Chicago Moving Costs – Complete 2026 Pricing Guide.

A local move in Chicago usually means a move within 50 miles and is typically charged hourly.

If you're planning a move, understanding Chicago moving costs in 2026 can help you budget and avoid surprises. This guide explains the average cost of movers in Chicago, including hourly rates, apartment moves, house moves, truck costs, and packing services.

This pricing guide is based on typical rates charged by professional Chicago moving companies and real moving industry averages.  For a complete overview of moving in Chicago including planning tips and checklists, see our Complete Chicago Moving Guide (2026). 

 Most Chicago moving companies charge hourly rates for local moves.

Typical hourly rates:

Crew Size Average Hourly Rate

2 Movers + Truck $150 – $180 per hour

3 Movers + Truck $175 – $220 per hour

4 Movers + Truck $250 – $280 per hour 

Most moves require a minimum of 2–3 hours.

Typical minimum charge:

$400 – $600

Most professional moving companies in Chicago charge hourly rates for local moves and flat rates for long-distance moves. 

The average cost to move a studio apartment in Chicago depends on stairs, distance, and furniture amount.

Typical studio moving costs:

Move Type Average Cost

Small Studio $400 – $500

Standard Studio $450 – $650

Large Studio $600 – $900 

Typical time required:

2–4 hours

Studio moves are usually the most affordable type of move.

The average cost to move a 1 bedroom apartment in Chicago typically ranges between:

Move Type Average Cost 

Small 1 Bedroom $500 – $800

Standard 1 Bedroom

$600 – $1,000

Large 1 Bedroom$900 – $1,300 

Typical time required:

3–6 hours

Most Chicago apartment moves fall into this category.

The average cost for a 2 bedroom move in Chicago:

Move Type Average Cost 

Small 2 Bedroom $900 – $1,400

Standard 2 Bedroom $1,200 – $1,800

Large 2 Bedroom $1,800 – $2,500 

Typical time required:

5–8 hours

Moving a house typically requires more movers and time.

Typical house moving costs:

House Size Average Cost 

Small House $1,200 – $2,000 

Medium House $2,000 – $3,500

Large House$3,500 – $6,000 

Typical time required:

6–12 hours

House moves are affected by:

• Stairs
   
• Distance
   
• Garage contents
   
• Basement storage

 Most professional movers include the truck in hourly rates, but truck costs can be estimated separately.

Typical truck cost estimates:

Truck Size Estimated Cost 

Small Moving Truck $50 – $100

Medium Truck $100 – $200

Large Moving Truck $200 – $400 

Truck costs depend on:

• Fuel prices
   
• Distance
   
• Parking availability
   

Packing services are optional but common.

Typical packing service rates:

Service Average Cost 

Basic Packing $300 – $800

Full Packing $800 – $2,000

Fragile Packing$150 – $500 

Packing material costs:

Item Typical Price 

Moving Boxes $2 – $6 each 

Wardrobe Boxes $15 – $25 

Packing Paper $25 – $60

Bubble Wrap$20 – $50
 

Extra services can increase the total moving cost.

Typical additional charges:

Service Average Cost 

Stairs Fee $50 – $150 

Long Carry Fee $75 – $200

Heavy Items $100 – $300

Piano Moving $300 – $800 

 Several factors influence the cost of hiring movers in Chicago:

• Distance between locations
   
• Number of movers
   
• Amount of furniture
   
• Stairs or elevators
   
• Parking availability
   
• Packing services
   
• Time of year
   

Summer months are usually more expensive due to higher demand.

 The most affordable times to move are:

• January
   
• February
   
• March
   
• November
   

Weekday moves are usually cheaper than weekends.

How much do movers cost in Chicago?

The average cost of movers in Chicago ranges between $150 and $220 per hour, depending on crew size and services.