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#1 Mover in Illinois

Air Van northAmerican Van Lines

Of all the interstate movers we researched, Air Van northAmerican stood head and shoulders above the competition when it came to responsiveness, transparency with estimates, damage-free handling of possessions, and overall accountability. With over 1,800 trucks, 40,000 truck shipments per year, 1,500 local agents covering all 50 states, and a real focus on continuous improvement, this mover has the scale, resources and commitment to quality that enables them to provide an exceptionally smooth moving experience despite the complexities of long distance transportation.

Services include:

  • Long distance moves
  • Local moves
  • Full-service moving
  • Corporate relocation
  • Vehicle transport
  • Office moving

Contact: (877) 306-2585

Planning on Relocating to Illinois?

Have you been thinking of packing up and moving to the Prairie State recently? Well, you’re not alone! As the 6th most populous state in the country, Illinois continues to attract new residents with its low cost of living, strong industries, and ample job opportunities.

But before taking the leap, an important question you must ask yourself is “How Much Does It Cost To Move To Illinois?”. After all, no one wants unexpected moving expenses to derail their relocation plans. The costs associated with moving can really add up. However, with some strategic planning and budgeting, you can make your Illinois move surprisingly affordable.

This guide breaks down everything that goes into the cost of moving, from factors like distance to add-on fees for packing. You’ll get typical price estimates for moves of different sizes across Illinois so you know what to budget for your situation. If you want to explore quality moving companies first, check out our recent blog comparing top-rated Illinois moving services with pricing details to help kickstart your research.

What Factors Impact the Cost of Moving in Illinois?

When estimating moving costs for an Illinois relocation, there are a few key factors to keep in mind:

Distance and Location

Long distance moves that cross state lines are going to be more expensive than local moves. You’ll likely need to hire professional interstate movers and pay higher transportation fees. The specific pickup and delivery locations will also impact costs. Moving within metro areas generally costs less than to/from rural locations.

Number of Belongings

The more you need to move, the more time and labor is required. If you have a lot of furniture, large appliances, vehicles, etc. expect higher moving bills. On the other hand, small studio moves typically take less resources. Take an honest look at what needs to come with you.

Type of Move

You have a few options when moving – DIY truck rental, hiring movers, or using shipping containers. Each has different cost implications we’ll explore shortly.

Extra Services

From packing supplies and loading assistance to storage and specialty item moving, add-on services can really increase your total moving spend. Be selective here to control costs.

With good planning though, you can absolutely keep moving costs reasonable, even on an interstate relocation budget.

Average Cost to Hire Movers in Illinois

Professional moving companies are the most popular and convenient moving option. But how much can you expect to budget when hiring movers for an Illinois move?

Hourly Rates for Movers in Illinois

According to data from the American Moving & Storage Association, the average hourly rate charged by moving companies in Illinois is $192 per hour. This statewide average gives you a baseline, but costs in practice will vary across different cities and metro regions.

For example, movers in the core Chicago area tend to charge slightly higher rates due to higher demand and cost of living – averaging around $210 per hour. Meanwhile, movers in other major Illinois cities like Rockford, Joliet and Springfield are more affordable, with average hourly rates of $175.

So when researching movers, make sure to get estimates tailored to your specific pickup/delivery locations within Illinois. Statewide averages only tell part of the story when planning a personalized moving budget!

Typical Moving Costs by Home Size

To give you a better idea of what a full moving service may cost based on your home size, check out these average price ranges:

Studio apartment – $492 Typical Illinois moving costs for a small studio are around $500, assuming 2 movers for 3 hours at $269 per hour.

1 Bedroom Home – $761 For a 1 bedroom home, plan around $750 for 2 movers and 4 hours.

2 Bedroom Home – $1,353 Moving costs for a 2 bedroom place jump to $1,350+ on average, requiring 3 movers for 5 hours.

3 Bedroom Home – $3,385 Most 3 bedroom homes need around 8 hours with a 4 person crew, so be prepared for a $3,400 moving bill.

4 Bedroom Home – $3,912 Similarly, moving a 4 bedroom house runs around $3,900 with 4 movers for 9 hours.

5+ Bedrooms – $6,128 For extra large 5+ bedroom houses, costs can exceed $6,100 for the 10 hours of work and 5 movers often required.

