1st Move International is here to make your removals to Chicago seamless. Sitting on Lake Michigan, Chicago is one of the largest and most dynamic cities in the U.S. The city offers a unique blend of culture, career opportunities, and world-class amenities. From its iconic skyline to its thriving arts scene and diverse neighbourhoods, the Windy City has something for everyone.
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Chicago is a hub of opportunity, whether you're drawn to its booming job market in industries like finance, tech, and healthcare, or you’re excited about its vibrant food scene and historic architecture, you’ll find plenty to love. With top-ranked universities, stunning lakefront parks, and a strong sense of community, Chicago is an excellent place to call home.
Moving overseas can be overwhelming, but with 1st Move International, your move manager will be by your side throughout. With over 25 years of experience in the industry, we are proud to provide weekly shipments to Chicago, ensuring your belongings arrive safely and on time. Our Fast Track customs clearance and customs experts helps to ensure a stress-free international move to Chicago. Get a free, personalised quote by filling out our quick and easy form.
FREE QuoteInternational removals to Chicago costs £1,024 on average in 2025. This is the cost for a small move using a shared container service. If you’re moving from a large home, you can expect to pay around £4,608 for a 20ft shipping container for your items. Every move is different and will depend on specific requirements, size, and destination.
| Move Size | Shipping Method | Cost (GBP) |
|---|---|---|
| Small Move | Shared Container | From £1,024 |
| Medium Move (3-bed house) | 20ft Container | From £4,608 |
| Large Move (4-5 bed house) | 40ft Container | From £7,680 |
The costs listed are for port-to-port freight and do not include UK collection or packing costs.
To receive your personalised quote for your move to Chicago, you can either request a quick free quote here, or give us a call on 0117 9828 123.
At 1st Move International, we go above and beyond to make your move memorable.
Choose between our Shared Container Shipping or Full Container Shipping services for your removals to Chicago.
Most customers choose our Shared Container shipping service if they are moving the contents of a 2-3 bedroom home. Ideal for shipping small volumes, it’s also the most cost-effective way to ship overseas. You’ll be sharing container space with others, so you only pay for the space you use, and not the container. Your shipment will be shipped alongside commercial goods, guaranteeing a speedy process.
Select our Full Container Shipping service if you need to move a large volume of items, or if you’re moving from a 3+ bedroom property. This option means only your items are in the shipping container, giving you exclusive access to your own 20ft or 40ft shipping container. We ship items weekly and you can get them delivered right to your door in Chicago.
Our packing system is unique, using shrink-wrap to keep everything in one place and secure.
Take full advantage of a dedicated move manager, shipment protection options, and fast-track customs clearance when you use us for your move.
Find out what our Chicago movers have to say about our service.
S Tromans
Tavistock to Chicago IL, USAGreat customer service at all points of the process. Tom and Tessa were really helpful and removed all the stress. The moving guys showed up early and were quick and efficient.
A Christian
Smethwick to Chicago IL, USAThank you to everyone for helping make this possible and so easy! Special thanks to Dave Craddock for organising a miracle collection - much appreciated and will be recommending to everyone!
It takes around 12 days to move your items from the UK to Chicago. This is the time it takes to get to the port in New York, then you’ll need to factor in additional time for onward delivery to your address in Chicago. Collecting, packing, and loading in the UK also needs to be considered.
Chicago removals costs start from £1,024 for a small move shipping via shared container. For a larger 3-bedroom home move using a 20ft container, prices start from £4,608 and £7,680 for a 40ft container. All moves are unique and our accurate measurement system means your total cost is based on the exact amount you ship. To get a personalised quote, complete our form and we’ll send you a free tailored price.
The best time to move to Chicago weather-wise is late spring or early Autumn to benefit from cooler and more comfortable weather. You’ll want to avoid moving during the winter if you can, as Chicago winters are known for heavy snow, icy roads, and freezing temperatures. Off-peak times to move in Chicago, such as winter, may offer less competitive and lower-priced housing. Don’t worry though, 1st Move International operate our removal service year-round, so we can accommodate your moving plan whatever the season!
So we can get you swiftly moved to Chicago, we will ask for some important documents and forms from you. We can provide you with the forms and help you to complete them. Documents we need include:
We provide a safe space to upload all documents via our document transfer page.
Read our detailed customs guide for the USA to find out more.
Yes! All shipments can be tracked from the UK to Chicago with our container tracking tool. Once your shipment has been dispatched you’ll be able to track the movements with your unique tracking number.
The cost of living in Chicago is moderate compared to other U.S. cities, and like most places, you can find affordable areas and accommodation. If you’re moving to Chicago with a family, you’ll need to budget around £3,628 ($4,681) per month without factoring in rent or housing costs. If you’re moving alone, you’ll need around £1,000 ($1,290) per month plus rent. Living costs in Chicago are 20% lower than in London in the UK, but 21.8% higher than in Bristol for comparison.
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Chicago is more than just a city in Illinois, it’s a way of life. Whether you’re drawn by the legendary food scene, endless career opportunities, or the unbeatable summers, moving to the Windy City means stepping into a place rich with history, culture, and Midwestern grit. From towering skyscrapers to friendly neighbourhoods, Chicago offers a mix of big-city hustle and small-town community.
But what does it actually cost to live here? While rent and taxes can be steep in some areas, Chicago remains more affordable than coastal cities like New York or San Francisco. A solid public transit system means you don’t need a car, and if you can handle the winters, you’ll be rewarded with summers packed with street festivals, lakefront adventures, and baseball games at Wrigley Field.
Before you pack your bags, here are some key things to consider:
Moving to a new city is a big step, but Chicago has a way of making newcomers feel at home. Ready to start your next adventure? Check out our full guide on moving to Chicago!
Discover our faster & safer door-to-door removals services from the United Kingdom to the USA.
Everything you need to know about shipping furniture & personal effects from the UK to the USA.
We cover all the legalities of shipping household goods from the UK to the United States.
Whether you're looking for basic moving tips, city info, or full visa and immigration guides we've got you covered.
Get the latest information on UK to USA container shipping costs and American container ports.
We post up-to-date sailing schedule information and as part of our weekly shipping promise we'll tell you in advance what ship we can get your personal effects on.
We ship cars too. Get more information on our car shipping service.
Your life, carefully wrapped, beautifully packed, and protected for the journey ahead.
We are extremely proud of our unique packing process. We are the only international removals company in the UK that uses this tried and tested method to ship your treasured personal possessions overseas.
Visit our Facebook page to find a snapshot of each shipment captured as the final pallet is wrapped.
