Best New York City to Chicago Movers
Updated June 7, 2025
Looking for reliable New York City to Chicago movers for this 826 mile interstate move? See our top 5 recommended movers, get estimated moving costs, and read our New York City to Chicago moving guide below. We analyzed 81 Chicago to New York City moving companies across 238,065 review data points and more than 18,000 movers nationwide using our 11-point rating system to bring you data-backed moving recommendations.
Key Takeaways:
- JP Urban Moving is our overall top recommended New York City to Chicago moving company
- Magical Moving & Storage is the most affordable company to hire
- Moving from New York City to Chicago will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
- Our rankings and results are unbiased & backed by data… NOT paid promotions
Best New York City to Chicago Movers
| Rank | Company | Score | License | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | JP Urban Moving | 9.85 | Authorized For HHG | |
| 2 | Metropolis Moving | 9.72 | Authorized For HHG | |
| 3 | Flex Moving and Storage | 9.70 | Authorized For Property, HHG | |
| 4 | 606 Movers, Inc. | 9.37 | Authorized For Property, HHG | |
| 5 | Move-tastic! | 9.35 | Authorized For HHG |
Our Top Recommendations
JP Urban Moving
Best moving company overall for New York City to Chicago
JP Urban Moving
266 St Marks Ave 3rd fl, Brooklyn, NY, 11238
11-Point Rating
Best moving company overall to hire when moving from New York City to Chicago! JP Urban Moving takes the #1 spot for our overall ranking and is the top recommended movers for this route.
JP Urban Moving is the number 1 ranked moving service in New York City, NY with an overall score of 9.85 out of 10. Based on our extensive analysis, this is an Exceptional score and places it in the top 100% of all movers in New York and the top 100% of moving companies nationwide. They score better than 80 other New York City moving companies and better than 1,013 movers in New York. JP Urban Moving is also one of the top 100 movers nationwide (out of more than 18,000 total moving companies).
Our Research
11 Point Rating
| Metric | Score Out of 10 | vs Nationwide Comparison between JP Urban Moving & the average of all
moving companies nationwide | Positive Reviews The total number of reviews that rated the metric positively (a score of 7-10) | Negative Reviews The total number of reviews that rated the metric negatively (a score of 1-6) | Positive Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quality | 9.88 | ↑ 18.7% | 601 | 5 | 99.2% | |
| Punctuality | 9.90 | ↑ 23.8% | 241 | 1 | 99.6% | |
| Affordability | 9.74 | ↑ 28.4% | 234 | 2 | 99.2% | |
| Communication | 9.90 | ↑ 33.0% | 394 | 2 | 99.5% | |
| Stick to Prices | 9.80 | ↑ 64.5% | 190 | 2 | 99.0% | |
| Speed | 9.92 | ↑ 17.0% | 364 | 1 | 99.7% | |
| Friendliness | 9.93 | ↑ 13.3% | 357 | 1 | 99.7% | |
| Will Hire Again | 9.86 | ↑ 22.1% | 597 | 6 | 99.0% | |
| Professionalism | 9.94 | ↑ 21.2% | 413 | 0 | 100.0% | |
| Conflict Handling | 9.64 | ↑ 137.1% | 43 | 0 | 100.0% | |
| Precision & Care | 9.90 | ↑ 24.8% | 357 | 1 | 99.7% |
Recent JP Urban Moving Reviews
Quality - 9.88/10
Overall quality of the service provided on moving day.
Recent Customer Praises
Recent Customer Complaints
Overall Review Distribution
Punctuality - 9.90/10
Did the crew show up on-time with the required equipment?
Recent Customer Praises
Recent Customer Complaints
Overall Review Distribution
Affordability - 9.74/10
How affordable was the moving service?
Recent Customer Praises
Recent Customer Complaints
Overall Review Distribution
Communication - 9.90/10
Was the office staff quick to respond to questions prior to moving day? Did the moving crew notify you on the day of move regarding any changes to the original schedule? If there were any issues to resolve after moving day, was an office manager quick to respond and address problems encountered?
Recent Customer Praises
Recent Customer Complaints
Overall Review Distribution
Stick to Prices - 9.80/10
Was a lowball quote provided to earn business only to see the final moving day price increase substantially?
