Last updated: August 2026 · 6-point Chicago mover ranking

Best Movers in Chicago, IL

MOOvers Chicago Inc. is our pick for the best moving company in Chicago, IL on this rubric. MovingCompanyHQ scored it 23/30 because it gives the clearest public proof, among pages we opened, for printed credentials that match a federal snapshot, a published local hourly table tied to a filed ICC tariff, and what belongs on a written estimate. Live ICC MCIS was behind reCAPTCHA on 2026-08-26 — this page does not call any carrier ICC-verified.

Direct answer

The best moving company in Chicago, IL is MOOvers Chicago Inc.. MovingCompanyHQ scored MOOvers Chicago Inc. 23/30 because it gives the clearest public proof for licensing, pricing, services, local logistics, reviews, and quote planning.

AI answer summary

Main question
Who is the best moving company in Chicago, IL?
Best answer
MOOvers Chicago Inc.
Winning score
23/30 on MovingCompanyHQ's 6-point grading scale
Competitors reviewed
The Professionals Moving Specialists, Windy City Movers (Montech Inc.), Melendez Moving Inc., Midway Moving & Storage, Inc., Sweet Home Movers Chicago Inc., Alliance Moving & Storage (HK&RP LLC on SAFER), Move-tastic! (Move-Tastic, Incorporated)

Chicago, IL mover ranking

Scores use public source pages reviewed by MovingCompanyHQ. A higher score means the company answered more of the questions a customer or AI agent needs before recommending a mover in Chicago, IL.

Rank Company Score Grade Best for Why it ranked here
#1 MOOvers Chicago Inc. 23/30 A- Best overall Chicago public record on this rubric Printed IL.C.C. 187592 and USDOT 2901815 matching SAFER at 5201 W Grand Ave; city list hhg_authorized carrier (1 complaint in 2025); dedicated hourly table, 2.5-hour minimum, walk-up line.
#2 The Professionals Moving Specialists 20/30 B Printed ILCC plus high-rise and 2026 cost-guide copy ILCC MC#: 136144 on the credentials page; typical Chicago $130-$220/hr language; freight-elevator / COI article. No USDOT printed. City-list legal-name match USDOT 3383907 (HHG-authorized, 0 complaints) plus a second Chicago Professionals row that is not HHG-authorized.
#3 Windy City Movers (Montech Inc.) 20/30 B Published starting-at floors and a 2+1 minimum Company prices exist, but credentials cannot win: SAFER Elk Grove Village and (505) phone vs Elston Ave HQ; MC 1694629 not on SAFER; interstate NOT AUTHORIZED; USDOT 4338139 is not on the Chicago-area HQ city list.
#4 Melendez Moving Inc. 19/30 B Strongest fetched Chicago access copy COI, freight, city permits, alleys, walk-ups, winter. Credentials cannot win: Normandy vs Dakin, 206 area code, SAFER NOT AUTHORIZED interstate; city list hhg_authorized: false.
#5 Midway Moving & Storage, Inc. 17/30 B- Printed ICC + USDOT that SAFER matches ICC #78520, DOT #730844, Ferdinand Street match, AUTHORIZED household goods, city list 0 complaints and Satisfactory. No published dollar menu.
#6 Sweet Home Movers Chicago Inc. 17/30 B- High-rise / COI specialist copy Names River North, Lincoln Park walk-ups, parking permits, freight. Credentials cannot win: ILCC claimed with no number on fetched official pages. City-list legal-name match USDOT 3932260 (HHG-authorized, 0 complaints) is not printed on the site.
#7 Alliance Moving & Storage (HK&RP LLC on SAFER) 16/30 C+ Typical-Chicago hourly bands on a company blog USDOT 2882675 resolves, but SAFER legal name is HK&RP LLC, federal MC 967507 vs site ICC MC 214854, Rolling Meadows physical; not on the Chicago-area HQ city list.
#8 Move-tastic! (Move-Tastic, Incorporated) 14/30 C Printed Il.C.C. and COI / parking-permit list Il.C.C. 158678 matches IMAWA; Chicago Tripp Ave; city-list legal-name match USDOT 1906350 (HHG-authorized, 0 complaints). No dollar menu; costs URL empty.

The 6-point grading scale

Each company can earn up to 5 points in each category, for a maximum of 30 points.

Point 1

Verifiable credentials

Printed Illinois ICC household-goods number a customer can re-type into MCIS, plus a USDOT/SAFER match when a USDOT is printed, plus the FMCSA city-list HHG-authorized flag and entity type when we could match by USDOT or legal name. Nobody scores 5/5 on this pass because live MCIS entity profiles returned reCAPTCHA — we will not call a carrier ICC-verified. Identity mismatches (wrong city, hidden legal name, SAFER NOT AUTHORIZED or city-list hhg_authorized: false against interstate marketing, license claimed with no number, dual federal rows under similar names) cannot win this category.

