($1,121) Movers From Pennsylvania to Chicago
Quick answer: The cost to move from Pennsylvania to Chicago, IL averages from $539 to $5,304 depending on how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the move yourself.
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Hiring a professional Pennsylvania moving company will be on the more expensive side, while renting a truck or a moving container is usually cheaper but requires more work.
Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our moving from Chicago, IL to Pennsylvania guide.
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Moving from Pennsylvania to Chicago, IL resources
In this article, we’ll lay out everything you need to know for your upcoming move from Pennsylvania to Chicago, IL.
But first, here are a few resources if you need immediate answers:
- Best Pennsylvania to Chicago, IL movers: If you plan on hiring a moving company be sure to check out our list of the top movers from Pennsylvania to Chicago, IL.
- How much will your move cost?: Want to narrow down how much your move will cost? Use our moving cost calculator to get more specific price ranges and recommendations on the best companies to use for your move.
- Consider moving containers: Need a more budget-friendly option? With these companies, you load and they drive! These are the best moving container companies.
- Pennsylvania to Chicago, IL car shippers: Moving your car? Use an experienced company that prioritizes professionalism and cares for your vehicle.
Moving 606 miles is no joke. Here's what you need to know.
The best Pennsylvania to Chicago, IL moving companies
Hiring an interstate moving company from Pennsylvania to Chicago 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 Pennsylvania to Chicago.
- Safeway Moving: Best overall value
- Mayzlin Relocation: Best for personalized service
- BLVD Moving: Best for quick quotes
- PODS: Best nationwide coverage
- American Van Lines: Most experienced mover
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If you’re just trying to ship a few items, here our our recommended services for small moves.
What is the average cost to move from Pennsylvania to Chicago, IL?
The table below lays out average cost ranges to move from Pennsylvania to Chicago for different moving services depending on the size of your home.
| Size of the Move | Moving Company | Moving Container | Rental Truck |
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| Studio / 1 Bedroom | $1,121 - $3,444 | $738 - $1,815 | $452 - $861 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,216 - $5,304 | $1,305 - $2,411 | $539 - $1,075 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,713 - $7,389 | $1,811 - $3,149 | $641 - $1,324 |
*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 606 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 Pennsylvania to Chicago, IL 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 Pennsylvania, 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.
How much does it cost to hire professional movers from Pennsylvania to Chicago?
Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Pennsylvania to Chicago will cost between $1,121 to $3,444. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from Pennsylvania to Chicago will range from $2,216 to $5,304, and a large move from Pennsylvania to Chicago will cost from $3,713 to $7,389.
How much are moving containers like PODS from Pennsylvania to Chicago?
Moving containers from Pennsylvania to Chicago will cost you $738 to $1,815 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,305 to $2,411. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $1,811 to $3,149.
Here are the cheapest moving containers for your move to Chicago.
How much is a moving truck from Pennsylvania to Chicago?
A moving rental truck is generally the cheapest option for moving from Pennsylvania to Chicago, 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 $452 to $861. A larger move will cost $539 to $1,075, and a four-bedroom or more move from Pennsylvania to Chicago costs from $641 to $1,324. These estimates include the estimated fuel cost.
Here are the cheapest rental truck companies for your move from Pennsylvania.
Is moving from Pennsylvania to Chicago, IL a good idea?
Cost of living: Pennsylvania vs Chicago, IL
| Pennsylvania | Chicago | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $958 | $1,595 |
| Average home value | $254,802 | $306,098 |
| Average income (per capita) | $73,170 | $65,601 |
| Unemployment rate | 3% | 9% |
| State income tax | 3% | 5% |
Chicago sources: Zumper, Zillow, Numbeo
- Rent is about 66% more expensive in Chicago than in Pennsylvania.
- Home prices are about 20% higher in Chicago than in Pennsylvania.
- The average income is about 10% lower in Chicago than in Pennsylvania.
- Chicago has a higher unemployment rate than Pennsylvania by about 165%.
- Income taxes are 61% higher in Chicago than in Pennsylvania.
How is life different in Chicago from Pennsylvania?
| Chicago | Pennsylvania | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,746,388 | 12,964,056 |
| Political leaning | Democrat 74-24 | Democratic 50-49 |
| Summer high | 84ºF | 83ºF |
| Winter low | 19ºF | 19ºF |
| Annual rain | 38" | 44" |
| Annual snow | 35" | 38" |
| Crime index | 35.19 | 19.07 |
Chicago sources: Wikipedia, AllTransit, Walk Score, NeighborhoodScout, AirNow
- The population of Chicago is approximately 79% lower than the population of Pennsylvania.
- In the last presidential election, Chicago voted Democrat and Pennsylvania voted Democratic.
- The average high in the summertime in Chicago is 84ºF and in Pennsylvania, it’s 83ºF.
- During the coldest part of the year, Chicago reaches the temperature of 19ºF and Pennsylvania gets down to 19ºF.
- You can expect about 38 inches of annual rainfall in Chicago vs 44 inches of rainfall in Pennsylvania.
- In Chicago, it snows about 35 inches annually vs 38 inches of snow in Pennsylvania.
- Chicago has a higher crime rate than Pennsylvania with a crime index of 35.19 vs 19.07.
