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How Much Do Movers Cost in Chicago? [2025 Data]
Normal Range: $1,020 - $2,581
Hiring movers in Chicago, Illinois, often costs between $1,020 and $2,581 or more. The average is $1,797, but it depends on how far away you’re moving and how many items you have to move. Call a local mover for an accurate quote.
How we get this data
Photo: Ian Tuttle / Angi
Photo: Ian Tuttle / Angi
Cost Insights
The average movers cost around 5% more in Chicago, Illinois, than the nationwide average.
Homes run smaller in Chicago than they do across the country.
Chicago has a higher cost of living on average, running around 15% more than the national average.
You’ll spend more if your home size requires more movers to get the job done.
Long-distance moves cost more than local moves.
If you’re planning to relocate, you’re probably wondering how much movers cost. Distance and how many items you’re moving both have a major impact on prices. In Chicago, movers cost between $1,020 and $2,581, depending on whether it’s a local move with very few items or a hefty long-distance move. Most people pay $1,797 for movers here.
Movers Cost for Local Moves
A local move in Chicago, Illinois, within a 100-mile radius costs $1,800 on average, or between $1,020 and $2,600. However, prices can fall as low as $250 or go over $11,400 in some cases. For many households, moves occur within state lines and include driving for two hours or less.
Average Hourly Rate for Movers
How much do movers cost per hour? Movers in Chicago charge $85 per hour per mover compared to the national average of $80 per mover per hour. The guide below provides an estimate:
| Number of Movers | Average Cost Per Hour |
|---|---|
| 1 | $85 |
| 2 | $170 |
| 3 | $255 |
| 4 | $340 |
| 5 | $425 |
Home Size
The size of your home is a good method for determining your local moving cost. You can expect the cost to move a one-bedroom home to be significantly less than the cost to move a four-bedroom home, for example, but the amount of belongings—and their weight—also influence that final cost.
Overall, Chicago homes run much smaller than the national average. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, most new homes in the country are 2,100 square feet. Data from Realtor.com shows the average home size for listed homes in Chicago is a little more than 1,750 square feet. This means that anyone moving within Chicago could expect to pay less thanks to smaller homes.
With these variables in mind, below are some estimates based on home size and include two to three movers:
| Home Size | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $260–$735 |
| 2 bedroom | $525–$1,260 |
| 3 bedroom | $945–$2,100 |
| 4 bedroom | $1,260–$3,675 |
| 5 bedroom | $3,150–$4,200 |
Packing Cost
How much do moving companies charge for packing services in Chicago, Illinois? Expect to pay around $1,050 on average, with a range of $300 to $2,300, depending on the home size and number of belongings. Packing service costs include materials like boxes, tape, and padding.
Professional movers in Chicago will come up with a custom quote based on the total square footage and the number of rooms. Keep in mind that packing and unpacking services aren’t automatically included in local moves, so be sure to specify this add-on when making your reservation.
Movers Cost for Long-Distance Moves
The average cost to hire long-distance movers in Chicago, IL, for relocations spanning over 100 miles is anywhere from $2,800 to $10,500 overall. Final costs depend on the size of the load and the distance traveled, plus any moving add-ons you choose.
Moving Cost by Mileage
One primary factor affecting the cost for long-distance moves in Chicago, Illinois, is the mileage traveled. Naturally, further distances equate to higher prices. Here’s what to expect based on how many miles you’re moving and the number of bedrooms.
| Mileage | Cost for 1–2 Bedrooms | Cost for 3–5 Bedrooms |
|---|---|---|
| 250 | $750–$2,600 | $2,100–$6,300 |
| 500 | $1,100–$3,200 | $3,700–$7,900 |
| 1,000 | $1,500–$3,700 | $4,200–$8,400 |
| 2,000+ | $2,100–$6,300 | $6,800–$9,500+ |
Size of Home
The size of your home (by weight) plays a major role in the cost to hire movers for a long-distance move. Below is a rundown of average moving costs by weight and number of rooms:
| Number of Bedrooms | Pounds | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2,000 | $750–$3,200 |
| 2 | 5,000 | $1,100–$6,300 |
| 3 | 9,000 | $1,500–$8,400 |
| 4 | 12,000 | $1,900–$10,500 |
| 5 | 15,000 | $3,200–$12,600 |
| 6 | 18,000 | $4,200–$15,800 |
Weight
Most moving companies will base the cost of your long-distance move on the weight of your household goods, and, no surprise, the heavier the load, the more you can expect to pay. Professional movers charge between $0.50 and $0.80 per pound.
Origin weighing: Movers weigh the moving vehicle before and after loading items to determine the net weight.
Destination weighing: Movers weigh the moving vehicle upon arrival, unload your items, and then weigh the empty truck.
Moving Services Cost
Some moving companies determine the total cost by adding up the individual services they perform on moving day. Because movers offer many services that can affect how much you’ll pay to move your home, you’ll want to have an idea of what services you plan on using and how much they cost. Here’s what you can expect the most common services to cost.
Professional cleaning service: $25–$50 per cleaner per hour or up to $500 for move-out cleaning
Packing supplies: $2–$20 each
Renting a moving truck: $30–$3,500
Loading and unloading service: $45–$80 per hour
Packing and unpacking service: $280–$2,200
Furniture disassembly: $50–$150 per hour
Shipping: $800–$3,000
Moving insurance: $0.60 per pound
Other Cost Factors When Hiring Movers
Many factors impact the cost of moving in Chicago, Illinois, and some may even make your relocation cost more or less than expected. To prepare for movers, consider the following additional cost factors:
Ease of access: Any obstructions in your home that cause inconveniences to the movers, slow down the process, or require more hands will increase the overall price, often by $200 to $500. Obstructions might include narrow staircases, a lack of elevators in a tall building, and more.
Moving date: Moving during peak season, May to September, will cost more due to the extra demand. Moving during the winter, known as the off-season, is less expensive when considering moving company rates.
Tipping movers: Tipping your movers at least 10% and up to 20% of your final bill is strongly encouraged, particularly if you’re working with local movers.
Extra stops: Additional stops will add extra fees for mileage and service.
Permits and fees: You may need to purchase a moving permit to temporarily park your moving vehicle, costing $10 to $80, depending on the area.
Storage: You might need to rent a temporary storage unit while moving, which can cost $20 to $450 per month.
Moving insurance: Meant to protect your items, moving insurance can cost anywhere from $35 to $10,000, depending on which type you choose.
How Angi Gets Its Cost Data
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We survey real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to [email protected]. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
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