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

Texas is getting crowded, and with all those Californians moving in, it’s starting to look less and less like home. More and more people are joining the Texodus and moving out of the Lone Star State - but where do you go next?

Sure, it’s got a reputation. But it’s affordable, up-and-coming, and actually a lot nicer than you’d expect. We’re talking about sweet home Chicago - and before you slam that back button, you might want to read on to see what the Windy City has to offer!

If you’re already packed, iMoving can help you get moved easier than ever. With over 1,000 vetted and verified movers in our network, we’re the only platform that lets you shop around, compare prices, and book your movers entirely online.

But if you’re still on the fence about getting that blank slate, read on, and learn a little more about Houston to Chicago moves.

Houston to Chicago movers will cost you anywhere from $3,000 to $6,000, but we’ve seen the odd move that was cheaper or more expensive. When you’re dealing with a long-distance move, your movers will base your price on how far they have to travel, and how much they have to transport.

Houston and Chicago are about 1,100 miles apart. Not great, but certainly not as terrible as the move from like… Seattle to the Florida Keys. You may not be able to do much about the distance, but you can do plenty to reduce the physical dimensions of your move.

When movers calculate how much they have to transport, they usually assign a weight or volume value to all your stuff, in pounds or cubic feet respectively.

If you want to save some serious cash, downsize as much as possible before shopping for quotes. If you don’t want it, don’t take it with you - and don’t pay to have it moved!

Moving long distances usually takes between 1 and 21 days. Since you’re dealing with the Houston to Chicago route, expect a 3-day minimum. Thanks to federal rules and regulations, your drivers can’t clock more than 400 miles of interstate travel per day.

Aside from the law, the duration of your move depends on the mileage and the dimensions of your move - just like your price. However, if you’re only moving a small amount of stuff, say, a studio apartment or a 1-bedroom, it may actually take longer to move.

Moving companies don’t like to send half-empty trucks all over the place. If your stuff doesn’t fill an entire trailer, they’ll wait until they have several moves on the same route, and bundle everything together in the same truck.

Don’t worry; they’ll keep everything separate and secure, but it may take a few extra days while they deal with those pickups and deliveries along the way.

$3,000 to $6,000 is a pretty huge window. Let’s break down that price tag and see all the factors that go into the cost of your move.

1. Distance

When we first broke down the price of your move, we mentioned distance. Well, this is probably the most important factor, so we’re mentioning it again. The more miles you have to move, the more money you’ll have to pay. Pretty simple.

2. Size

We also talked about the physical size of your move, but again, this one’s a really important one. Movers will assign a pound or cubic foot value to all of your stuff.

The more weight or volume, the more you’ll have to pay - but fortunately, you can downsize to save a ton of money. If you don’t want it, pawn it, donate it, junk it - just get rid of it before you shop for moving estimates.

3. Packing

Packing services are optional, but we still recommend shelling out the extra cash for the luxury. Packing is one of the most time-consuming and frustrating parts of a move, and unless you’re really down to sacrifice all those nights and weekends to DIY packing, you’ll be thankful you paid the pros to do it. Plus, it’s a prerequisite for full-value insurance… 

4. Insurance

Accidents happen, even with the best of the best. Movers offer a basic level of insurance, but it’s only good for $0.60 per pound of items lost, damaged, or destroyed. (Before you bust out your calculator, yes, your PS5 is worth more than six bucks.)

If you want to be reimbursed for the full value of any damaged items, you’ll have to pay extra for full-value insurance - and this usually requires professional packing services, too.

5. Access Fees

If there’s an obstacle course to get to the front door, expect to pay extra for the inconvenience. Long hallways or driveways, extra flights of stairs, elevators - these will be tough to deal with.

You may not be able to avoid these access fees, but at the very least you can contact your movers ahead of time so there aren’t any unpleasant surprises on their end (or yours).

6. Shuttles

For long-haul shipping, moving companies rely on those big semi-trucks you see on the highway. Unfortunately, cities don’t take kindly to those big semi trucks parked on their tiny little streets.

