Best Chicago to Oakland Movers

How Much Do Chicago to Oakland Movers Cost?

Moving 2,214 miles from Chicago, IL to Oakland, CA 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 Oakland that already have a booked job heading from Oakland to Chicago. Their moving truck would be making the trip back to Oakland from Chicago entirely empty. If you can find a Oakland moving company willing to move your stuff on the return leg, you'll score a real deal!

Moving Containers: A cheaper Chicago to Oakland moving option

Hire local Chicago 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 Oakland movers to unpack the container and move you into your new home. You'll have to piece this Chicago to Oakland 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 Chicago to Oakland 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 Chicago, IL to Oakland, CA long distance movers.

Rating Methodology

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

Our original review-based ranking algorithm

We started with a total of 41 companies that offer interstate moving services in both the Chicago and Oakland 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 Chicago to Oakland 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 Chicago to Oakland 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 (Chicago & Oakland combined) from 19,773 reviews

Punctuality

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

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

Affordability

How affordable was the moving service?

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

Communication

Responsiveness before, during, and after the move.

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

Stick to Prices

Was the final price consistent with the original quote?

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

Speed

Efficiency without taking unnecessary time to increase costs.

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

Friendliness

Was the moving crew cordial and friendly on moving day?

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

Will Hire Again

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

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

Professionalism

Did the moving crew behave professionally on moving day?

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

Conflict Handling

How well the company responds to accidents and issues.

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

Precision & Care

Were walls scratched? Did furniture get damaged or lost?

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

From Chicago to Oakland: Comparable Neighborhoods at a Glance

• Lincoln Park in Chicago & Rockridge in Oakland are both known for their upscale residential, family-friendly atmosphere, and boutique shopping
• Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood & Oakland's Temescal both share a hip, artsy scene with nightlife and coffee shops
• If you're moving from West Loop, check out Jack London Square in the Oakland area for the industrial-chic vibe with trendy restaurants and bars
• Do you enjoy Lakeview's lakeside recreation, boating, and park access? You're sure to love Lake Merritt
• Move from Logan Square to Grand Lake and continue to enjoy these neighborhood qualities: farmers markets, community events, and local eateries
• Pilsen & Fruitvale are both known for their strong Latino culture, street art, and authentic eateries
• Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood & Oakland's Montclair neighborhood both have quiet, leafy streets with historic homes near parks
• If you're moving from Ukrainian Village, look into Chinatown for the distinct cultural enclave, festivals, and ethnic dining

Pros and Cons of Moving from Chicago to Oakland

ConsChicago, IL

• Cold winters
• Higher crime rates
• Limited outdoor activities
• State income tax

ProsOakland, CA

• Milder climate
• Lower crime rates
• Rich outdoor culture
• No state income tax

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Oakland, CA

• Less nightlife
• More expensive
• Smaller city feel
• Less public transit

Chicago, IL

• Vibrant nightlife
• Diverse cuisine
• Rich cultural history
• Expansive public transit

Pros of moving from Chicago to Oakland

• Say goodbye to cold winters and hello to a milder climate
• Look forward to moving away from higher crime rates and moving to Oakland with lower crime rates
• Swap the limited outdoor activities of Chicago for a rich outdoor culture in Oakland
• Get ready for no state income tax in Oakland

Cons of moving from Chicago to Oakland

• Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from vibrant nightlife in Chicago to live with less nightlife in Oakland
• You'll lose out on the pro of diverse cuisine and have to settle for the con of more expense
• Time to bid farewell to rich cultural history and get used to a smaller city feel in Oakland
• Swap expansive public transit for less public transit

Chicago vs. Oakland: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

If you're moving from Chicago to Oakland, you will be trading the iconic Deep-Dish Pizza of Chicago for the equally delicious Sourdough Bread of Oakland. And while the locals in Chicago rave about their flavorful Italian Beef Sandwich and sumptuous Chicago-Style Hot Dog, Oakland residents know they have tasty Korean BBQ and Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Seitan-based dishes they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Jackfruit Tacos of Oakland. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Chicago eateries like Alinea, Girl & The Goat, and Giordano's. After the boxes are unpacked in Oakland, don't wait too long before making your way to Oakland's acclaimed eateries like Chez Panisse, The Fat Lady, and Shakewell.

