Best San Francisco to Chicago Movers
Updated June 7, 2025
Looking for reliable San Francisco to Chicago movers for this 2,174 mile interstate move? See our top 5 recommended movers, get estimated moving costs, and read our San Francisco to Chicago moving guide below. We analyzed 40 Chicago to San Francisco moving companies across 104,769 review data points and more than 18,000 movers nationwide using our 11-point rating system to bring you data-backed moving recommendations.
Key Takeaways:
- OCD Moving Services LLC is our overall top recommended San Francisco to Chicago moving company
- A1 Movers, Inc is the most affordable company to hire
- Moving from San Francisco to Chicago will cost on average between $2,500 - $9,000
- Our rankings and results are unbiased & backed by data… NOT paid promotions
Best San Francisco to Chicago Movers
| Rank | Company | Score | License | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | OCD Moving Services LLC | 9.66 | Authorized For HHG | |
| 2 | 606 Movers, Inc. | 9.37 | Authorized For Property, HHG | |
| 3 | Move-tastic! | 9.35 | Authorized For HHG | |
| 4 | Bay - L.A. Express Moving | 9.34 | Authorized For HHG | |
| 5 | Careful Movers | 9.31 | Authorized For HHG |
Our Top Recommendations
OCD Moving Services LLC
Best moving company overall for San Francisco to Chicago
OCD Moving Services LLC
5914 Cobblestone Ct, El Sobrante, CA, 94803
11-Point Rating
Best moving company overall to hire when moving from San Francisco to Chicago! OCD Moving Services LLC takes the #1 spot for our overall ranking and is the top recommended movers for this route.
OCD Moving Services LLC is the number 1 ranked moving service in San Francisco, CA with an overall score of 9.66 out of 10. Based on our extensive analysis, this is an Exceptional score and places it in the top 99.58% of all movers in California and the top 99.75% of moving companies nationwide. They score better than 39 other San Francisco moving companies and better than 1,937 movers in California. OCD Moving Services LLC is also one of the top 100 movers nationwide (out of more than 18,000 total moving companies).
Our Research
11 Point Rating
| Metric | Score Out of 10 | vs Nationwide Comparison between OCD Moving Services LLC & the average of all
moving companies nationwide | Positive Reviews The total number of reviews that rated the metric positively (a score of 7-10) | Negative Reviews The total number of reviews that rated the metric negatively (a score of 1-6) | Positive Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quality | 9.83 | ↑ 18.1% | 517 | 5 | 99.0% | |
| Punctuality | 9.80 | ↑ 22.6% | 217 | 2 | 99.1% | |
| Affordability | 9.34 | ↑ 23.0% | 95 | 5 | 95.0% | |
| Communication | 9.78 | ↑ 31.4% | 221 | 2 | 99.1% | |
| Stick to Prices | 9.49 | ↑ 59.4% | 81 | 3 | 96.4% | |
| Speed | 9.76 | ↑ 15.2% | 230 | 6 | 97.5% | |
| Friendliness | 9.95 | ↑ 13.5% | 358 | 0 | 100.0% | |
| Will Hire Again | 9.82 | ↑ 21.6% | 509 | 6 | 98.8% | |
| Professionalism | 9.89 | ↑ 20.6% | 335 | 2 | 99.4% | |
| Conflict Handling | 8.76 | ↑ 115.4% | 27 | 2 | 93.1% | |
| Precision & Care | 9.89 | ↑ 24.8% | 298 | 1 | 99.7% |
Recent OCD Moving Services LLC Reviews
Quality - 9.83/10
Overall quality of the service provided on moving day.
Recent Customer Praises
Recent Customer Complaints
Overall Review Distribution
Punctuality - 9.80/10
Did the crew show up on-time with the required equipment?
Recent Customer Praises
Recent Customer Complaints
Overall Review Distribution
Affordability - 9.34/10
How affordable was the moving service?
