Best Cleveland to Chicago Movers

How Much Do Cleveland to Chicago Movers Cost?

Moving 345 miles from Cleveland, OH to Chicago, IL will typically cost between $2,000 and $5,000 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 Cleveland. Their moving truck would be making the trip back to Chicago from Cleveland 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 Cleveland to Chicago moving option

Hire local Cleveland 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 Cleveland 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 Cleveland 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 Cleveland, OH to Chicago, IL long distance movers.

Rating Methodology

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

Our original review-based ranking algorithm

We started with a total of 47 companies that offer interstate moving services in both the Cleveland and Chicago areas.

From these 47 companies, we analyzed a total of 27,238 reviews dating all the way back to February 2007.

We also reviewed a total of 34 state and federal moving licenses from these 47 companies and 250 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 19,550 Cleveland 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 Cleveland 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.

8.61/10 avg (Cleveland & Chicago combined) from 20,217 reviews

Punctuality

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

8.32/10 avg (Cleveland & Chicago combined) from 7,397 reviews

Affordability

How affordable was the moving service?

7.74/10 avg (Cleveland & Chicago combined) from 4,291 reviews

Communication

Responsiveness before, during, and after the move.

7.56/10 avg (Cleveland & Chicago combined) from 7,151 reviews

Stick to Prices

Was the final price consistent with the original quote?

6.45/10 avg (Cleveland & Chicago combined) from 3,706 reviews

Speed

Efficiency without taking unnecessary time to increase costs.

8.89/10 avg (Cleveland & Chicago combined) from 10,577 reviews

Friendliness

Was the moving crew cordial and friendly on moving day?

9.07/10 avg (Cleveland & Chicago combined) from 10,056 reviews

Will Hire Again

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

8.34/10 avg (Cleveland & Chicago combined) from 19,055 reviews

Professionalism

Did the moving crew behave professionally on moving day?

8.52/10 avg (Cleveland & Chicago combined) from 11,055 reviews

Conflict Handling

How well the company responds to accidents and issues.

4.20/10 avg (Cleveland & Chicago combined) from 2,339 reviews

Precision & Care

Were walls scratched? Did furniture get damaged or lost?

8.30/10 avg (Cleveland & Chicago combined) from 9,982 reviews

From Cleveland to Chicago: Comparable Neighborhoods at a Glance

• Ohio City in Cleveland & Logan Square in Chicago are both known for their: craft breweries & farmers’ markets
• Cleveland's Tremont neighborhood & Chicago's Wicker Park both share: art galleries & trendy dining
• If you're moving from University Circle, check out Hyde Park in the Chicago area for the: cultural institutions & universities
• Do you enjoy Lakewood's lakefront parks & independent eateries? You're sure to love Lakeview
• Move from Shaker Heights to Lincoln Park and continue to enjoy these neighborhood qualities: historic homes & tree-lined streets
• Historic Warehouse District & West Loop are both known for their: loft conversions & upscale dining
• Cleveland's Detroit–Shoreway neighborhood & Chicago's Ukrainian Village neighborhood both have: arts districts & historic architecture
• If you're moving from Gordon Square Arts District, look into Pilsen for the: mural art & gallery events
• Do you cherish living in Cleveland Flats' riverfront nightlife & apartments? Move into River North for something similar

Pros and Cons of Moving from Cleveland to Chicago

ConsCleveland, OH

• Smaller job market
• Less cultural diversity
• Lower public transit options
• Fewer entertainment options
• Lesser known restaurants

ProsChicago, IL

• Larger job market
• More cultural diversity
• Better public transit
• More entertainment options
• Famous dining scenes

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Chicago, IL

• Higher living costs
• More anonymous living
• More traffic
• Expensive housing
• Complex city layout

Cleveland, OH

• Lower living costs
• Smaller, close-knit communities
• Less traffic congestion
• More affordable housing
• Easy navigation

