Best Irvine to Chicago Movers

How Much Do Irvine to Chicago Movers Cost?

Moving 2,077 miles from Irvine, CA to Chicago, IL will typically cost between $3,500 and $8,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

Pro tip for the cheapest long distance move

Find long distance movers in Chicago that already have a booked job heading from Chicago to Irvine. Their moving truck would be making the trip back to Chicago from Irvine entirely empty. If you can find a Chicago moving company willing to move your stuff on the return leg, you'll score a real deal!

Moving Containers: A cheaper Irvine to Chicago moving option

Hire local Irvine movers for the pickup location at an hourly rate. They can quickly load your moving container. When your container is dropped off at your new home, hire Chicago movers to unpack the container and move you into your new home. You'll have to piece this Irvine to Chicago move together yourself with at least 3 different companies. Taking on this scheduling responsibility will save you a little money by moving with this strategy.

How we ranked the top Irvine to Chicago movers

Why you should trust us

We take reviews seriously to protect people just like you! Our team has been crunching data on moving companies since 2010. Our math-based ranking system uses data, manual review, and statistical analysis to help you hire the best Irvine, CA to Chicago, IL long distance movers.

Rating Methodology

Here's the methodology we used to come up with the best movers for the Irvine to Chicago moving route:

Our original review-based ranking algorithm

We started with a total of 46 companies that offer interstate moving services in both the Irvine and Chicago areas.

From these 46 companies, we analyzed a total of 27,162 reviews dating all the way back to February 2007.

We also reviewed a total of 30 state and federal moving licenses from these 46 companies and 236 different 3rd party review and social profiles.

Each of the ~27,000 reviews was scored according to our detailed 11-point rating criteria

Reviews are time-weighted so that more recent reviews carry more weight. This helps you understand how a mover is doing today... not 5 years ago. We have 13,598 Irvine to Chicago moving company data points from the past 2 years that carry more weight.

Bayesian averages calculated to fairly account for the differences between companies that are newer(like 606 Movers, Inc.) vs older more established companies (like NorthStar Moving Company).

Hire Trusted Movers

The Great Guys Moving 11-Point Rating Breakdown

Our 11-point rating criteria scores every Irvine to Chicago moving company across 11 of the most important criteria for a succesful moving experience.

Quality

Overall quality of the service provided on moving day.

8.58/10 avg (Irvine & Chicago combined) from 21,619 reviews

Punctuality

Did the crew show up on-time with the required equipment?

8.27/10 avg (Irvine & Chicago combined) from 8,168 reviews

Affordability

How affordable was the moving service?

7.75/10 avg (Irvine & Chicago combined) from 4,720 reviews

Communication

Responsiveness before, during, and after the move.

7.64/10 avg (Irvine & Chicago combined) from 8,201 reviews

Stick to Prices

Was the final price consistent with the original quote?

6.54/10 avg (Irvine & Chicago combined) from 3,942 reviews

Speed

Efficiency without taking unnecessary time to increase costs.

8.87/10 avg (Irvine & Chicago combined) from 11,353 reviews

Friendliness

Was the moving crew cordial and friendly on moving day?

9.04/10 avg (Irvine & Chicago combined) from 10,899 reviews

Will Hire Again

How likely a customer is to hire the same movers again.

8.32/10 avg (Irvine & Chicago combined) from 20,728 reviews

Professionalism

Did the moving crew behave professionally on moving day?

8.52/10 avg (Irvine & Chicago combined) from 11,807 reviews

Conflict Handling

How well the company responds to accidents and issues.

4.29/10 avg (Irvine & Chicago combined) from 2,444 reviews

Precision & Care

Were walls scratched? Did furniture get damaged or lost?

8.34/10 avg (Irvine & Chicago combined) from 10,747 reviews

From Irvine to Chicago: Comparable Neighborhoods at a Glance

• Northwood in Irvine & Lincoln Park in Chicago are both known for their family-friendly neighborhoods with parks & top schools
• Irvine's Turtle Rock neighborhood & Chicago's Lincoln Park both share hillside settings with scenic views & strong schools
• If you're moving from Woodbridge, check out Lakeview in the Chicago area for the lakeside amenities & boating with a family vibe
• Do you enjoy Rancho San Joaquin's suburban-lakefront lifestyle with parks & schools? You're sure to love Lakeview
• Move from University Park to Hyde Park and continue to enjoy these neighborhood qualities of a university-adjacent area with campus culture
• Oak Creek & Gold Coast are both known for their upscale communities with luxury homes & dining
• Irvine's Westpark neighborhood & Chicago's Logan Square neighborhood both have affordable, family-oriented atmospheres with local shops
• If you're moving from East Irvine, look into West Loop for the mixed-use district with apartments & job access
• Do you cherish living in Orchard Hills' new developments with community parks & trails? Move into Avondale for something similar

