If you're moving from Jersey City to Illinois, you're looking at roughly 908 miles — a long enough haul that mover selection and timing both matter, but short enough that the price range is surprisingly wide. I've seen people on this route pay double what they needed to simply because they grabbed the first quote and ran with it.
Here's what the numbers and the movers actually look like.
Local moving companies in Jersey City
Out of more than 160 Jersey City movers capable of handling state-to-state moves, these five consistently earn the strongest ratings for the Jersey City to Illinois route:
- Seka Moving — 4.70 / 5
- Great Movers — 4.72 / 5
- White Glove Moving & Storage — 4.72 / 5
- Piece of Cake Moving & Storage — 4.66 / 5
- NYC Great Movers — 4.64 / 5
None of these are national brands, which is actually a good sign. The best movers on any specific route tend to be operators who've built their reputations job by job, not through marketing spend.
For a 900-mile interstate move, it's also worth getting a quote from a national carrier. SafeShip Moving is one operator I've found consistently reliable on long-haul routes like this — they specialize in interstate moves and are worth including in your comparison.
Seka Moving
4.70 / 5 | 85% positive | Yelp reviews · Google reviews · BBB: A+
48 Wall St #1100, New York, NY | DOT #3014539 | 7 years in business | State license #40118
Seka's strength is execution — across nearly 500 reviews, customers repeatedly mention accurate estimates, fast crews, and careful handling. Those three things are harder to find together than you'd think. The 13% negative feedback breaks down into damaged items, late arrivals, and charges that weren't clear up front. On a long-distance move, delivery window surprises and hidden fees are the most common pain points with any mover, so ask directly about both before you sign.
Services: Local and interstate moves, packing, unpacking, storage, pianos, art, antiques, grandfather clocks, crating, full-valuation coverage, fragile-only packing.
📞 (212) 203-0280
Great Movers
4.72 / 5 | 95% positive | Yelp reviews · Google reviews · BBB: A+
58 2nd Ave, Brooklyn, NY | DOT #2180117 | 13 years in business | State license #39493
Ninety-five percent positive out of 221 verified reviews is a strong signal. Great Movers gets consistent credit for affordable pricing, careful handling, and punctual crews. Where things go sideways — the 5% — involves damage disputes, unexpected add-on charges, and underwhelming insurance payouts. If you're moving anything irreplaceable, get full-valuation coverage confirmed in writing, not just verbally.
Services: Local, interstate, and international moves, packing, unpacking, offices, pianos, art, antiques, grandfather clocks, crating, storage, safes, full-valuation coverage.
📞 (718) 306-9980
White Glove Moving & Storage
4.72 / 5 | 90% positive | Yelp reviews · Google reviews · BBB: A+
235 W 1st St, Bayonne, NJ | DOT #648262 | 29 years in business | State license #648262
Nearly three decades in operation is hard to fake. White Glove earns its name — 90% of close to 750 reviews praise meticulous wrapping, reliable communication, and crews that handle belongings with real care. Complaints are less frequent than average and tend to cluster around delivery timing and extra fees on long-distance jobs. Ask specifically about their delivery window policy before committing, especially on a move this distance.
Services: Local, interstate, and international moves, packing, unpacking, offices, pianos, hot tubs, pool tables, art, antiques, grandfather clocks, crating, crane vans, storage, full-valuation coverage. DOD certified.
📞 (877) 941-0568
Piece of Cake Moving & Storage
4.66 / 5 | 95% positive | Yelp reviews · Google reviews · BBB: B
287 Park Avenue South, New York, NY | DOT #3066988 | 6 years in business | State license #40244
Nearly 9,000 reviews at 94.5% positive is a large sample — hard to argue with. Customers value the efficient crews, transparent pricing, and organized packing. Worth noting: their BBB grade is a B, not the A+ you see on others in this list. That's not disqualifying, but it's worth knowing. The 5% negative reviews hit the usual pain points — item damage, surprise charges, missing boxes. Verify your inventory list carefully and monitor the process, especially for a long-distance move.
Services: Local and interstate moves, packing, unpacking, offices, pianos, art, antiques, crating, storage, fragile-only packing.
📞 (212) 651-7273
NYC Great Movers
4.64 / 5 | 95% positive | Yelp reviews · Google reviews · BBB: A+
58 2nd Ave, Brooklyn, NY | DOT #2180117 | 13 years in business | State license #39493
Fast, affordable, reliable — that's the read from NYC Great Movers' review record. Ninety-five percent positive from 221 reviews shows consistent delivery on the basics. The negatives involve property damage, unexpected charges, and slow follow-up when problems came up. If pricing transparency matters to you (and it should), ask for an itemized written estimate before booking and get the delivery window confirmed.
