Best Raleigh to Chicago Movers

How Much Do Raleigh to Chicago Movers Cost?

Moving 823 miles from Raleigh, NC to Chicago, IL 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 Chicago that already have a booked job heading from Chicago to Raleigh. Their moving truck would be making the trip back to Chicago from Raleigh 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 Raleigh to Chicago moving option

Hire local Raleigh 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 Raleigh 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 Raleigh 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 Raleigh, NC to Chicago, IL long distance movers.

Rating Methodology

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

Our original review-based ranking algorithm

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

From these 52 companies, we analyzed a total of 29,276 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 273 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 20,566 Raleigh 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 Move-tastic!).

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The Great Guys Moving 11-Point Rating Breakdown

Our 11-point rating criteria scores every Raleigh 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.

8.62/10 avg (Raleigh & Chicago combined) from 22,567 reviews

Punctuality

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

8.26/10 avg (Raleigh & Chicago combined) from 8,230 reviews

Affordability

How affordable was the moving service?

7.73/10 avg (Raleigh & Chicago combined) from 4,699 reviews

Communication

Responsiveness before, during, and after the move.

7.65/10 avg (Raleigh & Chicago combined) from 8,094 reviews

Stick to Prices

Was the final price consistent with the original quote?

6.54/10 avg (Raleigh & Chicago combined) from 4,080 reviews

Speed

Efficiency without taking unnecessary time to increase costs.

8.88/10 avg (Raleigh & Chicago combined) from 11,409 reviews

Friendliness

Was the moving crew cordial and friendly on moving day?

9.14/10 avg (Raleigh & Chicago combined) from 11,437 reviews

Will Hire Again

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

8.36/10 avg (Raleigh & Chicago combined) from 21,481 reviews

Professionalism

Did the moving crew behave professionally on moving day?

8.55/10 avg (Raleigh & Chicago combined) from 12,700 reviews

Conflict Handling

How well the company responds to accidents and issues.

4.40/10 avg (Raleigh & Chicago combined) from 2,590 reviews

Precision & Care

Were walls scratched? Did furniture get damaged or lost?

8.36/10 avg (Raleigh & Chicago combined) from 11,393 reviews

From Raleigh to Chicago: Comparable Neighborhoods at a Glance

• Downtown Raleigh in Raleigh & The Loop in Chicago are both known for their central business district with urban residential
• Raleigh's North Hills neighborhood & Chicago's Streeterville both share a mixed-use high-rise district with shopping & dining
• If you're moving from Five Points, check out Wicker Park in the Chicago area for the hipster neighborhood with vintage shops & eateries
• Do you enjoy Cameron Village's family-friendly neighborhood with local shops & cafes? You're sure to love Andersonville
• Move from Oakwood to Old Town and continue to enjoy these neighborhood qualities: historic district with Victorian homes
• Hayes Barton & Gold Coast are both known for their upscale neighborhood with historic mansions
• Raleigh's Mordecai neighborhood & Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood both have a family-friendly area with historic homes & green spaces
• If you're moving from Glenwood South, look into River North for the nightlife district with galleries & bars
• Do you cherish living in Warehouse District's converted warehouses with lofts & restaurants? Move into West Loop for something similar

Pros and Cons of Moving from Raleigh to Chicago

ConsRaleigh, NC

• Smaller job market
• Limited public transit
• Less diverse cuisine
• Warm winters

ProsChicago, IL

• Larger job market
• Extensive public transit
• World-class dining
• Vibrant winters

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Chicago, IL

• Higher cost of living
• More crowded
• Harsh winters
• Fast-paced life

Raleigh, NC

• Lower cost of living
• More personal space
• Milder climate
• Close-knit communities

Pros of moving from Raleigh to Chicago

• Say goodbye to the smaller job market and hello to the larger job market
• Look forward to moving away from limited public transit and moving to Chicago with extensive public transit
• Swap the less diverse cuisine of Raleigh for world-class dining in Chicago
• Get ready for vibrant winters in Chicago

