Best Oakland to Chicago Movers

How Much Do Oakland to Chicago Movers Cost?

Moving 2,168 miles from Oakland, CA to Chicago, IL will typically cost between $3,500 and $9,000 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 Oakland. Their moving truck would be making the trip back to Chicago from Oakland 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 Oakland to Chicago moving option

Hire local Oakland 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 Oakland 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 Oakland 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 Oakland, CA to Chicago, IL long distance movers.

Rating Methodology

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

Our original review-based ranking algorithm

We started with a total of 41 companies that offer interstate moving services in both the Oakland and Chicago areas.

From these 41 companies, we analyzed a total of 25,384 reviews dating all the way back to February 2007.

We also reviewed a total of 29 state and federal moving licenses from these 41 companies and 212 different 3rd party review and social profiles.

Each of the ~25,000 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 18,752 Oakland 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 Move-tastic!).

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The Great Guys Moving 11-Point Rating Breakdown

Our 11-point rating criteria scores every Oakland 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.

8.54/10 avg (Oakland & Chicago combined) from 19,773 reviews

Punctuality

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

8.14/10 avg (Oakland & Chicago combined) from 7,411 reviews

Affordability

How affordable was the moving service?

7.67/10 avg (Oakland & Chicago combined) from 4,313 reviews

Communication

Responsiveness before, during, and after the move.

7.48/10 avg (Oakland & Chicago combined) from 7,360 reviews

Stick to Prices

Was the final price consistent with the original quote?

6.42/10 avg (Oakland & Chicago combined) from 3,867 reviews

Speed

Efficiency without taking unnecessary time to increase costs.

8.80/10 avg (Oakland & Chicago combined) from 10,434 reviews

Friendliness

Was the moving crew cordial and friendly on moving day?

9.09/10 avg (Oakland & Chicago combined) from 9,838 reviews

Will Hire Again

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

8.21/10 avg (Oakland & Chicago combined) from 18,615 reviews

Professionalism

Did the moving crew behave professionally on moving day?

8.50/10 avg (Oakland & Chicago combined) from 10,863 reviews

Conflict Handling

How well the company responds to accidents and issues.

4.11/10 avg (Oakland & Chicago combined) from 2,381 reviews

Precision & Care

Were walls scratched? Did furniture get damaged or lost?

8.17/10 avg (Oakland & Chicago combined) from 9,932 reviews

From Oakland to Chicago: Comparable Neighborhoods at a Glance

• Rockridge in Oakland & Lincoln Park in Chicago are both known for their: affluent, village-like shopping district
• Oakland's Temescal neighborhood & Chicago's Wicker Park both share: artsy vibe, indie shops & cafés
• If you're moving from Lake Merritt, check out Lakeview in the Chicago area for the: lakefront parks and family-friendly atmosphere
• Do you enjoy Fruitvale's rich Latino culture & authentic eateries? You're sure to love Pilsen
• Move from Grand Lake to Logan Square and continue to enjoy these neighborhood qualities: weekend markets and creative scene
• Jack London Square & River North are both known for their: waterfront dining & historic vibe
• Oakland's Uptown neighborhood & Chicago's Uptown neighborhood both have: historic theaters & live music
• If you're moving from West Oakland, look into Bridgeport for the: industrial roots with growing arts scene
• Do you cherish living in Piedmont Avenue's charming commercial strip with boutiques? Move into Andersonville for something similar

Pros and Cons of Moving from Oakland to Chicago

ConsOakland, CA

• Higher living costs
• Frequent earthquakes
• Heavy traffic
• Less seasonal weather

ProsChicago, IL

• More affordable living
• Stable ground
• Efficient public transit
• Distinct seasons

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Chicago, IL

• Harsh winters
• Different vibe
• Fewer options
• Less accessible nature

Oakland, CA

• Mild winters
• Vibrant culture
• Diverse cuisine
• Outdoor activities

Pros of moving from Oakland to Chicago

• Say goodbye to higher living costs and hello to more affordable living
• Look forward to moving away from frequent earthquakes and moving to Chicago with stable ground
• Swap the heavy traffic of Oakland for efficient public transit in Chicago
• Get ready for distinct seasons in Chicago

