Best Chicago to San Francisco Movers
Updated June 17, 2025
Looking for reliable Chicago to San Francisco movers for this 2,220 mile interstate move? See our top 5 recommended movers, get estimated moving costs, and read our Chicago to San Francisco moving guide below. We analyzed 40 San Francisco to Chicago 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 Chicago to San Francisco moving company
- A1 Movers, Inc is the most affordable company to hire
- Moving from Chicago to San Francisco will cost on average between $2,500 - $9,000
- Our rankings and results are unbiased & backed by data… NOT paid promotions
Best Chicago to San Francisco 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 | A1 Movers, Inc | 9.34 | Authorized For HHG |
Our Top Recommendations
OCD Moving Services LLC
Best moving company overall for Chicago to San Francisco
OCD Moving Services LLC
5914 Cobblestone Ct, El Sobrante, CA, 94803
11-Point Rating
Best moving company overall to hire when moving from Chicago to San Francisco! 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 movers to hire for Chicago to San Francisco with a proven track record. Move-tastic! has been moving since 2008.
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
A1 Movers, Inc
315 S Harrison St, Geneva, IL, 60134
11-Point Rating
How Much Do Chicago to San Francisco Movers Cost?
Moving 2,220 miles from Chicago, IL to San Francisco, 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.
- 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 | $2,461 | 300 ft3 | $8.20 |
| 1 Bedroom | $3,669 | 450 ft3 | $8.15 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $6,078 | 750 ft3 | $8.10 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $8,859 | 1100 ft3 | $8.05 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $12,806 | 1600 ft3 | $8.00 |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $14,316 | 1800 ft3 | $7.95 |
Pro tip for the cheapest long distance move
Find long distance movers in San Francisco that already have a booked job heading from San Francisco to Chicago. Their moving truck would be making the trip back to San Francisco from Chicago entirely empty. If you can find a San Francisco moving company willing to move your stuff on the return leg, you'll score a real deal!
Moving Containers: A cheaper Chicago to San Francisco 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 San Francisco movers to unpack the container and move you into your new home. You'll have to piece this Chicago to San Francisco 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 San Francisco 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 San Francisco, CA long distance movers.
Rating Methodology
Here's the methodology we used to come up with the best movers for the Chicago to San Francisco moving route:
Our original review-based ranking algorithm
We started with a total of 40 companies that offer interstate moving services in both the Chicago and San Francisco 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 Chicago to San Francisco 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!).
The Great Guys Moving 11-Point Rating Breakdown
Our 11-point rating criteria scores every Chicago to San Francisco 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?
Chicago to San Francisco Moving Guide
From Chicago to San Francisco: Comparable Neighborhoods at a Glance
| Chicago | San Francisco | How They're Similar |
|---|---|---|
| Lincoln Park | Marina District | waterfront, upscale dining & nightlife |
| Lakeview | Castro | LGBTQ friendly nightlife & dining |
| Wicker Park | Haight-Ashbury | bohemian, indie shops & music scene |
| Pilsen | Mission District | Latino culture, murals & taquerias |
| Bucktown | Hayes Valley | boutique shops & cafes |
| Logan Square | Noe Valley | residential, brunch spots & family-friendly |
| West Loop | SOMA | converted warehouses, tech offices & restaurants |
| River North | SOMA | art galleries & nightlife near downtown |
| Andersonville | North Beach | European heritage, cafes & community events |
- Lincoln Park in Chicago & Marina District in San Francisco are both known for their waterfront, upscale dining & nightlife
- Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood & San Francisco's Castro both share LGBTQ-friendly nightlife & dining
- If you're moving from Wicker Park, check out Haight-Ashbury in the San Francisco area for the bohemian, indie shops & music scene
- Do you enjoy Pilsen's latino culture, murals & taquerias? You're sure to love the Mission District
- Move from Bucktown to Hayes Valley and continue to enjoy these neighborhood qualities: boutique shops & cafes
- Logan Square & Noe Valley are both known for their residential areas, brunch spots & family-friendliness
- Chicago's West Loop neighborhood & San Francisco's SOMA neighborhood both have converted warehouses, tech offices & restaurants
- If you're moving from River North, look into SOMA for the art galleries & nightlife near downtown
- Do you cherish living in Andersonville's european heritage, cafes & community events? Move into North Beach for something similar
Pros and Cons of Moving from Chicago to San Francisco
Chicago, IL- Harsh Winters
- Limited Public Transit
- Flat Landscape
- Higher Crime Rates
- Lower Cost of Living
San Francisco, CA- Milder Climate
- Extensive Transit Options
- Hilly Terrain
- Lower Crime Rates
- Higher Quality of Life
San Francisco, CA- Expensive Housing
- Smaller Living Spaces
- Higher Cost of Living
- Less Snow
- Traffic Congestion
Chicago, IL- Vibrant Culture
- World-class Museums
- Diverse Culinary Scene
- Lively Sports Scene
- Affordable Public Transit
Pros of moving from Chicago to San Francisco
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to milder climate