Cons of moving from Raleigh to Chicago

• Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the lower cost of living in Raleigh to live with the higher cost of living in Chicago
• You'll lose out on the pro of more personal space and have to settle for the con of more crowded conditions
• Time to bid farewell to the milder climate and get used to harsh winters in Chicago
• Swap close-knit communities for a fast-paced life

Raleigh vs. Chicago: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

If you're moving from Raleigh to Chicago, you will be trading the iconic North Carolina BBQ of Raleigh for the equally delicious Deep-dish pizza of Chicago. And while the locals in Raleigh rave about their flavorful Pulled pork and sumptuous Hot dogs, Chicago residents know they have tasty Italian beef sandwiches and Hot dogs (Chicago-style) to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the BBQ jackfruit they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Seitan wings of Chicago. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Raleigh eateries like The Pit, Bida Manda, and Brewery Bhavana. After the boxes are unpacked in Chicago, don't wait too long before making your way to Chicago's acclaimed eateries like Lou Malnati's, Portillo's, and Alinea.

When comparing lifestyles, Chicago shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Raleigh. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Chicago compared to what you are used to in Raleigh. 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 Raleigh favorites, but we've got you covered. If you loved Brewery Bhavana, Bida Manda, and Crawford and Son in Raleigh, we're sure you'll love Alinea, Naoki Sushi, and Girl & The Goat in Chicago. See our Chicago restaurant discovery table below to find the closest comparison restaurant to all of your cherished Raleigh hotspots. For example, if you enjoyed dining at Poole’s Diner, head to Au Cheval on your first Friday night after the boxes are unpacked.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Raleigh and Chicago

• The Colonial Revival and Craftsman architecture that Raleigh is known for will be replaced with the Chicago School and Greystone architecture typical of Chicago.
• Compared to Raleigh's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and proximity to tech hubs, Chicago real estate listings often highlight features like lake views and access to public transport.
• Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Chicago is more walkable than Raleigh.
• Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Chicago is more bike-friendly than Raleigh.
• Chicago has more of an urban feel than Raleigh.
• Chicago housing costs are 35% less expensive than they are in Raleigh, with a median home price of $289,909 compared to Raleigh’s $442,852.
• Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Chicago have increased by 17% compared to a 56% increase in Raleigh.
• Rent in Chicago is 27.38% more expensive than in Raleigh.

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 Raleigh and Chicago

• The shades won't be used as much for your move from Raleigh to Chicago. Chicago gets 11% fewer sunshine days than Raleigh.
• Chicago has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Raleigh.
• Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and tornadoes in Raleigh, but be on the lookout for potential blizzards and tornadoes in Chicago.
• Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Chicago is 4 degrees colder than in Raleigh.
• The average winter lows are 12 degrees colder than those in Raleigh.
• Your umbrella might be neglected in Chicago. Chicago receives 7 fewer inches of rain compared to Raleigh.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Raleigh and Chicago

• When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Chicago tend to earn about 11% less than those in Raleigh
• The COLI in Chicago is 19% higher than what you are used to living in Raleigh
• The state income tax in IL is 4.95 compared to 5.25 in NC
• The affluence in Chicago is varied compared to moderately affluent in Raleigh
• The poverty level is higher than the national average in Chicago compared to lower than the national average in Raleigh
• In terms of homelessness, it is lower than the national average in Raleigh and higher than the national average in Chicago

Political and Religious Climate in Raleigh vs. Chicago

• Raleigh tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
• Chicago, on the other hand, is often described as strongly Democratic
• Chicago's religious environment can be described as diverse, including Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, and more. Notable institutions include <a href="https://saintsabina.org/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">saint Sabina Church</a> and the Islamic Foundation of Chicago
• Raleigh's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christianity, which is predominant, with a mix of Baptist, Methodist, and non-denominational churches

Raleigh vs. Chicago Traffic and Public Transit Considerations

• Bummer! Looks like you might end up spending about 36% more time stuck in traffic commuting to work in Chicago compared to your Raleigh commute. That's 4680 minutes lost each year in a car.
• You can expect traffic in Chicago to be worse than it is in Raleigh.
• Public transit is more readily available in Chicago.