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If you're moving to Illinois, there's a good chance you're landing in or near Chicago — the third-largest city in the country and a place that consistently surprises people with how livable it is compared to what they left behind on the coasts. That said, whether you're going urban, suburban, or somewhere downstate, the planning fundamentals are the same: know what it'll cost, pick the right carrier for your distance, and understand what's waiting for you when you arrive.
This page covers all of it. Cost ranges by move type, my current company picks for Illinois-bound moves, a few things worth knowing about the state itself, and a full directory of every origin city we track at MoveFinders.
Distance drives price more than anything else on interstate moves. Use the moving cost calculator to get a real estimate for your specific origin and household size — but here are the ranges I'd expect for a typical full-service move:
| Origin Region | Estimated Cost (Full Household) |
|---|---|
| Neighboring states (Indiana, Wisconsin, Iowa, Missouri) | $800 – $3,000 |
| Mid-range routes (Texas, Tennessee, Ohio, Florida, Georgia) | $2,500 – $5,500 |
| Long-haul (California, New York, Pacific Northwest) | $4,000 – $9,000+ |
A studio or one-bedroom will come in toward the low end of each range. A three- or four-bedroom house with a long carry or elevator will push toward the top. These assume movers are loading, transporting, and unloading — not a partial service or container option.
If budget is a real constraint, affordable movers and moving containers are worth a look for long hauls, especially if you're flexible on delivery dates.
For interstate and cross-country moves, you want a carrier with genuine network strength at your origin and solid coverage in Illinois — not just a broker who'll hand your shipment off to whoever's available. These are the companies I'd get quotes from for a move to Illinois:
North American Van Lines — One of the strongest agent networks in the country. Good coverage in the Chicago metro and reliable on coast-to-Illinois routes.
Allied Van Lines — Comparable footprint to North American. Consistent performance on Southeast-to-Midwest and Texas-to-Illinois moves in particular.
United Van Lines — Headquartered in Fenton, Missouri, which puts Illinois squarely in their home region. That proximity is a real operational advantage on mid-range moves.
Mayflower — A solid full-service moving option with above-average communication during long hauls. Worth a quote on any move over 1,000 miles.
International Van Lines — Good for moves involving specialty items or when you need scheduling flexibility. Ask specifically about who's running their Illinois-bound loads.
Safeway Moving — Worth considering especially on moves from the South and South-Central states to Illinois.
Get quotes from at least three of these before committing. Rates vary more than you'd expect between reputable carriers on the same route.
Illinois looks affordable on paper compared to California or New York — and largely is, at least for housing. Median home prices run well below the national average outside Chicago proper, which is a genuine draw if you're escaping a coastal market.
The trade-off: Illinois has some of the highest property taxes in the country. That affects buyers directly and renters through higher asking prices. Know this going in.
Illinois runs a flat 4.95% state income tax, no brackets. If you're coming from Texas or Florida — where there's no state income tax — that's a meaningful hit to take-home pay. Build it into your budget before you sign a lease.
Chicago winters are not a joke. If you're relocating from Arizona or Georgia, January on Lake Michigan will be a serious adjustment. For logistics, aim for late spring (May–June) or early fall (September–October). Moving furniture up a third-floor Chicago walkup in February is the kind of experience that shapes a person.
If you're shipping a vehicle rather than driving it to Illinois, see our auto transport guide before booking a carrier.
Select your origin state below to find route-specific cost estimates, mover recommendations, and timing advice.
Don't see your city listed? Use the moving cost calculator to estimate your specific move, or compare long-distance movers to get quotes from vetted carriers on your route.
