Best Chicago to Durham Movers

How Much Do Chicago to Durham Movers Cost?

Moving 785 miles from Chicago, IL to Durham, NC 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 Durham that already have a booked job heading from Durham to Chicago. Their moving truck would be making the trip back to Durham from Chicago entirely empty. If you can find a Durham moving company willing to move your stuff on the return leg, you'll score a real deal!

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

Rating Methodology

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

Our original review-based ranking algorithm

We started with a total of 52 companies that offer interstate moving services in both the Chicago and Durham areas.

From these 52 companies, we analyzed a total of 29,144 reviews dating all the way back to February 2007.

We also reviewed a total of 35 state and federal moving licenses from these 52 companies and 268 different 3rd party review and social profiles.

Each of the ~29,000 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 20,946 Chicago to Durham 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 Durham moving company across 11 of the most important criteria for a succesful moving experience.

Quality

Overall quality of the service provided on moving day.

8.73/10 avg (Chicago & Durham combined) from 22,572 reviews

Punctuality

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

8.37/10 avg (Chicago & Durham combined) from 8,217 reviews

Affordability

How affordable was the moving service?

7.95/10 avg (Chicago & Durham combined) from 4,710 reviews

Communication

Responsiveness before, during, and after the move.

7.81/10 avg (Chicago & Durham combined) from 8,031 reviews

Stick to Prices

Was the final price consistent with the original quote?

6.75/10 avg (Chicago & Durham combined) from 4,052 reviews

Speed

Efficiency without taking unnecessary time to increase costs.

8.94/10 avg (Chicago & Durham combined) from 11,455 reviews

Friendliness

Was the moving crew cordial and friendly on moving day?

9.18/10 avg (Chicago & Durham combined) from 11,430 reviews

Will Hire Again

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

8.49/10 avg (Chicago & Durham combined) from 21,464 reviews

Professionalism

Did the moving crew behave professionally on moving day?

8.65/10 avg (Chicago & Durham combined) from 12,709 reviews

Conflict Handling

How well the company responds to accidents and issues.

4.54/10 avg (Chicago & Durham combined) from 2,547 reviews

Precision & Care

Were walls scratched? Did furniture get damaged or lost?

8.44/10 avg (Chicago & Durham combined) from 11,388 reviews

From Chicago to Durham: Comparable Neighborhoods at a Glance

• Lincoln Park in Chicago & Trinity Park in Durham are both known for their historic homes & green spaces
• Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood & Durham's Downtown Durham both share local eateries & nightlife
• If you're moving from Logan Square, check out American Tobacco District in the Durham area for live music & breweries
• Do you enjoy The Loop's central business & cultural hub? You're sure to love Downtown Durham
• Move from Lakeview to Brightleaf at the Park and continue to enjoy these neighborhood qualities: breweries & restaurant scene
• Hyde Park & Duke Park are both known for their university-adjacent community
• Chicago's Bucktown neighborhood & Durham's Golden Belt neighborhood both have creative studios & boutiques
• If you're moving from River North, look into Brightleaf at the Park for upscale dining & galleries

Pros and Cons of Moving from Chicago to Durham

ConsChicago, IL

• Higher crime rates
• Colder winters
• Higher cost of living
• Heavy traffic

ProsDurham, NC

• Lower crime rates
• Milder winters
• More affordable
• Less traffic

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Durham, NC

• Quieter nightlife
• Smaller arts scene
• Less diversity in cuisine
• More reliant on cars

Chicago, IL

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

Pros of moving from Chicago to Durham

• Say goodbye to higher crime rates and hello to lower crime rates
• Look forward to moving away from colder winters and moving to Durham with milder winters
• Swap the higher cost of living in Chicago for more affordable living in Durham
• Get ready for less traffic in Durham

Cons of moving from Chicago to Durham

• Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from vibrant nightlife in Chicago to live with quieter nightlife in Durham
• You'll lose out on the pro of a rich cultural scene and have to settle for the con of a smaller arts scene
• Time to bid farewell to diverse dining options and get used to less diversity in cuisine in Durham
• Swap extensive public transport for a more reliant transportation system on cars

Chicago vs. Durham: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

If you're moving from Chicago to Durham, you will be trading the iconic Deep Dish Pizza of Chicago for the equally delicious Pulled Pork BBQ of Durham. And while the locals in Chicago rave about their flavorful Italian Beef Sandwich and sumptuous Chicago-style Hot Dog, Durham residents know they have tasty Eastern NC Barbecue and Food Truck Tacos 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 BBQ of Durham. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Chicago eateries like Lou Malnati's Pizzeria, Al's Beef, and Au Cheval. After the boxes are unpacked in Durham, don't wait too long before making your way to Durham's acclaimed eateries like Piedmont Restaurant, The Q Shack, and Nana's.

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

Discover Durham Restaurants You'll Love

Moving to Durham 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 Giordano’s in Chicago, we're sure you'll love NanaSteak, Mateo Bar de Tapas, and Pizzeria Toro in Durham. See our Durham 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 Purple Pig, head to Bar Virgile on your first Friday night after the boxes are unpacked.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Chicago and Durham

• The Modern and Historic Blends architecture that Chicago is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Craftsman architecture typical of Durham.
• Compared to Chicago's real estate listings that commonly reference proximity to public transportation and lakefront views, Durham real estate listings often highlight features like quiet neighborhoods and large backyards.
• You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Durham is less walkable than Chicago.
• You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Durham is less bike-friendly than Chicago.
• Durham has less of an urban feel than Chicago.
• Durham housing costs are 40% more expensive than they are in Chicago, with a median home price of $404,856 compared to Chicago’s $289,909.
• Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Durham have increased by 64% compared to a 17% increase in Chicago.
• Rent in Durham is 19.43% more affordable than in Chicago.

Pet-friendly Neighborhoods in Durham, NC

1. Trinity Park : You'll love the abundance of leafy streets and spacious sidewalks, making it perfect for scenic dog walks.
2. Old West Durham : This neighborhood offers numerous parks and outdoor spaces where you and your pets can enjoy playtime.
3. Southpoint : With its proximity to the American Tobacco Trail, you have easy access to miles of pet-friendly trails for walking and jogging.

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

• Break out the sunglasses for your move from Chicago to Durham. Durham gets 15% more sunshine days than Chicago.
• Durham 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 hurricanes and tornadoes in Durham.
• Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Durham is 4 degrees warmer than in Chicago.
• The average winter lows are 10 degrees warmer than they are in Chicago.
• Your umbrella might be more overworked in Durham. Durham receives 5 more inches of rain compared to Chicago.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Chicago and Durham

• When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Durham tend to earn about 7% more than in Chicago
• The COLI in Durham is 17% lower than what you are used to living in Chicago
• The state income tax in NC is 5.25 compared to 4.95 in IL
• The affluence in Durham is emerging compared to varied affluence in Chicago
• The poverty level is moderate in Durham compared to significant poverty in Chicago
• In terms of homelessness, it is noticeable in Chicago and less prevalent in Durham

Political and Religious Climate in Chicago vs. Durham

• Chicago tends to lean primarily Democratic in its political climate
• Durham, on the other hand, is often described as strongly Democratic
• Durham's religious environment can be described as varied with a strong presence of Protestant denominations
• Chicago's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as diverse with a significant Catholic population

Chicago vs. Durham Traffic and Public Transit Considerations

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