($737) Movers From Wisconsin to Chicago, IL
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: Moving from Wisconsin to Chicago, IL, costs $218 to $3,995 and takes one to two days. How much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the move yourself will affect the overall cost of your 173-mile move.
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Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our moving from Chicago, IL to Wisconsin guide.
The best Wisconsin to Chicago, IL, full-service moving companies
Hiring an interstate moving company from Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin to Chicago.
- Safeway Moving: 4.85 out of 5 stars
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5 stars
- PODS: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- International Van Lines: 4.45 out of 5 stars
- GPS tracking en route
- Veteran-owned
- Dedicated move coordinator
- Flat-rate pricing
- Donates a portion of moves to charity
- 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
- Experienced & fully trained moving crews
- Specializes in moving art & antiques
- Competitive pricing
- Can handle last-minute moves
- Climate-controlled storage
- 30 days storage included
- Local and long distance moving options
- Unlimited loading/unloading time
- Store on property or at a facility
- 10% discount for veterans and seniors
- Very competitive rates due to their national coverage
- Services local, long-distance, and international moves
- Can service most domestic moves within 48 hours
- 24/7 customer service
Cost to hire professional movers from Wisconsin to Chicago
The best moving containers for your Wisconsin to Chicago move
If you want a budget-friendly move without driving a rental truck, moving containers are a great middle-ground option. You handle the packing and loading, while the company takes care of transportation.
Many providers also offer storage options, giving you extra flexibility if your new home isn’t ready yet. It’s an easy way to move at your own pace while skipping the hassle of long-distance driving.
Here are our moving container companies in Wisconsin, that can get your belongings safely to your new home in Chicago, IL:
- 30 days storage included
- Local and long distance moving options
- Unlimited loading/unloading time
- Store on property or at a facility
- Long distance moves only
- Only pay for the space you use
- No deposit or initial fees
- Fast delivery time frames
- Combines affordability of DIY moving with convenience of a truck and driver
- Only pay for the truck space you use
- Offers vehicle shipping
Cost of moving containers from Wisconsin to Chicago
The best moving truck rentals for your Wisconsin to Chicago move
If you don’t mind a little DIY, renting a moving truck is the most affordable way to relocate to Wisconsin to Chicago. You’ll have to handle the packing, loading, and driving — but the upside is you control the timeline from start to finish.
Check out these top-rated truck rental companies in Wisconsin:
- Competitive base prices with specialized discounts
- Round-trip and one-way moves available
- User-friendly website makes it easy to book the right truck
- 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
Cost of moving truck rentals from Wisconsin to Chicago
The best hourly movers for your Wisconsin to Chicago move
Labor-only movers are a great option if you’ve already arranged transportation for your move to Chicago, IL, but want to avoid the strain of moving bulky furniture and heavy boxes on your own.
A moving labor company will provide you with a professional moving crew with enough members to match your move size. They’ll load your items into your moving container or rental truck and you’ll pay them by the hour for their assistance.
We recommend using one of these labor-only moving companies in Wisconsin to make your move faster and easier:
- 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
- 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
How much does it cost to move from Wisconsin to Chicago, IL?
The table below lays out average cost ranges to move from Wisconsin to Chicago for different moving services depending on the size of your home.
Hiring a professional Wisconsin moving company will be on the more expensive side, while renting a truck or a moving container is usually cheaper but requires more work.
| Size of the Move | Moving Company | Moving Container | Rental Truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 Bedroom | $737 - $2,581 | $506 - $1,220 | $200 - $327 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,286 - $3,995 | $972 - $1,817 | $218 - $393 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $1,757 - $4,789 | $1,269 - $2,120 | $257 - $447 |
*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 173 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 Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin, 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.
Use our moveBuddha moving cost calculator to get a more accurate estimate for your moving costs.
Things to know before moving from Wisconsin to Chicago, IL
Cost of living: Wisconsin vs Chicago, IL
| Wisconsin | Chicago | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,100 | $2,045 |
| Average home value | $306,566 | $295,743 |
| Average income (per capita) | $72,458 | $71,566 |
| Unemployment rate | 3% | 9% |
| State income tax | 8% | 5% |
Chicago sources: Zumper, Zillow, Numbeo
- Rent is about 86% more expensive in Chicago than in Wisconsin.
- Home prices are about 4% lower in Chicago than in Wisconsin.
- The average income is about 1% lower in Chicago than in Wisconsin.
- Chicago has a higher unemployment rate than Wisconsin by about 210%.
- Income taxes are 35% lower in Chicago than in Wisconsin.
How life is different in Chicago from Wisconsin
| Chicago | Wisconsin | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,746,388 | 5,910,955 |
| Political leaning | Democrat 74-24 | Republican 51-49 |
| Summer high | 84ºF | 81ºF |
| Winter low | 19ºF | 7ºF |
| Annual rain | 38" | 34" |
| Annual snow | 35" | 48" |
| Crime index | 35.19 | 16.82 |
Chicago sources: Wikipedia, AllTransit, Walk Score, NeighborhoodScout, AirNow
- The population of Chicago is approximately 54% lower than the population of Wisconsin.
- In the last presidential election, Chicago voted Democrat and Wisconsin voted Republican.
- The average high in the summertime in Chicago is 84ºF and in Wisconsin, it’s 81ºF.
- During the coldest part of the year, Chicago reaches the temperature of 19ºF and Wisconsin gets down to 7ºF.
- You can expect about 38 inches of annual rainfall in Chicago vs 34 inches of rainfall in Wisconsin.
- In Chicago, it snows about 35 inches annually vs 48 inches of snow in Wisconsin.
- Chicago has a higher crime rate than Wisconsin with a crime index of 35.19 vs 16.82.
Things 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
Parks in Chicago
Sports Teams in Chicago
Universities in Chicago
Other considerations when 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.
Compare the pros and cons of Wisconsin vs. Chicago, IL
Comparing the pros of Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin vs Chicago side-by-side.
| Pros of living in Wisconsin | Pros of living in Chicago, IL |
|---|---|
| Low cost of living | Bountiful arts and recreational activities |
| High quality of life | Delicious food |
| Abundant outdoor recreational activities | Abundant entertainment |
| Unique tasty food | Intense sports culture |
| Borders great lakes | Ample economic opportunity |
Comparing the cons of living in Wisconsin vs. Chicago, IL:
Not everything is sunshine and rainbows, these are the things to be aware of when leaving Wisconsin for Chicago.
| Cons of living in Wisconsin | Cons of living in Chicago, IL |
|---|---|
| High tax burden | High crime rate |
| Extreme seasonal weather | Temperamental weather |
| Lack of diversity | Terrible traffic |
| Poor roads | High taxes |
| High rate of alcoholism | Pollution |
FAQ
How long does a move from Wisconsin to Chicago take?
The time frame for a move from Wisconsin to Chicago, IL, varies based on your moving method and starting location. The actual loading up of your items should not take more than a day, even with DIY moves.
Obviously, the further upstate you are in Wisconsin, the longer the drive time to Chicago will be. If you’re driving a rental truck, the move could be completed in one or two days, on average, depending on your route and how often you stop.
With professional movers or moving containers, delivery times to Chicago from Wisconsin can range from a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the company’s schedule and transit logistics. You can always ask for a general timeline before booking.
How far in advance should I book movers when moving from Wisconsin to Chicago?
Because of the 173-mile move, it’s best to book your move from Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin during the spring and fall months. To avoid competing during those busy moving seasons, you could save some money by booking your move to Chicago during summer or winter.
