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Cost to move from Chicago, IL to Houston, TX
About 1,130 road miles. A typical 2-bedroom move costs $3,490–$5,540 with full-service movers in October.
Sources: BLS wages, EIA fuel prices, U.S. CensusData updated 2026-11-04How we calculate →
Estimates by home size
| Home size | Typical weight | Full service | With packing | DIY truck |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 2,000 lb | $1,400–$2,220 | $1,650–$2,670 | $1,540–$2,510 |
| 1-bedroom | 3,000 lb | $2,040–$3,240 | $2,540–$4,140 | $1,550–$2,540 |
| 2-bedroom | 5,000 lb | $3,490–$5,540 | $4,240–$6,890 | $1,560–$2,570 |
| 3-bedroom | 8,000 lb | $5,780–$9,200 | $7,030–$11,450 | $1,580–$2,630 |
| 4+ bedroom | 11,000 lb | $7,820–$12,440 | $9,570–$15,590 | $1,600–$2,690 |
2-bedroom breakdown
| Item | Low | High | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Linehaul transport (5,000 lb, 1,130 mi) | $2,480 | $3,910 | |
| Fuel share (EIA diesel $6.40/gal) | $280 | $360 | weight share of a shared truck |
| Loading crew at origin | $420 | $710 | |
| Unloading crew at destination | $310 | $560 |
Route data
- Mover wages: $19.50/h in Chicago vs. $18.27/h in Houston (BLS OEWS 2025). Loading is priced at origin rates, unloading at destination rates.
- Diesel at origin: $6.40/gal (Midwest, EIA week of 2026-11-02).
- Census ACS 2023: about 24,181 people moved from Illinois to Texas in one year, and 15,227 the other way.
Seasonality
| Month | 2-bedroom, full service |
|---|---|
| January | $3,240–$5,150 |
| April | $3,490–$5,540 |
| July | $4,010–$6,370 |
| October | $3,490–$5,540 |
Going the other way? See Houston to Chicago.
More: moving costs in Chicago · moving costs in Houston
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FAQ
How much does it cost to move from Chicago to Houston?
A 2-bedroom move of about 1,130 road miles costs roughly $3,490–$5,540 with full-service movers in October, or $1,560–$2,570 with a one-way rental truck (estimates, not quotes).
When is the cheapest time to move from Chicago to Houston?
Winter months (November–February) run about 5–7% below October in our model; June–August peaks at 12–15% above it.