Best Chicago to San Jose Movers

How Much Do Chicago to San Jose Movers Cost?

Moving 2,227 miles from Chicago, IL to San Jose, 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 San Jose that already have a booked job heading from San Jose to Chicago. Their moving truck would be making the trip back to San Jose from Chicago entirely empty. If you can find a San Jose moving company willing to move your stuff on the return leg, you'll score a real deal!

Moving Containers: A cheaper Chicago to San Jose 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 Jose movers to unpack the container and move you into your new home. You'll have to piece this Chicago to San Jose 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 Jose 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 Jose, CA long distance movers.

Rating Methodology

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

Our original review-based ranking algorithm

We started with a total of 46 companies that offer interstate moving services in both the Chicago and San Jose areas.

From these 46 companies, we analyzed a total of 27,276 reviews dating all the way back to February 2007.

We also reviewed a total of 29 state and federal moving licenses from these 46 companies and 235 different 3rd party review and social profiles.

Each of the ~27,000 reviews was scored according to our detailed 11-point rating criteria

Reviews are time-weighted so that more recent reviews carry more weight. This helps you understand how a mover is doing today... not 5 years ago. We have 19,183 Chicago to San Jose 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).

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The Great Guys Moving 11-Point Rating Breakdown

Our 11-point rating criteria scores every Chicago to San Jose moving company across 11 of the most important criteria for a succesful moving experience.

Quality

Overall quality of the service provided on moving day.

8.52/10 avg (Chicago & San Jose combined) from 21,980 reviews

Punctuality

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

8.24/10 avg (Chicago & San Jose combined) from 8,492 reviews

Affordability

How affordable was the moving service?

7.63/10 avg (Chicago & San Jose combined) from 4,957 reviews

Communication

Responsiveness before, during, and after the move.

7.65/10 avg (Chicago & San Jose combined) from 8,347 reviews

Stick to Prices

Was the final price consistent with the original quote?

6.54/10 avg (Chicago & San Jose combined) from 4,305 reviews

Speed

Efficiency without taking unnecessary time to increase costs.

8.79/10 avg (Chicago & San Jose combined) from 11,688 reviews

Friendliness

Was the moving crew cordial and friendly on moving day?

9.08/10 avg (Chicago & San Jose combined) from 10,887 reviews

Will Hire Again

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

8.25/10 avg (Chicago & San Jose combined) from 20,817 reviews

Professionalism

Did the moving crew behave professionally on moving day?

8.47/10 avg (Chicago & San Jose combined) from 12,113 reviews

Conflict Handling

How well the company responds to accidents and issues.

4.47/10 avg (Chicago & San Jose combined) from 2,613 reviews

Precision & Care

Were walls scratched? Did furniture get damaged or lost?

8.25/10 avg (Chicago & San Jose combined) from 11,319 reviews

From Chicago to San Jose: Comparable Neighborhoods at a Glance

• Lincoln Park in Chicago & Willow Glen in San Jose are both known for their tree-lined streets & upscale shopping
• Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood & San Jose's Downtown San Jose both share vibrant nightlife & art galleries
• If you're moving from Logan Square, check out Japantown in the San Jose area for the diverse cultural cuisine & community events
• Do you enjoy Lakeview's vibrant dining & neighborhood pubs? You're sure to love Willow Glen
• Move from River North to Downtown San Jose and continue to enjoy these neighborhood qualities: upscale nightlife & art-focused venues
• The Loop & North San Jose are both known for their central business district & corporate offices
• Chicago's Bucktown neighborhood & San Jose's Santana Row neighborhood both have trendy shopping & upscale dining
• If you're moving from Andersonville, look into Japantown for the historic ethnic enclave & boutique shops

Pros and Cons of Moving from Chicago to San Jose

ConsChicago, IL

• Harsh winters
• Higher crime rates
• Lower tech job availability
• Dense urban living

ProsSan Jose, CA

• Mild climate
• Lower crime rates
• High tech job market
• More suburban feel

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San Jose, CA

• Quieter nightlife
• Car-dependent areas
• Less diverse
• Higher cost of living

Chicago, IL

• Vibrant nightlife
• Extensive public transit
• Cultural diversity
• Affordable housing

Pros of moving from Chicago to San Jose

• Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to a mild climate
• Look forward to moving away from higher crime rates and moving to San Jose with lower crime rates
• Swap the lower tech job availability of Chicago for a high tech job market in San Jose
• Get ready for a more suburban feel in San Jose