Recent Customer Praises
Recent Customer Complaints
Overall Review Distribution
Communication - 9.78/10
Was the office staff quick to respond to questions prior to moving day? Did the moving crew notify you on the day of move regarding any changes to the original schedule? If there were any issues to resolve after moving day, was an office manager quick to respond and address problems encountered?
Recent Customer Praises
Recent Customer Complaints
Overall Review Distribution
Stick to Prices - 9.49/10
Was a lowball quote provided to earn business only to see the final moving day price increase substantially?
Recent Customer Praises
Recent Customer Complaints
Overall Review Distribution
Speed - 9.76/10
Did the movers seem to take their precious time in an attempt to increase the overall cost of the move? Remember, moving is HARD work and some breaks should be expected!
Recent Customer Praises
Recent Customer Complaints
Overall Review Distribution
Friendliness - 9.95/10
Was the moving crew cordial and friendly to be around on moving day?
Recent Customer Praises
Recent Customer Complaints
Overall Review Distribution
Will Hire Again - 9.82/10
How likely a customer is to hire the same movers again for their next move.
Recent Customer Praises
Recent Customer Complaints
Overall Review Distribution
Professionalism - 9.89/10
Did the moving crew behave in a professional manner on moving day?
Recent Customer Praises
Recent Customer Complaints
Overall Review Distribution
Conflict Handling - 8.76/10
Accidents can and will likely happen at some point on moving day. How a moving company responds to these accidents can say a lot about the company.
Recent Customer Praises
Recent Customer Complaints
Overall Review Distribution
Precision & Care - 9.89/10
Were walls scratched? Did furniture get scuffed, broken, or lost?
Recent Customer Praises
Recent Customer Complaints
Overall Review Distribution
Additional Details
Moving Services Offered by OCD Moving Services LLC
- Local Moving
- Long Distance Moving
- Commercial Moving
- In-House Moving
- Apartment Moving
- Piano Moving
- Packing & Unpacking
- Storage Services
- Junk Removal
Licenses
State & federal license information
California Moving License
Status: Active (last checked: 12/06/24)California Moving License Information
- License Number: CAL-T191594
- License Status: Active
- Date Issued: -
USDOT Interstate License
Status: Authorized for Interstate Moves (last checked 1/09/25)- USDOT: 2597230
- MC: 911812
- ENTITY TYPE: Carrier
6
Registered Trucks, Tractors, or Vans
6
Registered Drivers
7/06/23
Most Recent USDOT Update
153,000
Annual Interstate Miles (2022)
Detailed Customer Insights
Based on our analysis of OCD Moving Services LLC's customer reviews:
3 hrs
Hourly Minimum
based on 4 reviews
3.25 hrs
Local Move Duration
based on 32 reviews
2 days
Interstate Move Duration
based on 14 reviews
Average Cost
$1,765.00
based on 4 historical data points
606 Movers, Inc.
159 N Sangamon St Suite 300, Chicago, IL, 60607
11-Point Rating
606 Movers, Inc. is the number 2 ranked moving service in Chicago, IL with an overall score of 9.37 out of 10. Based on our extensive analysis, this is an Exceptional score and places it in the top 97.61% of all movers in Illinois and the top 97.15% of moving companies nationwide. They score better than 38 other Chicago moving companies and better than 543 movers in Illinois.
Our Research
11 Point Rating
| Metric | Score Out of 10 | vs Nationwide Comparison between 606 Movers, Inc. & the average of all
moving companies nationwide | Positive Reviews The total number of reviews that rated the metric positively (a score of 7-10) | Negative Reviews The total number of reviews that rated the metric negatively (a score of 1-6) | Positive Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quality | 9.59 | ↑ 15.2% | 172 | 5 | 97.2% | |
| Punctuality | 9.64 | ↑ 20.5% | 81 | 2 | 97.6% | |
| Affordability | 9.24 | ↑ 21.7% | 49 | 2 | 96.1% | |
| Communication | 9.58 | ↑ 28.8% | 81 | 2 | 97.6% | |
| Stick to Prices | 8.61 | ↑ 44.7% | 26 | 4 | 86.7% | |
| Speed | 9.69 | ↑ 14.3% | 121 | 4 | 96.8% | |
| Friendliness | 9.86 | ↑ 12.5% | 107 | 0 | 100.0% | |
| Will Hire Again | 9.46 | ↑ 17.1% | 168 | 7 | 96.0% | |
| Professionalism | 9.74 | ↑ 18.8% | 104 | 1 | 99.0% | |
| Conflict Handling | 8.24 | ↑ 102.5% | 10 | 1 | 90.9% | |
| Precision & Care | 9.43 | ↑ 19.0% | 89 | 6 | 93.7% |
Recent 606 Movers, Inc. Reviews
Quality - 9.59/10
Overall quality of the service provided on moving day.