Recent Customer Praises
Recent Customer Complaints
Overall Review Distribution
Speed - 9.92/10
Did the movers seem to take their precious time in an attempt to increase the overall cost of the move? Remember, moving is HARD work and some breaks should be expected!
Recent Customer Praises
Recent Customer Complaints
Overall Review Distribution
Friendliness - 9.93/10
Was the moving crew cordial and friendly to be around on moving day?
Recent Customer Praises
Recent Customer Complaints
Overall Review Distribution
Will Hire Again - 9.86/10
How likely a customer is to hire the same movers again for their next move.
Recent Customer Praises
Recent Customer Complaints
Overall Review Distribution
Professionalism - 9.94/10
Did the moving crew behave in a professional manner on moving day?
Recent Customer Praises
Recent Customer Complaints
Overall Review Distribution
Conflict Handling - 9.64/10
Accidents can and will likely happen at some point on moving day. How a moving company responds to these accidents can say a lot about the company.
Recent Customer Praises
Recent Customer Complaints
Overall Review Distribution
Precision & Care - 9.90/10
Were walls scratched? Did furniture get scuffed, broken, or lost?
Recent Customer Praises
Recent Customer Complaints
Overall Review Distribution
Additional Details
Moving Services Offered by JP Urban Moving
- Local NYC Moving
- Long Distance Moving
- Office Moving, Business Moving
- Packing and Unpacking Services
- Furniture assembly/disassembly services
- Piano Brooklyn Moving Services
- Storage
- Last-Minute Moving
- Hourly Moving Services
- Appliance Moving Services
Licenses
State & federal license information
USDOT Interstate License
Status: Authorized for Interstate Moves (last checked 1/10/25)- USDOT: 2096754
- MC: 882954
- ENTITY TYPE: Carrier
8
Registered Trucks, Tractors, or Vans
8
Registered Drivers
4/10/23
Most Recent USDOT Update
120,000
Annual Interstate Miles (2022)
Detailed Customer Insights
Based on our analysis of JP Urban Moving's customer reviews:
3 hrs
Hourly Minimum
based on 3 reviews
4 hrs
Local Move Duration
based on 63 reviews
2 days
Interstate Move Duration
based on 5 reviews
Metropolis Moving
476 Jefferson St, Brooklyn, NY, 11237
11-Point Rating
Best moving service to hire if you're in a hurry. The movers at Metropolis Moving work fast to get the move done.
Metropolis Moving is the number 2 ranked moving service in New York City, NY with an overall score of 9.72 out of 10. Based on our extensive analysis, this is an Exceptional score and places it in the top 99.9% of all movers in New York and the top 99.89% of moving companies nationwide. They score better than 79 other New York City moving companies and better than 1,012 movers in New York. Metropolis Moving is also one of the top 100 movers nationwide (out of more than 18,000 total moving companies).
Our Research
11 Point Rating
| Metric | Score Out of 10 | vs Nationwide Comparison between Metropolis Moving & the average of all
moving companies nationwide | Positive Reviews The total number of reviews that rated the metric positively (a score of 7-10) | Negative Reviews The total number of reviews that rated the metric negatively (a score of 1-6) | Positive Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quality | 9.82 | ↑ 18.0% | 342 | 4 | 98.8% | |
| Punctuality | 9.89 | ↑ 23.6% | 168 | 0 | 100.0% | |
| Affordability | 9.56 | ↑ 26.0% | 166 | 4 | 97.6% | |
| Communication | 9.92 | ↑ 33.3% | 243 | 0 | 100.0% | |
| Stick to Prices | 9.71 | ↑ 63.1% | 106 | 2 | 98.1% | |
| Speed | 9.94 | ↑ 17.2% | 209 | 0 | 100.0% | |
| Friendliness | 9.86 | ↑ 12.5% | 243 | 2 | 99.2% | |
| Will Hire Again | 9.76 | ↑ 20.9% | 348 | 6 | 98.3% | |
| Professionalism | 9.80 | ↑ 19.5% | 229 | 3 | 98.7% | |
| Conflict Handling | 9.02 | ↑ 121.9% | 17 | 1 | 94.4% | |
| Precision & Care | 9.66 | ↑ 21.9% | 181 | 4 | 97.8% |
Recent Metropolis Moving Reviews
Quality - 9.82/10
Overall quality of the service provided on moving day.