- Look forward to moving away from limited public transit and moving to San Francisco with extensive transit options
- Swap the flat landscape of Chicago for hilly terrain in San Francisco
- Get ready for lower crime rates in San Francisco
Cons of moving from Chicago to San Francisco
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from vibrant culture in Chicago to live with expensive housing in San Francisco
- You'll lose out on the pro of world-class museums and have to settle for the con of smaller living spaces
- Time to bid farewell to a diverse culinary scene and get used to higher cost of living in San Francisco
- Swap a lively sports scene for less snow
Chicago vs. San Francisco: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
| Comparison | Chicago | San Francisco |
|---|---|---|
| Most iconic local food item | Deep Dish Pizza | Sourdough Bread |
| Most popular meat dish | Italian Beef | Cioppino |
| Most popular street food item | Chicago-style Hot Dog | Mission Burrito |
| Most popular vegan food | Vegan Deep Dish Pizza | Vegan Ramen |
| Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the city |
|
|
| Fitness/Health Conscientiousness | 💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪 | 💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪 |
| Abundance of Food Trucks | 🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚 | 🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚 |
| Foodie Scene | 🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴 | 🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴 |
| Vegan Friendly | 🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱 | 🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱 |
If you're moving from Chicago to San Francisco, you will be trading the iconic Deep Dish Pizza of Chicago for the equally delicious Sourdough Bread of San Francisco. And while the locals in Chicago rave about their flavorful Italian Beef and sumptuous Chicago-style Hot Dog, San Francisco residents know they have tasty Cioppino and Mission Burrito to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Vegan Deep Dish Pizza they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegan Ramen of San Francisco. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Chicago eateries like Lou Malnati's Pizzeria, Portillo's Hot Dogs, and Alinea. After the boxes are unpacked in San Francisco, don't wait too long before making your way to San Francisco's acclaimed eateries like Boudin Bakery, Tartine Bakery, and The Slanted Door.
When comparing lifestyles, San Francisco shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Chicago. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in San Francisco compared to what you are used to in Chicago. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in San Francisco.
Discover San Francisco Restaurants You'll Love
Moving to San Francisco 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, Girl & the Goat, and Lou Malnati's Pizzeria in Chicago, we're sure you'll love Benu, Zuni Café, and Tony's Pizza Napoletana in San Francisco. See our San Francisco 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 Nopa on your first Friday night after the boxes are unpacked.
| Chicago | San Francisco | What You'll Love |
|---|---|---|
| Alinea | Benu | Both offer innovative and artful dining experiences |
| Girl & the Goat | Zuni Café | Both are beloved for their vibrant, eclectic menus |
| Lou Malnati's Pizzeria | Tony's Pizza Napoletana | Famous for their deep-dish and variety pizzas |
| The Purple Pig | Nopa | Known for nose-to-tail dining and creative small plates |
| RPM Italian | Quince | Both offer luxurious Italian dining experiences |
| Portillo's | Hot Dog Bills | Similar casual vibe and classic American favorites |
| The Aviary | Smuggler’s Cove | Renowned for inventive cocktails and unique ambiance |
| Au Cheval | Nopa | Both cherished for their iconic burgers and late-night offerings |
| Big Star | Gracias Madre | Offering inventive tacos and inspired casual dining |
| Honey Butter Fried Chicken | Birdsong | Celebrated for innovative takes on comfort food |
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Chicago and San Francisco
| Comparison | Chicago | San Francisco |
|---|---|---|
| Typical Architecture Style | Brick Bungalows, Greystones | Victorian, Edwardian |
| Walkability | 👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟 | 👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟 |
| Bikeability | 🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲 | 🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲 |
| Urban Lifestyle | 🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️ | 🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️ |
| Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Lake views, proximity to public transit | Bay views, tech-friendly amenities |
- The Brick Bungalows and Greystones architecture that Chicago is known for will be replaced with the Victorian and Edwardian architecture typical of San Francisco.
- Compared to Chicago's real estate listings that commonly reference lake views and proximity to public transit, San Francisco real estate listings often highlight features like bay views and tech-friendly amenities.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; San Francisco is more walkable than Chicago.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike; San Francisco is more bike-friendly than Chicago.
- San Francisco has more of an urban feel than Chicago.
- San Francisco housing costs are 345% more expensive than they are in Chicago, with a median home price of $1,290,678 compared to Chicago’s $289,909.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in San Francisco have decreased by 4% compared to a 17% increase in Chicago.
