($515) Movers From Milwaukee, WI to Chicago, IL

Quick answer: A move from Milwaukee to Chicago costs $91–$3,032 and takes one to two 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 93-mile move yourself.

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  • Certified crews
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Each year, 400,000+ people trust our moving recommendations. Here are a few reasons why:

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

The best Milwaukee to Chicago full-service moving companies

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

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
Best customized Plans
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
(844) 950-2963
At A Glance
  • 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
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.8 / 5
At A Glance
  • 30 days storage included
  • Local and long distance moving options
  • Unlimited loading/unloading time
  • Store on property or at a facility
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Most Experienced Mover
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
(866) 835-2392
At A Glance
  • 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

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

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Milwaukee to Chicago will cost between $515 to $2,068. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $970 to $3,032, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from Milwaukee to Chicago will cost from $1,337 to $3,728.

The best moving containers for your Milwaukee to Chicago move

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

Best Nationwide Coverage
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.8 / 5
At A Glance
  • 30 days storage included
  • Local and long distance moving options
  • Unlimited loading/unloading time
  • Store on property or at a facility
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Best value container
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 5 / 5
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At A Glance
  • Long distance moves only
  • Only pay for the space you use
  • No deposit or initial fees
  • Fast delivery time frames
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best for large moves
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Check prices (352) 322-2920
At A Glance
  • Combines affordability of DIY moving with convenience of a truck and driver
  • Only pay for the truck space you use
  • Offers vehicle shipping
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Check prices (352) 322-2920

How much are moving container companies from Milwaukee to Chicago?toggle

Moving containers from Milwaukee to Chicago will cost you $368 to $993 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $743 to $1,352. A larger home will cost $1,008 to $1,755.

The best moving truck rentals for your Milwaukee to Chicago move

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

Best Availability
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.15 / 5
Check prices (800) 468-4285
At A Glance
  • More than 20,000 locations with prominent pricing
  • Rental options include everything from pick-up trucks to 26-foot moving trucks
  • Gentle-Ride Suspension add protection to avoid damaging your items during transit
  • U-Box moving containers available if you don't want to drive
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.3 / 5
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At A Glance
  • Competitive base prices with specialized discounts
  • Round-trip and one-way moves available
  • User-friendly website makes it easy to book the right truck
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How much is a moving truck from Milwaukee to Chicago?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 $90 to $137. A larger move will cost $91 to $152, and a four-bedroom move from Milwaukee to Chicago costs from $113 to $181. These estimates include the anticipated fuel cost.

The best labor-only movers for your Milwaukee to Chicago 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 Milwaukee to Chicago:

Best Labor Only
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Check prices Visit Website
At A Glance
  • First call quoting, get a quote in just a couple of minutes
  • Rates are typically 20-40% lower than the industry averages
  • $1,000 money-back service guarantee
  • Fast and accurate delivery times
  • Free damage coverage with additional coverage options
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Best customer experience
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.3 / 5
(866) 774-5063
At A Glance
  • Quick and easy booking process
  • National 4.75/5 star rating (these guys are good at what they do)
  • Dedicated move concierge specialist
  • Pay as you go service. 2-hour minimum and then prorated down to the minute
  • The time clock starts when the movers arrive and ends when you tell them
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(866) 774-5063

How much does it cost to move from Milwaukee to Chicago?

Milwaukee movers charge $105 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 $515 - $2,068 $368 - $993 $90 - $137
2 - 3 bedrooms $970 - $3,032 $743 - $1,352 $91 - $152
4+ bedrooms $1,337 - $3,728 $1,008 - $1,755 $113 - $181
*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 93 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 Milwaukee to Chicagotoggle

The cost of Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee to Chicago can be as low as $515 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $3,138.
  • Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in Milwaukee, 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 $90 to $168. However, these options require more work and effort compared to hiring professional movers.

What to know before moving from Milwaukee to Chicago

Milwaukee Chicago
Average rent cost $1,250 $2,045
Average home value $200,685 $295,743
Average income (per capita) $49,733 $71,566
Cost of living (single person) $2,022 $1,280
Cost of living (family of 4) $4,963 $4,685
Unemployment rate 7.4% 9.0%
Sales tax 4.9% 10.25%
State income tax 7.65% 4.95%
  • Rent prices in Chicago are 64% higher than in Milwaukee.
  • Home prices in Chicago are 47.4% higher than in Milwaukee.
  • Income in Chicago is 43.9% higher than in Milwaukee.
  • The cost of living for a single person in Chicago is 36.7% lower than in Milwaukee.
  • The cost of living for a family in Chicago is 5.6% lower than in Milwaukee.
  • The unemployment rate in Chicago is 21.62% higher than in Milwaukee.
  • Sales taxes in Chicago are 109.18% higher than in Milwaukee.
  • State income taxes in Chicago are 35.29% lower than in Milwaukee.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $1,899.11 in Chicago to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Milwaukee.

How life is different in Milwaukee vs. Chicago

Chicago Milwaukee
Population 2,746,388 577,222
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 9 8
Walkability score 77 62
Bike friendliness score 72 58
Crime Index 35.19 66.76
Safety Index 33.87 33.24
Air Quality Good Good
  • Chicago's population is about 376% greater than Milwaukee.
  • Chicago's public transportation has a score of 9 out of 10 versus Milwaukee's higher score of 8.
  • Chicago is more walkable than Milwaukee with a score of 77 out of 100 vs Milwaukee's 62 out of 100.
  • Chicago is more bike-friendly than Milwaukee with a score of 72 out of 100 vs Milwaukee's 58.
  • Chicago's crime rate is lower than Milwaukee with a score of 35.19 compared to Milwaukee's 66.76. This means that Chicago neighborhoods are safer than 35.19% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Milwaukee neighborhoods are safer than 66.76%.
  • Chicago is considered to be safer than Milwaukee with a safety index of 33.87 vs Milwaukee's 33.24.
  • Air quality in Chicago is good, and in Milwaukee it's good.

Other things to consider for your Milwaukee vs. Chicago move

  • 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: 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 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 through the state's public utilities commission.
  • 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 Chicago. Get started here.
  • Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of 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: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Where to live in Chicago

Now that you've decided to make the move to "Chi-Town", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Chicago.

Best neighborhoods for singlestoggle

  • Lake View
  • Lincoln Park
  • The Loop
  • Near North Side
  • West Town

Best neighborhoods for familiestoggle

  • Beverly
  • Edison Park
  • Lincoln Park
  • North Center
  • West Loop

Things to do in Chicagotoggle

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

  • Arts and culture: Chicago is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the The Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago History Museum, and Museum of Contemporary Art.
  • Outdoor recreation: The city’s Millennium Park, Grant Park, The 606, and Lincoln Park — 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 Chicago Bears (NFL), Chicago Cubs (MLB), Chicago White Sox (MLB), or Chicago Blackhawks (NHL) game.

FAQ

When is the best time to move from Milwaukee to Chicago?

The best time to move from Milwaukee to Chicago is during the spring or fall. These seasons offer milder weather and avoid higher moving costs during the peak moving season in Milwaukee.

When is the cheapest time to move from Milwaukee to Chicago?

Because most people are moving from Milwaukee to Chicago 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 Milwaukee to Chicago take?

The 93-mile move from Milwaukee, WI, to Chicago, IL, takes one to two days. Some Milwaukee movers may offer expedited moving if you need it faster. If you need more time, ask your mover about storage options in Chicago.

Helpful moving resources