Recent Customer Praises
Recent Customer Complaints
Overall Review Distribution
Punctuality - 9.89/10
Did the crew show up on-time with the required equipment?
Recent Customer Praises
Recent Customer Complaints
Overall Review Distribution
Affordability - 9.56/10
How affordable was the moving service?
Recent Customer Praises
Recent Customer Complaints
Overall Review Distribution
Communication - 9.92/10
Was the office staff quick to respond to questions prior to moving day? Did the moving crew notify you on the day of move regarding any changes to the original schedule? If there were any issues to resolve after moving day, was an office manager quick to respond and address problems encountered?
Recent Customer Praises
Recent Customer Complaints
Overall Review Distribution
Stick to Prices - 9.71/10
Was a lowball quote provided to earn business only to see the final moving day price increase substantially?
Recent Customer Praises
Recent Customer Complaints
Overall Review Distribution
Speed - 9.94/10
Did the movers seem to take their precious time in an attempt to increase the overall cost of the move? Remember, moving is HARD work and some breaks should be expected!
Recent Customer Praises
Recent Customer Complaints
Overall Review Distribution
Friendliness - 9.86/10
Was the moving crew cordial and friendly to be around on moving day?
Recent Customer Praises
Recent Customer Complaints
Overall Review Distribution
Will Hire Again - 9.76/10
How likely a customer is to hire the same movers again for their next move.
Recent Customer Praises
Recent Customer Complaints
Overall Review Distribution
Professionalism - 9.80/10
Did the moving crew behave in a professional manner on moving day?
Recent Customer Praises
Recent Customer Complaints
Overall Review Distribution
Conflict Handling - 9.02/10
Accidents can and will likely happen at some point on moving day. How a moving company responds to these accidents can say a lot about the company.
Recent Customer Praises
Recent Customer Complaints
Overall Review Distribution
Precision & Care - 9.66/10
Were walls scratched? Did furniture get scuffed, broken, or lost?
Recent Customer Praises
Recent Customer Complaints
Overall Review Distribution
Additional Details
Moving Services Offered by Metropolis Moving
- Local moving services
- Long-distance moving services
- Commercial moving services
- Residential moving services
- Labor services for DIY moves
- Specialty moving services for furniture, appliances, and art
- Packing services
- Storage services
- Last-minute moving services
- Hourly moving services
Licenses
State & federal license information
USDOT Interstate License
Status: Authorized for Interstate Moves (last checked 1/10/25)- USDOT: 4277979
- MC: 1662478
- ENTITY TYPE: Carrier
2
Registered Trucks, Tractors, or Vans
4
Registered Drivers
12/06/24
Most Recent USDOT Update
1
Annual Interstate Miles (2023)
Detailed Customer Insights
Based on our analysis of Metropolis Moving's customer reviews:
2 hrs
Local Move Duration
based on 31 reviews
Average Cost
$1,213.00
based on 3 historical data points
Flex Moving and Storage
276 Greenpoint Ave 287, Suite, Brooklyn, NY, 11222
11-Point Rating
Flex Moving and Storage is the number 3 ranked moving service in New York City, NY with an overall score of 9.70 out of 10. Based on our extensive analysis, this is an Exceptional score and places it in the top 99.8% of all movers in New York and the top 99.85% of moving companies nationwide. They score better than 78 other New York City moving companies and better than 1,011 movers in New York. Flex Moving and Storage is also one of the top 100 movers nationwide (out of more than 18,000 total moving companies).
