Best Los Angeles to Chicago Movers

How Much Do Los Angeles to Chicago Movers Cost?

Moving 2,079 miles from Los Angeles, 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 Los Angeles. Their moving truck would be making the trip back to Chicago from Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles to Chicago moving option

Hire local Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles, CA to Chicago, IL long distance movers.

Rating Methodology

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

Our original review-based ranking algorithm

We started with a total of 64 companies that offer interstate moving services in both the Los Angeles and Chicago areas.

From these 64 companies, we analyzed a total of 41,489 reviews dating all the way back to August 2006.

We also reviewed a total of 42 state and federal moving licenses from these 64 companies and 326 different 3rd party review and social profiles.

Each of the ~41,000 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 26,082 Los Angeles 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 Best California Movers) vs older more established companies (like Prodigy Moving & Storage).

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The Great Guys Moving 11-Point Rating Breakdown

Our 11-point rating criteria scores every Los Angeles 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.

8.65/10 avg (Los Angeles & Chicago combined) from 31,592 reviews

Punctuality

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

8.38/10 avg (Los Angeles & Chicago combined) from 11,608 reviews

Affordability

How affordable was the moving service?

7.72/10 avg (Los Angeles & Chicago combined) from 7,019 reviews

Communication

Responsiveness before, during, and after the move.

7.79/10 avg (Los Angeles & Chicago combined) from 12,022 reviews

Stick to Prices

Was the final price consistent with the original quote?

6.46/10 avg (Los Angeles & Chicago combined) from 5,591 reviews

Speed

Efficiency without taking unnecessary time to increase costs.

8.90/10 avg (Los Angeles & Chicago combined) from 16,610 reviews

Friendliness

Was the moving crew cordial and friendly on moving day?

9.17/10 avg (Los Angeles & Chicago combined) from 16,006 reviews

Will Hire Again

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

8.41/10 avg (Los Angeles & Chicago combined) from 30,360 reviews

Professionalism

Did the moving crew behave professionally on moving day?

8.59/10 avg (Los Angeles & Chicago combined) from 17,345 reviews

Conflict Handling

How well the company responds to accidents and issues.

4.51/10 avg (Los Angeles & Chicago combined) from 3,618 reviews

Precision & Care

Were walls scratched? Did furniture get damaged or lost?

8.38/10 avg (Los Angeles & Chicago combined) from 16,122 reviews

From Los Angeles to Chicago: Comparable Neighborhoods at a Glance

• Hollywood in Los Angeles & River North in Chicago are both known for their bustling nightlife & entertainment hub
• Los Angeles' Downtown LA neighborhood & Chicago's The Loop both share a central business district with high-rises
• If you're moving from Silver Lake, check out Wicker Park in the Chicago area for the indie shops & vibrant arts scene
• Do you enjoy Echo Park's indie community & green spaces? You're sure to love Logan Square
• Move from Venice to Lincoln Park and continue to enjoy these neighborhood qualities: lakeside green spaces & beach access
• West Hollywood & Andersonville are both known for their LGBTQ-friendly community & boutique shopping
• Los Angeles' Brentwood neighborhood & Chicago's Lincoln Square neighborhood both have family-oriented & quiet residential streets
• If you're moving from Westwood, look into Hyde Park for the university-adjacent & cultural venues
• Do you cherish living in Culver City's media & tech hub with galleries? Move into West Loop for something similar
• The similar vibes of Sherman Oaks & North Center are both known for suburban-like residential areas with local shops

Pros and Cons of Moving from Los Angeles to Chicago

ConsLos Angeles, CA

• High living costs
• Heavy traffic
• Limited water access
• Wildfire risks

ProsChicago, IL

• More affordable rent
• Better public transit
• Lake Michigan beaches
• Seasonal weather

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Chicago, IL

• Colder winters
• No ocean beaches
• Smaller food scene
• Fewer industry events

Los Angeles, CA

• Sunny weather
• Beach access
• Diverse cuisine
• Entertainment hub

Pros of moving from Los Angeles to Chicago

• Say goodbye to high living costs and hello to more affordable rent
• Look forward to moving away from heavy traffic and moving to Chicago with better public transit
• Swap the limited water access of Los Angeles for Lake Michigan beaches in Chicago
• Get ready for seasonal weather in Chicago

Cons of moving from Los Angeles to Chicago

• Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from sunny weather in Los Angeles to live with colder winters in Chicago
• You'll lose out on the pro of beach access and have to settle for the con of no ocean beaches
• Time to bid farewell to diverse cuisine and get used to a smaller food scene in Chicago
• Swap the entertainment hub for fewer industry events

