Best Chicago to Austin Movers

How Much Do Chicago to Austin Movers Cost?

Moving 1,176 miles from Chicago, IL to Austin, TX will typically cost between $3,000 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 Austin that already have a booked job heading from Austin to Chicago. Their moving truck would be making the trip back to Austin from Chicago entirely empty. If you can find a Austin moving company willing to move your stuff on the return leg, you'll score a real deal!

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

Rating Methodology

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

Our original review-based ranking algorithm

We started with a total of 49 companies that offer interstate moving services in both the Chicago and Austin areas.

From these 49 companies, we analyzed a total of 27,765 reviews dating all the way back to February 2007.

We also reviewed a total of 35 state and federal moving licenses from these 49 companies and 247 different 3rd party review and social profiles.

Each of the ~27,000 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 15,659 Chicago to Austin 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 Heavenly Moving and Storage).

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The Great Guys Moving 11-Point Rating Breakdown

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

Quality

Overall quality of the service provided on moving day.

8.52/10 avg (Chicago & Austin combined) from 20,327 reviews

Punctuality

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

8.16/10 avg (Chicago & Austin combined) from 7,730 reviews

Affordability

How affordable was the moving service?

7.70/10 avg (Chicago & Austin combined) from 4,552 reviews

Communication

Responsiveness before, during, and after the move.

7.50/10 avg (Chicago & Austin combined) from 7,641 reviews

Stick to Prices

Was the final price consistent with the original quote?

6.36/10 avg (Chicago & Austin combined) from 3,714 reviews

Speed

Efficiency without taking unnecessary time to increase costs.

8.86/10 avg (Chicago & Austin combined) from 10,798 reviews

Friendliness

Was the moving crew cordial and friendly on moving day?

9.03/10 avg (Chicago & Austin combined) from 10,218 reviews

Will Hire Again

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

8.26/10 avg (Chicago & Austin combined) from 19,493 reviews

Professionalism

Did the moving crew behave professionally on moving day?

8.46/10 avg (Chicago & Austin combined) from 11,269 reviews

Conflict Handling

How well the company responds to accidents and issues.

4.01/10 avg (Chicago & Austin combined) from 2,553 reviews

Precision & Care

Were walls scratched? Did furniture get damaged or lost?

8.30/10 avg (Chicago & Austin combined) from 10,374 reviews

From Chicago to Austin: Comparable Neighborhoods at a Glance

• Lincoln Park in Chicago & Barton Hills in Austin are both known for their: affluent area with parks & family-friendly vibe
• Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood & Austin's South Lamar both share: dive bars & live music scene
• If you're moving from Wicker Park, check out East Austin in the Austin area for the: hipster culture with galleries & nightlife
• Do you enjoy Bucktown's historic district with boutique shops & galleries? You're sure to love Clarksville
• Move from Gold Coast to South Congress and continue to enjoy these neighborhood qualities: trendy shopping & upscale dining
• Streeterville & Downtown Austin are both known for their: high-rise living near major attractions
• Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood & Austin's Hyde Park neighborhood both have: historic, tree-lined streets near a major university
• If you're moving from South Loop, look into Mueller for the: new mixed-use development with condos & retail
• Do you cherish living in Logan Square's emerging neighborhood with eclectic bars & eateries? Move into North Loop for something similar
• The similar vibes of Old Town & Downtown Austin are both known for: bustling nightlife & entertainment district

Pros and Cons of Moving from Chicago to Austin

ConsChicago, IL

• Harsh winters
• High cost of living
• Heavier traffic
• Higher crime rate

ProsAustin, TX

• Milder winters
• Lower cost of living
• Less traffic congestion
• Lower crime rate

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Austin, TX

• Less diverse cuisine
• Limited public transit
• No Great Lakes
• Smaller arts scene

Chicago, IL

• Cultural diversity
• Robust public transit
• Lakefront beauty
• Abundant arts scene

Pros of moving from Chicago to Austin

• Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to milder winters
• Look forward to moving away from the high cost of living and moving to Austin with a lower cost of living
• Swap the heavier traffic of Chicago for less traffic congestion in Austin
• Get ready for a lower crime rate in Austin

