If you're moving from Greenville, SC to Illinois, you're covering roughly 722 miles — far enough that your choice of mover carries real consequences. Full-service quotes range from just over $1,000 for a studio to nearly $7,000 for a large household. Where you land in that range depends on home size, timing, and which company you trust with your belongings.
I've looked at 18 Greenville-area movers capable of handling interstate work. Here are the five I'd put on a shortlist for a move to Illinois.
Local Moving Companies in Greenville
Out of 18 Greenville movers that handle state-to-state moves, these five rank highest for your move to Illinois:
- HD Auston Moving Systems — 4.64 / 5
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK — 4.62 / 5
- Carey Moving & Storage — 4.52 / 5
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving — 4.48 / 5
- All My Sons Moving & Storage — 4.42 / 5
HD Auston Moving Systems
200 Pate Drive, Greenville, SC 29609 88% positive | 12% negative
- Yelp reviews (15 reviews)
- Google reviews (217 reviews)
- BBB profile — Grade A+
4.6 / 5 | DOT #271654 | 79 years in business
Nearly eight decades of operation is hard to fake. Of 225 reviewed responses, close to 89% are positive — customers point to professional crews, careful handling, and responsive communication from booking through delivery. The most repeated compliment: furniture arrived undamaged. A minority of reviews flag packing quality issues and damaged or missing items. If you're moving fragile or high-value pieces, ask specifically how they approach packing before signing anything.
Services: Local, interstate, international, packing, unpacking, office moves, pianos, crating, storage. Accepts credit cards.
Phone: (864) 523-0559
TWO MEN AND A TRUCK
2731 White Horse Road, Greenville, SC 29611 86% positive | 14% negative
- Yelp reviews (40 reviews)
- Google reviews (930 reviews)
- BBB profile — Grade A+
4.6 / 5 | DOT #2527384 | 22 years in business | State license: 9664-B
The Greenville franchise backs up the national brand's reputation. Of 252 reviews, 86% are positive — customers consistently note professionalism, efficient service, and communication that makes a chaotic day feel manageable. The pain points are familiar for the chain: costs that came in above the estimate, some item damage, and difficulty reaching management when something went sideways. Get your estimate in writing and confirm exactly what's included before moving day.
Services: Local, interstate, packing, unpacking, pianos, storage, safes. Accepts credit cards.
Phone: (864) 474-6171
Carey Moving & Storage
1 Shelter Drive, Greer, SC 29650 72% positive | 27% negative
- Yelp reviews (13 reviews)
- Google reviews (124 reviews)
- BBB profile — Grade A+
4.5 / 5 | DOT #076235 | 117 years in business | State license: 2973
117 years in business is notable, and Carey's on-the-day performance holds up: efficient, friendly, organized crews account for the 72% positive rate. The concern is the 27% negative share, which is meaningfully higher than the top-rated options on this list. Complaints cluster around damaged items on long-distance jobs, missing belongings, and slow or unsatisfactory claims resolution. If you're moving a houseful of furniture 700+ miles, understand their claims process before you hand over your stuff.
Services: Local, interstate, international, packing, unpacking, office moves, crating, storage, safes. Accepts credit cards.
Phone: (864) 877-6683
College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving
114 Clair Dr, Piedmont, SC 29673 92% positive | 8% negative
- Yelp reviews (25 reviews)
- Google reviews (758 reviews)
- BBB profile — Grade A+
4.4 / 5 | DOT #2378173 | 6 years in business | State license: 9860
A 92% positive rate is one of the highest I've seen among Greenville-area operators. Of 248 reviews, 91.5% are favorable — reviewers highlight punctuality, respectful crews, and fair pricing. Booking is easy. The negative reviews, under 10%, point to occasional damages, late arrivals, and unexpected charges. One important caveat: College Hunks does not list interstate moves among their services, so confirm they can manage the full Greenville-to-Illinois haul before you schedule anything.
Services: Local, packing, unpacking, office moves, storage. Accepts credit cards.
Phone: (336) 810-1801
All My Sons Moving & Storage
211 Fairforest Way, Greenville, SC 29607 46% positive | 54% negative
- Yelp reviews (198 reviews)
- Google reviews (2,781 reviews)
- BBB profile — Grade A
4.4 / 5 | DOT #902281 | 26 years in business | State license: 9715-G
I'll be direct: a 54% negative review rate is a red flag, and the pattern across those reviews is consistent. Out of 400+ responses, moving-day crews often earn praise — professional, efficient, helpful. That's the positive half. But costs frequently exceed initial estimates, with customers blindsided by charges for travel time, packing supplies, or rounding of hours. Damaged or missing items and unresponsive claims handling show up repeatedly as complaints. If you hire them, get everything in writing and document your belongings thoroughly before they touch anything.