Pros of moving from Cleveland to Chicago

• Say goodbye to the smaller job market and hello to the larger job market
• Look forward to moving away from less cultural diversity and moving to Chicago with more cultural diversity
• Swap the lower public transit options of Cleveland for better public transit in Chicago
• Get ready for more entertainment options in Chicago

Cons of moving from Cleveland to Chicago

• Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the lower living costs in Cleveland to live with the higher living costs in Chicago
• You'll lose out on the pro of smaller, close-knit communities and have to settle with the con of more anonymous living
• Time to bid farewell to less traffic congestion and get used to more traffic in Chicago
• Swap more affordable housing for expensive housing

Cleveland vs. Chicago: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

If you're moving from Cleveland to Chicago, you will be trading the iconic Polish Boy of Cleveland for the equally delicious deep-dish pizza of Chicago. And while the locals in Cleveland rave about their flavorful Cleveland-style BBQ and sumptuous street tacos, Chicago residents know they have tasty Italian beef and Chicago-style hot dogs to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the vegan corned beef 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 Cleveland eateries like Lola Bistro, Slyman's Deli, and Momocho. 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, Alinea, and Portillo's.

When comparing lifestyles, Chicago shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Cleveland. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Chicago compared to what you are used to in Cleveland. 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 Cleveland favorites, but we've got you covered. If you loved Michaelangelo's, Lola Bistro, and Mabel's BBQ in Cleveland, we're sure you'll love Spiaggia, Giant, and Green Street Smoked Meats in Chicago. See our Chicago restaurant discovery table below to find the closest comparison restaurant to all of your cherished Cleveland hotspots. For example, if you enjoyed dining at Banana Blossom, head to Pho's Spicier Thai Cuisine on your first Friday night after the boxes are unpacked.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Cleveland and Chicago

• The Colonial and Craftsman architecture that Cleveland is known for will be replaced with the Prairie and Modern architecture typical of Chicago.
• Compared to Cleveland's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and quiet neighborhoods, Chicago real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to public transit and lake views.
• Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Chicago is more walkable than Cleveland.
• Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Chicago is more bike-friendly than Cleveland.
• Chicago has more of an urban feel than Cleveland.
• Chicago housing costs are 179% more expensive than they are in Cleveland, with a median home price of $289,909 compared to Cleveland’s $103,979.
• Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Chicago have increased by 17% compared to a 49% increase in Cleveland.
• Rent in Chicago is 59.01% more expensive than in Cleveland.

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 Cleveland and Chicago

• Break out the sunglasses for your move from Cleveland to Chicago. Chicago gets 13% more sunshine days than Cleveland.
• Chicago has lower humidity and a similar average UV index compared to Cleveland.
• Say goodbye to the possible lake-effect snow and storms in Cleveland, but be on the lookout for potential snowstorms and wind in Chicago.
• The average summer high temperature in Chicago is 2 degrees warmer than in Cleveland.
• The average winter lows are 4 degrees colder than they are in Cleveland.
• Your umbrella might be neglected in Chicago as it receives 2.2 fewer inches of rain compared to Cleveland.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Cleveland and Chicago

• When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Chicago tend to earn about 87% more than those in Cleveland
• The COLI in Chicago is 16% higher than what you are used to living in Cleveland
• The state income tax in IL is 4.95% (flat rate) compared to 2.92% - 5.0% in OH
• The affluence in Chicago is moderate compared to lower affluence in Cleveland
• The poverty level is moderate in Chicago compared to high poverty in Cleveland
• In terms of homelessness, it is noticeable in Cleveland and concerning in Chicago

Political and Religious Climate in Cleveland vs. Chicago

• Cleveland tends to lean largely Democratic in its political climate
• Chicago, on the other hand, is often described as strongly Democratic
• Chicago's religious environment can be described as predominantly Christianity, with a significant presence of other faiths
• Cleveland's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christianity, with diverse religious communities

Cleveland 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 Cleveland commute. That's 4,680 minutes lost each year in a car.
• You can expect traffic in Chicago to be worse than it is in Cleveland.
• Public transit is more readily available in Chicago.