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Cost to move from Houston, TX to Chicago, IL
About 1,130 road miles. A typical 2-bedroom move costs $3,460–$5,500 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 | $1,380–$2,200 | $1,630–$2,650 | $1,540–$2,510 |
| 1-bedroom | 3,000 lb | $2,030–$3,220 | $2,530–$4,120 | $1,550–$2,540 |
| 2-bedroom | 5,000 lb | $3,460–$5,500 | $4,210–$6,850 | $1,560–$2,570 |
| 3-bedroom | 8,000 lb | $5,730–$9,140 | $6,980–$11,390 | $1,580–$2,630 |
| 4+ bedroom | 11,000 lb | $7,760–$12,360 | $9,510–$15,510 | $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 $5.91/gal) | $260 | $330 | weight share of a shared truck |
| Loading crew at origin | $390 | $670 | |
| Unloading crew at destination | $330 | $600 |
Route data
- Mover wages: $18.27/h in Houston vs. $19.50/h in Chicago (BLS OEWS 2025). Loading is priced at origin rates, unloading at destination rates.
- Diesel at origin: $5.91/gal (Gulf Coast, EIA week of 2026-11-02).
- Census ACS 2023: about 15,227 people moved from Texas to Illinois in one year, and 24,181 the other way.
Seasonality
| Month | 2-bedroom, full service |
|---|---|
| January | $3,220–$5,120 |
| April | $3,460–$5,500 |
| July | $3,980–$6,330 |
| October | $3,460–$5,500 |
Going the other way? See Chicago to Houston.
More: moving costs in Houston · moving costs in Chicago
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FAQ
How much does it cost to move from Houston to Chicago?
A 2-bedroom move of about 1,130 road miles costs roughly $3,460–$5,500 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 Houston to Chicago?
Winter months (November–February) run about 5–7% below October in our model; June–August peaks at 12–15% above it.