will cost you $876 to $2,251 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,551 to $3,272. A larger home will cost $2,143 to $4,160.

The best moving truck rentals for your Chicago to San Antonio move

If you want to save even more money on your Chicago to San Antonio 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:

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  • Affordable pricing
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  • Several discounts
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  • Most expensive
  • 4 truck sizes
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How much is a moving truck from Chicago to San Antonio?toggle

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 $742 to $1,429. A larger move will cost $827 to $1,734, and a four-bedroom move from Chicago to San Antonio costs from $1,050 to $2,030. These estimates include the anticipated fuel cost.

The best labor-only movers for your Chicago to San Antonio 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 San Antonio:

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How much does it cost to move from Chicago to San Antonio?

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 $1,184 - $4,675 $876 - $2,251 $742 - $1,429
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,732 - $6,422 $1,551 - $3,272 $827 - $1,734
4+ bedrooms $4,445 - $7,994 $2,143 - $4,160 $1,050 - $2,030
*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 1,199 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.

Factors influencing moving costs from Chicago to San Antoniotoggle

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 San Antonio can be as low as $1,184 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $6,916.
  • 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 $742 to $1,858. However, these options require more work and effort compared to hiring professional movers.

What to know before moving from Chicago to San Antonio

Chicago San Antonio
Average rent cost $2,045 $1,496
Average home value $295,743 $249,398
Average income (per capita) $71,566 $62,451
Cost of living (single person) $1,280 $2,194
Cost of living (family of 4) $4,685 $4,931
Unemployment rate 9.0% 3.8%
Sales tax 10.25% 8.25%
State income tax 4.95% 0.0%
  • Rent prices in San Antonio are 27% lower than in Chicago.
  • Home prices in San Antonio are 15.7% lower than in Chicago.
  • Income in San Antonio is 12.7% lower than in Chicago.
  • The cost of living for a single person in San Antonio is 71.4% higher than in Chicago.
  • The cost of living for a family in San Antonio is 5.3% higher than in Chicago.
  • The unemployment rate in San Antonio is 57.78% lower than in Chicago.
  • Sales taxes in San Antonio are 19.51% lower than in Chicago.
  • State income taxes in San Antonio are 100.00% lower than in Chicago.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $5,142.19 in San Antonio to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Chicago.

How life is different in Chicago vs. San Antonio

San Antonio Chicago
Population 1,434,625 2,746,388
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 6 9
Walkability score 37 77
Bike friendliness score 45 72
Crime Index 48.06 35.19
Safety Index 51.94 33.87
Air Quality Moderate Good
  • San Antonio's population is about 48% less than Chicago.
  • San Antonio's public transportation has a score of 6 out of 10 versus Chicago's lower score of 9.
  • San Antonio is less walkable than Chicago with a score of 37 out of 100 vs Chicago's 77 out of 100.
  • San Antonio is less bike-friendly than Chicago with a score of 45 out of 100 vs Chicago's 72.
  • San Antonio's crime rate is higher than Chicago with a score of 48.06 compared to Chicago's 35.19. This means that San Antonio neighborhoods are safer than 48.06% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Chicago neighborhoods are safer than 35.19%.
  • San Antonio is considered to be safer than Chicago with a safety index of 51.94 vs Chicago's 33.87.
  • Air quality in San Antonio is moderate, and in Chicago it's good.

Other things to consider for your Chicago vs. San Antonio move

  • Weather: San Antonio has mild winters and hot summers, the rainiest months are typically May, June, and October so your move may be affected in these 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: In-state movers operating in the Lone Star State are legally required to be licensed by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TXDMV), which issues 10-digit TXDMV numbers to commercial carriers. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Texas moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
  • Moving permits: Texas 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 San Antonio. Get started here.
  • Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. In Texas, movers typically provide Released Value Protection at no additional cost, covering items at 60 cents per pound. For enhanced protection, consider discussing Full Value Protection options with the moving company. Alternatively, explore third-party insurance providers for customized plans. It's crucial to understand coverage limits, potential additional costs, and read reviews to make an informed decision about your moving insurance in Texas.
  • Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Where to live in San Antonio

Now that you've decided to make the move to "Alamo City", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in San Antonio.

Best neighborhoods for singlestoggle

  • Alamo Heights
  • Downtown
  • Tobin Hill
  • Monte Vista

Best neighborhoods for familiestoggle

  • Alamo Heights
  • Great Northwest
  • Northwest Crossing
  • Oak Park-Northwood
  • Terrell Hills

Things to do in San Antoniotoggle

After settling into your new Texas home, you’ll want to branch out and explore your new city. Luckily, San Antonio has lots to offer, no matter what you’re interested in:

  • Arts and culture: San Antonio is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the The Alamo, Witte Museum, The DoSeum - San Antonio's Museum for Kids, Briscoe Western Art Museum, and McNay Art Museum.
  • Outdoor recreation: The city’s Brackenridge Park, Phil Hardberger park, Japanese Tea Garden, and Mercado O'liva — among other sites — are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.
  • Sports: Catch a live game and cheer on the home team at an UTSA Roadrunners American football, San Antonio Spurs Basketball, San Antonio Missions, or San Antonio FC game.

FAQ

When is the best time to move from Chicago to San Antonio?

The best time to move from Chicago to San Antonio 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 San Antonio?

Because most people are moving from Chicago to San Antonio 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 San Antonio take?

The 1,199-mile move from Chicago, IL, to San Antonio, TX, 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 San Antonio.

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