Services: Local and interstate moves, packing, unpacking, offices, pianos, art, shipment tracking, full-valuation coverage, storage, fragile-only packing.
📞 (718) 285-8565
Local moving services in Jersey City, NJ
Here's a snapshot of specialty service availability among Jersey City movers:
| Service | # of movers | % offering |
|---|---|---|
| Interstate | 150 | 92% |
| Small moves | 57 | 35% |
| Antiques | 116 | 71% |
| Art | 123 | 75% |
| Pianos | 144 | 88% |
| Fragile-only packing | 34 | 21% |
If you're moving antiques, a piano, or specialty art, availability is solid. Fragile-only packing is the narrower category — confirm that service is genuinely offered before booking.
Cost to move from Jersey City, NJ to Illinois
Below are realistic price ranges for the ~908-mile move from Jersey City to Illinois, broken down by home size and service type.
| Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,039 – $3,798 | $750 – $1,914 | $554 – $1,059 |
| 2–3 bedrooms | $2,067 – $5,078 | $1,359 – $2,800 | $599 – $1,337 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,595 – $7,311 | $1,903 – $3,741 | $775 – $1,545 |
Estimates based on a 908-mile move from Jersey City, NJ, to Illinois. Final charges vary based on move scope, add-ons, access constraints, fuel costs, and timing. Get multiple quotes for accuracy.
Use the moving cost calculator to plug in your actual home size and move date for a more precise estimate.
Cost to hire movers from Jersey City to Illinois
A studio or one-bedroom runs $1,039 to $3,798 with a full-service mover. Two- or three-bedroom homes typically land between $2,067 and $5,078. A four-plus-bedroom household pushes the top end to $7,311.
That wide range is real — the difference between low and high usually comes down to move date, the amount of packing you hand off, and how accessible your buildings are on both ends.
Cost of moving containers from Jersey City to Illinois
Moving containers are the middle-ground option: you pack, they haul. A small load runs $750 to $1,914. Two to three bedrooms land between $1,359 and $2,800. Larger households should budget $1,903 to $3,741. It's a reasonable option if you want to cut labor costs without managing the driving yourself.
Cost of moving truck rentals from Jersey City to Illinois
A rental truck is the cheapest path on paper — studio to one-bedroom runs $554 to $1,059, two to three bedrooms $599 to $1,337, and four-plus bedrooms $775 to $1,545. These figures include estimated fuel.
The honest trade-off: you're saving a few thousand dollars in exchange for loading, driving, and unloading a 26-foot truck across 900 miles yourself. That's a real commitment — factor it in.
Factors influencing moving costs from Jersey City to IL
Three things drive price on this route more than anything else:
- Move size: More belongings means more truck space, more movers, more time. It compounds.
- Time of year: Summer is peak season across the board. Fall and spring moves usually come with lower rates and better date availability.
- DIY vs. full-service: The gap can easily exceed $2,000 on a move this size. Affordable movers can help narrow it — just vet them carefully before committing.
What you should know before moving from Jersey City to IL
If you're leaving Jersey City for Illinois, the financial picture generally improves. Here's the data side by side.
Compare cost of living: Jersey City vs. Illinois
| Jersey City, NJ | Illinois | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent | $2,975 | $1,179 |
| Average home cost | $589,419 | $249,224 |
| Average income (per capita) | $75,265 | $78,433 |
| Cost of living index | 140 | 90 |
| Unemployment rate | 8.3% | 5.3% |
| State income tax | 10.7% | 4.95% |
Jersey City sources: World Population Review, Zillow, US Census Bureau, US BLS, Tax Foundation. Illinois sources: Zumper, Zillow, Numbeo.
A few numbers that stand out:
- Rent averages about 60% cheaper in Illinois. That's hundreds of dollars back every month.
- Home values are roughly 58% lower — significantly more buying power if ownership is on the table.
- Income is essentially a wash — per-capita earnings in Illinois are actually slightly higher than Jersey City's, so your finances shouldn't take a hit.
- Overall cost of living is 36% lower in Illinois. That's a meaningful difference in day-to-day spending.
- Unemployment is about 36% lower in Illinois, suggesting a healthier job market.
- State income tax: New Jersey's 10.7% rate is more than double Illinois's 4.95%. Your take-home pay changes materially from day one.
