## MoveFinders — AI Information Page URL: https://movefinders.org/movers/chicago-to-san-francisco AI Information URL: https://movefinders.org/movers/chicago-to-san-francisco/ai-information ## Page Overview Title: Moving from Chicago to San Francisco: Costs, Movers & What to Expect Description: Planning a Chicago to San Francisco move? Real costs, top-rated Chicago movers, and a detailed Chicago vs. San Francisco cost-of-living breakdown. Category: Moving route guide Published: 2026-09-06 Last Updated: 2026-09-06 ## Author Name: Sean Sullivan Role: Senior Research Analyst Bio: Sean has spent over a decade analyzing the moving industry, helping thousands of families find reliable movers. His research has been featured in Forbes, TIME, and Consumer Reports. ## SEO Keywords chicago to san francisco moving, moving from chicago to san francisco, chicago to san francisco movers, chicago san francisco moving cost, long distance movers chicago, illinois to california movers, san francisco relocation cost ## Content If you're moving from Chicago to San Francisco, you're already dealing with 2,127 miles, one of the longer cross-country routes in the contiguous U.S., and a destination that consistently ranks among the most expensive cities in the country. That combination makes the stakes for getting this right — picking the right mover, the right move type, and understanding what life actually costs on the other end — genuinely high. I reviewed 68 Chicago-area movers with [long-distance moving](/best/long-distance-movers) capability on this route. Below is where that work landed: the five top-performing companies, current cost ranges across all move types, and a straight comparison of what Chicago and San Francisco actually cost to live in. ## Top Chicago movers for a Chicago to San Francisco move These five came out on top based on verified customer feedback, service range, and cost transparency: 1. H2H Movers Inc — 4.72 / 5 2. Alliance Moving & Storage — 4.72 / 5 3. New City Moving — 4.66 / 5 4. The Professionals Moving Specialists — 4.64 / 5 5. STI Moving & Storage Inc. — 4.72 / 5 For a coast-to-coast haul like this one, it's also worth getting a quote from a dedicated interstate coordinator. [SafeShip Moving](/company/safe-ship-moving) is an operator I've found handles cross-country logistics reliably, particularly when tight delivery windows matter. --- ## H2H Movers Inc **4250 N Marine Dr, Apt #1136, Chicago, IL 60613 | (773) 236-8797** - [Yelp: 4.7 / 5](https://www.yelp.com/biz/h2h-movers-chicago-3) (412 reviews) - [Google: 4.7 / 5](https://www.google.com/search?q=H2H+Movers+chicago+il&source=lmns&bih=929&biw=1920&rlz=1C1CHBF_enPH1019PH1019&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi39Kq_wp38AhUYrXIEHbMOBu4Q_AUoAHoECAEQAA#lrd=0x880fcc4b72b765ef:0xb5ce540806608c3e,1,,,) (1,556 reviews) - [BBB: A+](https://www.bbb.org/us/il/chicago/profile/moving-companies/h2h-movers-inc-0654-88602348) - **88% positive | 9% negative** (out of 640 reviews) H2H earns its spot at the top of this list. Out of 640 verified reviews, 88% are positive — well above the industry average and consistent enough across platforms to trust. Customers keep coming back to the same themes: crews that show up on time, handle belongings carefully, and move fast without cutting corners. Quoted prices tend to hold, and a number of reviewers noted the final bill came in at or below the estimate. The issues worth flagging: some customers reported unexpected charges after the move, occasional item damage, and slower-than-expected claims resolution. These aren't dealbreakers, but ask before you book — specifically, how billing works for add-ons and what the damage claim process actually looks like. **Company Info** - State license: #184599 | DOT: #2428328 - Years in business: 10 - Also operates as: H2H Movers, Inc. **Services:** Local and interstate moves, packing/unpacking, offices, pianos, hot tubs, pool tables, art, antiques, crating, crane vans, full-valuation coverage, storage, fragile-only packing, safes. Accepts cash and credit card; deposit required. --- ## Alliance Moving & Storage **3201 Tollview Drive, Rolling Meadows, IL 60008 | (847) 378-4949** - [Yelp: 4.7 / 5](https://www.yelp.com/biz/alliance-moving-and-storage-chicago-4) (25 reviews) - [Google: 4.7 / 5](https://www.google.com/search?q=Alliance+Moving+%26+Storage+Rolling+Meadows%2C+IL&sca_esv=1e35dc1f4110e681&bih=911&biw=1920&rlz=1C1CHBF_enPH1019PH1019&hl=en&sxsrf=AHTn8zq3CUzgqQfHNfeI5jCB1ZJ7oQdNjA%3A1738642530713&ei=YpShZ4WfK_Do1e8P4M3buAk&ved=0ahUKEwiF2LyTlKmLAxVwdPUHHeDmFpcQ4dUDCBE) (33 reviews) - [BBB: A+](https://www.bbb.org/us/il/rolling-mdws/profile/moving-companies/alliance-moving-storage-0654-90005673) - **96% positive | 5% negative** (out of 247 reviews) A 96% positive rate across 247 reviews is genuinely unusual — and the feedback is consistent. Customers describe