Best Chicago to Fort Lauderdale Movers

How Much Do Chicago to Fort Lauderdale Movers Cost?

Moving 1,392 miles from Chicago, IL to Fort Lauderdale, FL 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 Fort Lauderdale that already have a booked job heading from Fort Lauderdale to Chicago. Their moving truck would be making the trip back to Fort Lauderdale from Chicago entirely empty. If you can find a Fort Lauderdale moving company willing to move your stuff on the return leg, you'll score a real deal!

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

Rating Methodology

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

Our original review-based ranking algorithm

We started with a total of 71 companies that offer interstate moving services in both the Chicago and Fort Lauderdale areas.

From these 71 companies, we analyzed a total of 42,481 reviews dating all the way back to February 2007.

We also reviewed a total of 48 state and federal moving licenses from these 71 companies and 372 different 3rd party review and social profiles.

Each of the ~42,000 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 27,132 Chicago to Fort Lauderdale 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 Chicago to Fort Lauderdale moving company across 11 of the most important criteria for a succesful moving experience.

Quality

Overall quality of the service provided on moving day.

7.84/10 avg (Chicago & Fort Lauderdale combined) from 26,653 reviews

Punctuality

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

7.32/10 avg (Chicago & Fort Lauderdale combined) from 9,921 reviews

Affordability

How affordable was the moving service?

6.51/10 avg (Chicago & Fort Lauderdale combined) from 6,343 reviews

Communication

Responsiveness before, during, and after the move.

6.64/10 avg (Chicago & Fort Lauderdale combined) from 11,101 reviews

Stick to Prices

Was the final price consistent with the original quote?

5.30/10 avg (Chicago & Fort Lauderdale combined) from 6,199 reviews

Speed

Efficiency without taking unnecessary time to increase costs.

8.01/10 avg (Chicago & Fort Lauderdale combined) from 12,435 reviews

Friendliness

Was the moving crew cordial and friendly on moving day?

8.42/10 avg (Chicago & Fort Lauderdale combined) from 12,678 reviews

Will Hire Again

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

7.56/10 avg (Chicago & Fort Lauderdale combined) from 25,874 reviews

Professionalism

Did the moving crew behave professionally on moving day?

7.68/10 avg (Chicago & Fort Lauderdale combined) from 14,941 reviews

Conflict Handling

How well the company responds to accidents and issues.

3.51/10 avg (Chicago & Fort Lauderdale combined) from 4,391 reviews

Precision & Care

Were walls scratched? Did furniture get damaged or lost?

7.41/10 avg (Chicago & Fort Lauderdale combined) from 13,541 reviews

From Chicago to Fort Lauderdale: Comparable Neighborhoods at a Glance

• Lincoln Park in Chicago & Rio Vista in Fort Lauderdale are both known for their upscale waterfront homes and quiet residential streets
• Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood & Fort Lauderdale's Las Olas both share riverfront dining and plentiful nightlife
• If you're moving from Wicker Park, check out Flagler Village in the Fort Lauderdale area for the arts district with galleries and breweries
• Do you enjoy Bucktown's trendy cafes and boutique shopping? You're sure to love Victoria Park
• Move from Logan Square to Wilton Manors and continue to enjoy these neighborhood qualities: vibrant bar scene and eclectic eateries
• River North & Las Olas are both known for their upscale boutiques and waterfront promenades
• Chicago's Gold Coast neighborhood & Fort Lauderdale's Harbor Beach neighborhood both have luxury oceanfront properties and exclusive community
• If you're moving from Hyde Park, look into Coral Ridge for the family-friendly atmosphere with tree-lined streets and parks
• Do you cherish living in Andersonville's LGBTQ-friendly community and local shops? Move into Wilton Manors for something similar
• The similar vibes of Ukrainian Village & Flagler Village are both known for historic homes hosting arts and cultural events

Pros and Cons of Moving from Chicago to Fort Lauderdale

ConsChicago, IL

• Harsh winters
• High taxes
• Heavy traffic
• Urban density

ProsFort Lauderdale, FL

• Warm climate
• No state income tax
• Less congestion
• Beach access

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Fort Lauderdale, FL

• Smaller cultural scene
• Car dependency
• Fewer historical sites
• Quieter nightlife

Chicago, IL

• Cultural diversity
• Vast public transit
• Rich history
• Vibrant nightlife

Pros of moving from Chicago to Fort Lauderdale

• Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to warm climate
• Look forward to moving away from high taxes and moving to Fort Lauderdale with no state income tax
• Swap the heavy traffic of Chicago for less congestion in Fort Lauderdale
• Get ready for beach access in Fort Lauderdale