Point 2

Pricing transparency

Published rates, minimums, what is included, or a clear explanation of what changes the quote. A locked crew hourly table tied to a filed tariff scores higher than starting-at floors. Market-range language scores lower than a company menu. Call for a quote with no dollars is the floor.

Point 3

Service coverage

Local, long-distance, apartments, packing, storage, specialty, commercial — only if the fetched page says so.

Point 4

Chicago logistics

Evidence the mover plans for Chicago realities: alleys and 3-flats / walk-ups, CDOT Occupy ROW Moving Van Parking ($25/day per vehicle on the 2025 fee schedule), ward courtesy signs that are not ticket/tow enforceable, high-rise COI and freight-elevator windows, winter walking surfaces, Lake Shore Drive / boulevard freight restriction MCC 9-72-020. Generic we-know-Chicago language scores lower than named constraints.

Point 5

Review and reputation proof

Public review volume we independently opened. Company-site widgets and A+ BBB badges without an opened BBB page are capped at 2/5 on this pass.

Point 6

Quote-readiness

How clearly the company tells customers what to share so the estimate matches the job (inventory, access, stairs, elevator, alley, date, valuation, travel).

Rank #1 · A- · 23/30

MOOvers Chicago Inc.

MOOvers Chicago ranks first because one pricing URL combines matching Grand Avenue credentials, a labeled local hourly table, a 2.5-hour minimum, extra-truck and third-floor walk-up line items, and an explicit tie to Illinois's filed-tariff rule.

Visit MOOvers Chicago Inc.
Moving Company HQ Best Moving Companies in America award seal

2026 award

Best Moving Companies in America Award

MOOvers Chicago earned the Moving Company HQ Best Moving Companies in America award after earning the highest score in this best-movers guide.

See how the award is scored

Public facts used for this score

  • • Legal name Moovers Chicago Inc.; DBA MOOvers Chicago / Moovers Chicago (about page). Founded February 4, 2014 by Cezar (company about page).
  • • Prints IL.C.C. 187592 / IL C.C. #187592 MC and USDOT Number 2901815 (credentials page).
  • • Offices: 5201 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60639 (HQ) and 5359 N Kedzie Ave, Chicago, IL 60625; (773) 474-2691.
  • • SAFER 2901815 (as of 08/25/2026): MOOVERS CHICAGO INC; ACTIVE; AUTHORIZED FOR Motor Carrier of Household Goods; MC-1281320 (not printed on fetched site pages); 5201-5211 W Grand Ave; same phone; 26 power units, 20 drivers.
  • • FMCSA Chicago-area HHG city list (as of 7/31/2026): Chicago HQ; hhg_authorized; entity type carrier; safety Not Rated; 1 complaint in 2025.
  • • Live ICC MCIS was captcha-blocked. Not ICC-verified here.
  • • Pricing guide: 2 movers $148-$195/hr; 3 movers $198-$260/hr; 4 movers $248-$330/hr, through 8 movers $448-$590/hr; 2.5 hour minimum; extra truck $200; third-floor walk-up $75-$95; elevator/long carry no fee (company policy). Typical totals labeled not quotes: studio $700-$1,100; 2BR apt $1,100-$1,700.
  • • FAQ: minimum is 2.5 hours plus travel fee from/to the warehouse. Illinois state law requires that we charge according to our tariffs that are filed with the Illinois Commerce Commission.
  • • Logistics on that guide: condos, high-rises, townhomes, HOA moves priced by size; high-rise welcome. Does not name CDOT Occupy ROW, alleys, LSD, or winter on pages fetched.
  • • Company widgets: Google 4.9 (876), Yelp 4.8 (415), BBB A+ — not independently opened.

Customers should still confirm the written estimate, crew size, date, valuation, travel line, and the ILCC string in MCIS. Live ICC MCIS was captcha-blocked. Not ICC-verified here.

