Best Chicago to Boston Movers

How Much Do Chicago to Boston Movers Cost?

Moving 1,036 miles from Chicago, IL to Boston, MA will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,500 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 Boston that already have a booked job heading from Boston to Chicago. Their moving truck would be making the trip back to Boston from Chicago entirely empty. If you can find a Boston moving company willing to move your stuff on the return leg, you'll score a real deal!

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

Rating Methodology

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

Our original review-based ranking algorithm

We started with a total of 78 companies that offer interstate moving services in both the Chicago and Boston areas.

From these 78 companies, we analyzed a total of 41,297 reviews dating all the way back to July 2005.

We also reviewed a total of 72 state and federal moving licenses from these 78 companies and 399 different 3rd party review and social profiles.

Each of the ~41,000 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 26,345 Chicago to Boston 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 Stairhopper Movers).

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The Great Guys Moving 11-Point Rating Breakdown

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

Quality

Overall quality of the service provided on moving day.

8.94/10 avg (Chicago & Boston combined) from 31,052 reviews

Punctuality

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

8.70/10 avg (Chicago & Boston combined) from 11,919 reviews

Affordability

How affordable was the moving service?

8.24/10 avg (Chicago & Boston combined) from 7,692 reviews

Communication

Responsiveness before, during, and after the move.

8.23/10 avg (Chicago & Boston combined) from 11,444 reviews

Stick to Prices

Was the final price consistent with the original quote?

7.27/10 avg (Chicago & Boston combined) from 5,644 reviews

Speed

Efficiency without taking unnecessary time to increase costs.

9.12/10 avg (Chicago & Boston combined) from 16,476 reviews

Friendliness

Was the moving crew cordial and friendly on moving day?

9.32/10 avg (Chicago & Boston combined) from 15,526 reviews

Will Hire Again

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

8.74/10 avg (Chicago & Boston combined) from 29,729 reviews

Professionalism

Did the moving crew behave professionally on moving day?

8.90/10 avg (Chicago & Boston combined) from 16,975 reviews

Conflict Handling

How well the company responds to accidents and issues.

5.14/10 avg (Chicago & Boston combined) from 3,118 reviews

Precision & Care

Were walls scratched? Did furniture get damaged or lost?

8.70/10 avg (Chicago & Boston combined) from 15,654 reviews

From Chicago to Boston: Comparable Neighborhoods at a Glance

• Lincoln Park in Chicago & Back Bay in Boston are both known for their affluent lakeside setting & parkland
• Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood & Boston's South End both share indie shops & art galleries
• If you're moving from Logan Square, check out Fenway/Kenmore in the Boston area for the breweries & young-professional scene
• Do you enjoy Lakeview's waterfront nightlife & dining? You're sure to love the Seaport District
• Move from Hyde Park to Jamaica Plain and continue to enjoy these neighborhood qualities: leafy residential areas & an academic presence
• Old Town & Beacon Hill are both known for their historic architecture & cobblestone streets
• Chicago's River North neighborhood & Boston's Seaport District neighborhood both have a vibrant art scene & upscale dining
• If you're moving from Bucktown, look into Allston for the creative vibe & student-friendly nightlife
• Do you cherish living in Pilsen's Latino culture & street art? Move into Dorchester for something similar
• The similar vibes of Gold Coast & Beacon Hill are both known for upscale historic mansions & charm

Pros and Cons of Moving from Chicago to Boston

ConsChicago, IL

• Harsh winters
• Higher crime rates
• Flat landscape
• Dense traffic

ProsBoston, MA

• Historic charm
• Lower crime rates
• Coastal city
• Better public transit

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Boston, MA

• Expensive dining
• Smaller city size
• Higher living costs
• Fewer green spaces

Chicago, IL

• Vibrant nightlife
• World-class museums
• Affordable living
• Large city parks

Pros of moving from Chicago to Boston

• Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to historic charm
• Look forward to moving away from higher crime rates and moving to Boston with lower crime rates
• Swap the flat landscape of Chicago for the coastal city in Boston
• Get ready for better public transit in Boston

