Best Moving Companies from Austin to Illinois
I've reviewed 32 movers in the Austin area that handle interstate relocations to Illinois. Here are the five that consistently deliver on both service and value.
1. Firefighting's Finest Moving & Storage — 4.72 / 5 stars
2. Greater Austin Moving — 4.66 / 5 stars
3. College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving — 4.64 / 5 stars
4. NorthStar Moving Company — 4.58 / 5 stars
5. 3 Men Movers — 4.56 / 5 stars
Detailed Company Reviews
Firefighting's Finest Moving & Storage
Rating: 4.72 / 5 | Yelp reviews | Google reviews
Out of 241 customer reviews, 91% report positive experiences. What stands out: crews show up on time, handle belongings with genuine care, and communicate clearly throughout the job. Customers frequently mention transparent pricing and furniture protected properly. A handful note damaged items or costs that crept higher than the estimate, but these complaints are well below industry averages.
Services: Local and interstate moves, packing, pianos, hot tubs, pool tables, art, antiques, crating, full-valuation coverage, storage.
State License: 007074263 | DOT #: 2783472 | Years in Business: 22
Contact: (512) 361-6683
Greater Austin Moving
Rating: 4.66 / 5 | Yelp reviews | Google reviews
94.5% of 110 reviews praise their professionalism, efficiency, and careful handling. Crews are courteous, responsive before and after the move, and often beat their own estimates. Booking is straightforward. The rare negative feedback (5.5%) involves furniture mishandling or price discrepancies—areas where follow-up on claims could improve.
Services: Local and interstate moves, packing, unpacking, offices, pianos, crating, storage.
State License: 006252715 | Years in Business: 24
Contact: (512) 766-6683
College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving
Rating: 4.64 / 5 | Yelp reviews | Google reviews
80% of 469 reviews highlight speed, professionalism, and reliability. Crews arrive promptly, handle challenging items carefully, and often finish ahead of schedule. The remaining 19% cite property damage, unexpected charges, or missed appointments—enough to warrant a close review of your estimate and a property walkthrough before they leave.
Services: Local and interstate moves, packing, unpacking, offices, storage.
State License: 007743472 | DOT #: 2378173 | Years in Business: 6
Contact: (336) 810-1801
NorthStar Moving Company
Rating: 4.58 / 5 | Yelp reviews | Google reviews
93% of 43 reviews rave about careful handling, friendly movers, strong communication, and smooth delivery. Many highlight respect for homes and quick response to questions. A small fraction report missing items or property damage with difficult claims processes—less common, but worth noting if you're moving valuables.
Services: Local and interstate moves, international relocations, packing, unpacking, offices, pianos, art, antiques, crating, full-valuation coverage, storage.
State License: 009181943 | DOT #: 1836576 | Years in Business: 30
Contact: (512) 790-0087
3 Men Movers
Rating: 4.56 / 5 | Yelp reviews | Google reviews
92.7% of 273 reviews praise efficiency, careful handling, and professionalism. Crews often arrive on time and finish faster than expected. 7% report property damage or late arrivals, and a few cite incomplete jobs—so confirm timelines and check your place before they leave.
Services: Local and interstate moves, packing, unpacking, offices, pianos, storage.
State License: 000534796B | DOT #: 1914113 | Years in Business: 40
Contact: (512) 982-9705
What You'll Pay: Austin to Illinois
Here's what you're looking at in real numbers. These estimates are based on a 988-mile move and include typical add-ons.
| Move Size | Full-Service Mover | Moving Container | Rental Truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bed | $1,143–$4,444 | $764–$1,995 | $606–$1,220 |
| 2–3 bedrooms | $2,333–$5,674 | $1,456–$2,892 | $702–$1,367 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,762–$7,707 | $2,000–$3,877 | $847–$1,611 |
Quick note: These ranges come from thousands of verified quotes and are refreshed monthly. Actual costs shift based on your move date, add-ons (packing, storage), truck access, and current fuel prices. Use our calculator to get a personalized estimate in minutes.
Breaking Down Each Option
Full-service movers pack, load, transport, and unload. You pay for their labor and expertise—worth it if you want hands-off and don't want to micromanage logistics.
Moving containers (like PODS) give you flexibility: they drop a unit, you fill it on your schedule, and they pick it up and deliver. Good if you want a middle ground between DIY and full-service.
Rental trucks are the cheapest upfront, but you're doing all the lifting, packing, and driving yourself. The truck rental range already includes fuel estimates for a 988-mile haul.
Factors That Change Your Price
- Household size: More stuff = more time and truck space.
- Season: Summer (May–September) is busy and expensive. Winter moves cost less but you'll deal with ice and snow.
- Moving date flexibility: Booking mid-week or mid-month often nets a better rate than Friday or month-end.
- Distance and route: 988 miles is a solid long-distance move. Direct routes cost less than those with stops.
- Service level: Full-service with packing costs more than a bare-bones move where you pack yourself.
Cost of Living: Austin vs. Illinois
If you're moving to stretch your dollar, Illinois wins on rent and home prices. But Texas has no state income tax—factor that in.
| Factor | Austin, TX | Illinois | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. Rent | $1,765/mo | $1,179/mo | 33% cheaper in IL |
| Avg. Home Price | $508,841 | $249,224 | 51% cheaper in IL |
| Per Capita Income | $68,258 | $78,433 | 15% higher in IL |
| Cost of Living Index | 129 | 90 | 30% lower in IL |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 5.3% | More competition in IL |
| State Income Tax | 0% | 4.95% | Texas wins |
What this means for you:
Your rent will drop by roughly a third. If you're renting, that's real money back in your pocket each month. Home buyers will find Illinois significantly cheaper—a $250K house versus a $500K one in Austin.