So in review, for your average 3 bedroom suburban home, plan around $3,400 for the full service move. But get a personalized quote for your exact details.

Additional Services Charges

Beyond the base per hour labor fees, moving companies may also charge extra for:

  • Packing & Unpacking – Want the movers to box up all your belongings for you? This add-on usually costs $700-$900 depending on the home size.
  • Loading / Unloading Help – For DIY moves, you can often hire loaders at around $50 per hour. They bring the manpower to carefully move items in/out faster.
  • Storage – In case closing dates or other delays arise, temporary moving storage typically runs $100-$200 monthly. Long term storage units then cost less per month.
  • Piano Moving – For safe piano transport, you’ll spend $300-$500 depending on flights of stairs required etc.

Definitely shop around between Illinois moving companies, get binding estimates, and inquire about these extras to make apples-to-apples comparisons. Understanding all the potential fees in advance helps avoid any budget surprises on moving day!

How Much Does it Cost to Move Cross Country to Illinois?

What about moving costs for an interstate relocation? Illinois continues to welcome over 115,000 new residents each year from all over the country. What is the cost to hire long distance movers and have your items safely transported from out of state?

Here are some average rates from popular interstate moving routes:

From New York to Illinois – $2,329 to $5,215

This East Coast route is one of the most common long distance moves, transporting loads 1,100 miles between Illinois and the Big Apple. With two week transit times, plan for about $4,800 in professional moving costs.

From California to Illinois – $3,269 to $5,818

Over 2,000 miles separate these two highly populated states, driving moving costs up to around $5,500 typically for a 5 bedroom home. Open air shipping of vehicles also gets expensive over this long western route.

From Texas to Illinois – $2,376 to $5,350

As neighboring Midwest states, moving between Texas and Illinois is more reasonable, averaging approximately $2,400 for smaller shipments to $5,300 for large executive relocations.

From Arizona to Illinois – $2,835 to $5,587

Despite the shorter driving distance, moving back east from the desert can still cost up to $5,600 with higher truck fuel costs.

From Pennsylvania to Illinois – $2,149 to $4,673

Finally, relocating to Illinois from the Northeastern state of Pennsylvania will run you around $4,700 for a typical suburban family moving their 4 bedroom home halfway across the country.

As you can see, for long haul interstate moves to Illinois spanning over 1,000 miles, work with a budget between $5,000 to $6,000 give or take. That allows some buffer for those loose estimates from phone calls with moving brokers. Nothing eats more at the moving budget than going too cheap initially.

And keep reading for tips on transporting your beloved vehicles and planning out moving costs on a smart timeline…

Transporting Vehicles to Illinois

Beyond hiring reputable car shipping companies to transport your vehicles to Illinois, you have two other options:

1. Tow your own vehicle – If you are renting a moving truck and trailering it yourself, factor in about $0.60 per mile for the auto transport. This gets costly over long distances.

2. Drive your own vehicle – Driving your cars to Illinois is the most affordable option, saving on transport fees. Just account for $0.20 per mile in fuel plus lodging costs for longer treks.

When including vehicles in the moving budget, planning things out 2-3 months ahead helps ease some of those hefty long distance auto shipping costs during peak season.

Cost Comparison of DIY Moves vs Hiring a Mover in Illinois

Alternatively, by rolling up your sleeves a bit, substantial savings on moving costs can also come the DIY route…

Here’s an overview of Do-It-Yourself moving options for Illinois:

DIY Moving Truck Rental Cost

Going the full DIY route by renting a truck in Illinois costs:

  • 10-Foot Truck – Starting around $130 daily
  • 16-Foot Truck – Approx. $160 per day
  • 24-Foot Truck – Around $190+ per day

Account for 2 travel days plus the move itself. With**.55 to $.65 per mile** driven, plus fuel surcharges around $95, costs can still exceed hiring movers depending on mileage. Helpers may also be needed.

Portable Moving Container Cost

Portable storage containers offer a middle ground between hiring movers and DIY trucks. Load at your own pace, then leave it to the container company for transport.

