Boston, Massachusetts to Chicago, Illinois
Moving from Boston to Chicago
4,239 people made the Massachusetts to Illinois move in 2024.
Anthony BaleMoving industry professional, author and writerReviewed 23 September 2026
Moved last year
4,239
Massachusetts to Illinois, 2024
Cost of living
-5.5%
Illinois vs Massachusetts, US = 100
Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS state-to-state migration, 2024; BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
What it costs
Boston to Chicago moving cost
We do not print container or rental-truck prices for this lane: nobody publishes them with a source. Ask for them in writing if you are comparing.
Live numbers: US on-highway diesel $6.29 per gallon for the week of 2026-11-02 (EIA weekly US on-highway diesel via FRED GASDESW). A fuel surcharge on a long lane follows the diesel line; ask how the mover sets it.
Recent reviews
People who moved Massachusetts to Illinois
5 of 5 · 23 Sept 2025 · reported $2,980
“I moved out of state to take care of my aging parents. It was a long, emotional day, but the crew kept things moving without ever making me feel rushed. They were quiet, respectful, and careful with every piece. I appreciated not having to direct every step. They understood it was more than just a move.”
1 of 5 · 28 Jun 2022 · reported $1,800
“FRAUD FRAUD FRAUD FRAUD! THESE BROKERS ARE SCAM SCAM SCAM. PLEASE KEEP AWAY FROM THEM. THEY TOOK MOVING DESPOIT AMOUNT FROM ME BUT DIDN'T PROVIDE ANY SERVICE AND ALSO THEY ARE NOT RESPONDING TO CALLS AND EMAILS. PLEASE DON'T YOUR WASTE YOUR MONEY! THESE BROKERS WANT TO EARN MONEY BY DOING SCAM!…”
1 of 5 · 28 May 2022 · reported $3,000
“WARNING: DO NOT HIRE THIS COMPANY** It has taken me a few days to gather my thoughts after the month+ ordeal that these clowns (for lack of a better C word) put me through. I moved from Boston to Chicago and looked up a few quotes prior to engaging with Tony Cross from BQ Transport. Obviously when…”
Leaving Boston, arriving in Chicago.
| Boston | Chicago | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living (US = 100) | 105.8 | 100.0 |
| Median home sale price | $780,000 | $397,500 |
| Median days on market | 20 | 46 |
| Months of housing supply | 2.6 | 2.8 |
| State income tax on wages | Taxes wages | Taxes wages |
Sources: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024; Data provided by Redfin, a national real estate brokerage, read 1 Oct 2026; State revenue departments (wage tax, 2026).
When to go: in Massachusetts, the busiest month for home sales over the last year was Jun 2025 and the quietest was Feb 2026. Movers fill up on the same calendar; a mid-month weekday outside May to August is the cheaper slot. Check your date.
Source: Data provided by Redfin, a national real estate brokerage (Massachusetts homes sold by month).
Doing it yourself
Driving a rental truck from Boston to Chicago
The drive. Fuel below uses this week's EIA price and the low end of each brand's mpg, because a loaded truck does worse than the brochure.
- Studio10 to 12 ft truck380 to 450 cu ft. The smallest box truck. No ramp at any brand.
- 1 or 2 bedroom15 to 16 ft truck658 to 800 cu ft. The most rented size and the smallest with a ramp.
- 3 bedroom20 to 22 ft truck1,016 to 1,200 cu ft. U-Haul and Penske only; Budget skips from 16 to 26 ft.
- 4 bedroom26 ft truck1,682 to 1,700 cu ft. The largest you can drive on a regular licence.
Fuel is only part of a DIY move: add the rental, mileage or days, coverage, equipment, tolls, and your time.
Sources: Brand spec pages (U-Haul, Penske, Budget) (mpg and fuel type); US EIA weekly retail prices (week of 26 Oct 2026).
Next
Keep going
- Moving to Boston: costsLocal ranges and access at the loading end.
- Moving to Chicago: costsLocal ranges and access at the delivery end.
- Movers in BostonEvery mover there with dated reviews.
- Movers in ChicagoEvery mover there with dated reviews.
- Moving in MassachusettsWho regulates the move, and the top-rated movers there.
- Moving in IllinoisWho regulates the move, and the top-rated movers there.
- Local moversHourly crews, minimums, and travel time.
- What movers costWhat reviewers across the country reported paying.
- The 110% ruleWhat you can be made to pay on delivery day.
Other lanes from and to these cities
About Anthony Bale
A moving industry professional, author and writer. Anthony has been at different positions in the industry for the last 10 years, gaining significant knowledge on the relocation process. He himself has moved 6 times already, which helped him explore the other side of the moving process.
At Haulest he writes the US cost, hiring, and rights pages, reading the licensed review file every week so the numbers on the page are the numbers people reported.
Call for a written Boston to Chicago quote
From, then To. Date and home size after that. A person on the phone is faster if you already know the dates.
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