Best Chicago to Tampa Movers

How Much Do Chicago to Tampa Movers Cost?

Moving 1,210 miles from Chicago, IL to Tampa, 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 Tampa that already have a booked job heading from Tampa to Chicago. Their moving truck would be making the trip back to Tampa from Chicago entirely empty. If you can find a Tampa moving company willing to move your stuff on the return leg, you'll score a real deal!

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

Rating Methodology

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

Our original review-based ranking algorithm

We started with a total of 45 companies that offer interstate moving services in both the Chicago and Tampa areas.

From these 45 companies, we analyzed a total of 30,671 reviews dating all the way back to February 2007.

We also reviewed a total of 32 state and federal moving licenses from these 45 companies and 231 different 3rd party review and social profiles.

Each of the ~30,000 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 20,555 Chicago to Tampa 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 Two Men and a Truck).

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The Great Guys Moving 11-Point Rating Breakdown

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

Quality

Overall quality of the service provided on moving day.

8.45/10 avg (Chicago & Tampa combined) from 21,520 reviews

Punctuality

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

8.11/10 avg (Chicago & Tampa combined) from 7,786 reviews

Affordability

How affordable was the moving service?

7.39/10 avg (Chicago & Tampa combined) from 4,457 reviews

Communication

Responsiveness before, during, and after the move.

7.36/10 avg (Chicago & Tampa combined) from 7,688 reviews

Stick to Prices

Was the final price consistent with the original quote?

5.91/10 avg (Chicago & Tampa combined) from 3,957 reviews

Speed

Efficiency without taking unnecessary time to increase costs.

8.67/10 avg (Chicago & Tampa combined) from 11,096 reviews

Friendliness

Was the moving crew cordial and friendly on moving day?

9.02/10 avg (Chicago & Tampa combined) from 10,816 reviews

Will Hire Again

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

8.17/10 avg (Chicago & Tampa combined) from 20,491 reviews

Professionalism

Did the moving crew behave professionally on moving day?

8.40/10 avg (Chicago & Tampa combined) from 11,962 reviews

Conflict Handling

How well the company responds to accidents and issues.

3.93/10 avg (Chicago & Tampa combined) from 2,540 reviews

Precision & Care

Were walls scratched? Did furniture get damaged or lost?

8.06/10 avg (Chicago & Tampa combined) from 10,592 reviews

From Chicago to Tampa: Comparable Neighborhoods at a Glance

• Lincoln Park in Chicago & Hyde Park in Tampa are both known for their affluent lakefront neighborhoods with parks & shopping
• Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood & Tampa's Seminole Heights both share hip artsy neighborhoods with craft breweries
• If you're moving from River North, check out Ybor City in the Tampa area for the bustling nightlife & historic charm
• Do you enjoy Hyde Park's historic lakeside community with parks & vintage homes? You're sure to love Hyde Park
• Move from Gold Coast to Davis Islands and continue to enjoy these neighborhood qualities of upscale waterfront living with luxury homes
• Logan Square & Seminole Heights are both known for their up-and-coming neighborhoods with local restaurants & craft beer
• Chicago's Bucktown neighborhood & Tampa's Ybor City neighborhood both have industrial-turned-creative districts with boutique shops & nightlife
• If you're moving from Andersonville, look into Hyde Park for independent shops & a LGBTQ+ friendly atmosphere
• Do you cherish living in West Loop's culinary hotspot with trendy dining & bars? Move into SoHo District for something similar
• The similar vibes of Pilsen & West Tampa are both known for historic Latin communities with murals & authentic eateries

Pros and Cons of Moving from Chicago to Tampa

ConsChicago, IL

• Cold winters
• High living costs
• Heavy traffic
• Dense population

ProsTampa, FL

• Warmer climate
• More affordable
• Less congestion
• Spacious living

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Tampa, FL

• Quieter nightlife
• Less diverse
• Fewer museums
• Car-dependent

Chicago, IL

• Vibrant nightlife
• Cultural diversity
• World-class museums
• Extensive public transit