- Rent in San Francisco is 54.66% more expensive than in Chicago.
Pet-friendly Neighborhoods in San Francisco, CA
- Pacific Heights : You'll love Pacific Heights for its abundance of parks and scenic walking trails perfect for you and your furry friend.
- Noe Valley : Enjoy Noe Valley's welcoming community vibe and the pet-friendly stores and cafes that cater to every pet need.
- The Mission District : Known for its vibrant and lively atmosphere, The Mission District offers numerous dog parks and pet-friendly patios for you and your pet to explore.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Chicago and San Francisco
| Comparison | Chicago | San Francisco |
|---|---|---|
| Days of Sunshine per Year | ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️ | ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️ |
| Avg. Annual Humidity | 💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦 | 💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦 |
| Avg. UV Index | 🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️ | 🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️ |
| Natural Disasters | Blizzards, Tornados | Earthquakes, Fires |
| Air Quality | Moderate | Good |
| Average Summer High/Low (°F) | 85/68 | 70/56 |
| Average Winter High/Low (°F) | 35/22 | 57/46 |
| Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 36 | 23 |
| Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 36 | 0 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Chicago to San Francisco. San Francisco gets 37% more sunshine days than Chicago.
- San Francisco has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Chicago.
- Say goodbye to the possible blizzards and tornadoes in Chicago, but be on the lookout for potential earthquakes and fires in San Francisco.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in San Francisco is 15 degrees colder than in Chicago.
- The average winter lows are 24 degrees warmer than they are in Chicago.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in San Francisco. San Francisco receives 13 fewer inches of rain compared to Chicago.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Chicago and San Francisco
| Comparison | Chicago | San Francisco |
|---|---|---|
| Avg. Household Income | $66,576 | $121,826 |
| Cost of Living Index | 116.9 | 164 |
| State Income Tax | 4.95 | 9.3 |
| Avg. Property Tax | 2.16 | 0.63 |
| Avg. Sales Tax | 10.25 | 8.5 |
| Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Food, Healthcare | Technology, Finance, Tourism |
| Affluence | Moderate | High |
| Poverty | Noticeable | Lower |
| Homelessness | Significant | Significant |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in San Francisco tend to earn about 83% more than those in Chicago
- The COLI in San Francisco is 40% higher than what you are used to living in Chicago
- The state income tax in California is 9.3 compared to 4.95 in Illinois
- The affluence in San Francisco is high compared to moderate affluence in Chicago
- The poverty level is lower in San Francisco compared to noticeable poverty in Chicago
- In terms of homelessness, it is significant in Chicago and also significant in San Francisco
Political and Religious Climate in Chicago vs. San Francisco
| Comparison | Chicago | San Francisco |
|---|---|---|
| Political Make-up | Democratic-leaning | Strongly Democratic-leaning |
| Local Politics | Diverse with a historical emphasis on the Democratic party | Progressively liberal, with a focus on issues such as environmental protection and social justice |
| Religion | A mix of religions, with a significant portion identifying as Catholic; notable presence of Catholic churches and other religious institutions | More secular than the national average, but diverse; renowned for its Buddhist San Francisco Zen Center among other institutions |
- Chicago tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
- San Francisco, on the other hand, is often described as strongly Democratic
- San Francisco's religious environment can be described as more secular than the national average but diverse and is renowned for its Buddhist San Francisco Zen Center among other institutions
- Chicago's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a mix of religions, with a significant portion identifying as Catholic and a notable presence of Catholic churches and other religious institutions
Chicago vs. San Francisco Traffic and Public Transit Considerations
| Comparison | Chicago | San Francisco |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Commute Time (in minutes) | 34 | 32 |
| Traffic Congestion | 🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦 | 🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦 |
| Availability of Public Transit | 🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇 | 🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇 |
| Can you get by without a car? | Yes | Yes |
- Woohoo! Expect to spend about 6% less time stuck in traffic commuting to work in San Francisco compared to your Chicago daily drive. That's an annual savings of 1,040 minutes freely earned!
- You can expect traffic in San Francisco to be better than it is in Chicago.
- Public transit is more readily available in San Francisco.
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 Chicago to San Francisco.
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 Chicago to San Francisco movers have performed over time
11-Point Rating Comparison
Detailed breakdown of Chicago to San Francisco moving company 11-point ratings
Statewide 11-Point Percentile Comparison
See how our recommended top movers compare to all movers in Illinois & California
 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 | A1 Movers, Inc Exceptional9.34 | 88 | 91 | 97 | 93 | 93 | 94 | 78 | 88 | 86 | 92 | 98 |
Percentile Ranking
List of All Chicago to San Francisco 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
