Planning a move from Atlanta to Chicago? Real cost ranges ($1,123–$7,598), top mover reviews, cost of living data, and neighborhood tips for the 717-mile route.
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If you're moving from Atlanta to Chicago, you already know the basics: 717 miles, one full day of driving if you're hauling your own stuff, and a city on the other end that's significantly more expensive than the one you're leaving. What you probably need help with is figuring out which movers actually handle this route well, what the move will realistically cost, and what to budget for once you land.
That's what this guide covers. I'll also walk through the cost-of-living numbers in detail — because they matter more than most people realize before making this move.
Finding an Atlanta-based mover that genuinely specializes in long-distance moves — not just local jobs with an interstate checkbox — takes some digging. I reviewed 49 Atlanta movers offering interstate service, scoring them on price, customer reviews, and reliability on routes like this one. These five came out on top for the Atlanta–Chicago corridor.
All five are local operators that handle interstate work. If you'd rather get a quote from a dedicated interstate carrier alongside your local options, SafeShip Moving is one I'd point people toward for long-haul moves like this one.
4.6 / 5 | 368 Yelp reviews · 64 Google reviews · BBB: A+
65% positive · 32% negative
1244 Techwood Dr, Atlanta, GA 30318 | (770) 849-9602 | State license #8292 | DOT #797586 | 26 years in business
Also operates as: Georgia Peach Movers
Atlanta Peach Movers earns consistent praise for crew professionalism and careful handling — reviewers point to polite staff, clear communication, and moves that run efficiently without cutting corners on furniture protection. That combination shows up more reliably in positive reviews than it does with comparable Atlanta companies.
The 32% negative figure is the thing to watch. Repeated complaints include property damage, difficulty reaching anyone after something breaks, and claims processes that stall without resolution. If your move goes smoothly, you'll likely be happy. If something gets damaged, plan for a frustrating follow-up.
Services: Local · Interstate · International · Packing/Unpacking · Pianos · Pool Tables · Art · Antiques · Crating · Full-valuation coverage · Storage
4.7 / 5 | 209 Yelp reviews · 707 Google reviews · BBB: A+
86% positive · 14% negative
1700 Oakbrook Dr, Suite A, Norcross, GA 30093 | (770) 799-2596 | State license #8948 | DOT #3306591 | ~$125/hr | 9 years in business
Zip leads Atlanta competitors on efficiency. Out of 437 reviews, 86% are positive — customers highlight fast moves without damage, transparent quotes, and crews that frequently finish ahead of schedule. The booking process draws specific praise: clear pricing with no surprises at sign-up.
That said, 14% had real problems. Damaged belongings, unexpected charges on the final bill, and unresponsive claims support show up repeatedly in negative reviews. Zip does better than most on the front end; where it stumbles is when something goes wrong after the job is done. Read the contract carefully, especially around binding vs. non-binding estimate language and any add-on services.
Services: Local · Interstate · Packing/Unpacking · Pianos · Art · Antiques · Crating · Full-valuation coverage · Storage · Fragile-only packing
4.5 / 5 | 105 Yelp reviews · BBB: A+
95% positive · 4% negative
1130 Donald Lee Hollowell Pkwy NW, Atlanta, GA 30318 | (404) 668-0677 | State license #500181 | 19 years in business
Also operates as: 24/7 Moving Services, LLC
A 95% positive rate across 337 reviews is genuinely unusual in this industry. The pattern in the positives is consistent: careful crews, real professionalism, and communication that holds all the way through the move. Customers describe movers who stay friendly under pressure and track every detail.
Complaints are isolated rather than systemic — occasional property damage, rare cost surprises, one-off attitude issues. One important note: 24/7's listed services skew toward local and packing work. Confirm explicitly that they can handle an interstate run to Chicago before you commit.
Services: Local · Packing · Offices · Art · Antiques · Crating · Storage · Fragile-only packing
4.6 / 5 | 51 Yelp reviews · 198 Google reviews · BBB: A+
77% positive · 21% negative
6950 Business Court, Atlanta, GA 30340 | (770) 368-0368 | State license #206366 | DOT #1170867 | 39 years in business
Also operates as: Armstrong Relocation, Armstrong Companies
Nearly four decades in business means Armstrong has handled its share of complex moves. About 77% of reviewers credit the coordinators' communication, efficient crews, and the company's flexibility when schedules shift — all of which matter on a long-haul move with a lot of moving parts.
The 21% negative share is higher than most top-tier competitors. Recurring issues include item damage, missed delivery windows, and slow claims resolution. Some customers also report specific crew members being unprofessional, and a few describe missing or destroyed items with no satisfactory response. Armstrong can perform well — particularly if you connect with a good coordinator — but the downside risk here is real enough to factor in.
Services: Local · Interstate · International · Packing/Unpacking · Pianos · Art · Antiques · Storage · Fragile-only packing · Offices
4.5 / 5 | 34 Yelp reviews · 1,206 Google reviews · BBB: B−
88% positive · 12% negative
3014 Shallowford Rd, Atlanta, GA 30341 | (678) 276-6044 | State license #8782 | DOT #3154107 | 7 years in business
Falcon's 1,200+ Google reviews give you a meaningful data set, and the picture is mostly good. Customers note organized, professional crews with strong communication from booking through follow-up. Pricing typically matches the quote, and the combination of speed and care for belongings shows up as a consistent theme.
Negatives cluster around damaged furniture, cost estimates that jump at final billing, and slow insurance claim resolution. The B− BBB rating is worth a direct conversation when you're getting your quote — ask specifically about their process if something gets damaged. For most customers, Falcon performs well, and the volume of repeat business backs that up.