Services: Local, interstate, international, packing, unpacking, office moves, pianos, antiques, crating, storage, safes. Accepts credit cards. Deposit required.
Phone: (864) 383-0630
Local Moving Services in Greenville, SC
Here's a quick breakdown of specialty services available among Greenville movers for interstate work:
| Service | # of Movers | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| Interstate | 14 | 77.78% |
| Small moves | 9 | 50.0% |
| Antiques | 6 | 33.33% |
| Art | 7 | 38.89% |
| Pianos | 9 | 50.0% |
| Fragile-only packing | 4 | 22.22% |
If you have specialty items — art, antiques, instruments — confirm that capability directly with your mover before booking. Not all 14 interstate operators offer the same add-ons.
Cost to Move from Greenville, SC to Illinois
Based on a 722-mile distance, here's what you can expect depending on home size and how you want to move. Use the moving cost calculator to dial in a more precise figure for your specific load.
| Move size | Full-service movers | Moving containers | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,089 – $3,607 | $702 – $1,701 | $469 – $945 |
| 2–3 bedrooms | $1,985 – $5,263 | $1,265 – $2,552 | $548 – $1,144 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,659 – $6,942 | $1,643 – $3,283 | $667 – $1,294 |
Estimates based on pricing data as of January 2026. Your final quote will vary based on home size, access conditions, fuel, timing, and optional services. Always compare at least three estimates.
Cost to Hire Movers from Greenville to Illinois
Full-service movers for a studio or one-bedroom run $1,089 to $3,607. Two to three bedrooms fall in the $1,985–$5,263 range. A large four-bedroom-or-more move climbs to $3,659–$6,942.
That's a wide band — and it reflects real variance in how companies price this route. Long-distance movers price differently depending on whether they run a dedicated truck or consolidate your load with other shipments, so it pays to ask.
Cost of Moving Containers from Greenville to Illinois
Moving containers let you pack on your own timeline without driving the truck yourself. A small load from Greenville typically runs $702–$1,701. Two to three bedrooms: $1,265–$2,552. Larger households should budget $1,643–$3,283. Prices vary by container company and delivery window, so shop at least two providers.
Cost of Rental Trucks from Greenville to Illinois
Rental trucks are the most affordable option, but you're handling loading, unloading, and 700+ miles of driving yourself. A studio or one-bedroom load runs $469–$945 including estimated fuel. Two to three bedrooms: $548–$1,144. Larger households: $667–$1,294.
That savings can evaporate quickly if you factor in your time, a helper or two on each end, and the physical toll of a long DIY move. Worth the trade-off for some people — just run the math honestly first.
Factors Influencing Moving Costs from Greenville to IL
A few variables will push your quote up or down:
- Home size: More belongings means more truck space, more labor hours, and a higher bill.
- Time of year: Summer is peak season in the South. Fall and winter moves typically cost less if your schedule allows flexibility.
- DIY vs. professional movers: Going the budget route and doing it yourself saves money but demands significantly more effort. On a 722-mile move, that trade-off is worth thinking through carefully.
What You Should Know Before Moving from Greenville to IL
Compare Cost of Living: Greenville vs. Illinois
Moving from South Carolina to Illinois, the overall cost picture is competitive — but some specific categories shift enough to notice.
| Greenville, SC | Illinois | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent | $1,551 | $1,179 |
| Average home cost | $317,341 | $249,224 |
| Per capita income | $72,000 | $78,433 |
| Cost of living index | 91 | 90 |
| Unemployment rate | 2.7% | 5.3% |
| State income tax | 7.0% | 4.95% |
Sources: World Population Review, Zillow, US Census Bureau, US BLS, Tax Foundation, Zumper, Numbeo
- Rent is about 24% lower in Illinois — meaningful room in your monthly budget.
- Home prices are roughly 21% cheaper in Illinois, which matters significantly if you're buying.
- Per capita income runs about 9% higher in Illinois, which helps offset other costs.
- Cost of living index is nearly identical (91 vs. 90), so day-to-day budget impact will be modest.
- Unemployment rate is nearly double — 5.3% vs. 2.7% — worth factoring in if you're job-hunting rather than transferring.
- State income tax is lower in Illinois (4.95% vs. 7.0% in South Carolina), which puts more of each paycheck back in your pocket.
