Top Chicago, IL to Seattle, WA Movers

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

1. New City Moving: 5.0 out of 5 stars
2. The Professionals Moving Specialists: 4.86 out of 5 stars
3. H2H Movers Inc: 4.8 out of 5 stars
4. STI Moving & Storage Inc.: 4.9 out of 5 stars
5. Alliance Moving & Storage: 4.8 out of 5 stars

Cost to hire movers from Illinois to Washington

If you're packing up a studio or one-bedroom to move from Illinois to Washington, you can expect prices to land between $1,596 and $5,782. For a two- or three-bedroom space, your costs will usually range from $3,909 to $8,818 for the trip from IL to WA. If you're moving a large four- or five-bedroom home, you're likely looking at a price tag between $7,714 and $13,384.

Cost of moving containers from Illinois to Washington

If you're moving from Illinois to Washington, expect to pay between $1,410 and $3,746 for a small load. For a home with two or three bedrooms, prices typically range from $2,667 up to $5,332. Larger moves of four bedrooms or more can run between $3,655 and $7,563. Check out our guide on PODS cost for more details.

Check out the most affordable moving container companies for your move from Illinois.

Cost of moving truck rentals from Illinois to Washington

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 $1,522 to $2,851. A two to three-bedroom move will cost $1,679 to $3,326, and moving a home with four or more bedrooms or from Illinois to Washington costs around $2,120 to $4,323.

These quotes include the estimated fuel cost.

• Rent prices in Seattle are 3% lower than in Chicago, which means you'll have more money in your pocket each month.
• The home prices in Seattle are 184.7% higher than in Chicago, which could mean saving up before buying a home, taking on a bigger mortgage, or downsizing.
• You're likely to make a higher income living in Seattle, where incomes are, on average, 8.8% higher than in Chicago. Major employers in Seattle include Amazon.com, Starbucks, and Costco Wholesale.
• Be sure to budget for higher bills in Seattle, since the cost of living for a single person in Seattle is 2.5% higher than in Chicago. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• If you're moving your family to Seattle, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Seattle is 5.8% higher than in Chicago.
• The unemployment rate in Seattle is 46.67% lower than in Chicago.
• Sales taxes are the same in Seattle and Chicago.
• One perk of moving to Seattle is paying less in state income taxes, which are 100.00% lower than in Chicago.

• Seattle might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 73% less than Chicago.
• Getting around Seattle without a car might be more difficult than in Chicago. Seattle has a public transportation score of 8 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.
• You'll find Seattle to be about as walkable as Chicago. The two cities have similar walkability scores of 74 and 77 respectively out of 100 in terms of how close housing is to businesses, recreational facilities, and jobs.
• Seattle and Chicago are similarly bike-friendly based on their comparable ratings of 71 and 72 respectively. Bike-friendliness scores between 50 and 100 indicate varying levels of infrastructure to support cyclists, including bike lanes and roadway connectivity. Cities with scores under 50 are considered more car-dependent.
• The crime rate in Seattle 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 58.88 in Seattle, it is 35.19 in Chicago. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a city's crime levels.
• You might find more confidence in your overall safety in Seattle than in Chicago, based on Seattle's safety index of 49.23 versus 33.87 for Chicago. With this index, higher scores indicate more safety, particularly around how comfortable residents feel walking alone during the day and at night.
• The air quality in Seattle 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.

• Weather: Although Seattle has a reputation for frequent rain, the climate in Seattle is very unlikely to affect your move.
• HOA rules: It's a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, it's a good idea to secure a reservation before your moving day.
• Truck parking permits: To avoid fines or delays, check whether a parking permit is needed for your moving truck.
• State licensing: Movers operating within Washington DC city limits are subject to regulation by the Utilities and Transportation Commission, which issues operating permits to household goods moving companies. Before booking, ensure the moving company is officially licensed to handle your move.
• State regulator: To confirm a moving company's license in Washington, visit the state's public utilities commission.
• Moving Permits: While Washington doesn't mandate moving permits, checking local parking guidelines before your move-in day is still a good idea.
• Change of address: We recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move to ensure your mail gets forwarded to Seattle without delay. You can select your official move date when completing the form. Start the process here.
• Moving company insurance: Every state sets its own rules for what insurance moving companies need to maintain. When planning a move in Washington state, explore movers' insurance options for added peace of mind. Many moving companies offer Released Value Protection at no extra cost, covering items at 60 cents per pound. Enhance your protection by discussing Full Value Protection with the moving company or exploring personalized plans with third-party insurance providers. Understand coverage limits, potential extra costs, and read reviews to make an informed decision on your Washington state moving insurance.
• Moving checklist: Our moving checklist gives you the peace of mind that comes with being fully prepared.

Best neighborhoods for singles

• Ballard
• Capitol Hill
• Fremont
• Lower Queen Anne
• South Lake Union

Best neighborhoods for families

• Greenwood
• Laurelhurst
• Magnolia
• Upper Queen Anne
• West Seattle

Things to do in Seattle

Now that you've made the move to Washington it's the perfect time to explore Seattle From local hotspots to hidden gems, there's something to enjoy for every lifestyle:

• Arts and culture: You'll find museums and cultural hubs throughout Seattle, such as the Museum of Popular Culture (MoPOP), Olympic Sculpture Park, National Nordic Museum, Chihuly Garden and Glass, and Museum of Flight.
• Outdoor recreation: The city's Discovery Park, Olympic Sculpture Park, Green Lake Park, and Carkeek 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 Seattle Seahawks (NFL), Seattle Mariners (MLB), Seattle Kraken (NHL), or Seattle Sounders FC (MLS) game.