Best Madison to Chicago Movers

How Much Do Madison to Chicago Movers Cost?

Moving 150 miles from Madison, WI to Chicago, IL will typically cost between $2,000 and $4,500 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 Madison. Their moving truck would be making the trip back to Chicago from Madison 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 Madison to Chicago moving option

Hire local Madison 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 Madison 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 Madison 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 Madison, WI to Chicago, IL long distance movers.

Rating Methodology

Here's the methodology we used to come up with the best movers for the Madison 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 Madison and Chicago areas.

From these 50 companies, we analyzed a total of 26,032 reviews dating all the way back to February 2007.

We also reviewed a total of 41 state and federal moving licenses from these 50 companies and 257 different 3rd party review and social profiles.

Each of the ~26,000 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 19,705 Madison 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 The Go To Guys, LLC) 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 Madison 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.

8.54/10 avg (Madison & Chicago combined) from 20,241 reviews

Punctuality

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

8.13/10 avg (Madison & Chicago combined) from 7,368 reviews

Affordability

How affordable was the moving service?

7.70/10 avg (Madison & Chicago combined) from 4,347 reviews

Communication

Responsiveness before, during, and after the move.

7.49/10 avg (Madison & Chicago combined) from 7,285 reviews

Stick to Prices

Was the final price consistent with the original quote?

6.31/10 avg (Madison & Chicago combined) from 3,764 reviews

Speed

Efficiency without taking unnecessary time to increase costs.

8.82/10 avg (Madison & Chicago combined) from 10,637 reviews

Friendliness

Was the moving crew cordial and friendly on moving day?

9.03/10 avg (Madison & Chicago combined) from 10,040 reviews

Will Hire Again

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

8.27/10 avg (Madison & Chicago combined) from 19,079 reviews

Professionalism

Did the moving crew behave professionally on moving day?

8.41/10 avg (Madison & Chicago combined) from 10,975 reviews

Conflict Handling

How well the company responds to accidents and issues.

4.12/10 avg (Madison & Chicago combined) from 2,355 reviews

Precision & Care

Were walls scratched? Did furniture get damaged or lost?

8.16/10 avg (Madison & Chicago combined) from 9,961 reviews

From Madison to Chicago: Comparable Neighborhoods at a Glance

• Downtown in Madison & River North in Chicago are both known for their local eateries & bustling nightlife
• Madison's Willy Street neighborhood & Chicago's Wicker Park both share hipster vibes & street art
• If you're moving from Monroe Street, check out Logan Square in the Chicago area for the quaint boutiques & cafes
• Do you enjoy Shorewood Hills' upscale residential areas & parks? You're sure to love Lincoln Park
• Move from Tenney-Lapham to Lakeview and continue to enjoy these neighborhood qualities: a mix of families & young professionals
• Atwood & Hyde Park are both known for their artsy atmosphere & university-adjacency
• Madison's University Heights neighborhood & Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood both have an academic atmosphere & local shops
• If you're moving from Sherman East, look into Andersonville for the diverse community & historic district
• Do you cherish living in Dudgeon-Monroe's bohemian vibe & live music? Move into Bucktown for something similar
• The similar vibes of Nakoma & Lincoln Square are both known for their village feel & diverse dining

Pros and Cons of Moving from Madison to Chicago

ConsMadison, WI

• Smaller city vibe
• Less diverse cuisine
• Fewer job opportunities
• Less cultural events
• Lower nightlife activity

ProsChicago, IL

• Larger urban area
• Wider food variety
• More job prospects
• Rich cultural scene
• Vibrant nightlife

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Chicago, IL

• More impersonal
• Poorer air quality
• More traffic congestion
• Higher cost of living
• Fewer green spaces

Madison, WI

• Close-knit community
• Better air quality
• Less traffic
• Lower cost of living
• More outdoor activities

