Moving from Chicago, IL to Houston, TX
1,113 miles across a state line, from Illinois into Texas, so the federal interstate rules apply from the first quote.
Measured driving distance. Prices from our published model, not quotes.
In short
Moving from Chicago, IL to Houston, TX covers 1,113 miles and is an interstate move. Full-service movers cost $5,009 – $6,678 for a two-bedroom home in our model, delivered in 3 to 7 days. About 1,491 people a year move between the two counties (Census).
The route
At 1,113 miles between Illinois and Texas, this sits in the range where carriers differ most. Some run it dedicated with a firm date; others consolidate it with other shipments and quote a window of 3 to 7 days. The price gap between those two is real — a two-bedroom home runs $5,009 – $6,678 full-service — so ask which one you are buying.
- Move type
- Interstate move
- Driving
- 3 days on the road (about 20 hours of driving)
- Usually moves on
- either a dedicated truck or a consolidated load
- Book ahead
- 4 to 6 weeks
Cost of moving from Chicago to Houston
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $3,756 – $5,009 | $2,705 – $3,606 | $1,803 – $2,404 |
| 1 bedroom | $4,508 – $6,010 | $3,246 – $4,327 | $2,164 – $2,885 |
| 2 bedrooms | $5,009 – $6,678 | $3,606 – $4,808 | $2,404 – $3,205 |
| 3 bedrooms | $5,760 – $7,680 | $4,147 – $5,529 | $2,765 – $3,686 |
| 4 bedrooms | $6,511 – $8,681 | $4,688 – $6,251 | $3,125 – $4,167 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $7,513 – $10,017 | $5,409 – $7,212 | $3,606 – $4,808 |
Transport only, for 1,113 miles, from our published model: distance × home-size factor × service rate, shown as −10% to +20% around the base figure. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items sit on top. How we price it.
Worked example: a two-bedroom home, Chicago to Houston
1,113 miles × 2.0 (two-bedroom size multiplier) × $2.50 (full-service rate) = $5,565. The range runs 10% under that to 20% over: $5,009 to $6,678, transport only. Every parameter is on the methodology page; moving cost per mile explains why the rate falls with distance.
How many people move from Chicago to Houston
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates that about 1,491 people a year (±537) moved from Cook County, IL, home to Chicago, to Harris County, TX, home to Houston. Going the other way: about 846 people a year (±295). Movers from Cook County make up 0.9% of the 161,852 people a year who moved into Harris County from another county or state.
At state level, the 2024 survey counts about 23,509 people a year (±4,417) moving from Illinois to Texas and about 18,189 people a year (±3,474) from Texas to Illinois — a net gain for Texas of about 5,320 people a year.
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| DuPage County, IL | 21,050 ±1,662 |
| Will County, IL | 12,267 ±1,138 |
| Lake County, IL | 11,414 ±1,215 |
| Lake County, IN | 9,145 ±1,341 |
| Kane County, IL | 8,885 ±1,239 |
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| Fort Bend County, TX | 18,579 ±2,596 |
| Montgomery County, TX | 10,582 ±1,455 |
| Galveston County, TX | 8,597 ±1,326 |
| Brazoria County, TX | 8,258 ±1,347 |
| Bexar County, TX | 4,773 ±970 |
Licensed movers at each end
154 household-goods carriers with interstate authority are based within 30 miles of Chicago (245 counting those licensed only inside Illinois). 81 of them had a roadside inspection in the last 24 months, and 20.3% of their 615 vehicle inspections ended with a truck put out of service. The largest by registered fleet:
| Carrier | Based in | Size | Inspections, 24 mo | Vehicle out of service |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New World Van Lines IncUSDOT 258748 | Chicago · 11 mi | 204 trucks | 201 | 14.7% of 129 |
| National Van Lines IncUSDOT 76628 | Broadview · 12 mi | 174 trucks | 143 | 32.1% of 78 |
| New City Moving & Storage LLCUSDOT 4020807 | Chicago · 6 mi | 82 trucks | 17 | 25.0% of 8 |
| Complete Moving IncUSDOT 4017704 | Arlington Heights · 25 mi | 80 trucks | 240 | 19.9% of 186 |
| Em Transfer Services IncUSDOT 2914046 | Addison · 20 mi | 36 trucks | 41 | 33.3% of 15 |
| Hollander International Storage and Moving Company IncUSDOT 131735 | Elk Grove Village · 22 mi | 23 drivers | 5 | 0.0% of 1 |
How these figures are calculated
At the Houston end
For a local crew after delivery, the largest licensed carriers within 30 miles of Houston: 3 Men Movers (Houston, 95 trucks), G and S Moving & Storage (Houston, 35 trucks), Max Movers Inc (Houston, 32 trucks), K C Salley Relocation (Houston, 23 trucks).
