Moving From Boston to Chicago: Movers, Costs, and Benefits

If you’re dealing with snow, crime, and crappy attitudes, you may as well save some cash while you’re doing it. Chicago ain’t Boston, but it also ain’t as expensive. Maybe that’s why so many people are moving there.

If you’re all set on heading west, you’ll need some heavy lifters to handle the hard stuff. As much as we’re sure you can move that old dresser all by yourself, your back (and your sanity) will thank you if you hire some professional movers. But where do you find Boston to Chicago movers you can trust?

At iMoving, we make it easier than ever to find the movers you need - whether you’re moving from Boston to Chicago, Hawaii to Florida, or anywhere in between. We’re also the only platform that lets you shop around, compare prices, and book your move entirely online. No annoying phone interviews or intrusive in-home visits.

But enough about us. It’s time to get you on the road to Chicago. Read on to see what you can expect on the big day, and share some deets about your move if you’re already ready to skip town.

Moving from Boston to Chicago will cost you between $2,500 and $7,500, but we’ve seen the odd move that was a little higher or lower. When you’re dealing with a long-distance move, the exact price really depends on the weight of all your belongings, and the miles you have to travel. 

If you have to move a studio apartment, chances are you won’t pay as much as the guy moving a 5-bedroom home. And if you’re just moving to Chicago, chances are you won’t be paying as much as a move to say, San Diego. (But who can afford to live there, anyway?) Fortunately, you can do your part to keep costs down.

The less you have, the less you’ll pay. That’s why we always recommend downsizing before you go shopping for moving quotes. If you don’t want it, don’t take it with you - and don’t pay to have it moved, either!

Long distance moves usually take between 1 and 21 days. Under federal law, drivers can’t log more than 400 miles of interstate travel per day. Boston and Chicago are almost 1,000 miles apart, so you’re looking at a 3-day minimum.

If you’re only moving a studio or a 1-bedroom, your move may actually take longer. Movers don’t like to send half-empty trucks all over the place, so they’ll actually bundle multiple moves in the same trailer (while keeping everything safe, separate, and secure, of course).

This practice translates to a longer wait while your movers deal with pickups and deliveries along the route - but it does keep your price down. On the other hand, if you manage to fill an entire trailer with just your belongings, your movers have no choice but to head straight to point B.

When you compare your moving quotes, you’ll see a number of different fees, extras, and add-ons that contribute to the final price. We’ll break down some of the most common culprits so you can prepare your wallet accordingly:

1. Distance

As we mentioned earlier, the distance you’re traveling is one of - if not the - most important factor behind your moving price. More miles means more dollars. Simple.

2. Size

And along with the distance, we also mentioned the physical size of your move. Next to the distance, this is probably the biggest factor behind the cost of your move. Moving companies typically assign a weight value to all of your belongings, but some go by cubic feet.

3. Packing Services

Packing is an extra. It’s optional, but we really recommend it. You’ll save yourself a lot of trouble by just letting the professionals handle all the wrapping and packing - and it’s usually required that you pay for packing if you also want full-value insurance coverage.

4. Specialty Moving

Antiques, artwork, and anything else that’s fragile, bulky, or just plain awkward. These items require a delicate touch (and occasionally, custom crating and winching out the window). Not cheap, but sometimes unavoidable.

5. Insurance

Moving companies offer basic insurance coverage, free of charge. Unfortunately, it’s only good for $0.60 per pound of items lost, damaged, or destroyed. If you want to be reimbursed for the actual value of your items, you’ll have to pay for full value coverage. Odds are, you’ll also need to add packing services, too.

6. Last-Minute Moving

We get it. Life can be a little chaotic, and we don’t all have the luxury of planning a move a few months in advance. A last-minute move is a great way to get out of town in a hurry, but it’ll cost you extra for the added convenience.

7. Time of Year

On the other hand, if you do have the luxury of planning a move a few months in advance, take our word for it and avoid the summer if possible. The time of year makes a huge impact on your final price. June, July, and August are the worst. Try to schedule your move in the middle of the week, the middle of the month, and far from any major holidays.

8. Access Fees

Extra staircases, elevators, and long hallways or driveways can rack up access fees. These fees apply any time your movers need to deal with obstacles between the curb and your front door. They’re not usually negotiable, but you could at least call up your movers ahead of time and explain the situation so there aren’t any surprises for them - or you.

Sure, Chicago has a bit of a reputation, but there’s still plenty of reason to move there. Take a look at a few of the most common excuses:

• Price: Chicago is way cheaper than Boston. If you’re getting fed up with how much everything costs in Boston, Chicago will give you a nice break. 

• On the rise: Chicago is also due for its own renaissance. All the horror stories about crime? There’s folks who hear that stuff and think, I can afford to move there, and I can afford to do what I want there. Keep an eye on the city; it’s gonna grow fast.

• Jobs and economy: Speaking of on the rise, Chicago still has plenty of work. There’s finance, tech, manufacturing - you name it, they’ve got it. It’s a big city, and people know where it is. That’s a recipe for a strong economy if ever there was one.

• Easy to get around: Chicago also has great public transport. You can hop on a CTA bus or train, and get pretty much wherever you need to go. You can also hop on a boat on the river, but that’s more of a leisure thing. Speaking of leisure… 

• Plenty to do: Chicago has a lot to keep you occupied. In fact, we wrote up an entire section on things to do in Chicago, coming up next…

Boston doesn’t have a monopoly on fun. Once you get to Chicago, make sure you check out a few of these must-do activities and must-see sights:

• Street festivals: Yes, people talk about the freezing winters in Chicago, but guess what? It gets all four seasons, and when the weather’s nicer, you bet the locals take advantage of it. Street festivals combine live music, great food, and local crafts all in one place.

• Art Institute of Chicago: Remember that scene in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off when they went to the art museum? Yeah, this was the place. The Art Institute of Chicago is one of the largest art museums in the United States - perfect for when the weather’s a little sour.

• Millennium Park: If you’ve been on the internet and looked up “Chicago” lately, chances are you’ve seen that giant chrome sculpture that looks like a bean. Well, that’s in Millennium Park, along with lots of greenery. (And yes, they do actually call it the Bean.)

• Lincoln Park Zoo: Not only does the Lincoln Park Zoo have hundreds of critters, it’s also completely free to enter. This is one of the oldest zoos in the United States, and since its founding, they’ve been dedicated to protecting and conserving our disappearing wildlife.

• Wrigley Field: Sure, Chicago has the Cubs and the White Sox, but only one of them gets to call Wrigley Field home (spoiler: it’s the Cubs). First constructed in 1914, this baseball stadium is a crowd favorite and a historical landmark.

You’ve made it to the end, and now it’s time to pack your bags. Now that you know a little more about Chicago, iMoving can help you get there. With thousands of vetted and verified movers to choose from (and an entirely online marketplace), we make it easier than ever to compare prices and book your movers.

Ready to get started? So are we. Tell us more about your Boston to Chicago move, and let’s get you on the road!