Best Austin to Chicago Movers

How Much Do Austin to Chicago Movers Cost?

Moving 1,156 miles from Austin, TX to Chicago, IL will typically cost between $3,000 and $6,500 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 Austin. Their moving truck would be making the trip back to Chicago from Austin 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 Austin to Chicago moving option

Hire local Austin 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 Austin 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 Austin 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 Austin, TX to Chicago, IL long distance movers.

Rating Methodology

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

Our original review-based ranking algorithm

We started with a total of 50 companies that offer interstate moving services in both the Austin and Chicago areas.

From these 50 companies, we analyzed a total of 30,326 reviews dating all the way back to February 2007.

We also reviewed a total of 37 state and federal moving licenses from these 50 companies and 255 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 20,801 Austin 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 Heavenly Moving and Storage).

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The Great Guys Moving 11-Point Rating Breakdown

Our 11-point rating criteria scores every Austin 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.

8.59/10 avg (Austin & Chicago combined) from 22,631 reviews

Punctuality

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

8.25/10 avg (Austin & Chicago combined) from 8,466 reviews

Affordability

How affordable was the moving service?

7.75/10 avg (Austin & Chicago combined) from 4,938 reviews

Communication

Responsiveness before, during, and after the move.

7.61/10 avg (Austin & Chicago combined) from 8,234 reviews

Stick to Prices

Was the final price consistent with the original quote?

6.44/10 avg (Austin & Chicago combined) from 4,088 reviews

Speed

Efficiency without taking unnecessary time to increase costs.

8.93/10 avg (Austin & Chicago combined) from 11,891 reviews

Friendliness

Was the moving crew cordial and friendly on moving day?

9.11/10 avg (Austin & Chicago combined) from 11,470 reviews

Will Hire Again

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

8.35/10 avg (Austin & Chicago combined) from 21,557 reviews

Professionalism

Did the moving crew behave professionally on moving day?

8.54/10 avg (Austin & Chicago combined) from 12,466 reviews

Conflict Handling

How well the company responds to accidents and issues.

4.08/10 avg (Austin & Chicago combined) from 2,785 reviews

Precision & Care

Were walls scratched? Did furniture get damaged or lost?

8.36/10 avg (Austin & Chicago combined) from 11,443 reviews

From Austin to Chicago: Comparable Neighborhoods at a Glance

• Downtown in Austin & The Loop in Chicago are both known for their central business district with high-rise condos
• Austin's South Congress (SoCo) neighborhood & Chicago's Wicker Park both share local eateries & bustling nightlife
• If you're moving from East Austin, check out Logan Square in the Chicago area for the up-and-coming arts scene & diverse dining
• Do you enjoy Zilker's outdoor recreation & large park spaces? You're sure to love Lincoln Park
• Move from Hyde Park to Hyde Park and continue to enjoy these neighborhood qualities university-adjacent with historic homes
• Mueller & West Loop are both known for their planned mixed-use redevelopment & new construction
• Austin's Clarksville neighborhood & Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood both have tree-lined streets with historic residences
• If you're moving from Allandale, look into Jefferson Park for the suburban feel inside the city & mid-century homes
• Do you cherish living in Bouldin Creek's eclectic arts community & local food scene? Move into Wicker Park for something similar
• The similar vibes of Travis Heights & Lakeview are both known for walkable neighborhoods with local shops

Pros and Cons of Moving from Austin to Chicago

ConsAustin, TX

• Hotter summers
• Less public transit
• Smaller job market
• Less dense

ProsChicago, IL

• Cooler summers
• Extensive public transit
• Larger job market
• More urban

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Chicago, IL

• Colder winters
• Higher living costs
• Less green space
• More traffic

Austin, TX

• Vibrant music scene
• Great Tex-Mex food
• Outdoor activities
• Friendly people

Pros of moving from Austin to Chicago

• Say goodbye to hotter summers and hello to cooler summers
• Look forward to moving away from less public transit and moving to Chicago with extensive public transit
• Swap the smaller job market of Austin for a larger job market in Chicago
• Get ready for more urban living in Chicago

Cons of moving from Austin to Chicago

• Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a vibrant music scene in Austin to live with colder winters in Chicago
• You'll lose out on the pro of great Tex-Mex food and have to settle for the con of higher living costs
• Time to bid farewell to outdoor activities and get used to less green space in Chicago
• Swap friendly people for more traffic

Austin vs. Chicago: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

If you're moving from Austin to Chicago, you will be trading the iconic Smoked Brisket of Austin for the equally delicious Deep Dish Pizza of Chicago. And while the locals in Austin rave about their flavorful BBQ Ribs and sumptuous Tacos, Chicago residents know they have tasty Italian Beef and Chicago-style Hot Dog 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 Austin eateries like Franklin Barbecue, Uchi, and La Condesa. 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, Alinea, and Girl & The Goat.

When comparing lifestyles, Chicago shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Austin. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Chicago compared to what you are used to in Austin. Also, the overall foodie scene is similarly 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 Austin favorites, but we've got you covered. If you loved Franklin Barbecue, Uchi, and Odd Duck in Austin, we're sure you'll love Smoque BBQ, Momotaro, and Publican Anker in Chicago. See our Chicago restaurant discovery table below to find the closest comparison restaurant to all of your cherished Austin hotspots. For example, if you enjoyed dining at Torchy's Tacos, head to Big Star on your first Friday night after the boxes are unpacked.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Austin and Chicago

• The Modern and Ranch architecture that Austin is known for will be replaced with the Brick and Brownstone architecture typical of Chicago.
• Compared to Austin's real estate listings that commonly reference outdoor spaces and open floor plans, Chicago real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to public transit and hardwood floors.
• Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Chicago is more walkable than Austin.
• Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Chicago is more bike-friendly than Austin.
• Chicago has more of an urban feel than Austin.
• Chicago housing costs are 47% less expensive than they are in Austin, with a median home price of $289,909 compared to Austin’s $546,619.
• Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Chicago have increased by 17% compared to a 47% increase in Austin.
• Rent in Chicago is 22.89% more expensive than in Austin.

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 Austin and Chicago

• The shades won't be used as much for your move from Austin to Chicago. Chicago gets 37% fewer sunshine days than Austin.
• Chicago has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Austin.
• Say goodbye to the possible floods and tornadoes in Austin, but be on the lookout for potential blizzards and extreme cold in Chicago.
• Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Chicago is 10 degrees colder than in Austin.
• The average winter lows are 20 degrees colder than they are in Austin.
• Your umbrella might be more overworked in Chicago. Chicago receives 1 more inch of rain compared to Austin.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Austin and Chicago

• When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Chicago tend to earn about 16% less than in Austin
• The COLI in Chicago will be 22% higher than what you are used to living in Austin
• Bummer... By moving from TX to IL, you'll now have a state income tax of 4.95%
• The affluence in Chicago varies widely compared to moderately affluent in Austin
• The poverty level is significant in Chicago compared to moderate in Austin
• In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Austin and high in Chicago

Political and Religious Climate in Austin vs. Chicago

• Austin tends to lean Liberal-leaning in its political climate
• Chicago, on the other hand, is often described as Liberal-leaning
• Chicago's religious environment can be described as religious diversity with a strong Catholic presence
• Austin's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as religious diversity with a notable non-religious population

Austin vs. Chicago Traffic and Public Transit Considerations

• Bummer! Looks like you might end up spending about 31% more time stuck in traffic commuting to work in Chicago compared to your Austin commute. That's 4160 minutes lost each year in a car.
• You can expect traffic in Chicago to be worse than it is in Austin.
• Public transit is more readily available in Chicago.