Los Angeles vs. Chicago: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

If you're moving from Los Angeles to Chicago, you will be trading the iconic Tacos of Los Angeles for the equally delicious Deep-dish pizza of Chicago. And while the locals in Los Angeles rave about their flavorful Korean BBQ and sumptuous Food Trucks Various Cuisines, Chicago residents know they have tasty Italian Beef Sandwich and Hot Dogs to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Avocado Toast 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 Los Angeles eateries like Pizzeria Mozza, The Ivy, and Roscoe’s House of Chicken and Waffles. After the boxes are unpacked in Chicago, don't wait too long before making your way to Chicago's acclaimed eateries like Alinea, Girl & The Goat, and Lou Malnati's Pizzeria.

When comparing lifestyles, Chicago shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Los Angeles. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Chicago compared to what you are used to in Los Angeles. Also, the overall foodie scene is less 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 Los Angeles favorites, but we've got you covered. If you loved Providence, Guelaguetza, and In-N-Out Burger in Los Angeles, we're sure you'll love Alinea, Cantina Laredo, and Edzo's Burger Shop in Chicago. See our Chicago restaurant discovery table below to find the closest comparison restaurant to all of your cherished Los Angeles hotspots. For example, if you enjoyed dining at Roscoe's House of Chicken and Waffles, head to Chicago's Home of Chicken & Waffles on your first Friday night after the boxes are unpacked.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Los Angeles and Chicago

• The Modern and Spanish architecture that Los Angeles is known for will be replaced with the Modern and Greystone architecture typical of Chicago.
• Compared to Los Angeles's real estate listings that commonly reference outdoor spaces and views, Chicago real estate listings often highlight features like location and historic charm.
• Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Chicago is more walkable than Los Angeles.
• Make sure the movers take care of your bike because Chicago is more bike-friendly than Los Angeles.
• Chicago has more of an urban feel than Los Angeles.
• Chicago housing costs are 70% less expensive than they are in Los Angeles, with a median home price of $289,909 compared to Los Angeles’s $974,105.
• Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Chicago have increased by 17% compared to a 37% increase in Los Angeles.
• Rent in Chicago is 24.15% more affordable than in Los Angeles.

Pet-friendly Neighborhoods in Chicago, IL

1. Lincoln Park : You'll find plenty of green spaces and dog-friendly areas, including the popular Wiggly Field Dog Park.
2. Lakeview : This lively neighborhood offers numerous pet-friendly cafes and shops, along with the spacious Belmont Harbor Dog Beach.
3. Logan Square : Known for its welcoming community vibe, you and your furry friends can enjoy multiple pet-friendly parks and a variety of pet-oriented events.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Los Angeles and Chicago

• The shades won't be used as much for your move from Los Angeles to Chicago. Chicago gets 33% fewer sunshine days than Los Angeles.
• Chicago has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Los Angeles.
• Say goodbye to the possible earthquakes and wildfires in Los Angeles, but be on the lookout for potential blizzards and tornadoes in Chicago.
• The average summer high temperature in Chicago is the same as in Los Angeles.
• The average winter lows are 26 degrees colder than they are in Los Angeles.
• Your umbrella might be more overworked in Chicago, as it receives 21.7 more inches of rain compared to Los Angeles.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Los Angeles and Chicago

• When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Chicago tend to earn about 5% less than those in Los Angeles
• The COLI in Chicago is 14% lower than what you are used to living in Los Angeles
• The state income tax in Illinois is 4.95 compared to 13.3 in California
• The affluence in Chicago is moderate compared to high in Los Angeles
• The poverty level is significant in Chicago compared to noticeable in Los Angeles
• In terms of homelessness, it is high in Los Angeles and moderate in Chicago

Political and Religious Climate in Los Angeles vs. Chicago

• Los Angeles tends to lean majority Democratic in its political climate
• Chicago, on the other hand, is often described as majority Democratic
• Chicago's religious environment can be described as diverse, including Christianity (majority), Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism
• Los Angeles' residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as diverse, including Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, and Judaism

Los Angeles vs. Chicago Traffic and Public Transit Considerations

• Bummer! Looks like you might end up spending about 17% more time stuck in traffic commuting to work in Chicago compared to your Los Angeles commute. That's 2600 minutes lost each year in a car.
• You can expect traffic in Chicago to be better than it is in Los Angeles.
• Public transit is more readily available in Chicago.