Our Research
11 Point Rating
| Metric | Score Out of 10 | vs Nationwide Comparison between Flex Moving and Storage & the average of all
moving companies nationwide | Positive Reviews The total number of reviews that rated the metric positively (a score of 7-10) | Negative Reviews The total number of reviews that rated the metric negatively (a score of 1-6) | Positive Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quality | 9.91 | ↑ 19.0% | 260 | 0 | 100.0% | |
| Punctuality | 9.87 | ↑ 23.4% | 79 | 0 | 100.0% | |
| Affordability | 9.73 | ↑ 28.2% | 38 | 0 | 100.0% | |
| Communication | 9.76 | ↑ 31.2% | 58 | 0 | 100.0% | |
| Stick to Prices | 9.21 | ↑ 54.7% | 10 | 0 | 100.0% | |
| Speed | 9.93 | ↑ 17.1% | 126 | 0 | 100.0% | |
| Friendliness | 9.84 | ↑ 12.2% | 128 | 1 | 99.2% | |
| Will Hire Again | 9.87 | ↑ 22.2% | 257 | 1 | 99.6% | |
| Professionalism | 9.82 | ↑ 19.7% | 128 | 1 | 99.2% | |
| Conflict Handling | 8.89 | ↑ 118.6% | 8 | 0 | 100.0% | |
| Precision & Care | 9.87 | ↑ 24.5% | 101 | 0 | 100.0% |
Recent Flex Moving and Storage Reviews
Quality - 9.91/10
Overall quality of the service provided on moving day.
Recent Customer Praises
Recent Customer Complaints
Overall Review Distribution
Punctuality - 9.87/10
Did the crew show up on-time with the required equipment?
Recent Customer Praises
Recent Customer Complaints
Overall Review Distribution
Affordability - 9.73/10
How affordable was the moving service?
Recent Customer Praises
Recent Customer Complaints
Overall Review Distribution
Communication - 9.76/10
Was the office staff quick to respond to questions prior to moving day? Did the moving crew notify you on the day of move regarding any changes to the original schedule? If there were any issues to resolve after moving day, was an office manager quick to respond and address problems encountered?
Recent Customer Praises
Recent Customer Complaints
Overall Review Distribution
Stick to Prices - 9.21/10
Was a lowball quote provided to earn business only to see the final moving day price increase substantially?
Recent Customer Praises
Recent Customer Complaints
Overall Review Distribution
Speed - 9.93/10
Did the movers seem to take their precious time in an attempt to increase the overall cost of the move? Remember, moving is HARD work and some breaks should be expected!
Recent Customer Praises
Recent Customer Complaints
Overall Review Distribution
Friendliness - 9.84/10
Was the moving crew cordial and friendly to be around on moving day?
Recent Customer Praises
Recent Customer Complaints
Overall Review Distribution
Will Hire Again - 9.87/10
How likely a customer is to hire the same movers again for their next move.
Recent Customer Praises
Recent Customer Complaints
Overall Review Distribution
Professionalism - 9.82/10
Did the moving crew behave in a professional manner on moving day?
Recent Customer Praises
Recent Customer Complaints
Overall Review Distribution
Conflict Handling - 8.89/10
Accidents can and will likely happen at some point on moving day. How a moving company responds to these accidents can say a lot about the company.
Recent Customer Praises
Recent Customer Complaints
Overall Review Distribution
Precision & Care - 9.87/10
Were walls scratched? Did furniture get scuffed, broken, or lost?
Recent Customer Praises
Recent Customer Complaints
Overall Review Distribution
Additional Details
Moving Services Offered by Flex Moving and Storage
- Local moves
- Commercial moves
- Long distance moves
- Storage services
- Arts moving
- Packing services
- Residential moves
- Licensed and insured company
- Efficient and trained movers
- Outstanding customer support
Licenses
State & federal license information
USDOT Interstate License
Status: Authorized for Interstate Moves (last checked 1/11/25)- USDOT: 3610638
- MC: 1229716
- ENTITY TYPE: Carrier
2
Registered Trucks, Tractors, or Vans
2
Registered Drivers
7/13/23
Most Recent USDOT Update
25,000
Annual Interstate Miles (2022)
Detailed Customer Insights
Based on our analysis of Flex Moving and Storage's customer reviews:
2.75 hrs
Local Move Duration
based on 10 reviews
2 days
Interstate Move Duration
based on 3 reviews
606 Movers, Inc.
159 N Sangamon St Suite 300, Chicago, IL, 60607
11-Point Rating
Move-tastic!
3100 N Tripp Ave, Chicago, IL, 60641
11-Point Rating
How Much Do New York City to Chicago Movers Cost?
