Best Baltimore to Chicago Movers

How Much Do Baltimore to Chicago Movers Cost?

Moving 703 miles from Baltimore, MD to Chicago, IL will typically cost between $2,500 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 Chicago that already have a booked job heading from Chicago to Baltimore. Their moving truck would be making the trip back to Chicago from Baltimore entirely empty. If you can find a Chicago moving company willing to move your stuff on the return leg, you'll score a real deal!

Moving Containers: A cheaper Baltimore to Chicago moving option

Hire local Baltimore 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 Chicago movers to unpack the container and move you into your new home. You'll have to piece this Baltimore to Chicago 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 Baltimore to Chicago 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 Baltimore, MD to Chicago, IL long distance movers.

Rating Methodology

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

Our original review-based ranking algorithm

We started with a total of 64 companies that offer interstate moving services in both the Baltimore and Chicago areas.

From these 64 companies, we analyzed a total of 30,212 reviews dating all the way back to February 2007.

We also reviewed a total of 24 state and federal moving licenses from these 64 companies and 336 different 3rd party review and social profiles.

Each of the ~30,000 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 19,928 Baltimore to Chicago 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 Bookstore Movers).

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The Great Guys Moving 11-Point Rating Breakdown

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

Quality

Overall quality of the service provided on moving day.

8.66/10 avg (Baltimore & Chicago combined) from 23,264 reviews

Punctuality

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

8.45/10 avg (Baltimore & Chicago combined) from 9,036 reviews

Affordability

How affordable was the moving service?

7.82/10 avg (Baltimore & Chicago combined) from 5,345 reviews

Communication

Responsiveness before, during, and after the move.

7.84/10 avg (Baltimore & Chicago combined) from 8,901 reviews

Stick to Prices

Was the final price consistent with the original quote?

6.43/10 avg (Baltimore & Chicago combined) from 4,465 reviews

Speed

Efficiency without taking unnecessary time to increase costs.

8.91/10 avg (Baltimore & Chicago combined) from 12,284 reviews

Friendliness

Was the moving crew cordial and friendly on moving day?

9.11/10 avg (Baltimore & Chicago combined) from 11,775 reviews

Will Hire Again

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

8.44/10 avg (Baltimore & Chicago combined) from 22,162 reviews

Professionalism

Did the moving crew behave professionally on moving day?

8.61/10 avg (Baltimore & Chicago combined) from 13,049 reviews

Conflict Handling

How well the company responds to accidents and issues.

4.13/10 avg (Baltimore & Chicago combined) from 2,693 reviews

Precision & Care

Were walls scratched? Did furniture get damaged or lost?

8.31/10 avg (Baltimore & Chicago combined) from 11,719 reviews

From Baltimore to Chicago: Comparable Neighborhoods at a Glance

• Federal Hill in Baltimore & West Loop in Chicago are both known for their: riverfront dining & nightlife near downtown
• Baltimore's Fells Point neighborhood & Chicago's Wicker Park both share: historic charm with hip bars & shops
• If you're moving from Canton, check out South Loop in the Chicago area for the: waterfront restaurants & new high-rise housing
• Do you enjoy Hampden's quirky arts scene & indie boutiques? You're sure to love Logan Square
• Move from Mount Vernon to Hyde Park and continue to enjoy these neighborhood qualities: cultural institutions & historic architecture
• Charles Village & Lincoln Park are both known for their: student population & tree-lined streets
• Baltimore's Roland Park neighborhood & Chicago's Lincoln Square neighborhood both have: quiet residential streets & green spaces
• If you're moving from Bolton Hill, look into Gold Coast for the: historic rowhouses close to the city center
• Do you cherish living in Locust Point's family-friendly waterfront parks & industrial past? Move into South Loop for something similar
• The similar vibes of Harbor East & Streeterville are both known for: luxury high-rises & upscale retail by the water

Pros and Cons of Moving from Baltimore to Chicago

ConsBaltimore, MD

• Higher crime rates
• Smaller size
• Fewer job opportunities
• Less public transit

ProsChicago, IL

• Larger cultural scene
• More diverse neighborhoods
• Broader job market
• Better public transit

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Chicago, IL

• Higher living costs
• Can feel overwhelming
• Far from other cities
• Harsher winters

Baltimore, MD

• Lower cost of living
• Cozier community
• Close to DC
• Milder winters

Pros of moving from Baltimore to Chicago

• Say goodbye to higher crime rates and hello to a larger cultural scene
• Look forward to moving away from a smaller size and moving to Chicago with more diverse neighborhoods
• Swap the fewer job opportunities of Baltimore for a broader job market in Chicago
• Get ready for better public transit in Chicago

