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

Tampa was nice, but Florida’s getting too crowded - and too FLORIDA. If you’re tired of your be-mulleted neighbors and being the butt of all those “Florida Man” jokes, it may be time to leave town and go someplace completely different. 

Chicago, for all its faults, is experiencing a wave of new arrivals. Maybe they’re attracted by the (comparatively) low cost of living. Maybe they like the cold. Maybe they just want some street cred, or they see a great opportunity in the Windy City.

Whatever the case, iMoving is here to help you make your long-distance move easier than ever. We’re the only platform that lets you shop for movers, compare their prices, and book your relocation entirely online.

Still on the fence? We get it. Read on to learn a little more about what you can expect from your Tampa to Chicago relocation…

It’ll cost you between $1,410 to $9,554 to hire your Tampa to Chicago movers. It’s a pretty big window, but for good reason: The price of long-distance moving comes down to how far you’re traveling, and how much stuff needs to be transported.

Tampa and Chicago are almost 1,200 miles apart, so there’s not much you can do about the distance. But if you’ve got a lot of old, unused, or otherwise unwanted items, why pay to have them sent to your new place?

Downsizing and selling off your old stuff before you get a quote is a great way to get a fresh start (and save money while you’re at it). Just keep in mind you may be in for a longer wait on moving day…

Long-distance moving typically takes from 1 to 21 days, but for the Tampa to Chicago route, you can expect a 4-day minimum. Your drivers aren’t allowed to log more than 400 miles of interstate travel per day, but rules and regulations aren’t the only things causing delays.

Moving companies don’t like empty space on their trucks. If you’re only moving a one-bedroom apartment, it’ll be bundled on a truck with several other smaller moves.

This is great for efficiency, and it keeps your price down, but it also means there will be pickups and deliveries along the way.

If you somehow manage to fill up an entire truck with just your stuff, it’ll be shipped a lot faster. Of course, you could also just call some of our favorite movers to see if they handle direct delivery…

Moving from Tampa to Chicago will set you back between $1,410 to $9,554, but that window really depends on a few important factors.

Here are some of the most common reasons you may pay more for your move:

1. Distance

Long distance movers calculate your price based on several factors, but distance is arguably the most important. A shorter distance is cheaper, and a longer distance is more expensive. Unfortunately, Tampa and Chicago are about 1,172 miles apart, so you’d better prepare your wallet.

2. Volume/Weight

Aside from the distance, the physical size of your move is probably the next most important factor. Some movers will measure your move in pounds, while others may work from an inventory list and assign a cubic-foot value to all your belongings. (At iMoving, we’ll help you build a custom inventory list to make this step a little easier.)

3. Packing

Whether you DIY it or you pay the pros to handle it, packing isn’t cheap. The supplies alone will cost money, and if you want to avoid some serious stress, you can shell out a couple hundred to a couple thousand for professional packing. Trust us, with all the other challenges that come with moving, packing services can be a lifesaver.

4. Insurance

Thanks to federal regulations, long-distance movers are required to offer a minimum amount of insurance coverage. Of course, that minimum is just $0.60 per pound, so if your 4-pound laptop gets broken, you’re only getting $2.40. If you want to be reimbursed the full value of your items, you’ll have to pay extra for full-value coverage.

5. Storage

Storage units are great if you need a little extra space or a little extra time. It can be tough to find the perfect spot for everything you own right on moving day, so a secure storage unit can give you some flexibility while you get situated. Some movers also throw in 30 days free!

6. Access Fees

Think long and hard about the path you take from your front door to the street. Do you have a gate, a long hallway or a driveway? What about elevators? Extra flights of stairs? These may be easy for you to deal with, but if you’re a mover and you’re carrying a couch, not so much. Expect to pay extra for the trouble.

7. Shuttles

Your movers will use a big ol’ truck to handle the long haul from Tampa to Chicago, but at point A and point B, they’ll have some trouble finding parking.

