Chicago Moving Cost Calculator
Estimate what your move in or out of Chicago should cost, sized to your actual home and localized to Illinois rates, then compare 68 movers with a Trust Score.
Localized to ChicagoFree, no sign-upNo leads sold
What are you moving?
Select your move type to get started
How much does it cost to move in Chicago?
Moving costs in Chicago sit above the national average. A local move for a three-bedroom home runs $2,400 – $2,750 full-service, or $400 – $850 with a moving container; a one-bedroom is closer to $700 – $850. Local movers bill by the hour for each mover, and the calculator uses about $85 an hour here (MoveAdvisor's guide assumes $80 nationally). A long-distance move out of Chicago (around a thousand miles) for the same household clusters near $4,250 – $8,050. The numbers below are localized to Chicago, then the calculator sizes your actual inventory so you get a figure for your move, not a national average.
Local move · 1-bedroomfull-service
$700 – $850Local move · 3-bedroomfull-service
$2,400 – $2,750Local move · 4-bedroomfull-service
$3,100 – $3,4503-bedroom · moving containeryou load, they drive
$400 – $8503-bedroom · DIY truck rentalbefore fuel
$100 – $200Long-distance move from Chicago~1,000 mi, 3-bedroom
$4,250 – $8,050Local crew rateper mover
$85 / hrRanges are planning estimates, not binding quotes. Localized to Chicago from 2026 industry baselines and adjusted for local labor and cost of living. Use the calculator above to size your actual inventory.
When is the best time to move in Chicago?
The easiest time to book a move in Chicago is October through April. Peak season runs May through September, when crews are busiest, and month-end and weekend dates are the busiest slots in any month. A mid-month weekday off-season gives you the most choice of crews and dates.
What affects moving costs in Chicago?
How much you own
Local Chicago moves are billed by the hour, so volume is the cost: more furniture and boxes mean more crew-hours. Decluttering before you pack is the cheapest way to cut the bill.
Access at both ends
Chicago's three-flats and high-rises drive cost: walk-up stairs on the older housing stock, and downtown towers that require freight-elevator booking and a certificate of insurance.
Move date and season
Peak season (May through September) is the busiest stretch in Chicago. Month-end and summer weekends fill first; a mid-month weekday in October through April is the easiest window to book.
Distance and service tier
Full-service costs the most and takes the least effort; a moving container splits the difference; a DIY truck rental is cheapest if you'll do the lifting. Distance changes the picture: local moves bill by the hour, long-distance moves by weight and mileage.
Top-rated moving companies in Chicago
68 Chicago moving companies, each with a Trust Score built from verified customer signals. Get a written quote and check it against your estimate above.
The Professionals Moving Specialists
Chicago, Illinois
97Trust5.0· 6,609
- Local
- Long-distance
- Packing
Elite Moving & Storage Inc
Lincolnwood, Illinois
94Trust4.7· 1,663
- Local
- Long-distance
- Packing
Run a moving company in Chicago? Claim your free listing. 5 Featured slots open in Chicago.
Chicago moving cost FAQ
How much does it cost to move in Chicago?+
A local move in Chicago typically runs $2,400 – $2,750 full-service for a three-bedroom home, $400 – $850 with a moving container, and less for a one-bedroom (around $700 – $850). Your exact cost depends on how much you own, access at both ends, and the date.
How much do movers charge per hour in Chicago?+
Local movers bill by the hour for each mover. MoveAdvisor's guide assumes about $80 an hour per mover nationally, and the calculator uses about $85 for Chicago. On that arithmetic a three-bedroom home takes about four movers for seven hours. The total depends on how many hours the move takes, which is driven by volume, stairs, and how packed you are when they arrive.
When is the best time to move in Chicago?+
October through April is the easiest window to book, since peak season (May through September) is when crews are busiest. Within any month, a mid-month weekday is easier to book than a month-end weekend.
How many moving companies are in Chicago?+
We currently track 68 moving companies serving Chicago, Illinois, each with a Trust Score built from verified customer signals. Compare them below and check a written quote against the estimate from the calculator.
Is a moving container cheaper than movers in Chicago?+
Usually, yes. A container move in Chicago ($400 – $850 for a three-bedroom home) typically runs less than full-service ($2,400 – $2,750) because you supply the loading labor. You trade money for effort.
How much does a long-distance move from Chicago cost?+
A long-distance move out of Chicago (roughly a thousand miles) runs about $4,250 – $8,050 full-service for a three-bedroom household, less with a container or DIY truck. Cost scales with both your volume and the exact distance.