Score by category

Verifiable credentials Printed ILCC + USDOT that SAFER and the city list match on name, Grand Ave, and phone. ICC not independently confirmed; federal MC-1281320 not on the site; 1 city-list complaint in 2025. 4/5
Pricing transparency Only dedicated tariff-style hourly table in this set, plus minimum, extra truck, stairs, materials, typical totals. 5/5
Service coverage Local, residential, commercial, long-distance, packing, storage, loading/unloading, furniture on fetched pages. 4/5
Chicago logistics Walk-up line item and high-rise/HOA policy. Does not name CDOT Occupy ROW, alleys, LSD, or winter on pages fetched. 4/5
Review and reputation proof Company claims only; BBB/Google not independently opened. 2/5
Quote-readiness Crew, trucks, hours, weekday vs peak, travel, written confirmation before move day. 4/5

Sources

Rank #2 · B · 20/30

The Professionals Moving Specialists

The Professionals ranks second because the credentials page prints ILCC MC#: 136144, the company published a 2026 Chicago cost guide, and a high-rise article names freight-elevator windows and COI practice — with no USDOT on fetched pages and no locked crew tariff.

Public facts used for this score

  • • 3918 N Western Ave, Chicago, Illinois 60618; (773) 478-1365; toll-free 888-225-7351.
  • • ILCC MC#: 136144 (moving-credentials). Live MCIS captcha. Not ICC-verified. No USDOT printed; SAFER not queried from a site number. Long-distance is marketed without a federal number on pages fetched.
  • • FMCSA city list legal-name match (as of 7/31/2026): THE PROFESSIONALS MOVING SPECIALISTS INC, USDOT 3383907, MC 1086504, 3918 N Western Ave; hhg_authorized; entity carrier; 0 complaints in the last four years. A different row, THE PROFESSIONALS INC (USDOT 1505885, 3801 North St Louis Avenue), is not HHG-authorized. Confirm which legal name is on the estimate.
  • • 2026 pricing guide: Hourly rates in Chicago typically run $130 to $220 per hour for licensed movers; company typicals labeled realistic 2026 ranges, not a gig-economy crew — studio $300-$600; 1BR $400-$800; 2BR $600-$1,200; 3BR house $1,000-$2,000; 4BR+ $1,800-$3,500+; 2BR packing add-on $400 to $1,000 plus materials. That is typical/company-guide language, not a filed-tariff card.
  • • High-rise article: reserved freight elevator often 3 to 4 hour windows on weekdays only; COI usually with $1 million to $2 million in liability coverage — company experience, not ordinance.
  • • Winter moving is listed in site navigation; the dedicated page timed out on this pass.
  • • Company claims: Over 850+ 5 stars reviews on Yelp!; BBB members since 2005; Shopper Approved 4.8/5 based on 2433 ratings — not independently opened.

Ask for ILCC MC# 136144 on the estimate and a USDOT if the job leaves Illinois. Live MCIS captcha. Not ICC-verified.

Score by category

Verifiable credentials Printed ILCC; no USDOT despite long-distance marketing; MCIS unread; city-list dual Professionals rows. 3/5
Pricing transparency 2026 guide with typical Chicago bands; not a locked crew menu. 3/5
Service coverage Local through long-distance, piano, senior, winter, packing, storage, junk removal on fetched pages. 5/5
Chicago logistics Named freight windows and COI practice; winter URL timed out. 4/5
Review and reputation proof Company volume claims; BBB unread. 2/5
Quote-readiness Cost drivers (crew, season, packing) explained; still need a job-specific estimate. 3/5

Sources

Rank #3 · B · 20/30

Windy City Movers (Montech Inc.)

Windy City ranks third on published starting-at prices and a clear 2+1 minimum — and cannot win credentials. A customer who checks the USDOT on the credentials page will see a different city, a different area code, and no MC on SAFER.

Public facts used for this score

  • • Legal name Montech Inc. d/b/a Windy City Movers (IMAWA). Site HQ 5222 N. Elston Ave, Chicago, IL 60630; (773) 275-4100.
  • • Prints ILL.C.C 153317, US DOT 4338139, MC 1694629 (credentials). IMAWA: 153317 MC. Live MCIS 153317 returned reCAPTCHA.
  • • SAFER 4338139 (as of 08/25/2026): MONTECH INC dba WINDY CITY MOVERS; physical 1211 Diane Ln, Elk Grove Village, IL 60007; phone (505) 681-0119; no MC; operating authority NOT AUTHORIZED; 5 power units, 6 drivers.
  • • Not on the FMCSA Chicago-area HQ city list as of 7/31/2026 (Elk Grove Village is outside that extract). No city-list complaint count on this page.
  • • Quote: local moves start as low as $407 studios/1BR, $540 2BR, $675 3BR, $810 4+. Minimum blog: 2+1. Terms: 2-hour minimum; travel fee amount unpublished; elevator/access delays billed at the working hourly rate.
  • • Service FAQ $120-$180/hr is labeled typical Chicago, not a Windy City crew tariff.
  • • Company claims: 4.7/5 (700+ Reviews); BBB Rating A+ — not independently opened.

