Best Portland to Chicago Movers

How Much Do Portland to Chicago Movers Cost?

Moving 2,207 miles from Portland, OR to Chicago, IL will typically cost between $3,500 and $9,000 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 Portland. Their moving truck would be making the trip back to Chicago from Portland 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 Portland to Chicago moving option

Hire local Portland 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 Portland 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 Portland 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 Portland, OR to Chicago, IL long distance movers.

Rating Methodology

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

Our original review-based ranking algorithm

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

From these 49 companies, we analyzed a total of 31,385 reviews dating all the way back to February 2007.

We also reviewed a total of 40 state and federal moving licenses from these 49 companies and 258 different 3rd party review and social profiles.

Each of the ~31,000 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 20,074 Portland 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 All Service Moving).

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The Great Guys Moving 11-Point Rating Breakdown

Our 11-point rating criteria scores every Portland 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.

8.69/10 avg (Portland & Chicago combined) from 23,085 reviews

Punctuality

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

8.33/10 avg (Portland & Chicago combined) from 8,335 reviews

Affordability

How affordable was the moving service?

7.83/10 avg (Portland & Chicago combined) from 4,551 reviews

Communication

Responsiveness before, during, and after the move.

7.85/10 avg (Portland & Chicago combined) from 8,243 reviews

Stick to Prices

Was the final price consistent with the original quote?

6.46/10 avg (Portland & Chicago combined) from 3,859 reviews

Speed

Efficiency without taking unnecessary time to increase costs.

8.94/10 avg (Portland & Chicago combined) from 11,929 reviews

Friendliness

Was the moving crew cordial and friendly on moving day?

9.17/10 avg (Portland & Chicago combined) from 11,912 reviews

Will Hire Again

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

8.45/10 avg (Portland & Chicago combined) from 21,846 reviews

Professionalism

Did the moving crew behave professionally on moving day?

8.65/10 avg (Portland & Chicago combined) from 12,545 reviews

Conflict Handling

How well the company responds to accidents and issues.

4.55/10 avg (Portland & Chicago combined) from 2,475 reviews

Precision & Care

Were walls scratched? Did furniture get damaged or lost?

8.49/10 avg (Portland & Chicago combined) from 11,322 reviews

From Portland to Chicago: Comparable Neighborhoods at a Glance

• Pearl District in Portland & West Loop in Chicago are both known for their: industrial lofts & upscale dining
• Portland's Alberta Arts District neighborhood & Chicago's Wicker Park both share: street art & indie shops
• If you're moving from Hawthorne District, check out Logan Square in the Chicago area for the: bohemian vibe & nightlife
• Do you enjoy Sellwood-Moreland's family-friendly atmosphere & antique stores? You're sure to love Lincoln Square
• Move from Laurelhurst to Lincoln Park and continue to enjoy these neighborhood qualities: historic homes & green spaces
• Alphabet District & Bucktown are both known for their: boutiques & historic architecture
• Portland's Richmond neighborhood & Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood both have: diverse eateries & murals
• If you're moving from Kerns, look into Logan Square for the: craft bars & art spaces

Pros and Cons of Moving from Portland to Chicago

ConsPortland, OR

• Less public transit
• Higher state income tax
• Smaller city vibe
• Less diverse cuisine

ProsChicago, IL

• Extensive L system
• Lower state income tax
• Larger urban feel
• World-class dining

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Chicago, IL

• Urban density
• Harsh winters
• Indoor-oriented
• Busier pace

Portland, OR

• Lush green spaces
• Milder winters
• Outdoor lifestyle
• Eco-conscious community

Pros of moving from Portland to Chicago

• Say goodbye to less public transit and hello to the extensive L system
• Look forward to moving away from higher state income tax and moving to Chicago with lower state income tax
• Swap the smaller city vibe of Portland for the larger urban feel in Chicago
• Get ready for world-class dining in Chicago

Cons of moving from Portland to Chicago

• Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from lush green spaces in Portland to live with urban density in Chicago
• You'll lose out on the pro of milder winters and have to settle for the con of harsh winters
• Time to bid farewell to the outdoor lifestyle and get used to the indoor-oriented life in Chicago
• Swap the eco-conscious community for a busier pace

Portland vs. Chicago: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

If you're moving from Portland to Chicago, you will be trading the iconic doughnuts of Portland for the equally delicious deep-dish pizza of Chicago. And while the locals in Portland rave about their flavorful pulled pork sandwich & sumptuous food carts fare, Chicago residents know they have tasty Italian beef sandwich and Chicago-style hot dog to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the tempeh Reuben 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 Portland eateries like Pok Pok, Screen Door, and Voodoo Doughnut. 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 Portland. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Chicago compared to what you are used to in Portland. 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 Portland favorites, but we've got you covered. If you loved Le Pigeon, Pok Pok, and Screen Door in Portland, we're sure you'll love Alinea, Andy's Thai Kitchen, and Luella's Southern Kitchen in Chicago. See our Chicago restaurant discovery table below to find the closest comparison restaurant to all of your cherished Portland hotspots. For example, if you enjoyed dining at Tusk, head to AbuQir Seafood on your first Friday night after the boxes are unpacked.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Portland and Chicago

• The Craftsman and Ranch architecture that Portland is known for will be replaced with the Greystone and Bungalow architecture typical of Chicago.
• Compared to Portland's real estate listings that commonly reference eco-friendly features and big yards, Chicago real estate listings often highlight features like lake views and proximity to transit.
• Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Chicago is more walkable than Portland.
• You might want to think twice before moving your bike. Chicago is less bike-friendly than Portland.
• Chicago has more of an urban feel than Portland.
• Chicago housing costs are 46% less expensive than they are in Portland with a median home price of $289,909 compared to Portland’s $539,524.
• Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Chicago have increased by 17% compared to a 19% increase in Portland.
• Rent in Chicago is 21.76% more expensive than in Portland.

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 Portland and Chicago

• Break out the sunglasses for your move from Portland to Chicago. Chicago gets 31% more sunshine days than Portland.
• Chicago has lower humidity and a similar average UV index compared to Portland.
• Say goodbye to the possible earthquakes and floods in Portland, but be on the lookout for potential snowstorms and tornadoes in Chicago.
• Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Chicago is 4 degrees warmer than in Portland.
• The average winter lows in Chicago are 18 degrees colder than they are in Portland.
• Your umbrella might be used the same in Chicago. Chicago receives inches of rain compared to Portland.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Portland and Chicago

• When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Chicago tend to earn about 16% less than in Portland
• The COLI in Chicago is 5% higher than what you are used to living in Portland
• The state income tax in IL is 4.95 compared to 9.9 in OR
• The affluence in Chicago is varied compared to moderate affluence in Portland
• The poverty level is significant in Chicago compared to noticeable poverty in Portland
• In terms of homelessness, it is high in Portland and high in Chicago

Political and Religious Climate in Portland vs. Chicago

• Portland tends to lean Liberal in its political climate
• Chicago, on the other hand, is often described as Liberal
• Chicago's religious environment can be described as a larger variety of religious affiliations
• Portland's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as less religiously affiliated

Portland vs. Chicago Traffic and Public Transit Considerations

• Bummer! Looks like you might end up spending about 40% more time stuck in traffic commuting to work in Chicago compared to your Portland commute. That's 5200 minutes lost each year in a car.
• You can expect traffic in Chicago to be worse than it is in Portland.
• Public transit is more readily available in Chicago.