How Life Is Different in Greenville, SC vs. Illinois
| Greenville, SC | Illinois | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 70,720 | 12,549,689 |
| Political leaning | Republican 58-40 | Democratic 55-45 |
| Summer high | 90°F | 86°F |
| Winter low | 31°F | 17°F |
| Annual rain | 51″ | 40″ |
| Annual snow | 3″ | 22″ |
| Crime index | 38.56 | 19.7 |
Sources: US Census Bureau, 270TOWIN, NeighborhoodScout, BestPlaces, Wikipedia, Walk Score, AirNow
The population jump is substantial — from a city of 70,000 to a state anchored by Chicago's 2.7 million. A few things worth calling out specifically:
- Winter is a different animal. Illinois bottoms out around 17°F versus Greenville's 31°F. Add 22 inches of annual snow (versus 3 in Greenville) and you're looking at a real seasonal adjustment — higher heating bills, a winter driving learning curve, and more seasonal prep work.
- Summers are slightly milder. Illinois peaks around 86°F versus Greenville's 90°F. Modest difference, but you'll likely see lower cooling costs.
- Less rainfall. Illinois averages 40 inches annually compared to Greenville's 51 — more consistent outdoor weather year-round.
- Political shift. Illinois leans Democratic 55-45; Greenville runs Republican 58-40.
- Lower crime index. Illinois comes in at 19.7 versus 38.56 in Greenville — a meaningful gap across most neighborhoods.
Other Considerations When Moving to Illinois
A few logistics worth handling before you cross the state line:
- HOA rules: If your new community has an HOA, confirm any moving-day restrictions before you schedule crews.
- Elevator reservation: Moving into a multi-story building? Reserve the elevator in advance — most buildings require it and slots fill up.
- Truck parking permits: Some Illinois municipalities require permits for oversized vehicles. Check with your destination city before move day to avoid delays.
- State licensing: The Illinois Commerce Commission regulates intrastate movers. Companies need a valid Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity to operate legally. Verify your mover's license is current before signing anything.
- Moving permits: Illinois doesn't require a statewide moving permit, but local parking regulations still apply — check in advance.
- Change of address: Submit your USPS change of address at least a week before your move. Set a specific forward date so mail routes correctly from day one.
- Moving insurance: Basic Released Value Protection covers just 60 cents per pound — nearly meaningless on a long-distance move with real furniture. Ask your mover about Full Value Protection, or get a quote from a third-party insurer if you have items worth protecting.
- Moving checklist: Use our moving checklist to stay organized across the dozens of tasks that tend to pile up in the final weeks.
Things to Do in Illinois
Whether you're drawn to Chicago or the quieter parts of the state, Illinois has enough variety across seasons and interests to make the transition worthwhile.
Museums in Illinois
- The Art Institute of Chicago
- Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
- Caterpillar Visitors Center
- Lincoln Home National Historic Site
- Museum of Hummels
Parks in Illinois
- Starved Rock State Park
- Matthiessen State Park
- Illinois Beach State Park
- Pere Marquette State Park
- Kankakee River State Park
Sports Teams in Illinois
- Chicago Cubs (MLB)
- Chicago White Sox (MLB)
- Chicago Bulls (NBA)
- Chicago Sky (WNBA)
- Chicago Bears (NFL)
Universities in Illinois
- University of Chicago
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Northwestern University
- University of Illinois at Chicago
- Northern Illinois University
FAQ
How long does a move from Greenville to Illinois take?
Typically one to six days, depending on the service and your specific route. Full-service movers operate on their own delivery windows, and summer moves can stretch timelines due to high demand. Confirm your delivery window in writing before signing the contract — vague timelines lead to avoidable frustration.
How many Greenville movers provide custom crating for art or antiques?
Ten movers in the Greenville area offer custom-built crating for fragile, high-value, or oddly shaped items like artwork, antiques, and electronics. Not all advertise it prominently — ask directly if that's a requirement for your move.
What is the best way to get a car from Greenville to Illinois?
Auto transport is the practical choice for a 700-mile move if you're not driving the car yourself. Look for carriers with solid FMCSA credentials, clear damage liability policies, and a physical address you can verify. Get quotes from at least two or three companies before committing.
Why are people moving from Greenville to Illinois?
The main pull is Chicago — economic opportunity, career breadth, and a major city with the infrastructure to match. Illinois also offers lower housing costs, higher average incomes, and a lower state income tax rate than South Carolina, which makes the financial case reasonably clear for the right candidate.
Where can I find long-distance moving companies in Greenville?
Start with the five companies above. For a broader comparison, our guide to the best long-distance movers covers vetted options beyond the local market. On a move this size, getting at least three quotes is worth the hour it takes.
Do movers in Greenville, SC accept cash?
Four of the 18 Greenville movers accept cash. That said, traceable payment methods are industry standard for good reason — they protect you if a billing dispute comes up later. Most companies require a deposit to secure your booking, with the balance due at pickup or delivery. Confirm payment terms before you sign anything.