Moving 826 miles from New York City, NY 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.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-7 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Magical Moving & Storage
| HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,671 | 300 ft3 | $5.57 |
| 1 Bedroom | $2,484 | 450 ft3 | $5.52 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $4,102 | 750 ft3 | $5.47 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $5,961 | 1100 ft3 | $5.42 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $8,591 | 1600 ft3 | $5.37 |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $9,575 | 1800 ft3 | $5.32 |
Pro tip for the cheapest long distance move
Find long distance movers in Chicago that already have a booked job heading from Chicago to New York City. Their moving truck would be making the trip back to Chicago from New York City 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 New York City to Chicago moving option
Hire local New York City 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 New York City 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 New York City 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 New York City, NY to Chicago, IL long distance movers.
Rating Methodology
Here's the methodology we used to come up with the best movers for the New York City to Chicago moving route:
Our original review-based ranking algorithm
We started with a total of 81 companies that offer interstate moving services in both the New York City and Chicago areas.
From these 81 companies, we analyzed a total of 56,046 reviews dating all the way back to October 2006.
We also reviewed a total of 29 state and federal moving licenses from these 81 companies and 397 different 3rd party review and social profiles.
Each of the ~56,000 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 58,183 New York City 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!).
The Great Guys Moving 11-Point Rating Breakdown
Our 11-point rating criteria scores every New York City 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.
Punctuality
Did the crew show up on-time with the required equipment?
Affordability
How affordable was the moving service?
Communication
Responsiveness before, during, and after the move.
Stick to Prices
Was the final price consistent with the original quote?
Speed
Efficiency without taking unnecessary time to increase costs.
Friendliness
Was the moving crew cordial and friendly on moving day?
Will Hire Again
How likely a customer is to hire the same movers again.
Professionalism
Did the moving crew behave professionally on moving day?
Conflict Handling
How well the company responds to accidents and issues.
Precision & Care
Were walls scratched? Did furniture get damaged or lost?
New York City to Chicago Moving Guide
From New York City to Chicago: Comparable Neighborhoods at a Glance
| New York City | Chicago | How They're Similar |
|---|---|---|
| Upper East Side | Gold Coast | affluent historic district near lakefront parks & museums |
| Upper West Side | Lincoln Park | family-friendly brownstones & large park with zoo |
| Greenwich Village | Andersonville | LGBTQ+-friendly local shops & cafes |
| Chelsea | River North | art galleries & bustling nightlife |
| SoHo | West Loop | industrial loft conversions & trendy dining |
| Tribeca | River North | low-rise lofts & cobblestone streets |
| East Village | Wicker Park | indie music venues & laid-back nightlife |
| Williamsburg | Logan Square | hipster vibe with breweries & arts |
| Park Slope | Lakeview | family-oriented streets & nearby parks |
| Harlem | Hyde Park | cultural district with historic brownstones |
- Upper East Side in New York City & Gold Coast in Chicago are both known for their affluent historic districts near lakefront parks & museums
- New York City's Upper West Side neighborhood & Chicago's Lincoln Park both share family-friendly brownstones & large parks with zoos
- If you're moving from Greenwich Village, check out Andersonville in the Chicago area for the LGBTQ+-friendly local shops & cafes
- Do you enjoy Chelsea's art galleries & bustling nightlife? You're sure to love River North
- Move from SoHo to West Loop and continue to enjoy these neighborhood qualities: industrial loft conversions & trendy dining
- Tribeca & River North are both known for their low-rise lofts & cobblestone streets
- New York City's East Village neighborhood & Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood both have indie music venues & laid-back nightlife
- If you're moving from Williamsburg, look into Logan Square for the hipster vibe with breweries & arts
- Do you cherish living in Park Slope's family-oriented streets & nearby parks? Move into Lakeview for something similar
- The similar vibes of Harlem & Hyde Park are both known for cultural districts with historic brownstones
Pros and Cons of Moving from New York City to Chicago
New York City, NY- Higher living costs
- Crowded streets
- Longer commutes
- Noisy environment
- Scarce green spaces
Chicago, IL- Lower cost of living
- More spacious
- Efficient transit system
- Quieter neighborhoods
- Abundant parks
Chicago, IL- Less nightlife variety
- Heavier reliance on cars
- More limited cuisine
- Fewer global attractions
- Smaller diverse communities
