Moving costs in Chicago, IL
Movers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro earn a median $19.50/h (BLS OEWS 2025), 0.8% above the national median of $19.35. That ranks 28 of 50 metros we cover, so expect billed rates around $51–$66 per mover per hour. Diesel in the Midwest region costs $6.40/gal (EIA, 2026-11-02).
Sources: BLS wages, EIA fuel prices, U.S. CensusData updated 2026-11-04How we calculate →
Local move estimates in Chicago
October move, about 12 miles between homes, with the truck fee.
| Home size | Crew & time | Full service | With packing | DIY truck |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 2 movers, 3–4 h | $440–$790 | $690–$1,240 | $150–$330 |
| 1-bedroom | 2 movers, 4–6 h | $540–$1,050 | $1,040–$1,950 | $160–$360 |
| 2-bedroom | 3 movers, 5–7 h | $910–$1,680 | $1,660–$3,030 | $170–$390 |
| 3-bedroom | 4 movers, 7–9 h | $1,590–$2,710 | $2,840–$4,960 | $190–$450 |
| 4+ bedroom | 4 movers, 9–12 h | $1,990–$3,500 | $3,740–$6,650 | $210–$510 |
Metro facts that move the price
- Population (Census, July 2024): 9,408,576
- Net domestic migration 2024: -45,217 people left on net, so outbound demand is higher and outbound slots book up first in summer
- Peak season (June–August) adds about 12–15% vs. October; winter is ~5–7% cheaper.
Long-distance moves from Chicago
- Indianapolis, IN · 198 mi
- New York, NY · 853 mi
- Miami, FL · 1,430 mi
- Washington, DC · 712 mi
- Los Angeles, CA · 2,091 mi
- Milwaukee, WI · 98 mi
- St. Louis, MO · 315 mi
- Dallas, TX · 966 mi
- Phoenix, AZ · 1,742 mi
- Houston, TX · 1,130 mi
- Kansas City, MO · 495 mi
- Atlanta, GA · 707 mi
- Detroit, MI · 284 mi
- Denver, CO · 1,102 mi
- Tampa, FL · 1,206 mi
- Minneapolis, MN · 425 mi
- Orlando, FL · 1,183 mi
Moving to Chicago
- from Washington, DC
- from New York, NY
- from St. Louis, MO
- from Los Angeles, CA
- from Kansas City, MO
- from Miami, FL
- from Detroit, MI
- from Dallas, TX
- from Houston, TX
- from Milwaukee, WI
- from Indianapolis, IN
- from Phoenix, AZ
Moving cost calculator
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FAQ
How much do movers cost per hour in Chicago?
Based on the BLS 2025 median wage for movers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro ($19.50/h), billed rates work out to about $51–$66 per mover per hour, including the company's overhead and the truck.
How much is a local 2-bedroom move in Chicago?
About $910–$1,680 for a 3-person crew on a ~12-mile move in October, before packing and tips.