Cons of moving from Oakland to Chicago

• Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from mild winters in Oakland to live with harsh winters in Chicago
• You'll lose out on the pro of vibrant culture and have to settle for the con of a different vibe
• Time to bid farewell to diverse cuisine and get used to fewer options in Chicago
• Swap outdoor activities for less accessible nature

Oakland vs. Chicago: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

If you're moving from Oakland to Chicago, you will be trading the iconic Sourdough bread of Oakland for the equally delicious Deep-dish pizza of Chicago. And while the locals in Oakland rave about their flavorful Barbecue brisket and sumptuous 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 Jackfruit tacos they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Seitan wings of Chicago. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Oakland eateries like Chez Panisse, ShakeWell, and Commis. After the boxes are unpacked in Chicago, don't wait too long before making your way to Chicago's acclaimed eateries like Al's Beef, Lou Malnati's, and Aurelio's Pizza.

When comparing lifestyles, Chicago shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Oakland. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Chicago compared to what you are used to in Oakland. 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 Oakland favorites, but we've got you covered. If you loved Commis, Shakewell, and Grand Lake Kitchen in Oakland, we're sure you'll love Alinea, Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba, and Lula Cafe in Chicago. See our Chicago restaurant discovery table below to find the closest comparison restaurant to all of your cherished Oakland hotspots. For example, if you enjoyed dining at Brown Sugar Kitchen, head to Virtue on your first Friday night after the boxes are unpacked.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Oakland and Chicago

• The Victorian and Craftsman architecture that Oakland is known for will be replaced with the Prairie and Chicago School architecture typical of Chicago.
• Compared to Oakland's real estate listings that commonly reference bay views and green spaces, Chicago real estate listings often highlight features like lake views and historic districts.
• Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Chicago is more walkable than Oakland.
• Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Chicago is more bike-friendly than Oakland.
• Chicago has more of an urban feel than Oakland.
• Chicago housing costs are 64% less expensive than they are in Oakland, with a median home price of $289,909 compared to Oakland’s $803,291.
• Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Chicago have increased by 17% compared to a 7% increase in Oakland.
• Rent in Chicago is 14.96% more affordable than in Oakland.

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 Oakland and Chicago

• The shades won't be used as much for your move from Oakland to Chicago. Chicago gets 26% fewer sunshine days than Oakland.
• Chicago has lower humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Oakland.
• Say goodbye to the possible earthquakes and wildfires in Oakland, but be on the lookout for potential blizzards and tornadoes in Chicago.
• Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Chicago is 11 degrees warmer than in Oakland.
• The average winter lows in Chicago are 26 degrees colder than those in Oakland.
• Your umbrella might be more overworked in Chicago. Chicago receives 13 more inches of rain compared to Oakland.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Oakland and Chicago

• When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Chicago tend to earn about 19% less than in Oakland
• The COLI in Chicago is 16% lower than what you are used to living in Oakland
• The state income tax in IL is 4.95 (flat) compared to 13.3 (max) in CA
• The affluence in Chicago is moderate to high compared to high in Oakland
• The poverty level is high in Chicago compared to moderate in Oakland
• In terms of homelessness, it is high in Oakland and high in Chicago

Political and Religious Climate in Oakland vs. Chicago

• Oakland tends to lean heavily Democratic in its political climate
• Chicago, on the other hand, is often described as heavily Democratic
• Chicago's religious environment can be described as pluralistic but with a notable Catholic presence
• Oakland's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as pluralistic with a significant non-religious population

Oakland vs. Chicago Traffic and Public Transit Considerations

• Bummer! Looks like you might end up spending about 9% more time stuck in traffic commuting to work in Chicago compared to your Oakland commute. That's 1560 minutes lost each year in a car.
• You can expect traffic in Chicago to be worse than it is in Oakland.
• Public transit is more readily available in Chicago.