New York City, NY- Vibrant nightlife
- Extensive public transit
- Diverse dining options
- Iconic landmarks
- Cultural diversity
Pros of moving from New York City to Chicago
- Say goodbye to higher living costs and hello to a lower cost of living
- Look forward to moving away from crowded streets and moving to Chicago with more spacious areas
- Swap the longer commutes of New York City for an efficient transit system in Chicago
- Get ready for quieter neighborhoods in Chicago
Cons of moving from New York City to Chicago
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from vibrant nightlife in New York City to live with less nightlife variety in Chicago
- You'll lose out on the pro of extensive public transit and have to settle for the con of a heavier reliance on cars
- Time to bid farewell to diverse dining options and get used to more limited cuisine in Chicago
- Swap iconic landmarks for fewer global attractions
New York City vs. Chicago: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
| Comparison | New York City | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Most iconic local food item | Bagel with Lox | Deep-Dish Pizza |
| Most popular meat dish | Pastrami Sandwich | Italian Beef |
| Most popular street food item | Hot Dog | Polish Sausage |
| Most popular vegan food | Impossible Burger | Seitan Wings |
| Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the city |
|
|
| Fitness/Health Conscientiousness | 💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪 | 💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪 |
| Abundance of Food Trucks | 🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚 | 🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚 |
| Foodie Scene | 🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴 | 🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴 |
| Vegan Friendly | 🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱 | 🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱 |
If you're moving from New York City to Chicago, you will be trading the iconic Bagel with Lox of New York City for the equally delicious Deep-Dish Pizza of Chicago. And while the locals in New York City rave about their flavorful Pastrami Sandwich and sumptuous Hot Dog, Chicago residents know they have tasty Italian Beef and Polish Sausage to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Impossible Burger 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 New York City eateries like Katz's Delicatessen, Dominique Ansel Bakery, and Junior's Cheesecake. 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 Pizzeria, Portillo's, and Alinea.
When comparing lifestyles, Chicago shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than New York City. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Chicago compared to what you are used to in New York City. Also, the overall foodie scene is less 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 New York City favorites, but we've got you covered. If you loved Le Bernardin, Shake Shack, and Katz's Delicatessen in New York City, we're sure you'll love Alinea, Portillo's, and Manny's Cafeteria and Delicatessen in Chicago. See our Chicago restaurant discovery table below to find the closest comparison restaurant to all of your cherished New York City hotspots. For example, if you enjoyed dining at Di Fara Pizza, head to Pequod's Pizza on your first Friday night after the boxes are unpacked.
| New York City | Chicago | What You'll Love |
|---|---|---|
| Le Bernardin | Alinea | Known for its high-end dining and innovative dishes |
| Shake Shack | Portillo's | Famous for casual eats with an iconic Chicago flair |
| Katz's Delicatessen | Manny's Cafeteria and Delicatessen | Traditional deli with a long-standing history |
| Di Fara Pizza | Pequod's Pizza | Deep dish pizza with a cult following |
| Per Se | Grace | Upscale dining with meticulous attention to detail |
| Dominique Ansel Bakery | Do-Rite Donuts & Chicken | Sweet treats and unique donut flavors |
| Peter Luger Steak House | Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse | Iconic steakhouse known for its quality cuts |
| Joe's Pub | The Green Mill | Historic spot with live jazz and a vibrant atmosphere |
| Momofuku Noodle Bar | Ramen-san | Delicious ramen with a modern twist |
| Eleven Madison Park | Everest | Fine dining featuring exquisite flavor combinations |
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between New York City and Chicago
| Comparison | New York City | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Typical Architecture Style | Art Deco, Modern | Prairie, Chicago School |
| Walkability | 👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟 | 👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟 |
| Bikeability | 🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲 | 🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲 |
| Urban Lifestyle | 🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️ | 🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️ |
| Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Proximity to subway, Views | Proximity to parks/lake, Spacious layouts |
- The Art Deco and Modern architecture that New York City is known for will be replaced with the Prairie and Chicago School architecture typical of Chicago.