In some cases, movers will have to park the semi in a staging area and use a smaller box truck or van to ferry your stuff back and forth. Not convenient, not cheap, but sadly unavoidable.

7. Specialty Items

Whether it’s bulky, fragile, expensive, or all of the above, these specialty items will all require extra TLC. Movers can build custom crates, and even winch items out the window if they won’t fit through the door. It’s pretty awesome to watch, but it can cost you.

8. Storage

It’s tough to know where everything’s going to live at your new place, and sometimes we overestimate our room (or underestimate our belongings).

Storage units provide extra square footage and extra time, and some moving companies even offer a free month to sweeten the deal!

9. Gratuity

We can tell you’re rolling your eyes at this one, but this isn’t inflation. In the moving industry, gratuities are accepted and expected.

Unless your mover has explicitly declined your tips, you should set aside 15% to 20% to be split up across your whole moving team. To be fair, long-distance moving is a lot harder than turning an iPad around at a boba joint.

Chicago may not be first on many people’s list, but there’s actually plenty of reason to move to the Windy City. Check out some of the most common excuses to head up north:

• Job opportunities: Chicago is a happening city, and it’s a major hub in the Midwest. Whether it’s finance, tech, education, or healthcare, it’s easy to find work in the Windy City. And since the cost of living isn’t too steep, you’re still keeping what you earned!

• It’s up-and-coming: The whole city is enjoying a bit of a renaissance. If you’re on the fence about moving out there, you may want to jump on it early before all those dog yoga parlors show up and drive up the property values.

• Escaping the heat: How hot was Houston this past summer? You can bet it was a lot cooler in Chicago. They may get some bitter winters up there, but if you’re tired of melting in the Houston Heat, the Chicago chill may be a welcome change.

• Escaping the Californians: Texas is getting super crowded, and there’s a lot of new arrivals from California who are changing the Lone Star State into the same state they just left. If you can read the writing on the wall, it’s time to get out of town.

• Still a big city (and easier to get around): Houston is notorious for awful traffic. It’s no Los Angeles, but it’s still pretty rough. On the other hand, Chicago has great public transport, and since it’s still a big city, you won’t be out in the boondocks.

Jokes about public safety aside, there’s actually plenty to do in Chicago once you get out there. You’ll find your own niche, but in the meantime, here are a few attractions you should check out right when you move in:

• Art Institute of Chicago: There’s an art museum in every city, but the Art Institute of Chicago takes things to another level. Not only is it one of the biggest in the United States, it’s also one of the oldest. Go here to recreate that scene from Ferris Bueller.

• Chicago River (Tours and the Riverwalk): Yes, they turn it green for St. Patrick’s Day. They also have tour boats that go up and down the river. There’s also the Chicago Riverwalk if you feel like checking out shops, gastropubs, and free art too!

• Lincoln Park Zoo: The Lincoln Park Zoo is a great habitat for all kinds of critters, and entry is FREE. Yes, you’ll still have to pay for food and parking, but with so many restaurants (and public transport stops) nearby, you can still visit on the cheap.

• Millennium Park: When your favorite influencer goes to Chicago, what do they do first? They take a picture in front of that big, chrome sculpture. It’s called the Bean, and it’s in Millennium Park. There’s also lots of waterfront room for relaxation once you get there.

• Street Festivals: When the weather’s nice in Chicago, the locals take advantage of it as much as they can. There are open air markets that sprout up all over the place, complete with live music, great food, and great drink. The perfect summer activity!

You made it to the end! Hopefully, by now you know a little more about what you can expect from your Houston to Chicago move. And now that you’ve met a few of our preferred movers, maybe you’re ready to get packing!

If we win you over, we can help you through your next steps. iMoving is the only place that lets you shop for movers, compare prices, and book your move entirely online. No house calls or phone calls are required. Now, we’re ready to help you head up north. Just tell us more about your move, and let’s get you on the road!