Best Riverside to Chicago Movers

How Much Do Riverside to Chicago Movers Cost?

Moving 2,048 miles from Riverside, 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 Riverside. Their moving truck would be making the trip back to Chicago from Riverside 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 Riverside to Chicago moving option

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

Rating Methodology

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

Our original review-based ranking algorithm

We started with a total of 49 companies that offer interstate moving services in both the Riverside and Chicago areas.

From these 49 companies, we analyzed a total of 29,376 reviews dating all the way back to February 2007.

We also reviewed a total of 31 state and federal moving licenses from these 49 companies and 254 different 3rd party review and social profiles.

Each of the ~29,000 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 19,922 Riverside 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 Terry Moving & Storage).

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The Great Guys Moving 11-Point Rating Breakdown

Our 11-point rating criteria scores every Riverside 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.

8.50/10 avg (Riverside & Chicago combined) from 23,017 reviews

Punctuality

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

8.28/10 avg (Riverside & Chicago combined) from 8,575 reviews

Affordability

How affordable was the moving service?

7.69/10 avg (Riverside & Chicago combined) from 4,980 reviews

Communication

Responsiveness before, during, and after the move.

7.61/10 avg (Riverside & Chicago combined) from 8,370 reviews

Stick to Prices

Was the final price consistent with the original quote?

6.41/10 avg (Riverside & Chicago combined) from 4,175 reviews

Speed

Efficiency without taking unnecessary time to increase costs.

8.75/10 avg (Riverside & Chicago combined) from 12,061 reviews

Friendliness

Was the moving crew cordial and friendly on moving day?

9.02/10 avg (Riverside & Chicago combined) from 11,607 reviews

Will Hire Again

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

8.23/10 avg (Riverside & Chicago combined) from 21,864 reviews

Professionalism

Did the moving crew behave professionally on moving day?

8.41/10 avg (Riverside & Chicago combined) from 12,518 reviews

Conflict Handling

How well the company responds to accidents and issues.

4.25/10 avg (Riverside & Chicago combined) from 2,678 reviews

Precision & Care

Were walls scratched? Did furniture get damaged or lost?

8.24/10 avg (Riverside & Chicago combined) from 11,550 reviews

From Riverside to Chicago: Comparable Neighborhoods at a Glance

• Downtown Riverside in Riverside & Old Town in Chicago are both known for their historic architecture & dining scene
• Riverside's Arlington neighborhood & Chicago's Lincoln Square both share family-friendly & community events
• If you're moving from Canyon Crest, check out Lincoln Park in the Chicago area for the affluent hillside & lakefront park access
• Do you enjoy Orangecrest's suburban feel & single-family homes? You're sure to love Beverly
• Move from Casa Blanca to Pilsen and continue to enjoy these neighborhood qualities of Latino culture & community murals
• Rubidoux & Brighton Park are both known for their affordable housing & working-class roots
• Riverside's Wood Streets neighborhood & Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood both have tree-lined streets & vintage homes
• If you're moving from Victoria, look into Hyde Park for the university-adjacent & academic vibe
• Do you cherish living in University's student housing & campus amenities? Move into Hyde Park for something similar

Pros and Cons of Moving from Riverside to Chicago

ConsRiverside, CA

• Higher temperatures
• Car-dependency
• Lower cultural diversity
• Lesser dining variety
• Limited entertainment

ProsChicago, IL

• Seasonal variety
• Better public transit
• Rich cultural experiences
• Vast culinary scene
• Broad entertainment options

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Chicago, IL

• Higher living costs
• More traffic
• Colder winters
• Less sunshine
• Bustling city life

Riverside, CA

• Lower cost of living
• Less traffic congestion
• More outdoor spaces
• Year-round warm weather
• Quiet suburban feel