How life is different in Jersey City, NJ from Illinois
| Jersey City, NJ | Illinois | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 292,449 | 12,549,689 |
| Political leaning | Democratic 72-26 | Democratic 55-45 |
| Summer high | 85°F | 86°F |
| Winter low | 25°F | 17°F |
| Annual rain | 48″ | 40″ |
| Annual snow | 26″ | 22″ |
| Crime index | 43.21 | 19.7 |
Sources: US Census Bureau, 270TOWIN, NeighborhoodScout, BestPlaces, Wikipedia, AirNow.
What's actually worth your attention:
- Summers are nearly identical — 85°F vs. 86°F. No real adjustment.
- Winters are colder. At 17°F average low vs. 25°F in Jersey City, budget for heating costs that will likely be higher than what you're used to.
- Rain: Illinois gets about 8 fewer inches per year. More days to plan outdoor activities.
- Snow: Nearly identical — 22″ vs. 26″. No surprises there.
- Crime: Illinois's index of 19.7 is significantly lower than Jersey City's 43.21. Safer neighborhoods overall.
- Politics: Both lean Democratic, but Illinois is closer to 55-45 compared to Jersey City's 72-26 split.
Other considerations when moving to Illinois
A few practical things that are easy to overlook until they cause problems on moving day:
- HOA rules: Check your destination community's moving policies before you schedule anything — some have strict time windows or elevator requirements.
- Elevator reservation: If your building has one, reserve it well in advance. Building management often requires notice.
- Truck parking permits: Some Illinois municipalities require permits for moving vehicles. Confirm the rules at your destination before moving day.
- State licensing: Illinois requires local and intrastate movers to hold a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity from the Illinois Commerce Commission. Verify your mover is current before signing a contract.
- Moving permits: No statewide moving permit is required in Illinois, but local parking rules vary — check your destination city.
- Change of address: File your USPS change of address at least a week before your move date. Set the forwarding start date to match your actual move day.
- Moving insurance: The default Released Value Protection covers only 60 cents per pound. For anything valuable, ask about full-valuation coverage or look at third-party options before moving day — not after.
- Moving checklist: Use our moving checklist to stay organized in the weeks leading up to the move.
Things to do in Illinois
Illinois has more going on than people expect — especially once you get past the Chicago-or-nothing assumption.
Museums
- The Art Institute of Chicago
- Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
- Caterpillar Visitors Center
- Lincoln Home National Historic Site
- Museum of Hummels
Parks
- Starved Rock State Park
- Matthiessen State Park
- Illinois Beach State Park
- Pere Marquette State Park
- Kankakee River State Park
Sports teams
- Chicago Cubs (MLB)
- Chicago White Sox (MLB)
- Chicago Bulls (NBA)
- Chicago Sky (WNBA)
- Chicago Bears (NFL)
Universities
- University of Chicago
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Northwestern University
- University of Illinois at Chicago
- Northern Illinois University
FAQ
How long does a move from Jersey City to Illinois take?
Most customers see delivery in two to seven days on this route. Summer moves tend toward the longer end of that window. Ask for a confirmed or estimated delivery range before you book — vague delivery windows are one of the most cited complaints on long-haul moves, and you want specifics in writing.
What's the availability of custom crating among movers in Jersey City?
About 130 movers in Jersey City offer custom crating for art, antiques, and sensitive electronics. That said, confirm materials and dimensions with your mover directly — crating quality varies widely, and not every company builds to the same standard.
What is the best way to get a car from Jersey City to Illinois?
Ship it. Coordinating a second vehicle across 900 miles while managing a household move adds unnecessary complexity. Our car shipping guide covers vetted auto transport options for this route.
Why are people moving from Jersey City to Illinois?
The economics are the primary driver — lower rent, lower taxes, comparable incomes, and a much lower overall cost of living add up quickly. Chicago is also a significant pull for people in finance, tech, and food and hospitality who want a real city without New York-area prices attached.
Where can I find long-distance moving companies for Jersey City?
See our guide to long-distance movers for vetted interstate options that serve the Jersey City area.
Can I use cash to pay a mover in Jersey City, NJ?
About 71 movers in Jersey City accept cash, but it's not standard. Most movers prefer traceable payment methods that create a clear paper trail. Expect to pay a deposit upfront to secure your date, with the balance due at pickup or delivery depending on the company. Confirm the exact payment schedule before booking — don't assume.
Compare quotes from at least three movers before you commit. On a route like Jersey City to Illinois, the spread between estimates can be significant — taking 20 minutes to use the moving cost calculator before you call anyone puts you in a better negotiating position from the start.