Recent Customer Praises
Recent Customer Complaints
Overall Review Distribution
Punctuality - 9.64/10
Did the crew show up on-time with the required equipment?
Overall Review Distribution
Affordability - 9.24/10
How affordable was the moving service?
Recent Customer Praises
Recent Customer Complaints
Overall Review Distribution
Communication - 9.58/10
Was the office staff quick to respond to questions prior to moving day? Did the moving crew notify you on the day of move regarding any changes to the original schedule? If there were any issues to resolve after moving day, was an office manager quick to respond and address problems encountered?
Overall Review Distribution
Stick to Prices - 8.61/10
Was a lowball quote provided to earn business only to see the final moving day price increase substantially?
Overall Review Distribution
Speed - 9.69/10
Did the movers seem to take their precious time in an attempt to increase the overall cost of the move? Remember, moving is HARD work and some breaks should be expected!
Recent Customer Praises
Recent Customer Complaints
Overall Review Distribution
Friendliness - 9.86/10
Was the moving crew cordial and friendly to be around on moving day?
Overall Review Distribution
Will Hire Again - 9.46/10
How likely a customer is to hire the same movers again for their next move.
Recent Customer Praises
Recent Customer Complaints
Overall Review Distribution
Professionalism - 9.74/10
Did the moving crew behave in a professional manner on moving day?
Recent Customer Praises
Recent Customer Complaints
Overall Review Distribution
Conflict Handling - 8.24/10
Accidents can and will likely happen at some point on moving day. How a moving company responds to these accidents can say a lot about the company.
Overall Review Distribution
Precision & Care - 9.43/10
Were walls scratched? Did furniture get scuffed, broken, or lost?
Overall Review Distribution
Additional Details
Moving Services Offered by 606 Movers, Inc.
- Residential Movers
- Commercial Movers
- Packing & Unpacking Services
- Loading/Unloading
- Office Movers
- Piano Movers
- Long Distance Movers
- Car Transport
- Eco-Friendly Material Options
- Professional Packing Services
Licenses
State & federal license information
Illinois Moving License
Status: Permanent (last checked: 1/21/22)Illinois Moving License Information
- License Number: 222496
- License Status: Permanent
- Date Issued: 1/20/21
USDOT Interstate License
Status: Authorized for Interstate Moves (last checked 1/10/25)- USDOT: 3476069
- MC: 1139300
- ENTITY TYPE: Carrier
4
Registered Trucks, Tractors, or Vans
4
Registered Drivers
7/06/23
Most Recent USDOT Update
1
Annual Interstate Miles (2021)
Detailed Customer Insights
Based on our analysis of 606 Movers, Inc.'s customer reviews:
3 hrs
Local Move Duration
based on 19 reviews
Move-tastic!
3100 N Tripp Ave, Chicago, IL, 60641
11-Point Rating
Best moving service to hire if you're in a hurry. The movers at Move-tastic! work fast to get the move done.
Move-tastic! is the number 3 ranked moving service in Chicago, IL with an overall score of 9.35 out of 10. Based on our extensive analysis, this is an Exceptional score and places it in the top 97.42% of all movers in Illinois and the top 96.82% of moving companies nationwide. They score better than 37 other Chicago moving companies and better than 542 movers in Illinois.
