Best Chicago to Portland Movers

How Much Do Chicago to Portland Movers Cost?

Moving 1,069 miles from Chicago, IL to Portland, ME 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 Portland that already have a booked job heading from Portland to Chicago. Their moving truck would be making the trip back to Portland from Chicago entirely empty. If you can find a Portland moving company willing to move your stuff on the return leg, you'll score a real deal!

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

Rating Methodology

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

Our original review-based ranking algorithm

We started with a total of 40 companies that offer interstate moving services in both the Chicago and Portland areas.

From these 40 companies, we analyzed a total of 20,823 reviews dating all the way back to February 2007.

We also reviewed a total of 22 state and federal moving licenses from these 40 companies and 207 different 3rd party review and social profiles.

Each of the ~20,000 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 16,095 Chicago to Portland 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 Move-tastic!).

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The Great Guys Moving 11-Point Rating Breakdown

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

Quality

Overall quality of the service provided on moving day.

8.56/10 avg (Chicago & Portland combined) from 16,254 reviews

Punctuality

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

8.22/10 avg (Chicago & Portland combined) from 6,172 reviews

Affordability

How affordable was the moving service?

7.71/10 avg (Chicago & Portland combined) from 3,674 reviews

Communication

Responsiveness before, during, and after the move.

7.62/10 avg (Chicago & Portland combined) from 6,112 reviews

Stick to Prices

Was the final price consistent with the original quote?

6.50/10 avg (Chicago & Portland combined) from 3,193 reviews

Speed

Efficiency without taking unnecessary time to increase costs.

8.81/10 avg (Chicago & Portland combined) from 8,748 reviews

Friendliness

Was the moving crew cordial and friendly on moving day?

9.06/10 avg (Chicago & Portland combined) from 7,905 reviews

Will Hire Again

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

8.31/10 avg (Chicago & Portland combined) from 15,360 reviews

Professionalism

Did the moving crew behave professionally on moving day?

8.48/10 avg (Chicago & Portland combined) from 8,869 reviews

Conflict Handling

How well the company responds to accidents and issues.

4.26/10 avg (Chicago & Portland combined) from 1,914 reviews

Precision & Care

Were walls scratched? Did furniture get damaged or lost?

8.27/10 avg (Chicago & Portland combined) from 8,215 reviews

From Chicago to Portland: Comparable Neighborhoods at a Glance

• Lincoln Park in Chicago & East End in Portland are both known for their waterfront parks & scenic trails
• Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood & Portland's Congress Street Arts District both share an artsy vibe & lively nightlife
• If you're moving from Logan Square, check out Munjoy Hill in the Portland area for gentrifying areas with eateries & views
• Do you enjoy Bucktown's trendy shops & brewery scene? You're sure to love East Bayside
• Move from Lakeview to Old Port and continue to enjoy these neighborhood qualities: lakeside & beachside entertainment district
• Andersonville & Munjoy Hill are both known for their diverse community & local cafes
• Chicago's Gold Coast neighborhood & Portland's West End neighborhood both have historic upscale homes & charm
• If you're moving from West Loop, look into Old Port for converted industrial spaces & dining
• Do you cherish living in Hyde Park's student presence & suburban feel? Move into Deering Center for something similar

Pros and Cons of Moving from Chicago to Portland

ConsChicago, IL

• Harsh winters
• Heavy traffic
• Higher crime rates
• Expensive living cost
• Limited natural landscapes

ProsPortland, ME

• Milder winters
• Less congestion
• Safer neighborhoods
• More affordable housing
• Proximity to beaches

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Portland, ME

• Fewer cultural events
• Quieter atmosphere
• Limited restaurant variety
• Smaller job market
• Limited public transport

Chicago, IL

• World-class museums
• Vibrant nightlife
• Diverse dining options
• Strong job market
• Larger public transit

Pros of moving from Chicago to Portland

• Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to milder winters
• Look forward to moving away from heavy traffic and moving to Portland with less congestion
• Swap the higher crime rates of Chicago for safer neighborhoods in Portland
• Get ready for more affordable housing in Portland