Turns out, big cities don’t like semi-trailers blocking traffic. Your movers may have to leave the semi at a staging area, and use a smaller box truck to ferry stuff back and forth. This will cost you, so check with your city about parking.

8. Time of Year

Some seasons are more popular than others. Everyone wants to move when the kids are out of school, so summer gets way pricey.

The same applies for major holidays and long weekends. If you really want to save on your move, try to book a mid-week, mid-month relocation.

9. Specialty Services

There are a lot of specialty services you can find with Tampa to Chicago movers. From extra TLC for artworks and antiques to specialty crating for those awkward items - the list goes on. You can get a completely custom move by springing for all these cool add-ons, but the price will stack up.

10. Gratuity

This isn’t technically included on your quote, but it’s important to remember the tip. You may be rolling your eyes at this point, but this isn’t like your barista shaking you down for 30%.

Moving is hard work, and if you think your team did a good job, a 15% to 20% tip is a perfectly reasonable figure if you split it up across your whole crew. Most movers accept - and expect - some kind of gratuity.

If Florida has lost some of its charm - or you’re just looking for a change of scenery - there’s plenty of reason to get out of town. But why move to Chicago? Here are some good excuses:

• Won’t completely break the bank: Compared to cities like New York and Los Angeles, Chicago is a lot more affordable. It may be pricier than Florida, but if you want some urban life and you’re trying to save up, it’s a great option.

• It’s up-and-coming: Everyone talks about how dangerous Chicago is. It’s pretty good. But this just means it’s getting affordable enough for the inevitable wave of gentrification. Move in, start a dog yoga studio, and be part of the problem while complaining about it!

• Lots of job opportunities: Chicago has a lot of jobs for the taking. Maybe all the other workers got scared and left. There’s a lot of manufacturing, as well as the insurance and finance industries. They also brag about their tech scene, but so does everyone else.

• Easy to get around: Public transport may seem scary to a Floridian, but once you get someplace and realize you don’t have to search for parking, it’ll start making sense. Chicago lives on public transportation.

• Big city life: Tampa is a lot smaller than Chicago. If you’re searching for some of the hustle and bustle of the big city, making the move up north may be just the thing. With a population that’s almost ten times bigger, it’ll be a different pace for sure.

Florida is hard to beat in terms of activities, and even in Tampa, you’ll find plenty to do. The move to Chicago may seem jarring, but there’ll still be plenty to keep you occupied:

• Art Institute of Chicago: Chicago gets cold. This means there’s a lot of indoor activities. The Art Institute of Chicago is world-class, and whether you’re trying to get cultured or just trying to warm up, their impressionist collection is worth the visit.

• Millennium Park: When the weather’s actually nice, you can check out Millennium Park. There’s plenty of lakefront and greenery, and even during the colder months, you can get up to some ice skating. Don’t forget to take a photo of the Bean.

• Street Festivals: Again, when the weather’s actually nice, there’s a lot more to do. Street festivals are pretty popular throughout the summer, so you can grab some good grub, and good brews, and check out the vendors and crafts.

• Chicago Riverwalk: The Chicago Riverwalk is a pretty popular stretch along the river, with plenty of fancy-schmancy restaurants and bars to keep things lively. While you’re out there, you can see Art on the MART - free art projected across 25 stories!

• Lincoln Park Zoo: The Lincoln Park Zoo is spread out over 35 acres, with over 1,000 cool critters to check out. Oh yeah, and it’s FREE! Swing by, check out the critters and enjoy doing something that doesn’t cost money for once.

You’ve seen our top Tampa to Chicago movers, and you’ve learned a little more about what you can expect from your new hometown. Ready to move? Still on the fence? Not to worry - iMoving can help you take your first steps.

We’re the only place that lets you shop for movers, compare quotes, and book your moving company entirely online. It only takes a few clicks, and you’ll have access to a marketplace of over 1000 vetted movers. Tell us a little more about your move, and let’s get you on the road!