Our Research
11 Point Rating
| Metric | Score Out of 10 | vs Nationwide Comparison between Move-tastic! & the average of all
moving companies nationwide | Positive Reviews The total number of reviews that rated the metric positively (a score of 7-10) | Negative Reviews The total number of reviews that rated the metric negatively (a score of 1-6) | Positive Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quality | 9.76 | ↑ 17.2% | 2,507 | 86 | 96.7% | |
| Punctuality | 9.70 | ↑ 21.3% | 807 | 28 | 96.6% | |
| Affordability | 9.31 | ↑ 22.6% | 455 | 29 | 94.0% | |
| Communication | 9.66 | ↑ 29.9% | 756 | 33 | 95.8% | |
| Stick to Prices | 9.36 | ↑ 57.1% | 435 | 31 | 93.3% | |
| Speed | 9.81 | ↑ 15.7% | 1,609 | 46 | 97.2% | |
| Friendliness | 9.94 | ↑ 13.4% | 1,615 | 11 | 99.3% | |
| Will Hire Again | 9.66 | ↑ 19.6% | 2,257 | 109 | 95.4% | |
| Professionalism | 9.77 | ↑ 19.1% | 1,421 | 45 | 96.9% | |
| Conflict Handling | 6.37 | ↑ 56.6% | 81 | 54 | 60.0% | |
| Precision & Care | 9.52 | ↑ 20.1% | 1,168 | 77 | 93.8% |
Recent Move-tastic! Reviews
Quality - 9.76/10
Overall quality of the service provided on moving day.
Recent Customer Praises
Recent Customer Complaints
Overall Review Distribution
Punctuality - 9.70/10
Did the crew show up on-time with the required equipment?
Recent Customer Praises
Recent Customer Complaints
Overall Review Distribution
Affordability - 9.31/10
How affordable was the moving service?
Recent Customer Praises
Recent Customer Complaints
Overall Review Distribution
Communication - 9.66/10
Was the office staff quick to respond to questions prior to moving day? Did the moving crew notify you on the day of move regarding any changes to the original schedule? If there were any issues to resolve after moving day, was an office manager quick to respond and address problems encountered?
Recent Customer Praises
Recent Customer Complaints
Overall Review Distribution
Stick to Prices - 9.36/10
Was a lowball quote provided to earn business only to see the final moving day price increase substantially?
Recent Customer Praises
Recent Customer Complaints
Overall Review Distribution
Speed - 9.81/10
Did the movers seem to take their precious time in an attempt to increase the overall cost of the move? Remember, moving is HARD work and some breaks should be expected!
Recent Customer Praises
Recent Customer Complaints
Overall Review Distribution
Friendliness - 9.94/10
Was the moving crew cordial and friendly to be around on moving day?
Recent Customer Praises
Recent Customer Complaints
Overall Review Distribution
Will Hire Again - 9.66/10
How likely a customer is to hire the same movers again for their next move.
Recent Customer Praises
Recent Customer Complaints
Overall Review Distribution
Professionalism - 9.77/10
Did the moving crew behave in a professional manner on moving day?
Recent Customer Praises
Recent Customer Complaints
Overall Review Distribution
Conflict Handling - 6.37/10
Accidents can and will likely happen at some point on moving day. How a moving company responds to these accidents can say a lot about the company.
Recent Customer Praises
Recent Customer Complaints
Overall Review Distribution
Precision & Care - 9.52/10
Were walls scratched? Did furniture get scuffed, broken, or lost?
Recent Customer Praises
Recent Customer Complaints
Overall Review Distribution
Additional Details
Moving Services Offered by Move-tastic!
