Best Miami to Chicago Movers

How Much Do Miami to Chicago Movers Cost?

Moving 1,359 miles from Miami, FL to Chicago, IL will typically cost between $3,000 and $7,000 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 Miami. Their moving truck would be making the trip back to Chicago from Miami 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 Miami to Chicago moving option

Hire local Miami 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 Miami 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 Miami 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 Miami, FL to Chicago, IL long distance movers.

Rating Methodology

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

Our original review-based ranking algorithm

We started with a total of 66 companies that offer interstate moving services in both the Miami and Chicago areas.

From these 66 companies, we analyzed a total of 37,032 reviews dating all the way back to February 2007.

We also reviewed a total of 45 state and federal moving licenses from these 66 companies and 351 different 3rd party review and social profiles.

Each of the ~37,000 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 23,544 Miami 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 Our Family Moving and Storage LLC) 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 Miami 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.

8.31/10 avg (Miami & Chicago combined) from 25,461 reviews

Punctuality

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

7.91/10 avg (Miami & Chicago combined) from 9,415 reviews

Affordability

How affordable was the moving service?

7.14/10 avg (Miami & Chicago combined) from 5,670 reviews

Communication

Responsiveness before, during, and after the move.

7.20/10 avg (Miami & Chicago combined) from 9,633 reviews

Stick to Prices

Was the final price consistent with the original quote?

5.81/10 avg (Miami & Chicago combined) from 5,064 reviews

Speed

Efficiency without taking unnecessary time to increase costs.

8.52/10 avg (Miami & Chicago combined) from 12,471 reviews

Friendliness

Was the moving crew cordial and friendly on moving day?

8.78/10 avg (Miami & Chicago combined) from 12,303 reviews

Will Hire Again

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

8.05/10 avg (Miami & Chicago combined) from 24,477 reviews

Professionalism

Did the moving crew behave professionally on moving day?

8.23/10 avg (Miami & Chicago combined) from 14,155 reviews

Conflict Handling

How well the company responds to accidents and issues.

3.83/10 avg (Miami & Chicago combined) from 3,306 reviews

Precision & Care

Were walls scratched? Did furniture get damaged or lost?

7.90/10 avg (Miami & Chicago combined) from 12,641 reviews

From Miami to Chicago: Comparable Neighborhoods at a Glance

• Brickell in Miami & River North in Chicago are both known for their high-rise condos & financial district
• Miami's South Beach neighborhood & Chicago's Streeterville both share a beachfront vibe & bustling nightlife
• If you're moving from Wynwood, check out West Loop in the Chicago area for the arts district & gallery scene
• Do you enjoy Coral Gables' affluent residential area with green streets? You're sure to love Lincoln Park
• Move from Coconut Grove to Hyde Park and continue to enjoy these neighborhood qualities: waterfront setting & bohemian atmosphere
• Little Havana & Pilsen are both known for their Latin culture & vibrant street murals
• Miami's Edgewater neighborhood & Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood both have lakefront living & a family-friendly feel
• If you're moving from Downtown, look into The Loop for the central business district with skyscrapers
• Do you cherish living in Design District's design showrooms & boutique shopping? Move into Fulton Market for something similar

Pros and Cons of Moving from Miami to Chicago

ConsMiami, FL

• High humidity
• Hurricane risk
• Cost of living
• Less public transit

ProsChicago, IL

• Seasonal variety
• Lower natural disaster risk
• More affordable housing
• Better public transit

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Chicago, IL

• Colder winters
• No beaches
• Different food scene
• Seasonal changes

Miami, FL

• Vibrant nightlife
• Beaches
• Diverse cuisine
• Year-round warmth

Pros of moving from Miami to Chicago

• Say goodbye to high humidity and hello to seasonal variety
• Look forward to moving away from hurricane risk and moving to Chicago with lower natural disaster risk
• Swap the cost of living in Miami for more affordable housing in Chicago
• Get ready for better public transit in Chicago

Cons of moving from Miami to Chicago

• Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from vibrant nightlife in Miami to live with colder winters in Chicago
• You'll lose out on the pro of beaches and have to settle for the con of no beaches
• Time to bid farewell to diverse cuisine and get used to a different food scene in Chicago
• Swap year-round warmth for seasonal changes

Miami vs. Chicago: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

If you're moving from Miami to Chicago, you will be trading the iconic Cubano Sandwich of Miami for the equally delicious Deep Dish Pizza of Chicago. And while the locals in Miami rave about their flavorful Ropa Vieja and sumptuous Churros, Chicago residents know they have tasty Italian Beef and Hot Dogs to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Guava and Cheese Pastelitos (Vegan Version) 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 Miami eateries like Versailles Restaurant, Joe's Stone Crab, and Zak the Baker. 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, Portillo's, and Alinea.

When comparing lifestyles, Chicago shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Miami. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Chicago compared to what you are used to in Miami. 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 Miami favorites, but we've got you covered. If you loved Joe’s Stone Crab, Zuma, and Versailles in Miami, we're sure you'll love Shaw's Crab House, Momotaro, and 90 Miles Cuban Café in Chicago. See our Chicago restaurant discovery table below to find the closest comparison restaurant to all of your cherished Miami hotspots. For example, if you enjoyed dining at Mandolin Aegean Bistro, head to The Greek Islands on your first Friday night after the boxes are unpacked.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Miami and Chicago

• The Art Deco and Mediterranean architecture that Miami is known for will be replaced with the Prairie and Chicago School architecture typical of Chicago.
• Compared to Miami's real estate listings that commonly reference ocean views and pools, Chicago real estate listings often highlight features like lake views and rooftop decks.
• Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Chicago is more walkable than Miami.
• Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Chicago is more bike-friendly than Miami.
• Chicago has more of an urban feel than Miami.
• Chicago housing costs are 49% less expensive than they are in Miami, with a median home price of $289,909 compared to Miami’s $571,215.
• Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Chicago have increased by 17% compared to a 66% increase in Miami.
• Rent in Chicago is 31.97% more affordable than rent in Miami.

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 Miami and Chicago

• The shades won't be used as much for your move from Miami to Chicago. Chicago gets 24% fewer sunshine days than Miami.
• Chicago has lower humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Miami.
• Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes in Miami, but be on the lookout for potential snowstorms and cold waves in Chicago.
• Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Chicago is 5 degrees colder than in Miami.
• The average winter lows are 42 degrees colder than they are in Miami.
• Your umbrella might be neglected in Chicago. Chicago receives 25.0 fewer inches of rain compared to Miami.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Miami and Chicago

• When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Chicago tend to earn about 36% more than those in Miami
• The COLI in Chicago is 10% higher than what you are used to living in Miami
• Bummer... By moving from FL to IL, you'll now have a state income tax of 4.95
• The affluence in Chicago is varied compared to that in Miami
• The poverty level is significant in Chicago compared to that in Miami
• In terms of homelessness, it is high in Miami and high in Chicago

Political and Religious Climate in Miami vs. Chicago

• Miami tends to lean Democratic with a strong Republican presence in its political climate
• Chicago, on the other hand, is often described as strongly Democratic
• Chicago's religious environment can be described as a diverse religious landscape including Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Muslim, and others
• Miami's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as having a high Catholic population along with a mix of other Christian denominations and religions

Miami 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 Miami commute. That's 2,600 minutes lost each year in a car.
• You can expect traffic in Chicago to be similar to what it is in Miami.
• Public transit is more readily available in Chicago.