Top movers in Chicago for Florida relocations, cost breakdowns, and what to expect when moving south. Real pricing and company reviews inside.
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If you're moving from Chicago to Florida, you're looking at roughly 1,200 miles south—a solid long-distance haul that'll take two to eight days depending on your mover and season. Let me walk you through the movers worth considering, what this move actually costs, and the lifestyle shift you're about to make.
Out of 68 Chicago-based moving companies licensed for interstate work, I've pulled the five with the strongest track records for the Chicago-to-Florida route:
Rating: 4.72 / 5 | Reviews: Yelp (412) | Google (1,556) | BBB Grade A+
The short version: 88% positive reviews, efficient crews, professional staff. The most common complaints are surprise fees and occasional damage, but they're infrequent enough that customers still rate the experience well.
H2H analyzed 640+ customer reviews and came out consistently strong on timeliness, care, and accurate pricing. Crews show up on time, finish ahead of schedule, and handle your stuff carefully. The downside: a small percentage report unexpected charges or damage claims that weren't resolved smoothly. But this is par for the course in the moving industry—what matters is that H2H delivers more often than they disappoint.
Services: Local and interstate moves, packing, unpacking, office relocations, specialty items (pianos, hot tubs, pool tables, art, antiques), crating, storage, and full-valuation coverage.
Contact: (773) 236-8797
Rating: 4.72 / 5 | Reviews: Yelp (25) | Google (33) | BBB Grade A+
The short version: 96% positive reviews. Fast, affordable, transparent pricing, and responsive staff. A few complaints about unexpected charges and damage, but rare.
Out of 247 reviewed moves, Alliance cleared 95.5% positive feedback. Their customers consistently praise speed, professionalism, respect for belongings, and clear communication. Pricing is transparent and scheduling is quick compared to competitors. The trade-off: some report surprise add-ons or last-minute price increases, so it pays to confirm all charges upfront before signing.
Services: Local and interstate moves, packing, unpacking, office relocations, specialty items (pianos, hot tubs, pool tables, art, antiques), crating, storage, full-valuation coverage.
Contact: (847) 378-4949
Rating: 4.66 / 5 | Reviews: Yelp (1,194) | Google (2,393) | BBB Grade A+
The short version: 92% positive. Efficient, professional, careful. A handful report damage or billing disputes, but most praise quick turnarounds and reliable communication.
New City's 1,451+ reviews paint a picture of a company that prioritizes speed and professionalism. Customers love crews that finish faster than expected and handle belongings carefully. The complaints (6%) center on damage, unexpected charges, or slow claims resolution. That said, 92% of people walk away satisfied—a solid margin above industry average.
Services: Local and interstate moves, packing, unpacking, office relocations, full-valuation coverage, storage, fragile-only packing.
Contact: (773) 489-0600
Rating: 4.64 / 5 | Reviews: Yelp (1,064) | Google (3,993) | BBB Grade A+
The short version: 93% positive. Reliable, careful crews. Rare damage. Straightforward booking and fair pricing. Some complaints about scratches and higher-than-expected final charges, but uncommon.
With 1,349 reviews analyzed, The Professionals rack up praise for efficiency, care, quick work, and professional teams. People appreciate on-time arrival, speedy completion, and the rarity of damage. Booking is straightforward, pricing is fair, and crews respect your property. Negative feedback is sparse—mostly about minor scratches or add-on fees—but it's there.
Services: Local and interstate moves, packing, unpacking, office relocations, specialty items (pianos, pool tables, art, antiques, grandfather clocks), crating, storage, full-valuation coverage.
Contact: (888) 225-7351
Rating: 4.72 / 5 | Reviews: Yelp (425) | Google (1,080) | BBB Grade A+
The short version: 68% positive. Fast, professional crews. Higher negative feedback (29%) than the others—mostly about damage, delivery delays on long-distance moves, and surprise charges.
STI earns marks for crew attitude and efficiency, but 29% of reviews flag problems: damage, delivery delays (especially on interstate moves), and billing surprises. If you choose STI, read their claims and delivery policies closely, especially since you're moving 1,200+ miles.
Services: Local and interstate moves, packing, unpacking, office relocations, specialty items (pianos, pool tables, art, antiques, grandfather clocks), crating, crane vans, storage, full-valuation coverage.
Contact: (847) 675-1223 | Hourly rate: $150/hr
Of the 68 licensed movers in the Chicago area, here's what's available:
If you're moving specialty items, you've got options. Ask any mover about crating, padding, and lead times before booking.