When comparing lifestyles, Oakland shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Chicago. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Oakland compared to what you are used to in Chicago. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Oakland.

Discover Oakland Restaurants You'll Love

Moving to Oakland is an opportunity to try lots of new restaurants. Sure, you'll miss your old Chicago favorites, but we've got you covered. If you loved Alinea, Portillo's, and Giordano's in Chicago, we're sure you'll love Commis, Belly, and Zachary's Chicago Pizza in Oakland. See our Oakland restaurant discovery table below to find the closest comparison restaurant to all of your cherished Chicago hotspots. For example, if you enjoyed dining at The Purple Pig, head to Wood Tavern on your first Friday night after the boxes are unpacked.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Chicago and Oakland

• The Brick Bungalows and Greystones architecture that Chicago is known for will be replaced with the Craftsman and Victorian architecture typical of Oakland.
• Compared to Chicago's real estate listings that commonly reference lake views and proximity to parks, Oakland real estate listings often highlight features like bay views and eco-friendly elements.
• Oakland is equally walkable compared to Chicago.
• Oakland is similarly bike-friendly to Chicago.
• Oakland has more of an urban feel than Chicago.
• Oakland housing costs are 177% more expensive than they are in Chicago with a median home price of $803,291 compared to Chicago’s $289,909.
• Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Oakland have increased by 7% compared to a 17% increase in Chicago.
• Rent in Oakland is 17.59% more expensive than in Chicago.

Pet-friendly Neighborhoods in Oakland, CA

1. Rockridge : You’ll love the abundance of pet-friendly cafes and the scenic trails at nearby Lake Temescal for your daily walks.
2. Grand Lake : This vibrant neighborhood offers easy access to pet-welcoming parks and local markets where you can bring your furry friends.
3. Piedmont Avenue : Enjoy a welcoming community with plenty of pet-friendly establishments and beautiful tree-lined streets for leisurely strolls.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Chicago and Oakland

• Break out the sunglasses for your move from Chicago to Oakland. Oakland gets 38% more sunshine days than Chicago.
• Oakland has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Chicago.
• Say goodbye to the possible snowstorms and tornadoes in Chicago, but be on the lookout for potential earthquakes and wildfires in Oakland.
• Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Oakland is 13 degrees cooler than in Chicago.
• The average winter lows are 26 degrees warmer than those in Chicago.
• Your umbrella might be neglected in Oakland. Oakland receives 13 fewer inches of rain compared to Chicago.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Chicago and Oakland

• When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Oakland tend to earn about 24% more than those in Chicago
• The COLI in Oakland is 19% higher than what you are used to living in Chicago
• The state income tax in CA is 13.3% (max) compared to 4.95% in IL
• The affluence in Oakland is higher compared to that in Chicago
• The poverty level is moderate in Oakland compared to notable levels in Chicago
• In terms of homelessness, it is significant in Chicago and critical in Oakland

Political and Religious Climate in Chicago vs. Oakland

• Chicago tends to lean primarily Democratic in its political climate
• Oakland, on the other hand, is often described as strongly Democratic
• Oakland's religious environment can be described as diverse and notable for its progressive religious communities
• Chicago's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as varied with a significant Catholic presence

Chicago vs. Oakland Traffic and Public Transit Considerations

• Woohoo! Expect to spend about 15% less time stuck in traffic commuting to work in Oakland compared to your daily drive in Chicago. That's an annual savings of 2,600 minutes freely earned!
• You can expect traffic in Oakland to be better than it is in Chicago.
• Public transit is less readily available in Oakland.