Cons of moving from Chicago to Portland

• Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from world-class museums in Chicago to live with fewer cultural events in Portland
• You'll lose out on the pro of vibrant nightlife and have to settle for the con of a quieter atmosphere
• Time to bid farewell to diverse dining options and get used to limited restaurant variety in Portland
• Swap a strong job market for a smaller job market

Chicago vs. Portland: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

If you're moving from Chicago to Portland, you will be trading the iconic Deep Dish Pizza of Chicago for the equally delicious Lobster Roll of Portland. And while the locals in Chicago rave about their flavorful Italian Beef and sumptuous Chicago-Style Hot Dog, Portland residents know they have tasty Clam Chowder and Food Truck Sandwiches to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Stuffed Portobello they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Tofu Pad Thai of Portland. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Chicago eateries like Giordano's, Portillo's, and Gene & Georgetti. After the boxes are unpacked in Portland, don't wait too long before making your way to Portland's acclaimed eateries like Fore Street, Eventide Oyster Co., and Central Provisions.

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

Discover Portland Restaurants You'll Love

Moving to Portland 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 Pizzeria Bebu in Chicago, we're sure you'll love Fore Street, Eventide Oyster Co., and Flatbread Company in Portland. See our Portland restaurant discovery table below to find the closest comparison restaurant to all of your cherished Chicago hotspots. For example, if you enjoyed dining at The Publican, head to Duckfat on your first Friday night after the boxes are unpacked.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Chicago and Portland

• The Victorian and bungalow architecture that Chicago is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Cape Cod architecture typical of Portland.
• Compared to Chicago's real estate listings that commonly reference hardwood floors and open kitchens, Portland real estate listings often highlight features like water views and stone fireplaces.
• You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Portland is less walkable than Chicago.
• You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Portland is less bike-friendly than Chicago.
• Portland has less of an urban feel than Chicago.
• Portland housing costs are 89% more expensive than they are in Chicago, with a median home price of $548,318 compared to Chicago’s $289,909.
• Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Portland have increased by 64% compared to a 17% increase in Chicago.
• Rent in Portland is 5.74% more expensive than in Chicago.

Pet-friendly Neighborhoods in Portland, ME

1. East End: You and your pet will love the scenic Eastern Promenade with its expansive green space and off-leash hours, perfect for dog walking and socializing.
2. West End: This charming neighborhood offers pet-friendly parks and trails, as well as a welcoming atmosphere for pet owners with its dog-friendly cafes and shops.
3. Munjoy Hill: Known for its walkability and proximity to pet-friendly parks, you’ll find plenty of places to explore with your furry companion near the waterfront.

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

• Break out the sunglasses for your move from Chicago to Portland. Portland gets 7% more sunshine days than Chicago.
• Portland has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Chicago.
• Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes in Chicago and be on the lookout for potential nor'easters in Portland.
• Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Portland is 6 degrees colder than in Chicago.
• The average winter lows are 1 degree colder than they are in Chicago.
• Your umbrella might be more overworked in Portland as it receives 11 more inches of rain compared to Chicago.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Chicago and Portland

• When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Portland tend to earn about 6% more than in Chicago
• The COLI in Portland is 0% lower than what you are used to living in Chicago
• The state income tax in ME is 7.15% compared to 4.95% in IL
• The affluence in Portland is moderate compared to high in Chicago
• The poverty level is low in Portland compared to moderate in Chicago
• In terms of homelessness, it is significant in Chicago and notable in Portland

Political and Religious Climate in Chicago vs. Portland

• Chicago tends to lean more liberal in its political climate
• Portland, on the other hand, is often described as progressive-leaning
• Portland's religious environment can be described as predominantly secular
• Chicago's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as diverse religious communities

Chicago vs. Portland Traffic and Public Transit Considerations

• Woohoo! Expect to spend about 26% less time stuck in traffic commuting to work in Portland compared to your Chicago daily drive. That's an annual savings of 4,680 minutes freely earned!
• You can expect traffic in Portland to be better than it is in Chicago.
• Public transit is less readily available in Portland.