- Full Moves
- Truck Loading and Unloading
- Interstate Moving Assistance
- Intrabuilding Moves
- Residential Moving Services
- Commercial Moving Services
- Packing Services
- Storage Services
- Full-Service Packing
- Self-Service Packing
Licenses
State & federal license information
USDOT Interstate License
Status: Authorized for Interstate Moves (last checked 1/09/25)- USDOT: 1906350
- MC: 675927
- ENTITY TYPE: Carrier
15
Registered Trucks, Tractors, or Vans
28
Registered Drivers
10/24/24
Most Recent USDOT Update
90,866
Annual Interstate Miles (2023)
Detailed Customer Insights
Based on our analysis of Move-tastic!'s customer reviews:
2 hrs
Hourly Minimum
based on 14 reviews
3 hrs
Local Move Duration
based on 287 reviews
2 days
Interstate Move Duration
based on 5 reviews
Average Cost
$842.00
based on 6 historical data points
Bay - L.A. Express Moving
8 22nd St, San Francisco, CA, 94107
11-Point Rating
Careful Movers
3641 Haven Ave C, Menlo Park, CA, 94025
11-Point Rating
How Much Do San Francisco to Chicago Movers Cost?
Moving 2,174 miles from San Francisco, 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.
- Expected Range: $3,500 - $9,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-9 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: A1 Movers, Inc
| HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $2,435 | 300 ft3 | $8.12 |
| 1 Bedroom | $3,630 | 450 ft3 | $8.07 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $6,012 | 750 ft3 | $8.02 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $8,763 | 1100 ft3 | $7.97 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $12,667 | 1600 ft3 | $7.92 |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $14,160 | 1800 ft3 | $7.87 |
Pro tip for the cheapest long distance move
Find long distance movers in Chicago that already have a booked job heading from Chicago to San Francisco. Their moving truck would be making the trip back to Chicago from San Francisco 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 San Francisco to Chicago moving option
Hire local San Francisco 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 San Francisco 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 San Francisco 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 San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL long distance movers.
Rating Methodology
Here's the methodology we used to come up with the best movers for the San Francisco to Chicago moving route:
Our original review-based ranking algorithm
We started with a total of 40 companies that offer interstate moving services in both the San Francisco and Chicago areas.
From these 40 companies, we analyzed a total of 25,330 reviews dating all the way back to August 2005.
We also reviewed a total of 28 state and federal moving licenses from these 40 companies and 204 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 18,818 San Francisco 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 Careful Movers).
The Great Guys Moving 11-Point Rating Breakdown
Our 11-point rating criteria scores every San Francisco 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.
Punctuality
Did the crew show up on-time with the required equipment?
Affordability
How affordable was the moving service?
Communication
Responsiveness before, during, and after the move.
Stick to Prices
Was the final price consistent with the original quote?
Speed
Efficiency without taking unnecessary time to increase costs.
Friendliness
Was the moving crew cordial and friendly on moving day?
Will Hire Again
How likely a customer is to hire the same movers again.
Professionalism
Did the moving crew behave professionally on moving day?
Conflict Handling
How well the company responds to accidents and issues.
Precision & Care
Were walls scratched? Did furniture get damaged or lost?
San Francisco to Chicago Moving Guide
From San Francisco to Chicago: Comparable Neighborhoods at a Glance
| San Francisco | Chicago | How They're Similar |
|---|---|---|
| Mission District | Pilsen | vibrant Latino heritage & street murals |
| SoMa | West Loop | converted lofts & tech startups |
| Pacific Heights | Gold Coast | historic mansions & affluent character |
| Nob Hill | Lincoln Park | upscale residential & historic architecture |
| Haight-Ashbury | Wicker Park | bohemian vibe & indie shops |
| Castro | Lakeview | LGBTQ+ hub with nightlife |
| Russian Hill | Lincoln Park | scenic residential streets & upscale feel |
| Marina District | River North | waterfront locale & trendy nightlife |
| Dogpatch | Pilsen | industrial roots & artist loft conversions |