Here's the real picture based on a 1,213-mile move:
| Move Size | Full-Service Movers | Moving Containers | Rental Truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bed | $1,050 – $4,535 | $891 – $1,992 | $718 – $1,438 |
| 2–3 beds | $2,444 – $5,497 | $1,519 – $2,987 | $792 – $1,725 |
| 4+ beds | $4,361 – $7,749 | $2,181 – $4,119 | $985 – $1,924 |
What these ranges assume: Standard packing, no specialty items, typical fuel costs, and normal scheduling. Your actual price depends on move date (summer = higher), add-ons (packing, storage), access challenges (elevator, parking), and the mover's overhead.
Use the moving cost calculator to get personalized quotes from multiple movers.
A full-service move—where the company packs, loads, transports, and unloads—ranges from $1,050 for a studio to $7,749 for a four-bedroom home. You're paying for labor and expertise, so prices vary widely based on mover, season, and complexity.
Container services like PODS let you load at your own pace, store items if needed, and have the company deliver to Florida. Cost ranges from $891 (studio) to $4,119 (4+ beds). This option works best if you want flexibility without hiring a crew.
A U-Haul or similar rental truck is the budget option—$718 to $1,924 depending on size—but you're doing the driving and unloading. The low cost masks the real effort: 16 hours of driving over 2 days, plus physical labor. For most people moving 1,200 miles, a professional mover beats the hassle.
If you're worried about a financial shock in Florida, take a breath. The overall cost of living is nearly identical.
| Category | Chicago, IL | Florida |
|---|---|---|
| Avg. rent | $2,045/month | $1,444/month |
| Avg. home cost | $295,743 | $392,176 |
| Per capita income | $71,566 | $67,917 |
| Cost of living index | 106 | 102 |
| Unemployment rate | 9.0% | 2.9% |
| State income tax | 4.95% | 0% |
What this means for you:
Chicago summers hit 84°F with brutal winters at 19°F and 35 inches of snow annually. Florida averages 91°F summers and 49°F winters with zero snow. If you hate shoveling and ice, Florida is a straight upgrade. If you love seasonal change, you'll miss it.
Florida gets 55 inches of rain per year versus Chicago's 38 inches. Expect a greener landscape and more rainy days—pack an umbrella.
Chicago's population is 2.7 million in a heavily Democratic city (74-24). Florida is 22.6 million and leans Republican (51-48). The political culture will feel different if this matters to you.
Florida's crime index is 21.39; Chicago's is 35.19. Florida is materially safer, though crime varies by neighborhood in both states.
Why move to Florida:
Why you might regret leaving Chicago:
Any moving company you hire must be licensed with Florida's Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Check their official state regulator's website before booking.
If your building requires elevator reservation, book early—many don't accommodate last-minute requests. Some cities require truck parking permits; call your city's public works department to confirm.
Some neighborhoods have move-in day restrictions. Verify with your HOA before booking movers.
Fill out your USPS change of address form at least one week before moving. Set your official move date so mail forwarding starts smoothly.
Released Value Protection is standard and included at no cost—but it only covers 60 cents per pound per item. For full-value coverage, ask your mover about additional options or third-party insurance.
Use our moving checklist to make sure you've covered everything before departure.
Once you land, Florida has plenty to explore:
Museums: Wynwood Halls, The Ringling, Edison and Ford Winter Estates, The Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum, The Dali Museum
Parks: Dry Tortugas National Park, Everglades National Park, De Soto National Memorial, Fort Matanzas National Monument, Ocala National Forest
Sports: Miami Heat and Orlando Magic (NBA), Miami Marlins and Tampa Bay Rays (MLB), Jacksonville Jaguars (NFL)
Universities: University of Florida, Florida State University, University of South Florida, University of Central Florida, Florida International University
Two to eight days, depending on the mover and season. Summer moves are slower due to demand. Ask about delivery timeframe before booking.
Yes—46 Chicago movers offer crating. Ask about padding, materials, and lead times when requesting a quote.
29 Chicago movers accept cash, but it's not common. Most prefer card, ACH, or cashier's check for documentation. You'll typically pay a deposit upfront and the balance at pickup or after delivery.
If you need to ship your car from Illinois to Florida, hire professionals. Use the car shipping calculator to compare carriers.
You've got solid movers to choose from in Chicago. Get quotes from at least three companies—use the moving cost calculator to see personalized estimates. Compare pricing, services, and reviews, then book the one that fits your timeline and budget.
Moving 1,200 miles is a big step. Spend 30 minutes now getting quotes, and you'll save thousands and avoid a lot of stress.