Cons of moving from Chicago to Boston

• Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the vibrant nightlife in Chicago to live with expensive dining in Boston
• You'll lose out on the pro of world-class museums and have to settle for the con of smaller city size
• Time to bid farewell to affordable living and get used to higher living costs in Boston
• Swap large city parks for fewer green spaces

Chicago vs. Boston: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

If you're moving from Chicago to Boston, you will be trading the iconic Deep Dish Pizza of Chicago for the equally delicious Clam Chowder of Boston. And while the locals in Chicago rave about their flavorful Italian Beef and sumptuous Chicago-Style Hot Dog, Boston residents know they have tasty Lobster Roll and Fish & Chips to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Seitan they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Jackfruit of Boston. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Chicago eateries like Lou Malnati's, Portillo's, and Alinea. After the boxes are unpacked in Boston, don't wait too long before making your way to Boston's acclaimed eateries like Legal Sea Foods, Union Oyster House, and Neptune Oyster.

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

Discover Boston Restaurants You'll Love

Moving to Boston 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 O Ya, Toro, and Spike’s Junkyard Dogs in Boston. See our Boston restaurant discovery table below to find the closest comparison restaurant to all of your cherished Chicago hotspots. For example, if you enjoyed dining at Deep Dish Pizza from Lou Malnati's, head to Regina Pizzeria on your first Friday night after the boxes are unpacked.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Chicago and Boston

• The Modern and Greystone architecture that Chicago is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Victorian architecture typical of Boston.
• Compared to Chicago's real estate listings that commonly reference closeness to transit and lake views, Boston real estate listings often highlight features like historic details and proximity to educational institutions.
• Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Boston is more walkable than Chicago.
• Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Boston is more bike-friendly than Chicago.
• Boston has more of an urban feel than Chicago.
• Boston housing costs are 156% more expensive than they are in Chicago, with a median home price of $741,153 compared to Chicago’s $289,909.
• Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Boston have increased by 16% compared to a 17% increase in Chicago.
• Rent in Boston is 54.14% more expensive than in Chicago.

Pet-friendly Neighborhoods in Boston, MA

1. Jamaica Plain : You’ll love the abundance of parks and green spaces in Jamaica Plain, perfect for walking and playing with your pets.
2. South End : Known for its pet-friendly atmosphere, the South End boasts numerous dog parks and pet-welcoming cafes.
3. Cambridge : While technically not a Boston neighborhood, Cambridge offers a lively pet-friendly environment with many walking trails and outdoor spaces for your furry friends.

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

• Break out the sunglasses for your move from Chicago to Boston. Boston gets 6% more sunshine days than Chicago.
• Boston has lower 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 blizzards and nor'easters in Boston.
• The average summer high temperature in Boston is 2 degrees colder than in Chicago.
• The average winter lows are 0 degrees colder than they are in Chicago.
• Your umbrella might be more overworked in Boston. Boston receives 8 more inches of rain compared to Chicago.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Chicago and Boston

• When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Boston tend to earn about 19% more than those in Chicago
• The COLI in Boston is 13% higher than what you are used to living in Chicago
• The state income tax in MA is 5.00 compared to 4.95 in IL
• The affluence in Boston is higher compared to that in Chicago
• The poverty level is lower in Boston compared to moderate levels in Chicago
• In terms of homelessness, it is noticeable in Chicago and lesser in Boston

Political and Religious Climate in Chicago vs. Boston

• Chicago tends to lean Liberal/Democratic in its political climate
• Boston, on the other hand, is often described as Liberal/Democratic
• Boston's religious environment can be described as diverse, with significant Catholic and Protestant communities
• Chicago's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as diverse, with a strong Catholic presence

Chicago vs. Boston Traffic and Public Transit Considerations

• Woohoo! Expect to spend about 12% less time stuck in traffic commuting to work in Boston compared to your Chicago daily drive. That's an annual savings of 2080 minutes freely earned!
• You can expect traffic in Boston to be better than it is in Chicago.
• Public transit is more readily available in Boston.