Best Chicago to Columbus Movers

How Much Do Chicago to Columbus Movers Cost?

Moving 857 miles from Chicago, IL to Columbus, GA will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,000 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 Columbus that already have a booked job heading from Columbus to Chicago. Their moving truck would be making the trip back to Columbus from Chicago entirely empty. If you can find a Columbus moving company willing to move your stuff on the return leg, you'll score a real deal!

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

Rating Methodology

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

Our original review-based ranking algorithm

We started with a total of 36 companies that offer interstate moving services in both the Chicago and Columbus areas.

From these 36 companies, we analyzed a total of 23,030 reviews dating all the way back to February 2007.

We also reviewed a total of 25 state and federal moving licenses from these 36 companies and 191 different 3rd party review and social profiles.

Each of the ~23,000 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 18,328 Chicago to Columbus 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 Lambert Transfer & Storage, Inc.).

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The Great Guys Moving 11-Point Rating Breakdown

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

Quality

Overall quality of the service provided on moving day.

8.43/10 avg (Chicago & Columbus combined) from 18,301 reviews

Punctuality

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

8.01/10 avg (Chicago & Columbus combined) from 6,779 reviews

Affordability

How affordable was the moving service?

7.54/10 avg (Chicago & Columbus combined) from 3,964 reviews

Communication

Responsiveness before, during, and after the move.

7.36/10 avg (Chicago & Columbus combined) from 6,584 reviews

Stick to Prices

Was the final price consistent with the original quote?

6.20/10 avg (Chicago & Columbus combined) from 3,536 reviews

Speed

Efficiency without taking unnecessary time to increase costs.

8.67/10 avg (Chicago & Columbus combined) from 9,784 reviews

Friendliness

Was the moving crew cordial and friendly on moving day?

9.01/10 avg (Chicago & Columbus combined) from 8,921 reviews

Will Hire Again

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

8.14/10 avg (Chicago & Columbus combined) from 17,153 reviews

Professionalism

Did the moving crew behave professionally on moving day?

8.36/10 avg (Chicago & Columbus combined) from 9,905 reviews

Conflict Handling

How well the company responds to accidents and issues.

4.04/10 avg (Chicago & Columbus combined) from 2,217 reviews

Precision & Care

Were walls scratched? Did furniture get damaged or lost?

8.07/10 avg (Chicago & Columbus combined) from 9,094 reviews

From Chicago to Columbus: Comparable Neighborhoods at a Glance

• Lincoln Park in Chicago & Uptown in Columbus are both known for their park access & riverfront trails in an upscale urban area
• Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood & Columbus' Bibb City both share an arts district vibe with indie shops & eateries
• If you're moving from Logan Square, check out Bibb City in the Columbus area for the revitalized industrial area with breweries & greenways
• Do you enjoy Hyde Park's historic homes on tree-lined streets near campus? You're sure to love Midland Heights
• Move from West Loop to Uptown and continue to enjoy these neighborhood qualities: former industrial spaces converted to lofts & trendy restaurants

Pros and Cons of Moving from Chicago to Columbus

ConsChicago, IL

• Harsh winters
• High cost of living
• Heavy traffic
• Higher crime rates

ProsColumbus, GA

• Milder winters
• Lower cost of living
• Less traffic
• Lower crime rates

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Columbus, GA

• Quieter nightlife
• Smaller cultural scene
• Limited public transport
• Fewer dining options

Chicago, IL

• Vibrant nightlife
• Rich cultural scene
• Extensive public transport
• Diverse dining options

Pros of moving from Chicago to Columbus

• Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to milder winters
• Look forward to moving away from the high cost of living and moving to Columbus with the lower cost of living
• Swap the heavy traffic of Chicago for less traffic in Columbus
• Get ready for lower crime rates in Columbus

Cons of moving from Chicago to Columbus

• Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the vibrant nightlife in Chicago to live with the quieter nightlife in Columbus
• You'll lose out on the pro of a rich cultural scene and have to settle with the con of a smaller cultural scene
• Time to bid farewell to extensive public transport and get used to limited public transport in Columbus
• Swap diverse dining options for fewer dining options

Chicago vs. Columbus: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

If you're moving from Chicago to Columbus, you will be trading the iconic Deep Dish Pizza of Chicago for the equally delicious Fried Catfish of Columbus. And while the locals in Chicago rave about their flavorful Italian Beef and sumptuous Chicago-style Hot Dog, Columbus residents know they have tasty Pulled Pork BBQ and Boiled Peanuts 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 Black Bean Burger of Columbus. 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 Columbus, don't wait too long before making your way to Columbus' acclaimed eateries like Minnie's Uptown, Country's Barbecue, and Yalla Public House.

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

Discover Columbus Restaurants You'll Love

Moving to Columbus 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, Giordano's, and Girl & The Goat in Chicago, we're sure you'll love Epic Restaurant, Your Pie, and The Black Cow in Columbus. See our Columbus 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 Hot Dogs, head to Plucked Up Chicken & Biscuits on your first Friday night after the boxes are unpacked.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Chicago and Columbus

• The Modern and Historical Blends architecture that Chicago is known for will be replaced with the Traditional and Colonial architecture typical of Columbus.
• Compared to Chicago's real estate listings that commonly reference lake views and proximity to public transit, Columbus real estate listings often highlight features like quiet neighborhoods and spacious yards.
• You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Columbus is less walkable than Chicago.
• You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Columbus is less bike-friendly than Chicago.
• Columbus has less of an urban feel than Chicago.
• Columbus housing costs are 45% less expensive than they are in Chicago, with a median home price of $159,748 compared to Chicago’s $289,909.
• Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Columbus have increased by 56% compared to a 17% increase in Chicago.
• Rent in Columbus is 44.40% more affordable than in Chicago.

Pet-friendly Neighborhoods in Columbus, GA

1. Midtown Columbus : You’ll love taking your furry friends on walks in this neighborhood with its abundant parks and pet-friendly businesses.
2. Wynnton Village : This area offers numerous pet services and an active community of pet owners, making it ideal for you and your pets.
3. Lakebottom Park : Known for its expansive green spaces and off-leash areas, this neighborhood provides a perfect setting for you to explore with your pets.

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

• Break out the sunglasses for your move from Chicago to Columbus. Columbus gets 17% more sunshine days than Chicago.
• Columbus 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 tornadoes in Columbus.
• Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Columbus is 8 degrees warmer than in Chicago.
• The average winter lows are 17 degrees warmer than they are in Chicago.
• Your umbrella might be more overworked in Columbus. Columbus receives 13 more inches of rain compared to Chicago.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Chicago and Columbus

• When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Columbus tend to earn about 21% less than in Chicago
• The COLI in Columbus is 20% lower than what you are used to living in Chicago
• The state income tax in GA is 1-5.75 compared to 4.95 in IL
• The affluence in Columbus is moderately low compared to moderate affluence in Chicago
• The poverty level is high in Columbus compared to moderate poverty in Chicago
• In terms of homelessness, it is high in Chicago and moderate in Columbus

Political and Religious Climate in Chicago vs. Columbus

• Chicago tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
• Columbus, on the other hand, is often described as lean Republican
• Columbus' religious environment can be described as <a href="https://www.columbusga.gov/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">predominantly Protestant</a>
• Chicago's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Catholicism and various others

Chicago vs. Columbus Traffic and Public Transit Considerations

• Woohoo! Expect to spend about 35% less time stuck in traffic commuting to work in Columbus compared to your Chicago daily drive. That's an annual savings of 6,240 minutes freely earned!
• You can expect traffic in Columbus to be better than it is in Chicago.
• Public transit is less readily available in Columbus.