Services: Local · Interstate · Packing/Unpacking · Pianos · Crating · Full-valuation coverage · Storage · Offices
Movers in Georgia charge around $139 per hour on average. For this 717-mile route, here's what to expect across service types:
| Move Size | Full-Service Movers | Moving Containers | Rental Truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,123 – $3,573 | $695 – $1,667 | $479 – $872 |
| 2 – 3 bedrooms | $2,259 – $5,702 | $1,202 – $2,428 | $548 – $1,100 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,813 – $7,598 | $1,660 – $3,154 | $627 – $1,373 |
Pricing current as of January 2026. Final cost varies based on shipment weight, access conditions, optional services, fuel, and timing. Collect quotes from multiple companies before committing.
Use the MoveFinders moving cost calculator to get a personalized estimate before reaching out to movers.
A studio or one-bedroom move will typically run $1,123 to $3,573. Two- and three-bedroom homes generally land in the $2,259 to $5,702 range on this route. For larger households — four bedrooms and up — budget $3,813 to $7,598. Weight, access conditions at both ends, and any add-on services drive most of the variance within those ranges.
If you want professional transport without paying for a full crew, moving containers are worth a look for this distance. A studio or one-bedroom typically costs $695 to $1,667. Two- to three-bedroom homes run $1,202 to $2,428. Four-bedroom-plus loads fall in the $1,660 to $3,154 range. You pack on your own schedule; the container company does the driving.
For the most affordable moving options on this route, comparing container companies alongside full-service movers is one of the better ways to find real savings.
A rental truck is the cheapest way to get from Atlanta to Chicago in dollars — but you're doing all the loading, driving, and unloading yourself. Studio and one-bedroom moves typically run $479 to $872; two- to three-bedrooms land in the $548 to $1,100 range; four-bedroom-plus homes run $627 to $1,373. Estimated fuel costs are already included in those figures.
That's 11+ hours of highway driving, after you've packed a truck. Factor in your time and physical reality when you're comparing DIY against the cost of hiring a crew.
Here's the honest bottom line: Chicago costs more to live in than Atlanta. Expect to spend roughly 16% more per month as a single person and about 18% more as a family. That's not trivial, and it's worth building into your budget planning before you sign a lease.
| Atlanta | Chicago | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $1,810 | $2,368 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $3,039 | $4,581 |
| Average home value | $388,167 | $295,743 |
| Average per capita income | $66,107 | $71,566 |
| Cost of living (single) | $3,134 | $3,648 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $7,822 | $9,266 |
| Unemployment rate | 6.0% | 9.0% |
| Sales tax | 8.9% | 10.25% |
| State income tax | 5.49% | 4.95% |
Sources: World Population Review, Zillow, U.S. Census Bureau, BLS, Tax Foundation
Here's what those numbers mean in practice:
Here's how daily costs compare in more detail:
| Expense | Atlanta | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $200.80 | $191.26 |
| Cell phone plan | $57.65 | $61.10 |
| Dozen eggs | $4.13 | $4.52 |
| Loaf of bread | $3.96 | $4.15 |
| Fast-food / casual meal | $20.00 | $25.00 |
| Dinner for two (mid-range) | $90.00 | $100.00 |
| Gym membership | $46.00 | $78.31 |
One outlier worth noting: basic utilities run lower in Chicago than Atlanta. Everything else — food, dining, fitness — runs higher.
| Atlanta | Chicago | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 498,715 | 2,746,388 |
| Transit score | 8 / 10 | 9 / 10 |
| Walkability score | 48 / 100 | 77 / 100 |
| Bike-friendliness score | 42 / 100 | 72 / 100 |
| Crime index | 64.23 | 35.19 |
| Safety index | 35.77 | 33.87 |
| Air quality | Moderate | Good |
Sources: Wikipedia, AllTransit, Walk Score, NeighborhoodScout, AirNow
Chicago's walkability (77 vs. 48) and bike-friendliness (72 vs. 42) are dramatically higher than Atlanta's. If you're coming from Atlanta's car-dependent layout, the shift in how you get around will be noticeable within the first week. Chicago also scores better on air quality. And despite the city's reputation, Chicago's crime index (35.19) is considerably lower than Atlanta's (64.23). Both cities have similar safety index scores overall.
Chicago's population is roughly 5.5 times Atlanta's. You'll feel that in density, transit frequency, and the general pace of daily life.
Chicago has real neighborhood variety. The best fit depends on your lifestyle and stage of life.
Once you're settled, Chicago rewards time spent exploring it. A few places to start:
Spring and fall. Weather is manageable for the drive, and moving rates in Atlanta are lower outside of summer peak. If you can avoid June through August, you'll have better mover availability and more negotiating room on price.
Winter. Demand drops and rates follow. The trade-off is weather — a 717-mile Midwest drive in January requires real planning. But if budget is the top priority, late winter will get you the best pricing. If you're headed the other direction at some point, check out our Chicago to Atlanta moving guide for that route's specifics.
Expect one to six days depending on shipment size and whether your mover offers expedited delivery. Some Atlanta movers provide faster service for an additional fee; Chicago storage is a reasonable fallback if your new place isn't ready. If a specific delivery window matters, ask about it explicitly when comparing quotes — don't assume it's included by default.
Among the Atlanta movers we track, three offer military pricing and three extend senior discounts. Discount amounts and eligibility vary, so confirm the specifics directly with each company before you book rather than assuming it applies automatically.
Specialty moves need the right equipment and experience. In Atlanta, 31 companies handle piano transport and 28 specialize in antiques. Across Georgia, those numbers grow to 54 piano movers and 39 antique specialists. Always confirm specialty experience and ask specifically about insurance coverage for high-value items before signing anything.
Compare quotes and run your numbers before committing to this route: moving cost calculator · long-distance movers · Georgia movers · Illinois movers · moving checklist
