What it actually costs to move from Garland, TX to Illinois, the top local movers to consider, and the real cost-of-living trade-offs you'll face.
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If you're in Garland and Illinois is next on the map, you're looking at roughly 786 miles and a move that brings real trade-offs — cheaper rent on one side, a state income tax bill you didn't have before on the other. Before you lock anyone in, get a working number with our moving cost calculator so the quotes you receive actually mean something.
Below I've covered the movers I'd look at for this route, what each service type will actually run you, and what the lifestyle and financial shift looks like when you land.
Out of 66 Garland-area companies that handle interstate moves, these five stand out for a move to Illinois:
Address: 12011 Denton Dr., Dallas, TX 75234 Phone: (972) 805-0988 DOT #: 2038052 | State License: 006519926C | In Business: 14 years
Reviews: 4.8 / 5 — 17 Yelp reviews | 945 Google reviews | BBB: A+
92% positive across 251 reviews. Customers consistently describe fast, organized crews, careful handling, and communication that doesn't fade after the quote. The crews reportedly hustle without getting careless — which matters on a haul this length. The recurring complaints center on damage claims and insurance handling, particularly on longer jobs. If you're moving valuable or fragile items to Illinois, press them specifically on how claims are processed before you sign.
Services: Local, interstate, and international moves; packing/unpacking; pianos, hot tubs, pool tables, art, antiques, safes; crating; storage; full-valuation coverage
Address: 1701 Summit Ave Suite 8, Plano, TX 75074 Phone: (214) 644-6683 DOT #: 1939700 | State License: 000571862B | In Business: 24 years
Reviews: 4.7 / 5 — 670 Yelp reviews | 7,787 Google reviews | BBB: A+
Nearly 70% positive across 867 reviews — the volume alone tells you AB Moving handles a lot of jobs. Most customers praise efficient, respectful crews with good communication from quote through delivery. Transparent pricing and consistent professionalism come up repeatedly. The concern: about 29% of reviewers flag damaged items, delayed crews, or final bills running higher than quoted. That estimate-vs.-actual-cost gap is the thing I'd push hardest on before booking a 786-mile move.
Services: Local, interstate, and international moves; packing/unpacking; pianos, hot tubs, pool tables, art, antiques, grandfather clocks; crating; shipment tracking; full-valuation coverage; storage; fragile-only packing; safes
Address: 11884 Greenville Ave #100A, Dallas, TX 75243 Phone: (682) 651-5505 DOT #: 2467590 | State License: 006779351C | In Business: 11 years
Reviews: 4.5 / 5 — 50 Yelp reviews | 867 Google reviews | BBB: A+
96% positive across 271 reviews — as clean a record as you'll find in this market. Customers describe crews that arrive ready, work fast, treat belongings carefully, and often finish ahead of schedule. The few negatives (damaged items, surprise charges, communication gaps after delivery) are common across the industry rather than a red flag specific to Evolution. Worth noting: they don't handle international moves, so if that's relevant, look elsewhere. For a domestic move to Illinois, this is one of the stronger options on this list.
Services: Local and interstate moves; packing/unpacking; pianos, hot tubs, pool tables, art, antiques, grandfather clocks; crating; full-valuation coverage; storage; safes
Address: 5641 SMU Blvd #128, Dallas, TX 75206 Phone: (469) 278-2304 DOT #: 2571411 | State License: 006870171C | In Business: 9 years
Reviews: 4.5 / 5 — 496 Yelp reviews | 430 Google reviews | BBB: B+
Over 80% positive across 711 reviews. AM Moving earns repeat business through punctual arrivals, efficient pacing, and rates that often undercut competitors. They're DOD certified — worth knowing if you're a military household. The 17% negative feedback centers on damaged furniture and difficulty getting claims resolved after the move. The BBB grade of B+ rather than A+ is also worth asking about when you call for a quote. Good option if budget is a priority; less reassuring if you're moving irreplaceable items.
Services: Local and interstate moves; packing/unpacking; pianos, hot tubs, pool tables, art, antiques, grandfather clocks; full-valuation coverage; storage; fragile-only packing; safes; DOD certified
Address: 400 N Bowser St, Richardson, TX 75081 Phone: (214) 433-6747 DOT #: 2166531 | State License: 2166531 | In Business: 31 years
Reviews: 4.5 / 5 — 43 Yelp reviews | BBB: A+
84.6% positive across 259 reviews, and 31 years operating in the Dallas area isn't something to overlook. Customers describe fast, friendly crews and a booking process that actually communicates. The negatives center on unexpected charges, occasional delays, and billing transparency issues. My take: get the full quote in writing and ask specifically about potential add-on fees before move day. Most customers who do that end up happy — the complaints often trace back to assumptions about what was included.
Services: Local, interstate, and international moves; packing/unpacking; pianos, pool tables, art, antiques; crating; storage
Not every Garland mover that handles in-state work is equipped for a long interstate haul. Here's the breakdown of specialty services available among the 66 companies that do take out-of-state jobs:
| Service | # of Movers | % of Pool |
|---|---|---|
| Interstate moves | 47 | 71% |
| Small moves | 42 | 64% |
| Pianos | 44 | 67% |
| Antiques | 35 | 53% |
| Art handling | 32 | 48% |
| Fragile-only packing | 17 | 26% |
If you have specialty items, confirm availability before you get deep into the quote process. Not every operator that claims interstate capability handles the tricky stuff.