- Compared to New York City's real estate listings that commonly reference proximity to subways and views, Chicago real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to parks and lakes, as well as spacious layouts.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Chicago is less walkable than New York City.
- Chicago is similarly bike-friendly to New York City.
- Chicago has less of an urban feel than New York City.
- Chicago housing costs are 61% less expensive than they are in New York City, with a median home price of $289,909 compared to New York City’s $746,451.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Chicago have increased by 17% compared to a 6% increase in New York City.
- Rent in Chicago is 38.59% more affordable than in New York City.
Pet-friendly Neighborhoods in Chicago, IL
- Lincoln Park : You'll find plenty of green spaces and dog-friendly areas, including the popular Wiggly Field Dog Park.
- Lakeview : This lively neighborhood offers numerous pet-friendly cafes and shops, along with the spacious Belmont Harbor Dog Beach.
- 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 New York City and Chicago
| Comparison | New York City | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Days of Sunshine per Year | ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️ | ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️ |
| Avg. Annual Humidity | 💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦 | 💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦 |
| Avg. UV Index | 🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️ | 🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️ |
| Natural Disasters | Hurricanes, Nor'easters | Blizzards, Tornadoes |
| Air Quality | Moderate | Moderate |
| Average Summer High/Low (°F) | 84°F/69°F | 83°F/63°F |
| Average Winter High/Low (°F) | 38°F/26°F | 31°F/17°F |
| Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 49.9 | 36.89 |
| Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 25.8 | 36.0 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from New York City to Chicago. Chicago gets 16% fewer sunshine days than New York City.
- Chicago has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to New York City.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and nor'easters in New York City, but be on the lookout for potential blizzards and tornadoes in Chicago.
- The average summer high temperature in Chicago is 1 degree colder than in New York City.
- The average winter lows are 9 degrees colder than they are in New York City.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Chicago. Chicago receives 13.0 fewer inches of rain compared to New York City.
Financial & Community Snapshot: New York City and Chicago
| Comparison | New York City | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Avg. Household Income | $67,997 | $66,576 |
| Cost of Living Index | 185.8 | 116.9 |
| State Income Tax | 4% - 8.82% | 4.95% (flat rate) |
| Avg. Property Tax | 0.88% | 2.16% |
| Avg. Sales Tax | 8.875% | 10.25% |
| Top 3 Industries | Finance, Entertainment, Technology | Manufacturing, Food Processing, Information Technology |
| Affluence | Highly affluent | Moderately affluent |
| Poverty | Notable | Significant |
| Homelessness | Substantial | Considerable |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Chicago tend to earn about 2% less than in New York City
- The COLI in Chicago is 37% lower than what you are used to living in New York City
- The state income tax in IL is 4.95% (flat rate) compared to 4% to 8.82% in NY
- The affluence in Chicago is moderately affluent compared to highly affluent in New York City
- The poverty level is significant in Chicago compared to notable in New York City
- In terms of homelessness, it is substantial in New York City and considerable in Chicago
Political and Religious Climate in New York City vs. Chicago
| Comparison | New York City | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Political Make-up | Liberal/Democratic leaning | Liberal/Democratic leaning |
| Local Politics | Diverse representation in local government | History of both political reform and machine politics |
| Religion | Multifaceted, with large Jewish, Catholic, and Protestant communities | Diverse, significant Catholic population alongside varied other religious groups |
- New York City tends to lean Liberal/Democratic in its political climate
- Chicago, on the other hand, is often described as Liberal/Democratic
- Chicago's religious environment can be described as diverse with a significant Catholic population alongside various other religious groups
- New York City's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as multifaceted with large Jewish, Catholic, and Protestant communities
New York City vs. Chicago Traffic and Public Transit Considerations
| Comparison | New York City | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Commute Time (in minutes) | 41 | 34 |
| Traffic Congestion | 🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦 | 🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦 |
| Availability of Public Transit | 🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇 | 🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇 |
| Can you get by without car? | Yes | Yes, but less conveniently |
- Woohoo! Expect to spend about 17% less time stuck in traffic commuting to work in Chicago compared to your New York City daily drive. That's an annual savings of 3,640 minutes freely earned!
- You can expect traffic in Chicago to be better than it is in New York City.
- Public transit is less readily available in Chicago.
