Home › Routes › Chicago → Tampa
Cost to move from Chicago, IL to Tampa, FL
About 1,206 road miles. A typical 2-bedroom move costs $3,640–$5,760 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 | $1,450–$2,310 | $1,700–$2,760 | $1,640–$2,670 |
| 1-bedroom | 3,000 lb | $2,130–$3,370 | $2,630–$4,270 | $1,650–$2,700 |
| 2-bedroom | 5,000 lb | $3,640–$5,760 | $4,390–$7,110 | $1,660–$2,730 |
| 3-bedroom | 8,000 lb | $6,010–$9,560 | $7,260–$11,810 | $1,680–$2,790 |
| 4+ bedroom | 11,000 lb | $8,140–$12,940 | $9,890–$16,090 | $1,700–$2,850 |
2-bedroom breakdown
| Item | Low | High | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Linehaul transport (5,000 lb, 1,206 mi) | $2,610 | $4,120 | |
| Fuel share (EIA diesel $6.40/gal) | $300 | $380 | 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. $18.06/h in Tampa (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 27,109 people moved from Illinois to Florida in one year, and 19,100 the other way.
Seasonality
| Month | 2-bedroom, full service |
|---|---|
| January | $3,380–$5,360 |
| April | $3,640–$5,760 |
| July | $4,180–$6,630 |
| October | $3,640–$5,760 |
More: moving costs in Chicago · moving costs in Tampa
Moving cost calculator
Your estimate appears here.
Want movers to contact you?
This form is disabled until we've approved a vetted partner. Nothing you type here is sent or stored.
FAQ
How much does it cost to move from Chicago to Tampa?
A 2-bedroom move of about 1,206 road miles costs roughly $3,640–$5,760 with full-service movers in October, or $1,660–$2,730 with a one-way rental truck (estimates, not quotes).
When is the cheapest time to move from Chicago to Tampa?
Winter months (November–February) run about 5–7% below October in our model; June–August peaks at 12–15% above it.