| Hayes Valley | Bucktown | boutique shops & trendy eateries |
- Mission District in San Francisco & Pilsen in Chicago are both known for their vibrant Latino heritage & street murals
- San Francisco's SoMa neighborhood & Chicago's West Loop both share converted lofts & tech startups
- If you're moving from Pacific Heights, check out Gold Coast in the Chicago area for the historic mansions & affluent character
- Do you enjoy Nob Hill's upscale residential & historic architecture? You're sure to love Lincoln Park
- Move from Haight-Ashbury to Wicker Park and continue to enjoy these neighborhood qualities: bohemian vibe & indie shops
- Castro & Lakeview are both known for their LGBTQ+ hub with nightlife
- San Francisco's Russian Hill neighborhood & Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood both have scenic residential streets & upscale feel
- If you're moving from Marina District, look into River North for the waterfront locale & trendy nightlife
- Do you cherish living in Dogpatch's industrial roots & artist loft conversions? Move into Pilsen for something similar
- The similar vibes of Hayes Valley & Bucktown are both known for boutique shops & trendy eateries
Pros and Cons of Moving from San Francisco to Chicago
San Francisco, CA- High cost of living
- Dense population
- Frequent fog
- Less public transit
- Steeper hills
Chicago, IL- More affordable housing
- Spacious living
- Diverse seasons
- Extensive transit options
- Flatter terrain
Chicago, IL- Cold winters
- Less tech jobs
- Less seafood variety
- Lacks ocean
- Less iconic views
San Francisco, CA- Mild winters
- Tech hub
- Seafood cuisine
- Ocean views
- Iconic landmarks
Pros of moving from San Francisco to Chicago
- Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to more affordable housing
- Look forward to moving away from a dense population and moving to Chicago with spacious living
- Swap the frequent fog of San Francisco for diverse seasons in Chicago
- Get ready for extensive transit options in Chicago
Cons of moving from San Francisco to Chicago
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from mild winters in San Francisco to live with cold winters in Chicago
- You'll lose out on the pro of being a tech hub and have to settle with the con of fewer tech jobs
- Time to bid farewell to seafood cuisine and get used to less seafood variety in Chicago
- Swap ocean views for a lack of ocean
San Francisco vs. Chicago: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
| Comparison | San Francisco | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Most iconic local food item | Sourdough Bread | Deep Dish Pizza |
| Most popular meat dish | Cioppino | Italian Beef |
| Most popular street food item | Mission Burrito | Chicago-Style Hot Dog |
| Most popular vegan food | Avocado Toast | Vegan Deep Dish Pizza |
| Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the city |
|
|
| Fitness/Health Conscientiousness | 💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪 | 💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪 |
| Abundance of Food Trucks | 🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚 | 🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚 |
| Foodie Scene | 🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴 | 🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴 |
| Vegan Friendly | 🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱 | 🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱 |
If you're moving from San Francisco to Chicago, you will be trading the iconic Sourdough Bread of San Francisco for the equally delicious Deep Dish Pizza of Chicago. And while the locals in San Francisco rave about their flavorful Cioppino and sumptuous Mission Burrito, Chicago residents know they have tasty Italian Beef and Chicago-Style Hot Dog 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 San Francisco eateries like Tartine Bakery, Swan Oyster Depot, and Foreign Cinema. 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 San Francisco. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Chicago compared to what you are used to in San Francisco. 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 San Francisco favorites, but we've got you covered. If you loved Zuni Café, Gary Danko, and Tartine Bakery in San Francisco, we're sure you'll love avec, Alinea, and Floriole Café & Bakery in Chicago. See our Chicago restaurant discovery table below to find the closest comparison restaurant to all your cherished San Francisco hotspots. For example, if you enjoyed dining at The Slanted Door, head to Le Colonial on your first Friday night after the boxes are unpacked.