Charts & Visualizations
With 238,065 data points across 81 moving companies and 56,046 reviews, we've got a lot of data to work with. Here are some of the charts and visualizations we've created to help you understand the moving industry in New York City to Chicago.
Comparing ratings, review history, and total data points
Bubble size represents the number of analyzed data points. Hover over bubbles for details.
Ranking history
How the currently ranked top New York City to Chicago movers have performed over time
11-Point Rating Comparison
Detailed breakdown of New York City to Chicago moving company 11-point ratings
Statewide 11-Point Percentile Comparison
See how our recommended top movers compare to all movers in New York & Illinois
 Quality |  Punctuality |  Affordability |  Communication |  Stick to Prices |  Speed |  Friendliness |  Will Hire Again |  Professionalism |  Conflict Handling |  Precision & Care | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | JP Urban Moving Exceptional9.85 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 99 | 100 | 99 | 100 | 100 | 100 |
2 | Metropolis Moving Exceptional9.72 | 99 | 100 | 96 | 100 | 99 | 100 | 97 | 98 | 97 | 100 | 94 |
3 | Flex Moving and Storage Exceptional9.70 | 100 | 99 | 100 | 99 | 95 | 100 | 95 | 100 | 98 | 100 | 100 |
4 | 606 Movers, Inc. Exceptional9.37 | 90 | 92 | 87 | 96 | 89 | 88 | 96 | 86 | 96 | 98 | 87 |
5 | Move-tastic! Exceptional9.35 | 92 | 93 | 89 | 98 | 98 | 90 | 100 | 90 | 93 | 90 | 85 |
Percentile Ranking
List of All New York City to Chicago Moving Companies Analyzed
- Magical Moving & Storage
- Manhattan Movers Crew
- Patriot Moving, Inc.
- Moving Experts US
- Orange Truck Movers
- Scanio Moving and Storage
- Om Moving
- iMOVE NYC
- Marcelo's Movers
- Trusted Moving LLC
- Flex Moving and Storage
- Teddy Moving and Storage
- King David Moving & Storage, Inc
- Move Plus
- Miller Moving Co., LLC
- DMD Moving and Storage
- ZeroMax Moving and Storage NYC
- Konstantly Moving NYC LLC
- Maxi Moving
- Lalo’s Movers, Inc.
- Avant-Garde Moving & Storage
- Perfect Moving
- Sea & Air
- Liberty Moving and Storage
- Extra Mile Movers
- HK Worldwide Moving
- Ondemand Movers
- Aaron's Reliable Movers
- Ccs Moving
- National Van Lines Inc
- 606 Movers, Inc.
- Big Shoulders Moving & Storage
- Blue Moving
- Octomovers
- Velocity Moving And Storage
- All Exclusive Transportation
- Moving Right Along
- Available Movers & Storage
- Solidarity Movers
- Excellent Quality Movers
- Movers, Not Shakers!
- Apex Moving Nyc
- Orion Moving NYC
- Big Apple Movers NYC
- All Star Moving and Storage Inc.
- NY Minute Movers Inc.
- Metropolis Moving
- Expo Movers Moving & Storage
- JP Urban Moving
- High Touch Moving
- Day & Night Movers of Chicago, Inc.
- Celebrity Moving Inc
- Patrick Bronx Moving Company
- Armstrong Relocation - Chicago
- Joey's Movers
- USA Moving & Storage, Inc .
- STI Moving & Storage, Inc.
- Alliance Moving & Storage
- New York Nomads Moving LLC
- A1 Movers, Inc
- ABC Movers Chicago
- All State Movers, Inc.
- Melendez Moving Inc
- Aaron Bros Moving System, Inc.
- Bernard Movers
- Best Price Moving and Storage
- Mid-West Moving & Storage
- In & Out Moving & Storage
- Move-tastic!
- H2H Movers Inc
- Two Men and a Truck
- Elite Moving & Storage Inc
- Coffey Bros. Moving
- Chelsea Moving & Storage
- Big John's Moving, Inc.
- Capital City Movers NYC
- West Side Movers
- Empire Movers and Storage Corp
- Piece of Cake Moving & Storage
- Roadway Moving
- Dumbo Moving and Storage NYC