Cons of moving from Baltimore to Chicago

• Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a lower cost of living in Baltimore to live with higher living costs in Chicago
• You'll lose out on the pro of a cozier community and have to settle with the con that it can feel overwhelming
• Time to bid farewell to being close to DC and get used to being far from other cities in Chicago
• Swap milder winters for harsher winters

Baltimore vs. Chicago: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

If you're moving from Baltimore to Chicago, you will be trading the iconic Crab Cake of Baltimore for the equally delicious Deep Dish Pizza of Chicago. And while the locals in Baltimore rave about their flavorful Pit Beef and sumptuous Chicken Box, Chicago residents know they have tasty Italian Beef and Hot Dog (Chicago-style) to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Vegan Crab Cake they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegan Deep Dish Pizza of Chicago. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Baltimore eateries like Woodberry Kitchen, Faidley's Seafood, and Charleston. After the boxes are unpacked in Chicago, don't wait too long before making your way to Chicago's acclaimed eateries like Alinea, Giordano's, and Portillo's.

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

Discover Chicago Restaurants You'll Love

Moving to Chicago is an opportunity to try lots of new restaurants. Sure, you'll miss your old Baltimore favorites, but we've got you covered. If you loved Charleston, Woodberry Kitchen, and Thames Street Oyster House in Baltimore, we're sure you'll love Alinea, Girl & The Goat, and GT Fish & Oyster in Chicago. See our Chicago restaurant discovery table below to find the closest comparison restaurant to all of your cherished Baltimore hotspots. For example, if you enjoyed dining at Miss Shirley's Cafe, head to Wildberry Pancakes and Cafe on your first Friday night after the boxes are unpacked.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Baltimore and Chicago

• The Row Houses architecture that Baltimore is known for will be replaced with the Greystones architecture typical of Chicago.
• Compared to Baltimore's real estate listings that commonly reference charming, historic and waterfront views, Chicago real estate listings often highlight features like lake views, modern amenities and access to public transportation.
• Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Chicago is more walkable than Baltimore.
• Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Chicago is more bike-friendly than Baltimore.
• Chicago has more of an urban feel than Baltimore.
• Chicago housing costs are 58% more expensive than they are in Baltimore, with a median home price of $289,909 compared to Baltimore’s $183,244.
• Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Chicago have increased by 17% compared to a 37% increase in Baltimore.
• Rent in Chicago is 26.02% more expensive than in Baltimore.

Pet-friendly Neighborhoods in Chicago, IL

1. Lincoln Park : You'll find plenty of green spaces and dog-friendly areas, including the popular Wiggly Field Dog Park.
2. Lakeview : This lively neighborhood offers numerous pet-friendly cafes and shops, along with the spacious Belmont Harbor Dog Beach.
3. Logan Square : Known for its welcoming community vibe, you and your furry friends can enjoy multiple pet-friendly parks and a variety of pet-oriented events.

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

• The shades won't be used as much for your move from Baltimore to Chicago. Chicago gets 11% fewer sunshine days than Baltimore.
• Chicago has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Baltimore.
• Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and flooding in Baltimore, but be on the lookout for potential snowstorms and extreme cold in Chicago.
• Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Chicago is 5 degrees colder than in Baltimore.
• The average winter lows are 11 degrees colder than they are in Baltimore.
• Your umbrella might be neglected in Chicago. Chicago receives 5.0 fewer inches of rain compared to Baltimore.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Baltimore and Chicago

• When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Chicago tend to earn about 22% more than in Baltimore
• The COLI in Chicago is 2% lower than what you are used to living in Baltimore
• The state income tax in IL is 4.95 compared to 5.75 in MD
• The affluence in Chicago is high compared to moderate in Baltimore
• The poverty level is moderate in Chicago compared to high in Baltimore
• In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Baltimore and significant in Chicago

Political and Religious Climate in Baltimore vs. Chicago

• Baltimore tends to lean heavily Democratic in its political climate
• Chicago, on the other hand, is often described as heavily Democratic
• Chicago's religious environment can be described as a diverse spiritual community including Catholic, Islamic, and Jewish establishments
• Baltimore's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a broad religious landscape with Protestant and Catholic communities

Baltimore vs. Chicago Traffic and Public Transit Considerations

• Bummer! Looks like you might end up spending about 10% more time stuck in traffic commuting to work in Chicago compared to your Baltimore commute. That's 1560 minutes lost each year in a car.
• You can expect traffic in Chicago to be worse than it is in Baltimore.
• Public transit is more readily available in Chicago.