Cons of moving from Chicago to Fort Lauderdale

• Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from cultural diversity in Chicago to live with a smaller cultural scene in Fort Lauderdale
• You'll lose out on the pro of vast public transit and have to settle for the con of car dependency
• Time to bid farewell to rich history and get used to fewer historical sites in Fort Lauderdale
• Swap vibrant nightlife for quieter nightlife

Chicago vs. Fort Lauderdale: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

If you're moving from Chicago to Fort Lauderdale, you will be trading the iconic Deep-dish pizza of Chicago for the equally delicious Stone crab of Fort Lauderdale. And while the locals in Chicago rave about their flavorful Italian beef sandwich and sumptuous Chicago-style hot dog, Fort Lauderdale residents know they have tasty Grouper sandwich and Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Seitan dishes they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Acai bowls of Fort Lauderdale. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Chicago eateries like Lou Malnati's Pizzeria, Portillo's, and Alinea. After the boxes are unpacked in Fort Lauderdale, don't wait too long before making your way to Fort Lauderdale's acclaimed eateries like Coconuts, Casa Sensei, and Boatyard.

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

Discover Fort Lauderdale Restaurants You'll Love

Moving to Fort Lauderdale 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, Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse, and Lou Malnati's Pizzeria in Chicago, we're sure you'll love Café Martorano, Steak 954, and Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza in Fort Lauderdale. See our Fort Lauderdale restaurant discovery table below to find the closest comparison restaurant to all of your cherished Chicago hotspots. For example, if you enjoyed dining at Girl & The Goat, head to Boatyard on your first Friday night after the boxes are unpacked.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Chicago and Fort Lauderdale

• The Modern and Contemporary architecture that Chicago is known for will be replaced with the Mediterranean and Modern architecture typical of Fort Lauderdale.
• Compared to Chicago's real estate listings that commonly reference lake views and proximity to transit, Fort Lauderdale real estate listings often highlight features like waterfront and swimming pool.
• You can keep your walking shoes packed away because Fort Lauderdale is less walkable than Chicago.
• You might want to think twice before moving your bike because Fort Lauderdale is less bike-friendly than Chicago.
• Fort Lauderdale has less of an urban feel than Chicago.
• Fort Lauderdale housing costs are 83% more expensive than they are in Chicago, with a median home price of $530,859 compared to Chicago’s $289,909.
• Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Fort Lauderdale have increased by 59% compared to a 17% increase in Chicago.
• Rent in Fort Lauderdale is 28.27% more expensive than in Chicago.

Pet-friendly Neighborhoods in Fort Lauderdale, FL

1. Victoria Park: You and your furry friend will love Victoria Park for its tree-lined streets, numerous parks, and welcoming pet-friendly vibe.
2. Sailboat Bend: This neighborhood is perfect for pet owners with its spacious green areas, walking trails, and community-oriented atmosphere.
3. Riverland Village: Riverland Village offers you plenty of pet-friendly housing options and easy access to nearby parks and outdoor spaces.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Chicago and Fort Lauderdale

• Break out the sunglasses for your move from Chicago to Fort Lauderdale. Fort Lauderdale gets 30% more sunshine days than Chicago.
• Fort Lauderdale has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Chicago.
• Say goodbye to the possible blizzards and cold waves in Chicago, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and flooding in Fort Lauderdale.
• Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Fort Lauderdale is 7 degrees warmer than in Chicago.
• The average winter lows are 41 degrees warmer than they are in Chicago.
• Your umbrella might be more overworked in Fort Lauderdale. Fort Lauderdale receives 25 more inches of rain compared to Chicago.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Chicago and Fort Lauderdale

• When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Fort Lauderdale tend to earn about 2% less than in Chicago
• The COLI in Fort Lauderdale is 1% lower than what you are used to living in Chicago
• Hooray, moving to FL means you'll no longer have state income taxes
• The affluence in Fort Lauderdale is high compared to moderate in Chicago
• The poverty level is low in Fort Lauderdale compared to moderate in Chicago
• In terms of homelessness, it is high in Chicago and moderate in Fort Lauderdale

Political and Religious Climate in Chicago vs. Fort Lauderdale

• Chicago tends to lean primarily Democratic in its political climate
• Fort Lauderdale, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Democratic
• Fort Lauderdale's religious environment can be described as diverse with an increased focus on inclusivity
• Chicago's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as religious diversity with a prominent Catholic presence

Chicago vs. Fort Lauderdale Traffic and Public Transit Considerations

• Woohoo! Expect to spend about 24% less time stuck in traffic commuting to work in Fort Lauderdale compared to your daily drive in Chicago. That's an annual savings of 4,160 minutes freely earned!
• You can expect traffic in Fort Lauderdale to be better than it is in Chicago.
• Public transit is less readily available in Fort Lauderdale.