Best Chicago to Lincoln Movers

How Much Do Chicago to Lincoln Movers Cost?

Moving 522 miles from Chicago, IL to Lincoln, NE will typically cost between $2,000 and $5,500 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 Lincoln that already have a booked job heading from Lincoln to Chicago. Their moving truck would be making the trip back to Lincoln from Chicago entirely empty. If you can find a Lincoln moving company willing to move your stuff on the return leg, you'll score a real deal!

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

Rating Methodology

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

Our original review-based ranking algorithm

We started with a total of 41 companies that offer interstate moving services in both the Chicago and Lincoln areas.

From these 41 companies, we analyzed a total of 23,797 reviews dating all the way back to February 2007.

We also reviewed a total of 28 state and federal moving licenses from these 41 companies and 213 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 14,257 Chicago to Lincoln 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 10 Men Movers) 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 Lincoln moving company across 11 of the most important criteria for a succesful moving experience.

Quality

Overall quality of the service provided on moving day.

8.48/10 avg (Chicago & Lincoln combined) from 17,139 reviews

Punctuality

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

8.06/10 avg (Chicago & Lincoln combined) from 6,345 reviews

Affordability

How affordable was the moving service?

7.60/10 avg (Chicago & Lincoln combined) from 3,756 reviews

Communication

Responsiveness before, during, and after the move.

7.34/10 avg (Chicago & Lincoln combined) from 6,259 reviews

Stick to Prices

Was the final price consistent with the original quote?

6.08/10 avg (Chicago & Lincoln combined) from 3,276 reviews

Speed

Efficiency without taking unnecessary time to increase costs.

8.70/10 avg (Chicago & Lincoln combined) from 9,242 reviews

Friendliness

Was the moving crew cordial and friendly on moving day?

8.99/10 avg (Chicago & Lincoln combined) from 8,345 reviews

Will Hire Again

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

8.20/10 avg (Chicago & Lincoln combined) from 16,212 reviews

Professionalism

Did the moving crew behave professionally on moving day?

8.39/10 avg (Chicago & Lincoln combined) from 9,315 reviews

Conflict Handling

How well the company responds to accidents and issues.

4.08/10 avg (Chicago & Lincoln combined) from 2,029 reviews

Precision & Care

Were walls scratched? Did furniture get damaged or lost?

8.12/10 avg (Chicago & Lincoln combined) from 8,542 reviews

From Chicago to Lincoln: Comparable Neighborhoods at a Glance

• Lincoln Park in Chicago & Northeast Lincoln in Lincoln are both known for their affluent residential areas with parks
• Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood & Lincoln's Historic Haymarket both share trendy boutiques & nightlife
• If you're moving from Hyde Park, check out College View in the Lincoln area for the university-adjacent student community
• Do you enjoy The Loop's central business & shopping district? You're sure to love Downtown
• Move from River North to Historic Haymarket and continue to enjoy these neighborhood qualities: art galleries & dining scene
• Lakeview & Antelope Park are both known for their recreational green spaces & trails
• Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood & Lincoln's Havelock neighborhood both have a historic main street with local shops
• If you're moving from West Loop, look into Downtown for the culinary hotspots & urban vibe

Pros and Cons of Moving from Chicago to Lincoln

ConsChicago, IL

• Higher cost of living
• Busy city life
• Long, cold winters
• Higher crime rates
• Dense traffic

ProsLincoln, NE

• Lower cost of living
• Quieter, slower pace
• Milder winters
• Lower crime rates
• Less traffic congestion

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Lincoln, NE

• Less nightlife options
• Fewer restaurant choices
• Smaller arts scene
• Limited public transportation
• Less major sports presence

Chicago, IL

• Vibrant nightlife
• Diverse culinary scene
• Culture and arts
• Extensive public transit
• Major sports teams

Pros of moving from Chicago to Lincoln

• Say goodbye to higher cost of living and hello to lower cost of living
• Look forward to moving away from busy city life and moving to Lincoln with a quieter, slower pace
• Swap the long, cold winters of Chicago for milder winters in Lincoln
• Get ready for lower crime rates in Lincoln