Pros of moving from Madison to Chicago

• Say goodbye to smaller city vibe and hello to larger urban area
• Look forward to moving away from less diverse cuisine and moving to Chicago with wider food variety
• Swap the fewer job opportunities of Madison for more job prospects in Chicago
• Get ready for a rich cultural scene in Chicago

Cons of moving from Madison to Chicago

• Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a close-knit community in Madison to live with a more impersonal environment in Chicago
• You'll lose out on the pro of better air quality and have to settle for the con of poorer air quality
• Time to bid farewell to less traffic and get used to more traffic congestion in Chicago
• Swap a lower cost of living for a higher cost of living

Madison vs. Chicago: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

If you're moving from Madison to Chicago, you will be trading the iconic Cheese Curds of Madison for the equally delicious Deep-Dish Pizza of Chicago. And while the locals in Madison rave about their flavorful Bratwurst and sumptuous Fried Cheese Curds, Chicago residents know they have tasty Italian Beef and Hot Dogs to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Vegan Cheese Platter 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 Madison eateries like Lombardino's, Graze, and The Old Fashioned. After the boxes are unpacked in Chicago, don't wait too long before making your way to Chicago's acclaimed eateries like Giordano's, Portillo's, and Alinea.

When comparing lifestyles, Chicago shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Madison. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Chicago compared to what you are used to in Madison. 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 Madison favorites, but we've got you covered. If you loved L'Etoile, Forequarter, and Graze in Madison, we're sure you'll love Alinea, Longman & Eagle, and Girl & The Goat in Chicago. See our Chicago restaurant discovery table below to find the closest comparison restaurant to all of your cherished Madison hotspots. For example, if you enjoyed dining at Mickie’s Dairy Bar, head to Lou Mitchell's on your first Friday night after the boxes are unpacked.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Madison and Chicago

• The Prairie and Craftsman architecture that Madison is known for will be replaced with the Greystone and Bungalow architecture typical of Chicago.
• Compared to Madison's real estate listings that commonly reference proximity to lakes and spacious yards, Chicago real estate listings often highlight features like access to public transit and skyline views.
• Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Chicago is more walkable than Madison.
• You might want to think twice before moving your bike. Chicago is less bike-friendly than Madison.
• Chicago has more of an urban feel than Madison.
• Chicago housing costs are 24% less expensive than they are in Madison, with a median home price of $289,909 compared to Madison’s $380,800.
• Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Chicago have increased 17% compared to a 44% increase in Madison.
• Rent in Chicago is 37.34% more expensive than in Madison.

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 Madison and Chicago

• Break out the sunglasses for your move from Madison to Chicago. Chicago gets 1% more sunshine days than Madison.
• Chicago has lower humidity and a similar average UV index compared to Madison.
• Say goodbye to the possible snowstorms and tornadoes in Madison, but be on the lookout for potential snowstorms and tornadoes in Chicago.
• The average summer high temperature in Chicago is 1 degree warmer than in Madison.
• The average winter lows are 5 degrees warmer than they are in Madison.
• Your umbrella might be more overworked in Chicago since it receives 2 more inches of rain compared to Madison.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Madison and Chicago

• When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Chicago tend to earn about 1% less than in Madison
• The COLI in Chicago will be 22% higher than what you are used to living in Madison
• The state income tax in IL is 4.95 compared to 7.65 in WI
• The affluence in Chicago is high compared to moderate in Madison
• The poverty level is moderate in Chicago compared to low in Madison
• In terms of homelessness, it is low in Madison and high in Chicago

Political and Religious Climate in Madison vs. Chicago

• Madison 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 diverse, with a significant Catholic presence alongside other faiths
• Madison's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as mixed, with prominent Christian and non-religious communities

Madison vs. Chicago Traffic and Public Transit Considerations

• Bummer! Looks like you might end up spending about 55% more time stuck in traffic commuting to work in Chicago compared to your Madison commute. That's 6240 minutes lost each year in a car.
• You can expect traffic in Chicago to be worse than it is in Madison.
• Public transit is more readily available in Chicago.