Cons of moving from Chicago to San Jose

• Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the vibrant nightlife in Chicago to live with the quieter nightlife in San Jose
• You'll lose out on the pro of extensive public transit and have to settle for the con of car-dependent areas
• Time to bid farewell to cultural diversity and get used to a less diverse environment in San Jose
• Swap affordable housing for a higher cost of living

Chicago vs. San Jose: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

If you're moving from Chicago to San Jose, you will be trading the iconic Deep-dish pizza of Chicago for the equally delicious Pho of San Jose. And while the locals in Chicago rave about their flavorful Italian beef and sumptuous Chicago-style hot dog, San Jose residents know they have tasty Carne Asada and Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Seitan they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Avocado Toast of San Jose. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Chicago eateries like Alinea, Giordano's, and Portillo's. After the boxes are unpacked in San Jose, don't wait too long before making your way to San Jose's acclaimed eateries like Falafel's Drive-In, Adega, and Original Joe's San Jose.

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

Discover San Jose Restaurants You'll Love

Moving to San Jose 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 Portillo's in Chicago, we're sure you'll love Le Papillon, Orchard City Kitchen, and Smoking Pig BBQ in San Jose. See our San Jose restaurant discovery table below to find the closest comparison restaurant to all of your cherished Chicago hotspots. For example, if you enjoyed dining at Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria, head to Giorgio's Italian Food and Pizzeria on your first Friday night after the boxes are unpacked.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Chicago and San Jose

• The Chicago School and Greystones architecture that Chicago is known for will be replaced with the Spanish Revival and Modern architecture typical of San Jose.
• Compared to Chicago's real estate listings that commonly reference lake views and proximity to public transit, San Jose real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to tech companies and solar panels.
• You can keep your walking shoes packed away, as San Jose is less walkable than Chicago.
• You might want to think twice before moving your bike, as San Jose is less bike-friendly than Chicago.
• San Jose has less of an urban feel than Chicago.
• San Jose housing costs are 404% more expensive than they are in Chicago, with a median home price of $1,461,923 compared to Chicago’s $289,909.
• Over the prior 5 years, home prices in San Jose have increased 36% compared to a 17% increase in Chicago.
• Rent in San Jose is 47.79% more expensive than in Chicago.

Pet-friendly Neighborhoods in San Jose, CA

1. Willow Glen : You'll love the tree-lined streets and abundance of pet-friendly parks and amenities that make outdoor exploration with your furry friend convenient and enjoyable.
2. Japantown : This neighborhood's welcoming community vibe and nearby parks provide you and your pet plenty of space to enjoy leisurely strolls and social interactions.
3. Rose Garden : With its expansive green spaces and walkable layout, this area offers numerous dog-friendly cafes and shops, making it perfect for pet-owners like you.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Chicago and San Jose

• Break out the sunglasses for your move from Chicago to San Jose. San Jose gets 36% more sunshine days than Chicago.
• San Jose has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Chicago.
• Say goodbye to the possible blizzards and flooding in Chicago, but be on the lookout for potential earthquakes and droughts in San Jose.
• The average summer high temperature in San Jose is 2 degrees colder than in Chicago.
• The average winter lows in San Jose are 20 degrees warmer than they are in Chicago.
• Your umbrella might be neglected in San Jose, as it receives 20.5 fewer inches of rain compared to Chicago.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Chicago and San Jose

• When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in San Jose tend to earn about 90% more than in Chicago
• The COLI in San Jose is 34% higher than what you are used to in Chicago
• The state income tax in CA is 9.3 compared to 4.95 in IL
• The affluence in San Jose is high compared to moderate in Chicago
• The poverty level is lower in San Jose compared to noticeable in Chicago
• In terms of homelessness, it is significant in Chicago and concerning in San Jose

Political and Religious Climate in Chicago vs. San Jose

• Chicago tends to lean democratically in its political climate
• San Jose, on the other hand, is often described as democratically leaning
• San Jose's religious environment can be described as diverse with a strong presence of Catholic, Buddhist, and Hindu communities
• Chicago's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as diverse with a significant Catholic population

Chicago vs. San Jose Traffic and Public Transit Considerations

• Woohoo! Expect to spend about 12% less time stuck in traffic commuting to work in San Jose compared to your daily drive in Chicago. That's an annual savings of 2,080 minutes freely earned!
• You can expect traffic in San Jose to be better than it is in Chicago.
• Public transit is less readily available in San Jose.