Cons of moving from Chicago to Austin

• Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from cultural diversity in Chicago to live with less diverse cuisine in Austin
• You'll lose out on the pro of robust public transit and have to settle for the con of limited public transit
• Time to bid farewell to Lakefront beauty and get used to no Great Lakes in Austin
• Swap an abundant arts scene for a smaller arts scene

Chicago vs. Austin: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

If you're moving from Chicago to Austin, you will be trading the iconic Deep Dish Pizza of Chicago for the equally delicious Brisket BBQ of Austin. And while the locals in Chicago rave about their flavorful Italian Beef and sumptuous Chicago-style Hot Dog, Austin residents know they have tasty Smoked Brisket and Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Chicago Diner Nachos they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegan Breakfast Tacos of Austin. 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 Austin, don't wait too long before making your way to Austin's acclaimed eateries like Franklin Barbecue, Uchi, and Launderette.

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

Discover Austin Restaurants You'll Love

Moving to Austin 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 Au Cheval in Chicago, we're sure you'll love Emmer & Rye, Home Slice Pizza, and Hopdoddy Burger Bar in Austin. See our Austin restaurant discovery table below to find the closest comparison restaurant to all of your cherished Chicago hotspots. For example, if you enjoyed dining at Girl & the Goat, head to Lenoir on your first Friday night after the boxes are unpacked.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Chicago and Austin

• The Brick Row Houses and Skyscrapers architecture that Chicago is known for will be replaced with the Modern and Hill Country architecture typical of Austin.
• Compared to Chicago's real estate listings that commonly reference proximity to Lake Michigan and public transit, Austin real estate listings often highlight features like energy efficiency and tech-friendly homes.
• You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Austin is less walkable than Chicago.
• You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Austin is less bike-friendly than Chicago.
• Austin has less of an urban feel than Chicago.
• Austin housing costs are 89% more expensive than they are in Chicago, with a median home price of $546,619 compared to Chicago’s $289,909.
• Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Austin have increased by 47% compared to a 17% increase in Chicago.
• Rent in Austin is 18.63% more affordable than in Chicago.

Pet-friendly Neighborhoods in Austin, TX

1. South Congress : You're sure to enjoy the abundance of pet-friendly restaurants and businesses that welcome you and your furry friends.
2. Zilker : The expansive Barton Springs and Zilker Park nearby offer plenty of outdoor space for your pets to run and play.
3. Mueller : This vibrant neighborhood features many green spaces and trails perfect for leisurely strolls with your pets.

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

• Break out the sunglasses for your move from Chicago to Austin. Austin gets 59% more sunshine days than Chicago.
• Austin 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 heatwaves and hurricanes in Austin.
• Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Austin is 12 degrees warmer than in Chicago.
• The average winter lows are 19 degrees warmer than they are in Chicago.
• Your umbrella might be neglected in Austin. Austin receives 2 fewer inches of rain compared to Chicago.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Chicago and Austin

• When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Austin tend to earn about 19% more than in Chicago
• The COLI in Austin is 18% lower than what you are used to living in Chicago
• Hooray, moving to TX means you'll no longer have state income taxes
• The affluence in Austin is higher compared to moderate affluence in Chicago
• The poverty level is lower in Austin compared to high poverty in Chicago
• In terms of homelessness, it is serious in Chicago and moderate in Austin

Political and Religious Climate in Chicago vs. Austin

• Chicago tends to lean strongly Democratic in its political climate
• Austin, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Democratic
• Austin's religious environment can be described as largely Protestant, but with a rapidly growing non-religious demographic
• Chicago's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as having high diversity with Catholic, Muslim, Jewish, and Protestant communities

Chicago vs. Austin Traffic and Public Transit Considerations

• Woohoo! Expect to spend about 24% less time stuck in traffic commuting to work in Austin compared to your daily drive in Chicago. That's an annual savings of 4,160 minutes freely earned!
• You can expect traffic in Austin to be better than it is in Chicago.
• Public transit is less readily available in Austin.