Typical costs include:

  • Container Delivery / Pickup – $100 each way
  • Monthly Container Rent – $200+
  • Storage – $1-$2 per cubic foot monthly

Resist cramming containers to the brim and tripling weight. Overage fees ($50-$150) add up fast! But with smart packing these units offer simplicity.

Freight Shipping Container Cost

For interstate moves out of Illinois, LTL (less-than-truckload) carriers efficiently transport loose items stacked on pallets. Expect pricing around:

  • $900 for a studio apartment
  • $1,100 for a 1-2 bedroom shipment
  • $1,900 for a 3-4 bedroom home shipment

Just know that you (or hired labor) will be doing ALL the loading/unloading without forklifts. And freight carriers cover just 1 pickup spot & 1 delivery point. Simple but physical!

Clearly the sweat equity pays off big time if seeking the cheapest route moving in or out of Illinois. But also evaluate if time lost doing move tasks yourself has hidden opportunity costs. What else could you be working on by outsourcing to movers?

Typical Cost of Living and Real Estate Prices in Illinois

Beyond the actual moving process, how do prices compare for day to day living in Illinois?

Overall the cost of living index in Illinois is 90 compared to the US baseline of 100. This makes the state about 10% more affordable than national averages for expenses like:

  • Rent – A 1 bedroom averages $1,038 monthly which is 22% below national rents.
  • Home Prices – The median home value is $249,224, ranking 30% under the US median of around $356,000.
  • Groceries – Food costs run 7% lower on average than most states.
  • Utilities – Households pay around $125 monthly for electric, gas, water and trash pickup combined.

Plus incomes in the state actually run over 20% ABOVE national averages, creating extra wiggle room in Illinois budgets.

Clearly the Prairie State stays economical relative to other areas of the country. When researching cities and towns to settle in, browse local real estate listings to compare rents and home prices within your affordability range.

Just watch out for property taxes – these rates are nearly the highest around at 2.1% of home value on average. Budget an extra $100 or more per month in ownership costs to cover.

Overall though, Illinois remains well positioned economically, even with the faster cost growth around metro regions like Chicago. Run the numbers for your situation and location to pinpoint exact costs anticipated after relocating.

Ways to Finance and Save Up for Moving Costs

Let’s switch gears briefly to talk budget planning tactics.

Even after minimizing expenses where possible with this move, how exactly can you finance and foot the moving bill? Especially on interstate moves costing several thousand dollars all at once…

Here are 2 smart tips to save up in preparation:

Start Saving Early

Open a separate savings just for relocation costs. Set monthly auto-transfers from your regular checking account to steadily build this moving fund over time. Starting at least 6 months out gives enough runway.

Compare Moving Loans

Whether using home equity or a personal installment loan, research lenders offering low fixed rates. Weigh out-of-pocket costs over the full repayment term rather than just monthly payments. Then determine best option for your situation.

Moving is definitely one of those unpredictable life events that tests budgets. With a bit of fiscal foresight like this however, you can smartly finance all relocation costs that pop up and smoothly transition to living comfortably in your new Illinois residence!

Key Takeaways – How Much Does it Cost to Move to Illinois?

Let’s recap quickly on what we’ve covered today moving about Illinois relocation costs:

  • Average costs to hire movers in Illinois run $192 per hour, with typical full home moves ranging $500 to $6,000+ depending on home size and services. Get personal estimates.
  • Moving yourself long distance can cost anywhere from $2,300 to $5,800 on average based on origin/destination points. Price transporting vehicles separately.
  • DIY moving comes cheaper but very labor intensive, while portable containers offer middle ground convenience.
  • The cost of living in Illinois is about 10% under national averages, with affordable real estate available around both Chicago and smaller cities.
  • Finance moving costs through smart planning – increase savings contributions or take out a low rate moving loan.

The costs of relocating can feel intimidating. But now you’re armed with insider details to set reasonable expectations before committing to an Illinois move. Just focus on the reasons you’re moving in the first place – family, career growth, better quality of life or whatever draws you to Illinois. Then the rest seamlessly falls into place from there!

You’ve got this! Now start collecting those moving boxes – Illinois awaits…

GET STARTED WITH YOUR MOVE HERE

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