Considerations for moving to Chicago, IL
- Weather: Although Chicago gets less snowfall than surrounding areas in the Midwest and the Great Lakes region, heavy snowfall could still affect your move in the wintertime.
- 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: In Illinois, regulations on in-state moves and local movers are set forth by the Illinois Commerce Commission. To move household goods locally and intrastate, companies need to have a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity, so make sure the companies you’re considering have one and that it’s current. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
- State regulator: You can verify a Illinois moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
- Moving permits: Illinois 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 Illinois. Get started here.
- Mover's insurance: Every state has their own requirements when it comes to insurance. Choose cost-free Released Value Protection from movers for basic coverage at 60 cents per pound. For more extensive protection matching your items' full value, consult your moving company for alternative options 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.
Looking for local Pennsylvania movers?
| Company | Quote | Rating | Contact |
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1074 East Main Street , Mount Joy, PA, 17552 (717) 492-4155 |
| College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | Get A Quote |
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1101 William Flynn Highway, Glenshaw, PA, 15116 (336) 810-1801 |
| Gardner Moving | Get A Quote |
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757 Millers Run Rd, McDonald, PA, 15057 (412) 257-4443 |
Visit our best movers in Pennsylvania page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.
Comparing the pros of Pennsylvania vs. Chicago, IL:
There are always a lot of reasons to get excited about living somewhere new. These are the best parts of living in Pennsylvania vs Chicago side-by-side.
| Pros of living in Pennsylvania | Pros of living in Chicago, IL |
|---|---|
| Low cost of living | Bountiful arts and recreational activities |
| Abundant fun and recreational activities | Delicious food |
| Beautiful landscapes | Abundant entertainment |
| Ample economic opportunity | Intense sports culture |
| Excellent education options | Ample economic opportunity |
Comparing the cons of living in Pennsylvania vs. Chicago, IL:
Not everything is sunshine and rainbows, these are the things to be aware of when leaving Pennsylvania for Chicago.
| Cons of living in Pennsylvania | Cons of living in Chicago, IL |
|---|---|
| Harsh winter weather | High crime rate |
| Bad driving conditions | Temperamental weather |
| Nuclear power plants | Terrible traffic |
| Unpredictable weather | High taxes |
| High taxes on gasoline | Pollution |
Need a local Chicago mover?
| Company | Quote | Rating | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
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3201 Tollview Drive, Rolling Meadows, IL, 60008 (847) 378-4949 |
| New City Moving | Get A Quote |
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2929 N Campbell Ave, Chicago, IL, 60618 (773) 489-0600 |
| The Professionals Moving Specialists | Get A Quote |
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3918 N Western Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60618 (888) 225-7351 |
Visit our best movers in Chicago page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.
What to do in Chicago?
Whether you’re looking for parks, museums, sports, or even universities, you’ll be happy to find a plethora of these in Chicago.
Museums in Chicago
- The Field Museum
- Shedd Aquarium
- Art Institute of Chicago
- Chicago History Museum
- Museum of Contemporary Art
- Museum of Contemporary Photography
- Museum of Science and Industry
- Smart Museum of Art
- The Oriental Institute Museum
- Adler Planetarium
- DuSable Museum of African American History
- The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
- National Museum of Mexican Art
Parks in Chicago
- Millennium Park
- Grant Park
- The 606
- Lincoln Park
- Garfield Park
- Jackson Park
- Maggie Daley Park
- South Shore Cultural Center Park
- Humboldt Park
- Douglass Park
Sports Teams in Chicago
- Chicago Bears (NFL)
- Chicago Cubs (MLB)
- Chicago White Sox (MLB)
- Chicago Blackhawks (NHL)
- Chicago Bulls (NBA)
- Chicago Fire (MLS)
- Chicago Sky (WNBA)
Universities in Chicago
- Chicago State University
- Governors State University
- Northeastern Illinois University
- Northern Illinois University
- University of Illinois at Chicago
- Aurora University
- Benedictine University
- Concordia University Chicago
- DePaul University
- Dominican University
- East–West University
- Elmhurst University
- Illinois Institute of Technology
- Judson University
- Kendall College
- Lewis University
- Loyola University Chicago
- Midwestern University
- National Louis University
- National University of Health Sciences
- North Park University
- Northwestern University
- Resurrection University
- Roosevelt University
- Saint Xavier University
- Trinity International University
- University of Chicago
- University of St. Francis
- University of Saint Mary of the Lake
FAQs
How far in advance should I book movers when moving from Pennsylvania to Chicago?
Because of the 606-mile move, it’s best to book your move from Pennsylvania to Chicago 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 Chicago, IL?
With the summer highs of 84ºF and the winter lows of 19ºF, most people move to Chicago from Pennsylvania during the spring and fall months. To avoid competing during those busy seasons, you could save some money by booking your move to Chicago during summer or winter.
Where can I find a list of long-distance moving companies from Chicago?
Check out our full breakdown of the best long-distance movers in Chicago.
Related articles to your move
Learn more about Chicago, IL
- What is the cost to move in Chicago?
- What is the cost to move to Illinois?
- Chicago Nightlife: Living it Up in the Windy City
- Chicago, IL: Surrounding Suburbs Guide
- What’s the cost of living in Chicago, IL?
- Chicago, IL: Surrounding Neighborhood Guide
- Moving to Chicago: What To Know and How To Make the Move
- Best moving companies in Illinois