These ranges are based on a roughly 786-mile move from Garland. What you'll actually pay depends on your home size and which service type you choose.
| Move Size | Moving Company | Moving Container | Rental Truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 BR | $1,096 – $3,930 | $740 – $1,848 | $503 – $1,007 |
| 2–3 BR | $2,265 – $5,327 | $1,371 – $2,516 | $538 – $1,137 |
| 4+ BR | $3,649 – $7,836 | $1,769 – $3,247 | $730 – $1,464 |
Cost ranges are estimates based on pricing data as of January 2025. Your final quote will vary based on move size, optional services, access conditions, fuel costs, and timing. Always compare at least three quotes before committing.
Full-service is the most hands-off option and the most expensive. A studio or one-bedroom runs $1,096 to $3,930. Two to three bedrooms: $2,265 to $5,327. Larger households should budget $3,649 to $7,836. The wide ranges are real — two movers quoting the same job can be thousands of dollars apart, which is exactly why comparing estimates matters on a move this size.
Moving containers let you pack at your own pace while the company handles transport — a reasonable middle ground between full-service and DIY. A small load runs $740 to $1,848. Two or three bedrooms: $1,371 to $2,516. Four bedrooms or more: $1,769 to $3,247. More flexibility than a full-service move, but you still need to do the physical work yourself.
A rental truck is the cheapest option — with the obvious catch that you're handling all the loading, driving nearly 800 miles, and unloading at the other end. If that trade-off fits your situation, the savings are real. Studio or one-bedroom: $503 to $1,007. Two to three bedrooms: $538 to $1,137. Four bedrooms or larger: $730 to $1,464. These estimates include fuel.
Three variables do most of the work here:
The financial picture when you cross into Illinois is better than Garland in some respects and worse in one significant one.
| Garland, TX | Illinois | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent | $1,624 | $1,179 |
| Average home cost | $294,156 | $249,224 |
| Per capita income | $68,107 | $78,433 |
| Cost of living index | 100 | 90 |
| Unemployment rate | 6.5% | 5.3% |
| State income tax | 0.0% | 4.95% |
Sources: World Population Review, Zillow, US Census Bureau, US BLS, Tax Foundation, Zumper, Numbeo
Here's what those numbers mean in practice:
| Garland, TX | Illinois | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 239,928 | 12,549,689 |
| Political lean | Republican 56–43 | Democratic 55–45 |
| Summer high | 96°F | 86°F |
| Winter low | 35°F | 17°F |
| Annual rain | 40″ | 40″ |
| Annual snow | 1″ | 22″ |
| Crime index | 37.13 | 19.7 |
Sources: US Census Bureau, 270TOWIN, NeighborhoodScout, BestPlaces, Wikipedia
A few things worth flagging:
| Pros of Living in Garland, TX | Pros of Living in Illinois |
|---|---|
| Quality education options | Home of Chicago |
| Cultural diversity | Strong economic opportunity |
| Low crime rates | Abundant recreational options |
| No state income tax | Excellent food scene |
| Active arts and recreation | World-class sports culture |
| Cons of Living in Garland, TX | Cons of Living in Illinois |
|---|---|
| Severe storms and flooding | Harsh winter weather |
| Extreme summer heat | Chicago traffic |
| Growing cost of living | State income tax |
| — | Higher crime in some urban areas |
| — | Flat landscape across much of the state |
Beyond finding a crew and reserving a truck, there are a few logistics specific to moving from Texas to Illinois that are easy to overlook:
Whether you land in Chicago or somewhere else in the state, Illinois has real substance to it.
Expect two to seven days, door to door. Full-service movers typically give you a delivery window rather than a hard date — especially on a haul this distance. Summer moves run longer due to higher demand across the industry. Nail down the delivery window in your contract before you sign, and confirm it again a few days before your pickup date.
39 movers in the Garland area offer custom-built crating for delicate or unusual items — art, antiques, electronics, wine collections, and similar pieces. If you have specialty items that need this, ask specifically whether the company handles it in-house or subcontracts it out, and get the scope in writing.
Driving is viable for a move this distance, but if you're already coordinating a full household move, adding a second vehicle to manage makes everything harder. Auto transport lets you ship your car separately while you focus on everything else. Use our car shipping calculator to get a baseline quote, then compare it against two or three carriers — prices in this space vary more than most people expect.
Chicago is the primary draw — economic opportunity, professional networks, culture, and infrastructure that a suburban Texas market simply can't match. People leaving Garland most often cite the heat, severe storm risk (hail, tornadoes, flooding), and a cost of living that has outpaced income growth in recent years.
The five operators above are a solid starting point for this specific route. For a broader comparison — including national carriers — our long-distance movers guide covers the companies I've found consistently reliable on interstate hauls. Safe Ship Moving is one I'd put on your radar for a route like this.
Yes, 16 movers in Garland accept cash — but it's not standard practice. Most operators prefer traceable payment methods: credit card, money order, or certified check. Typically you'll pay a deposit to secure your date, with the balance due at pickup or delivery. Confirm the payment schedule and accepted methods when you book, not the morning of your move.
Compare quotes from multiple Garland movers before committing — prices on this route vary enough that shopping around is worth 20 minutes of your time. Get started here.