| San Francisco | Chicago | What You'll Love |
|---|---|---|
| Zuni Café | avec | Both are renowned for their comfort food with a sophisticated twist. |
| Gary Danko | Alinea | Upscale dining experiences that push the boundaries of culinary art. |
| Tartine Bakery | Floriole Café & Bakery | Celebrated for artisanal breads and pastries. |
| The Slanted Door | Le Colonial | Both offer a modern take on traditional Vietnamese cuisine. |
| Nopa | Longman & Eagle | Known for their innovative approach to local and sustainable sourcing. |
| La Taqueria | Big Star | Both are go-to spots for authentic tacos in a lively atmosphere. |
| Swan Oyster Depot | Shaw's Crab House | Famous for their fresh seafood offerings and classic setting. |
| Benu | Oriole | Both offer exquisitely crafted tasting menus in an intimate setting. |
| State Bird Provisions | Girl & The Goat | Both excite with their creative and shareable small plates. |
| Mister Jiu’s | Duck Duck Goat | Both excel in offering a modern twist on traditional Chinese dishes. |
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between San Francisco and Chicago
| Comparison | San Francisco | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Typical Architecture Style | Victorian and Modern | Greystone and Chicago Bungalow |
| Walkability | 👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟 | 👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟 |
| Bikeability | 🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲 | 🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲 |
| Urban Lifestyle | 🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️ | 🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️ |
| Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Views, Luxury Amenities | Historic Details, Location |
- The Victorian and Modern architecture that San Francisco is known for will be replaced with the Greystone and Chicago Bungalow architecture typical of Chicago.
- Compared to San Francisco's real estate listings that commonly reference views and luxury amenities, Chicago real estate listings often highlight features like historic details and location.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away as Chicago is less walkable than San Francisco.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike as Chicago is less bike-friendly than San Francisco.
- Chicago has less of an urban feel than San Francisco.
- Chicago housing costs are 78% less expensive than they are in San Francisco with a median home price of $289,909 compared to San Francisco’s $1,290,678.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Chicago have increased by 17% compared to a 4% decrease in San Francisco.
- Rent in Chicago is 35.34% more affordable than in San Francisco.
Pet-friendly Neighborhoods in Chicago, IL
- Lincoln Park : You'll find plenty of green spaces and dog-friendly areas, including the popular Wiggly Field Dog Park.
- Lakeview : This lively neighborhood offers numerous pet-friendly cafes and shops, along with the spacious Belmont Harbor Dog Beach.
- 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 San Francisco and Chicago
| Comparison | San Francisco | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Days of Sunshine per Year | ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️ | ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️ |
| Avg. Annual Humidity | 💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦 | 💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦 |
| Avg. UV Index | 🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️ | 🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️ |
| Natural Disasters | Earthquakes, Wildfires | Blizzards, Tornadoes |
| Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
| Average Summer High/Low (°F) | 67°F / 54°F | 85°F / 65°F |
| Average Winter High/Low (°F) | 57°F / 46°F | 32°F / 18°F |
| Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 23.64 | 36.89 |
| Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 0 | 36 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from San Francisco to Chicago. Chicago gets 27% fewer sunshine days than San Francisco.
- Chicago has lower humidity and a lower average UV index compared to San Francisco.
- Say goodbye to the possible earthquakes and wildfires in San Francisco, 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 18 degrees warmer than in San Francisco.
- The average winter lows in Chicago are 28 degrees colder than those in San Francisco.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Chicago. Chicago receives 13.3 more inches of rain compared to San Francisco.
Financial & Community Snapshot: San Francisco and Chicago
| Comparison | San Francisco | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Avg. Household Income | $121,826 | $66,576 |
| Cost of Living Index | 164 | 116.9 |
| State Income Tax | 13.3 | 4.95 |
| Avg. Property Tax | 0.6 | 2.16 |
| Avg. Sales Tax | 8.5 | 10.25 |
| Top 3 Industries | Technology, Finance, Tourism | Finance, Manufacturing, Information Technology |
| Affluence | Very High | Moderate |
| Poverty | Low | High |
| Homelessness | High | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Chicago tend to earn about 45% less than in San Francisco
- The COLI in Chicago is 29% lower than what you are used to living in San Francisco
- The state income tax in IL is 4.95 compared to 13.3 in CA
- The affluence in Chicago is moderate compared to very high in San Francisco
- The poverty level is high in Chicago compared to low in San Francisco
- In terms of homelessness, it is high in San Francisco and moderate in Chicago
Political and Religious Climate in San Francisco vs. Chicago
| Comparison | San Francisco | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Political Make-up | Strongly Democratic | Strongly Democratic |
| Local Politics | Progressive policies, emphasis on social issues | Democratic stronghold, with a focus on economic development and public safety |
| Religion | Diverse; notable presence of non-religious communities | Diverse; significant Catholic community, along with other religious groups |
- San Francisco tends to lean strongly Democratic in its political climate
- Chicago, on the other hand, is often described as strongly Democratic
- Chicago's religious environment can be described as diverse with a significant Catholic community along with other religious groups
- San Francisco's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as diverse with a notable presence of non-religious communities
San Francisco vs. Chicago Traffic and Public Transit Considerations
| Comparison | San Francisco | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Commute Time (in minutes) | 34 | 34 |
| Traffic Congestion | 🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦 | 🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦 |
| Availability of Public Transit | 🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇 | 🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇 |
| Can you get by without car? | Yes | Yes |
- Woohoo! Your commute time in Chicago will be about the same as it currently is in San Francisco.