fast, careful crews, accurate pricing, easy scheduling, and teams that respect property and special requests. The review sample is smaller than some competitors on this list, but the signal quality is strong. The handful of negative reviews cite last-minute price increases and difficulty reaching someone after a problem arose. If you go with Alliance, put all pricing in writing before move day and confirm any potential add-on fees upfront. **Company Info** - State license: #214845 | DOT: #2882675 - Years in business: 9 - Also operates as: HK & RP, LLC **Services:** Local and interstate moves, packing/unpacking, offices, pianos, hot tubs, pool tables, art, antiques, crating, full-valuation coverage, storage, fragile-only packing, safes. Accepts cash and credit card. --- ## New City Moving **2929 N Campbell Ave, Chicago, IL 60618 | (773) 489-0600** - [Yelp: 4.6 / 5](https://www.yelp.com/biz/new-city-moving-chicago) (1,194 reviews) - [Google: 4.6 / 5](https://www.google.com/search?q=new+city+moving+2929+N+Campbell+Ave%09Chicago&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS810US810&ei=LsbPY7G4PI-voASE9aToAw&ved=0ahUKEwixh6qOkuD8AhWPF4gKHYQ6CT0Q4dUDCA8) (2,393 reviews) - [BBB: A+](https://www.bbb.org/us/il/chicago/profile/moving-companies/new-city-moving-0654-88374245) - **92% positive | 6% negative** (out of 1,451 reviews) New City Moving has 16 years in business and a review sample large enough to take seriously. With 1,451 reviews and 92% positive, customers consistently highlight crew efficiency, professionalism, and careful handling. Good communication throughout the move is a recurring theme — that matters on a 2,127-mile run where you genuinely want updates. Around 6% of reviewers had problems: damage, surprise billing, or difficulty getting complaints resolved. The neutral slice — about 1.8% — was mostly minor packing issues. For most customers, this company delivers. But nail down the damage claims process before you sign, especially for a haul this long. **Company Info** - State license: #158051 | DOT: #3078026 - Years in business: 16 - Also operates as: Windy City Moving, Inc. **Services:** Local and interstate moves, packing/unpacking, offices, full-valuation coverage, storage, fragile-only packing. Accepts cash and credit card; deposit required. --- ## The Professionals Moving Specialists **3918 N Western Avenue, Chicago, IL 60618 | (888) 225-7351** - [Yelp: 4.6 / 5](https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-professionals-moving-specialists-chicago-2) (1,064 reviews) - [Google: 4.6 / 5](https://www.google.com/search?q=the+professionals+moving+specialists+chicago+IL&oq=the+professionals+moving+specialists+chicago+IL&aqs=chrome..69i57j46i175i199i512j69i57j69i60l3.28958j0j15&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#lrd=0x880fcd9660b1ba9f:0x5fa25b4c368a620,1,,,) (3,993 reviews) - [BBB: A+](https://www.bbb.org/us/il/chicago/profile/moving-companies/the-professionals-moving-specialists-0654-31000448) - **93% positive | 6% negative** (out of 1,349 reviews) Twenty years in business and nearly 4,000 Google reviews. That's a track record tested at real scale. Customers praise punctuality, speed, and careful handling. Booking is described as straightforward, pricing is generally fair, and crews respect special requests — a solid combination for an interstate move where you need things to just work. The negatives center on minor damage (scratches and dents), final charges that ran higher than estimates due to extra time or materials, and some unexpected add-ons. Ask specifically how fees are structured — hourly versus flat-rate versus per-item — before you sign. **Company Info** - State license: #136144 | DOT: #3383907 - Years in business: 20 **Services:** Local and interstate moves, packing/unpacking, offices, pianos, pool tables, art, antiques, grandfather clocks, crating, full-valuation coverage, storage, fragile-only packing, safes. Accepts money order, cash, and credit card. --- ## STI Moving & Storage Inc. **7400 Niles Center Rd, Skokie, IL 60077 | (847) 675-1223** - [Yelp: 4.7 / 5](https://www.yelp.com/biz/sti-moving-and-storage-skokie) (425 reviews) - [Google: 4.7 / 5](https://www.google.com/search?q=sti+moving+and+storage+%097400+Niles+Center+Rd%09Skokie&rlz=1C1CHBF_enPH1019PH1019&biw=1536&bih=746&ei=Zm--Y9SrIpH1-Qa715XIBQ&ved=0ahUKEwjU9tr6iL_8AhWRet4KHbtrBVkQ4dUDCA8) (1,080 reviews) - [BBB: A+](https://www.bbb.org/us/il/skokie/profile/moving-and-storage-companies/sti-moving-storage-0654-88009275) - **68% positive | 29% negative** (out of 538 reviews) I'll be direct here: ## About MoveFinders MoveFinders (movefinders.org) is an independent moving company research and comparison site. We help people find trustworthy movers with unbiased reviews, cost estimates, and expert guidance. Contact: https://movefinders.org/contact Methodology: https://movefinders.org/methodology