Rules that apply to this move
Because the truck crosses from Illinois into Texas, 49 CFR Part 375 applies: a written estimate before loading, no more than 110% of a non-binding estimate collected at delivery, and full-value protection unless you choose released value in writing. See binding vs non-binding estimates and valuation explained.
Before you book Chicago to Houston
Ask: dedicated or consolidated?
This is the distance where carriers split. A dedicated truck costs more and delivers on a date; a consolidated load costs less and delivers in a window. Decide which you are buying before you compare prices.
Get it binding or not-to-exceed
A non-binding estimate is a guess with no ceiling. On 1,113 miles the gap between a guess and a weighed load is measured in four figures.
Arriving in Houston
A local move inside Houston later — across town, out of temporary housing — is billed by the hour: about $445 – $733 for a two-bedroom home and $741 – $1,344 for three bedrooms. The nearest cities we cover from Houston are Austin (about 171 mi), Corpus Christi (about 216 mi), San Antonio (about 221 mi).
Other routes from Chicago
All routes from Chicago, nearest first.
| Route | Distance | 2-bedroom, movers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago to Milwaukee, WI | ~95 mi | $475 – $775 |
| Chicago to Madison, WI | ~142 mi | $639 – $852 |
| Chicago to Grand Rapids, MI | ~146 mi | $657 – $876 |
| Chicago to Peoria, IL | ~152 mi | $684 – $912 |
| Chicago to Fort Wayne, IN | ~163 mi | $734 – $978 |
| Chicago to Indianapolis, IN | ~192 mi | $864 – $1,152 |
| Chicago to Lansing, MI | ~195 mi | $878 – $1,170 |
| Chicago to Springfield, IL | ~208 mi | $936 – $1,248 |
Also moving to Houston: from Austin, TX, from San Antonio, TX, from Corpus Christi, TX, from Lafayette, LA.
Chicago to Houston moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from Chicago to Houston?
From our published model, full-service movers over 1,113 miles cost about $3,756 – $5,009 for a studio, $5,009 – $6,678 for a two-bedroom home and $5,760 – $7,680 for a three-bedroom home, transport only; packing, storage and specialty items are extra.
How long does a move from Chicago to Houston take?
The drive is 3 days on the road (about 20 hours of driving), but the move usually takes 3 to 7 days because it moves on either a dedicated truck or a consolidated load, depending on the carrier and the season. Ask for the delivery window in writing. Book ahead: 4 to 6 weeks, 6 to 8 in summer.
What is the cheapest way to move from Chicago to Houston?
Loading a freight trailer yourself: about $2,404 – $3,205 for a two-bedroom home, against $5,009 – $6,678 with full-service movers; a moving container is $3,606 – $4,808.
Do I need an interstate-licensed mover for Chicago to Houston?
Yes. Chicago is in Illinois and Houston is in Texas, so the carrier needs active FMCSA interstate authority (an MC number) as well as a USDOT number. 154 listed movers within 30 miles of Chicago hold it.
How many people move from Chicago to Houston each year?
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates about 1,491 people a year (margin of error ±537) moved from Cook County, which contains Chicago, to Harris County, which contains Houston.
Sources for this page
The published cost model; US Census Bureau ACS migration flows (± is the 90% margin of error); the FMCSA Motor Carrier Census and Safety Measurement System; 49 CFR Part 375. Data last refreshed September 24, 2026.