- You can expect traffic in Chicago to be better than it is in San Francisco.
- Public transit is less readily available in Chicago.
Charts & Visualizations
With 104,769 data points across 40 moving companies and 25,330 reviews, we've got a lot of data to work with. Here are some of the charts and visualizations we've created to help you understand the moving industry in San Francisco to Chicago.
Comparing ratings, review history, and total data points
Bubble size represents the number of analyzed data points. Hover over bubbles for details.
Ranking history
How the currently ranked top San Francisco to Chicago movers have performed over time
11-Point Rating Comparison
Detailed breakdown of San Francisco to Chicago moving company 11-point ratings
Statewide 11-Point Percentile Comparison
See how our recommended top movers compare to all movers in California & Illinois
 Quality |  Punctuality |  Affordability |  Communication |  Stick to Prices |  Speed |  Friendliness |  Will Hire Again |  Professionalism |  Conflict Handling |  Precision & Care | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | OCD Moving Services LLC Exceptional9.66 | 99 | 98 | 90 | 99 | 98 | 93 | 100 | 99 | 100 | 99 | 100 |
2 | 606 Movers, Inc. Exceptional9.37 | 90 | 92 | 87 | 96 | 89 | 88 | 96 | 86 | 96 | 98 | 87 |
3 | Move-tastic! Exceptional9.35 | 92 | 93 | 89 | 98 | 98 | 90 | 100 | 90 | 93 | 90 | 85 |
| 4 B | Bay - L.A. Express Moving Exceptional9.34 | 85 | 82 | 96 | 89 | 98 | 83 | 83 | 83 | 81 | 94 | 85 |
5 | Careful Movers Exceptional9.31 | 84 | 97 | 56 | 97 | 87 | 92 | 97 | 87 | 98 | 96 | 90 |
Percentile Ranking
List of All San Francisco to Chicago Moving Companies Analyzed
- Patriot Moving, Inc.
- U-Box at U-Haul
- Moving Experts US
- Cunningham Moving and Storage
- King David Moving & Storage, Inc
- DMD Moving and Storage
- Shamrock Moving & Storage Inc
- Lalo’s Movers, Inc.
- Bay - L.A. Express Moving
- Extra Mile Movers
- HK Worldwide Moving
- Ondemand Movers
- Aaron's Reliable Movers
- National Van Lines Inc
- 606 Movers, Inc.
- Big Shoulders Moving & Storage
- Day & Night Movers of Chicago, Inc.
- Armstrong Relocation - Chicago
- Joey's Movers
- USA Moving & Storage, Inc .
- STI Moving & Storage, Inc.
- Alliance Moving & Storage
- Crown Worldwide Moving & Storage
- A1 Movers, Inc
- Careful Movers
- OCD Moving Services LLC
- Cross Country Movers
- ABC Movers Chicago
- All State Movers, Inc.
- Melendez Moving Inc
- Aaron Bros Moving System, Inc.
- Bernard Movers
- Best Price Moving and Storage
- Mid-West Moving & Storage
- In & Out Moving & Storage
- Move-tastic!
- H2H Movers Inc
- Two Men and a Truck
- Elite Moving & Storage Inc
- Coffey Bros. Moving