Pros and Cons of Moving from Irvine to Chicago

ConsIrvine, CA

• High living costs
• Limited public transit
• Mild winters
• Smaller job market

ProsChicago, IL

• More affordable housing
• Extensive public transit
• Vibrant seasons
• Diverse job market

---

Chicago, IL

• Higher crime rate
• No natural beaches
• Colder winters
• Variable air quality

Irvine, CA

• Low crime rate
• Proximity to beaches
• Outdoor lifestyle
• Clean air

Pros of moving from Irvine to Chicago

• Say goodbye to high living costs and hello to more affordable housing
• Look forward to moving away from limited public transit and moving to Chicago with extensive public transit
• Swap the mild winters of Irvine for vibrant seasons in Chicago
• Get ready for a diverse job market in Chicago

Cons of moving from Irvine to Chicago

• Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the low crime rate in Irvine to live with a higher crime rate in Chicago
• You'll lose out on the pro of proximity to beaches and have to settle for the con of no natural beaches
• Time to bid farewell to the outdoor lifestyle and get used to colder winters in Chicago
• Swap clean air for variable air quality

Irvine vs. Chicago: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

If you're moving from Irvine to Chicago, you will be trading the iconic Poke of Irvine for the equally delicious Deep-dish pizza of Chicago. And while the locals in Irvine rave about their flavorful Korean BBQ and sumptuous Fish Tacos, Chicago residents know they have tasty Italian Beef Sandwiches and Hot Dogs to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Acai Bowl they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegan Deep-dish Pizza of Chicago. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Irvine eateries like Habuya Okinawan Dining, Tanaka Farms, and Houston's. After the boxes are unpacked in Chicago, don't wait too long before making your way to Chicago's acclaimed eateries like Lou Malnati's Pizzeria, Portillo's, and Alinea.

When comparing lifestyles, Chicago shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Irvine. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Chicago compared to what you are used to in Irvine. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Chicago.

Discover Chicago Restaurants You'll Love

Moving to Chicago is an opportunity to try lots of new restaurants. Sure, you'll miss your old Irvine favorites, but we've got you covered. If you loved HiroNori Craft Ramen, Habana, and Baoology in Irvine, we're sure you'll love Ramen-San, Cuban Experience Havana, and Qing Xiang Yuan Dumplings in Chicago. See our Chicago restaurant discovery table below to find the closest comparison restaurant to all of your cherished Irvine hotspots. For example, if you enjoyed dining at North Italia, head to Quartino Ristorante on your first Friday night after the boxes are unpacked.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Irvine and Chicago

• The Modern and Spanish architecture that Irvine is known for will be replaced with the Brick and Greystone architecture typical of Chicago.
• Compared to Irvine's real estate listings that commonly reference energy efficiency and community amenities, Chicago real estate listings often highlight features like historic details and proximity to transit.
• Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Chicago is more walkable than Irvine.
• Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Chicago is more bike-friendly than Irvine.
• Chicago has more of an urban feel than Irvine.
• Chicago housing costs are 81% less expensive than they are in Irvine with a median home price of $289,909 compared to Irvine’s $1,489,822.
• Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Chicago have increased by 17% compared to a 61% increase in Irvine.
• Rent in Chicago is 33.69% more affordable than in Irvine.

Pet-friendly Neighborhoods in Chicago, IL

1. Lakeview: Known for its abundance of dog parks and pet-friendly businesses, Lakeview is a haven for pet owners.
2. Lincoln Park: With Lincoln Park's expansive green spaces and pet-friendly cafes, this neighborhood is perfect for pets and their owners.
3. Wicker Park: Offering numerous pet-friendly dining options and access to the 606 trail, Wicker Park is ideal for those with furry companions.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Irvine and Chicago

• The shades won't be used as much for your move from Irvine to Chicago. Chicago gets 33% fewer sunshine days than Irvine.
• Chicago has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Irvine.
• Say goodbye to the possible wildfires and earthquakes in Irvine, but be on the lookout for potential blizzards and tornadoes in Chicago.
• The average summer high temperature in Chicago is 2 degrees warmer than in Irvine.
• The average winter lows are 30 degrees colder than they are in Irvine.
• Your umbrella might be more overworked in Chicago, as it receives 23 more inches of rain compared to Irvine.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Irvine and Chicago

• When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Chicago tend to earn about 37% less than in Irvine
• The COLI in Chicago is 14% lower than what you are used to living in Irvine
• The state income tax in IL is 4.95 compared to 13.3 in CA
• The affluence in Chicago is moderate compared to high in Irvine
• The poverty level is higher in Chicago compared to low in Irvine
• In terms of homelessness, it is noticeable in Irvine and significant in Chicago

Political and Religious Climate in Irvine vs. Chicago

• Irvine tends to lean moderately liberal in its political climate
• Chicago, on the other hand, is often described as strongly liberal
• Chicago's religious environment can be described as diverse with a significant Catholic presence and the iconic Holy Name Cathedral
• Irvine's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as diverse and include Mariners Church