Salaries are slightly higher in Illinois, but the state income tax (4.95%) eats into that advantage compared to Texas's zero. Over time, that compounds.
Unemployment is higher in Illinois (5.3% vs. 3.5%), so job hunting may take longer, depending on your field.
Climate & Lifestyle: What Changes
Austin and Illinois are different worlds. Here's what to expect.
| Aspect | Austin, TX | Illinois | What You'll Notice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 974,447 | 12,549,689 | Illinois is much bigger, denser, less "everyone knows everyone." |
| Politics | 71% Democratic | 55% Democratic | Austin leans further left. Illinois is more mixed. |
| Summer High | 96°F | 86°F | Illinois summers are milder—lower AC bills, more comfortable outdoor time. |
| Winter Low | 38°F | 17°F | Illinois gets genuinely cold. Snow removal and heating are real expenses. |
| Annual Rain | 35″ | 40″ | Barely any difference; timing matters more than total. |
| Annual Snow | 0″ | 22″ | This is the big one. You're trading no snow for real winters. |
| Crime Index | 42.91 | 19.7 | Illinois has lower crime—safer neighborhoods overall. |
What stands out: Illinois winters mean snow, ice, and heating bills. If you've never dealt with that in Austin, plan for it. Layer up. Budget for a snow blower or a service. The upside: seasonal beauty and outdoor activities you can't do in Austin's heat.
Pros and Cons: The Real Trade-Offs
Pros of Austin:
- World-class live music and festival scene
- Relaxed, creative culture
- No snow (if that's a plus for you)
- Booming tech industry
Cons of Austin:
- Brutal summers (96°F is no joke)
- Hellish traffic
- Rising cost of living and rent
- Sprawl can feel endless
Pros of Illinois:
- Home to Chicago—major cultural hub with museums, food, sports
- Lower housing and rental costs
- More economic diversity
- Safer neighborhoods (lower crime)
- Lakes and state parks
Cons of Illinois:
- Harsh winters with significant snowfall
- Higher unemployment
- State income tax (while Texas has none)
- Traffic in Chicago proper can rival Austin's
Before You Move: Logistics & Legal Stuff
Here are the details that will save you headaches on moving day.
HOA and building rules: Check your current place and your destination for moving-day restrictions. Some buildings require elevator reservations or have specific time windows.
Truck parking permits: Some Illinois municipalities require permits for large moving vehicles. Check your city's rules before booking.
State licensing: Illinois regulates movers through the Illinois Commerce Commission. Any company moving household goods intrastate needs a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity. Verify your mover's license is current before you sign anything.
Insurance & liability: Moving companies offer Released Value Protection (basic coverage) at 60 cents per pound. If your belongings are valuable, consider full-value coverage or a third-party policy. Ask your mover what options they offer.
Change of address: File your USPS change of address form at least one week before moving day. You can select your official move date so mail forwarding starts seamlessly.
Moving checklist: Use our moving checklist to stay organized. It cuts through the chaos and ensures nothing gets forgotten.
What to Do in Illinois
You're trading Austin's live music venues for different draws.
Museums:
- The Art Institute of Chicago
- Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
- Caterpillar Visitors Center
- Museum of Science and Industry
Parks and Outdoors:
- Starved Rock State Park
- Matthiessen State Park
- Illinois Beach State Park
- Kankakee River State Park
Sports:
- Chicago Cubs (MLB)
- Chicago White Sox (MLB)
- Chicago Bulls (NBA)
- Chicago Bears (NFL)
Education:
- University of Chicago
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Northwestern University
Common Questions
How long does the move take?
Two to seven days, depending on the service. Full-service movers typically take 3–5 days. Container services give you more flexibility—you load on your schedule and they pick up when ready. Summer moves may stretch longer due to demand. Ask your mover for a specific delivery window before booking.
Can I ship my car at the same time?
Yes. Check out our guide to auto transport from Texas to Illinois for carriers and costs. Most charges run between $600–$1,200 depending on the vehicle and service level.
What payment methods do Austin movers accept?
Most want a deposit upfront (typically 30–50% of the total) to secure your date. The balance is due at pickup or upon delivery. Credit cards are standard. Some accept cash, but it's less common—be sure to ask. Get all payment terms in writing.
Do I need a moving permit in Illinois?
No statewide moving permit is required, but check your city's parking regulations. Some municipalities require temporary parking permits for large trucks.
Can I deduct my move?
Not for most people. The IRS only allows a deduction if you're moving for work and the new job location is at least 50 miles farther from your old home. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
Ready to Get Quotes?
Compare estimates from Austin movers using our moving cost calculator. It takes about two minutes and pulls real pricing from qualified companies on this route. You'll get a clear range before you talk to anyone.
If you want to explore top-rated movers nationwide, we've got detailed reviews and ratings there too.
The Austin-to-Illinois move is doable and often saves money. Just plan for the weather shift, lock in your mover early (especially if moving May–September), and don't skip the research on licensing. You'll land in a cheaper, culturally rich state with four genuine seasons—which is exactly what some people need.