Are you planning a major life change, trading in your hot, desert “Valley of the Sun” for the “Windy City”? If you’re moving from Phoenix to Chicago you’re gaining three extra seasons, easy access to lakes and rivers, and a wide variety of architectural options to choose from versus the cookie-cutter tract homes so popular in Phoenix.
While many reasons for relocating are exciting, long-distance, interstate moves are also overwhelming and scary. There is so much planning and work to make a cross-country move, you probably have a ton of questions! How much will it cost to move from Phoenix to Chicago? Can you afford to live in Chicago? This article lists everything you should know about the benefits of moving to Chicago and how the best Phoenix to Chicago movers can help you.
Table of Contents
What Moving to Chicago is Like
Chicago has the largest population in the Midwestern United States and is the third-most populous city in the country, following New York City and Los Angeles. Chicago borders the freshwater Lake Michigan and is probably best known for its architecture, deep-dish pizza, and Wrigley Field.
One of the first adjustments you’ll need to make is the difference in the climate. Chicago experiences four distinct seasons with hot and humid summers and cold and snowy winters. Many people move to Chicago to gain the benefits of four seasons. While you’re used to 300 days of sunshine in Phoenix, Chicago has long winters that sometimes experience northeast winds and lake-effect snowstorms and blizzard conditions.
The second thing you’ll need to adjust to is the number of people – the population of Phoenix is 1,708,127 while Chicago packs in a million more with a population of 2,677,643. But the biggest adjustment is probably the cost of living in Chicago versus Phoenix. If you’re earning $60,000 in Phoenix, you’ll need to earn $65,628 in Chicago to maintain your lifestyle because the cost of living is 9.4% higher. Interestingly though, home and rent prices in Chicago tend to be lower than in Phoenix, at $1,076 for a one-bedroom apartment compared to $1,477 in Phoenix. The median home price in Chicago is $314,000 while it’s at $417,000 in Phoenix. Also somewhat surprising is how close the median household income is for people in both cities, $57,459 for Phoenix residents and $58,247 for Chicago.
Benefits of Moving from Phoenix to Chicago
Why are you thinking about moving from Phoenix to Chicago? Whether you’re relocating for a new job, job transfer, college, or to get a fresh start, there are many benefits to living in Chicago.
If you’re looking for Phoenix to Chicago movers for potential new employment, Chicago’s job market is competitive but offers numerous opportunities to grow your career or start a new one. Chicago has the second-largest business district in the US with the Chicago Stock Exchange, Chicago Board Options Exchange, and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange and there are over 60 Fortune 1000 companies and 12 Fortune 500 companies in the city. The city is also home to the third-largest labor pool in the US with 4.63 million workers, three Dow 30 companies, Boeing, and McDonald’s. A growing number of internet startup companies are also relocating their corporate headquarters to Chicago, like CareerBuilder, Groupon, Grubhub, and Basecamp.
Chicago’s public transportation system is one of the best in the world, making it possible to live a car-free lifestyle if you like. Phoenix’s public transportation system is not as developed or available as Chicago, thanks to the Chicago Transit Authority, bike lanes, Chicago L train lines (some underground, some elevated, and some street-level) and an abundance of taxis.
View this post on Instagram
Phoenix to Chicago Movers
Moving to the Windy City doesn’t need to be a completely overwhelming or stressful event when you hire expert Phoenix to Chicago moving companies to help. Here are just some of the advantages of hiring professionals to help with your long distance move:
- No need to lift heavy boxes or furniture or worry about getting large items down narrow hallways or stairs
- No need to spend weeks packing boxes and worrying about your favorite items getting broke during transit
- No need to stress about finding enough boxes and packing materials, we can provide it all for you
- Everything loaded into the moving truck efficiently and faster than you could do it yourself
- All furniture and fragile items protected from damage during packing and transport to your new home
- No need to drive the truck with all of your belongings to your new destination – our licensed professionals take care of it for you
- Storage of your items in Phoenix or in Chicago if needed
- No need to unpack the truck and assembling all of your furniture in your new home
With experienced and affordable Phoenix to Chicago movers, you avoid the stress of driving cross-country and dealing with the city’s crowded streets.
Why Mentors Moving is Your Best Phoenix to Chicago Moving Company Choice
Don’t hire a fly-by-night company to help you with a complicated cross-country move to Chicago from Phoenix. You want to hire licensed, insured, and background checked companies that have proven experience with successful interstate relocations. The company you choose should have a low claims rate, positive reviews from previous customers, trained employees instead of temporary help, and all the equipment and services you need, including:
- Newer and properly maintained, 53’ professional moving trucks
- Straps
- Protective furniture blankets
- Extra boxes
- Tape and shrink wrap
Mentors Moving & Storage completes over 1,200 moves each year, with years of experience successfully relocating families between Phoenix and Chicago. Our team of top-rated movers go through a 160 hour training program before putting their experience to work to make your journey to your new home as pain-free as possible.
With our extensive long-distance move experience, 5-star Google and Facebook reviews, and our upfront and affordable pricing, you can depend on Mentors Moving & Storage for an easy and stress-free relocation.
Phoenix to Chicago Moving Cost
What does it cost to move from Phoenix to Chicago? Relocation fees depend on the details of your situation. Mentors Moving & Storage provides free estimates after taking the following into consideration:
- Miles traveled
- Moving dates
- Volume of items to relocate
- Accessibility of current and new home
- Services ordered
- Whether you need storage or not
When you’re ready to get the moving price, give us a call and we’ll do an in-home assessment to personalize your quote.
Phoenix to Chicago Distances & Travel Information
On the moving date, your belongings are picked up in Phoenix to begin their journey with our talented relocation team to Chicago. Once your belongings are on their way, you need to get yourself to Chicago, too!
The distance from Phoenix to Chicago is 1,752 miles, which is a 25 hour drive. Here’s what your trip looks like:
If you’re not bringing a car and looking to live the car-free life in Chicago, you could get a flight. How much is a plane ticket from Phoenix to Chicago? You can find non-stop flights for about $70 and be in your new city within about 3 hours.
Or, you could turn the trip into an adventure and take Amtrak from Sky Harbor Apt, Terminal 4 in Phoenix to Union Station in Chicago for about $195. It takes over 2 days, but you can get a bedroom and travel in comfort while enjoying the cross-country scenery from inside the railcar.
Armed with all of this information should make moving from Phoenix to Chicago a little less frightening now that you have a better idea of what to expect! Ready to go? Call the top Phoenix to Chicago movers at Mentors Moving & Storage today to see how we can help you with your long-distance relocation.
