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Cost to move from Chicago, IL to Los Angeles, CA
About 2,091 road miles. A typical 2-bedroom move costs $5,440–$8,550 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 | $2,180–$3,420 | $2,430–$3,870 | $2,780–$4,490 |
| 1-bedroom | 3,000 lb | $3,210–$5,040 | $3,710–$5,940 | $2,790–$4,520 |
| 2-bedroom | 5,000 lb | $5,440–$8,550 | $6,190–$9,900 | $2,800–$4,550 |
| 3-bedroom | 8,000 lb | $8,910–$14,030 | $10,160–$16,280 | $2,820–$4,610 |
| 4+ bedroom | 11,000 lb | $12,130–$19,070 | $13,880–$22,220 | $2,840–$4,670 |
2-bedroom breakdown
| Item | Low | High | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Linehaul transport (5,000 lb, 2,091 mi) | $4,160 | $6,550 | |
| Fuel share (EIA diesel $6.40/gal) | $510 | $660 | weight share of a shared truck |
| Loading crew at origin | $420 | $710 | |
| Unloading crew at destination | $350 | $630 |
Route data
- Mover wages: $19.50/h in Chicago vs. $20.38/h in Los Angeles (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 21,982 people moved from Illinois to California in one year, and 16,460 the other way.
Seasonality
| Month | 2-bedroom, full service |
|---|---|
| January | $5,060–$7,950 |
| April | $5,440–$8,550 |
| July | $6,260–$9,830 |
| October | $5,440–$8,550 |
Going the other way? See Los Angeles to Chicago.
More: moving costs in Chicago · moving costs in Los Angeles
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FAQ
How much does it cost to move from Chicago to Los Angeles?
A 2-bedroom move of about 2,091 road miles costs roughly $5,440–$8,550 with full-service movers in October, or $2,800–$4,550 with a one-way rental truck (estimates, not quotes).
When is the cheapest time to move from Chicago to Los Angeles?
Winter months (November–February) run about 5–7% below October in our model; June–August peaks at 12–15% above it.