Cons of moving from Chicago to Lincoln

• Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from vibrant nightlife in Chicago to live with fewer nightlife options in Lincoln
• You'll lose out on the pro of a diverse culinary scene and have to settle with the con of fewer restaurant choices
• Time to bid farewell to culture and arts and get used to a smaller arts scene in Lincoln
• Swap extensive public transit for limited public transportation

Chicago vs. Lincoln: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

If you're moving from Chicago to Lincoln, you will be trading the iconic Deep-Dish Pizza of Chicago for the equally delicious Runza of Lincoln. And while the locals in Chicago rave about their flavorful Italian Beef Sandwich and sumptuous Chicago-Style Hot Dog, Lincoln residents know they have tasty Steak and Fair-Style Corn Dogs to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Seitan they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Black Bean Burgers of Lincoln. 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 Lincoln, don't wait too long before making your way to Lincoln's acclaimed eateries like Runza Restaurants, Honest Abe's, and The Mill Coffee and Tea.

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

Discover Lincoln Restaurants You'll Love

Moving to Lincoln 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, Lou Malnati's Pizzeria, and Girl & The Goat in Chicago, we're sure you'll love The Oven, Piezano's, and The Dish in Lincoln. See our Lincoln 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 Runza on your first Friday night after the boxes are unpacked.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Chicago and Lincoln

• The Contemporary and Chicago bungalow architecture that Chicago is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Modern farmhouse architecture typical of Lincoln.
• Compared to Chicago's real estate listings that commonly reference lake views and proximity to transit, Lincoln's real estate listings often highlight features like spacious yards and quiet neighborhoods.
• You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Lincoln is less walkable than Chicago.
• Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Lincoln is more bike-friendly than Chicago.
• Lincoln has less of an urban feel than Chicago.
• Lincoln's housing costs are 5% less expensive than they are in Chicago, with a median home price of $276,124 compared to Chicago’s $289,909.
• Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Lincoln have increased by 43% compared to a 17% increase in Chicago.
• Rent in Lincoln is 38.81% more affordable than in Chicago.

Pet-friendly Neighborhoods in Lincoln, NE

1. South Salt Creek : Known for its expansive outdoor spaces, South Salt Creek offers plenty of pet-friendly parks and trails perfect for walking and playing.
2. Near South : This vibrant neighborhood is highly accommodating to pets with its numerous green spaces and a welcoming community vibe that sees many pets and their owners out and about.
3. Midtown : Midtown offers a mix of residential charm and urban convenience, with easy access to pet-friendly cafes and shops, as well as well-maintained sidewalks for dog walking.

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

• Break out the sunglasses for your move from Chicago to Lincoln. Lincoln gets 18% more sunshine days than Chicago.
• Lincoln has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Chicago.
• Say goodbye to the possible blizzards and floods in Chicago, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and hail in Lincoln.
• Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Lincoln is 4 degrees warmer than in Chicago.
• The average winter lows are 6 degrees colder than they are in Chicago.
• Your umbrella might be neglected in Lincoln. Lincoln receives 7 fewer inches of rain compared to Chicago.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Chicago and Lincoln

• When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Lincoln tend to earn about 6% less than in Chicago
• The COLI in Lincoln is 22% lower than what you are used to living in Chicago
• The state income tax in NE is 6.84 (top bracket) compared to 4.95 (flat rate) in IL
• The affluence in Lincoln is moderate compared to varied affluence in Chicago
• The poverty level is lower in Lincoln compared to noticeable poverty in Chicago
• In terms of homelessness, it is significant in Chicago and lower in Lincoln

Political and Religious Climate in Chicago vs. Lincoln

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

Chicago vs. Lincoln Traffic and Public Transit Considerations

• Woohoo! Expect to spend about 44% less time stuck in traffic commuting to work in Lincoln compared to your daily drive in Chicago. That's an annual savings of 7,800 minutes freely earned!
• You can expect traffic in Lincoln to be better than it is in Chicago.
• Public transit is less readily available in Lincoln.