Pros of moving from Chicago to Tampa

• Say goodbye to cold winters and hello to a warmer climate
• Look forward to moving away from high living costs and moving to Tampa with more affordability
• Swap the heavy traffic of Chicago for less congestion in Tampa
• Get ready for spacious living in Tampa

Cons of moving from Chicago to Tampa

• Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the vibrant nightlife in Chicago to live with the quieter nightlife in Tampa
• You'll lose out on the pro of cultural diversity and have to settle for the con of less diversity
• Time to bid farewell to world-class museums and get used to fewer museums in Tampa
• Swap extensive public transit for a car-dependent lifestyle

Chicago vs. Tampa: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

If you're moving from Chicago to Tampa, you will be trading the iconic Deep-dish pizza of Chicago for the equally delicious Cuban sandwich of Tampa. And while the locals in Chicago rave about their flavorful Italian Beef and sumptuous Chicago-style hot dog, Tampa residents know they have tasty Deviled Crab and Empanadas to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Seitan wings they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Jackfruit tacos of Tampa. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Chicago eateries like Alinea, Girl and The Goat, and Portillo's. After the boxes are unpacked in Tampa, don't wait too long before making your way to Tampa's acclaimed eateries like Columbia Restaurant, Bern's Steak House, and Ulele.

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

Discover Tampa Restaurants You'll Love

Moving to Tampa 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 Bern's Steak House, Ulele, and Eddie & Sam's NY Pizza in Tampa. See our Tampa restaurant discovery table below to find the closest comparison restaurant to all of your cherished Chicago hotspots. For example, if you enjoyed dining at Portillo's, head to Columbia Restaurant on your first Friday night after the boxes are unpacked.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Chicago and Tampa

• The Chicago School and greystones architecture that Chicago is known for will be replaced with the Spanish Revival and modern architecture typical of Tampa.
• Compared to Chicago's real estate listings that commonly reference lake views and proximity to public transit, Tampa real estate listings often highlight features like waterfront and outdoor living spaces.
• You can keep your walking shoes packed away. Tampa is less walkable than Chicago.
• You might want to think twice before moving your bike. Tampa is less bike-friendly than Chicago.
• Tampa has less of an urban feel than Chicago.
• Tampa housing costs are 32% more expensive than those in Chicago with a median home price of $382,663 compared to Chicago’s $289,909.
• Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Tampa have increased by 74% compared to a 17% increase in Chicago.
• Rent in Tampa is 1.93% more expensive than in Chicago.

Pet-friendly Neighborhoods in Tampa, FL

1. Hyde Park : You and your furry friend will love the numerous parks and pet-friendly cafes that make this charming neighborhood a welcoming spot for pets.
2. Seminole Heights : This vibrant area offers plenty of pet-friendly restaurants and open spaces, ensuring your pet can explore alongside you.
3. Davis Islands : Known for its dog beaches and parks, this neighborhood provides a delightful space for you and your pet to enjoy outdoor activities together.

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

• Break out the sunglasses for your move from Chicago to Tampa. Tampa gets 30% more sunshine days than Chicago.
• Tampa has higher 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 tropical storms in Tampa.
• Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Tampa is 7 degrees warmer than in Chicago.
• The average winter lows are 34 degrees warmer than they are in Chicago.
• Your umbrella might be more overworked in Tampa. Tampa receives 14 more inches of rain compared to Chicago.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Chicago and Tampa

• When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Tampa tend to earn about 5% less than in Chicago
• The COLI in Tampa is 21% 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 Tampa is moderately affluent compared to moderately affluent in Chicago
• The poverty level is high in Tampa compared to moderate in Chicago
• In terms of homelessness, it is high in Chicago and moderate in Tampa

Political and Religious Climate in Chicago vs. Tampa

• Chicago tends to lean strongly Democratic in its political climate
• Tampa, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Democratic
• Tampa's religious environment can be described as diverse with a notable Christian majority
• Chicago's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as diverse with a significant Catholic population

Chicago vs. Tampa Traffic and Public Transit Considerations

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