How Much Would It Cost to Move to Chicago?

Moving to a new city is a big step, both for your life and for your budget. In addition to adjusting your cost of living, you’ll also need to factor in the cost of moving into your relocation expenses.

The price tag of moving varies, of course, with a few factors such as distance, number of people moving, amount of stuff and size of the place you’re renting. As the country mobilized and moved during the pandemic, moving costs have increased regardless of the type of move.

It’s worth noting, though, that moving for work can be a different financial story: in this case, your company often covers some or most of these expenses. Be sure to check with your employer before beginning the process!

Read on for the cost of different components of moving according to Forbes.

Local Moving

If you’re moving locally, it’s worth considering enlisting the help of family or friends to offset the cost of a local move. Sometimes, though, the help of movers is needed: in this case, the average cost is $800 to $2,500. With that in mind, you might opt for movers per-hour rather than per day, which hovers around $25-$50 per mover, per hour, bringing costs down.

Long-Distance Moving

Depending on where you’re moving from, you might need the help of a long-distance moving company (long distance is defined as 100 miles or more, but depends on the moving company). The average cost of this service ranges from $2,200 and $5,700, but certainly shrinks with shorter distance and less stuff.

Professional Packing

Some moving situations necessitate help at every stage of the moving journey, including packing. For renters splurging on help with packing and moving, the cost can run closer to $2,300.

Cars

Some renters opt for having their car moved for them, which can help preserve your car’s value by keeping mileage low – this can also be a trade-off expense if you rent a U-Haul truck in order to drive your stuff yourself. This option will set you back about $1,000 per vehicle.

Moving Materials

An often-overlooked cost of moving is the boxes (and boxes and boxes and boxes!). An apartment moving kit from Home Depot includes boxes, wrapping paper and tape, and will likely be enough for one smaller living space and one person.

Every renter is unique, so every move is unique, too. Our LLCR agents would love to partner with you on finding your dream apartment, and are here to advise on making your move to Chicago as smooth as possible. Reach out to us today to get started.

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