Pros of moving from Riverside to Chicago

• Say goodbye to higher temperatures and hello to seasonal variety
• Look forward to moving away from car-dependency and moving to Chicago with better public transit
• Swap the lower cultural diversity of Riverside for rich cultural experiences in Chicago
• Get ready for a vast culinary scene in Chicago

Cons of moving from Riverside to Chicago

• Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the lower cost of living in Riverside to live with higher living costs in Chicago
• You'll lose out on the pro of less traffic congestion and have to settle for the con of more traffic
• Time to bid farewell to more outdoor spaces and get used to colder winters in Chicago
• Swap year-round warm weather for less sunshine

Riverside vs. Chicago: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

If you're moving from Riverside to Chicago, you will be trading the iconic Avocado Toast of Riverside for the equally delicious Deep-Dish Pizza of Chicago. And while the locals in Riverside rave about their flavorful Carne Asada and sumptuous Tacos, Chicago residents know they have tasty Italian Beef Sandwich and Chicago-Style Hot Dog 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 Riverside eateries like Mission Inn Restaurant, Salted Pig, and Simple Simon's. After the boxes are unpacked in Chicago, don't wait too long before making your way to Chicago's acclaimed eateries like Alinea, Girl and The Goat, and Lou Malnati's Pizzeria.

When comparing lifestyles, Chicago shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Riverside. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Chicago compared to what you are used to in Riverside. 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 Riverside favorites, but we've got you covered. If you loved Mario's Place, Woodfire Cafe, and Mission Inn Restaurant in Riverside, we're sure you'll love Topolobampo, Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba!, and The Berghoff Restaurant in Chicago. See our Chicago restaurant discovery table below to find the closest comparison restaurant to all of your cherished Riverside hotspots. For example, if you enjoyed dining at Tio's Tacos, head to Xoco on your first Friday night after the boxes are unpacked.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Riverside and Chicago

• The Spanish Colonial Revival architecture that Riverside is known for will be replaced with the Modern and Traditional architecture typical of Chicago.
• Compared to Riverside's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and privacy, Chicago real estate listings often highlight features like being close to public transit and having lake views.
• Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Chicago is more walkable than Riverside.
• Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Chicago is more bike-friendly than Riverside.
• Chicago has more of an urban feel than Riverside.
• Chicago housing costs are 54% less expensive than they are in Riverside, with a median home price of $289,909 compared to Riverside’s $635,591.
• Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Chicago have increased by 17% compared to a 52% increase in Riverside.
• Rent in Chicago is 10.82% more affordable than in Riverside.

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 Riverside and Chicago

• The shades won't be used as much for your move from Riverside to Chicago. Chicago gets 32% fewer sunshine days than Riverside.
• Chicago has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Riverside.
• Say goodbye to the possible wildfires and earthquakes in Riverside, but be on the lookout for potential snowstorms and tornadoes in Chicago.
• Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Chicago is 9 degrees colder than in Riverside.
• The average winter lows are 25 degrees colder than they are in Riverside.
• Your umbrella might be more overworked in Chicago. Chicago receives 25 more inches of rain compared to Riverside.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Riverside and Chicago

• When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Chicago tend to earn about 13% less than in Riverside
• The COLI in Chicago is 4% higher than what you are used to living in Riverside
• The state income tax in IL is 4.95 compared to 13.3 in CA
• The affluence in Chicago is varied compared to moderate affluence in Riverside
• The poverty level is higher in Chicago compared to lower poverty in Riverside
• In terms of homelessness, it is noticeable in Riverside and significant in Chicago

Political and Religious Climate in Riverside vs. Chicago

• Riverside tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
• Chicago, on the other hand, is often described as strongly Democratic
• Chicago's religious environment can be described as religiously diverse with a large Catholic population
• Riverside's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as mixed with a notable evangelical presence

Riverside 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 Riverside commute. That's 2600 minutes lost each year in a car.
• You can expect traffic in Chicago to be worse than it is in Riverside.
• Public transit is more readily available in Chicago.