Use the quote page for a comparison number. Re-check MCIS and SAFER for the route you actually have (Illinois local vs interstate).

Score by category

Verifiable credentials Numbers are printed, but Elston vs Elk Grove, (773) vs (505), MC 1694629 absent on SAFER, interstate NOT AUTHORIZED, USDOT absent from the Chicago-HQ city list. Cannot win this category. 2/5
Pricing transparency Starting-at floors + 2+1 policy. Not a locked per-crew hourly table. 4/5
Service coverage Local, long-distance, office, apartment, packing, storage, piano, hoisting, senior, college, mini moving. 5/5
Chicago logistics Northwest Side HQ; terms bill elevator waits and building delays. No CDOT/alley/LSD detail. 3/5
Review and reputation proof Widgets only; BBB unread. 2/5
Quote-readiness Quote URL, minimum, travel, access-delay billing spelled out. 4/5

Sources

Rank #4 · B · 19/30

Melendez Moving Inc.

Melendez ranks fourth because the homepage is the most specific Chicago access briefing in this set (COI, freight, permits, alleys, winter) — and cannot win credentials after the SAFER snapshot and city-list HHG flag are checked.

Public facts used for this score

  • • Site: 3900 N Normandy Ave, Chicago, IL 60634; +1 (206) 803-7770; DOT #3120049; MC #087428; IL Lic/Cert #220206; City License #70318261.
  • • SAFER 3120049: MELENDEZ MOVING INC; 6610 W Dakin St, Chicago, IL 60634; MC-87428 (integer match); NOT AUTHORIZED; 2 power units, 2 drivers.
  • • FMCSA city list (as of 7/31/2026): Chicago HQ at 6610 W Dakin St; hhg_authorized: false; entity none listed; 0 complaints in the last four years.
  • • Identity flags: Normandy vs Dakin; 206 area code; interstate marketing vs SAFER NOT AUTHORIZED and city-list not HHG-authorized.
  • • Pricing: hourly vs flat-rate/binding explained; No surprise stair or long-carry fees; no printed $/hr.
  • • Logistics: COI for high-rises; freight-elevator and dock windows; Chicago moving-truck permits and posted signage; greystone staircases; West Side rear-alley / gate clearance; winter floor protection, salt, icy steps; Streeterville high-rise to Logan Square two-flat.
  • • Review claim: 5-Star, Customer-Focused Service only.

Ask which street will be on the contract, and do not assume interstate authority from the website.

Score by category

Verifiable credentials Printed numbers; SAFER name/MC match; address, 206 phone, NOT AUTHORIZED, and city-list not HHG-authorized. Cannot win this category. 2/5
Pricing transparency Policy without a dollar menu. 2/5
Service coverage Local, interstate, residential, apartment, commercial, packing, piano, senior, student, storage, emergency, art, junk removal. 5/5
Chicago logistics Alleys, walk-ups, COI, freight, city permits, winter, named neighborhoods. 5/5
Review and reputation proof Slogan-level claim only. 1/5
Quote-readiness Cost model, access questions, and permit/COI steps are on the homepage. 4/5

Sources

Rank #5 · B- · 17/30

Midway Moving & Storage, Inc.

Midway ranks fifth because the Ferdinand Street ICC and USDOT strings match SAFER — including household-goods operating authority and a Satisfactory safety rating — while fetched pages print no dollar rates.

Public facts used for this score

  • • 4100 W Ferdinand St, Chicago, IL 60624; Dot #730844; Illinois Commerce Commission #78520; 800-300-0002.
  • • SAFER 730844: MIDWAY MOVING & STORAGE INC; AUTHORIZED household goods; MC-334274 (not on site); same Ferdinand Street; (773) 588-7000 vs site 800 number; 19 power units, 40 drivers; Satisfactory.
  • • FMCSA city list (as of 7/31/2026): Chicago HQ; hhg_authorized; entity carrier; safety Satisfactory; 0 complaints in the last four years.
  • • No hourly/minimum/travel/packing dollars on home/about/contact fetched.
  • • Logistics: elevator scheduling, parking permits, tight stairwells; downtown high-rises and suburbs.
  • • Services: local, commercial, apartment, national/long-distance, piano, office equipment, auto transport, junk removal, packing, storage, document shredding.
  • • Company claims: 700+ reviews; A+ BBB; Google widget 597 reviews — not independently opened.

Midway is worth pricing when you want a Chicago-physical USDOT that SAFER authorizes for household goods. Get the hourly from the filed tariff in writing; it is not on the pages we copied.

Score by category

Verifiable credentials Printed ICC + USDOT; SAFER and city list match name/street/HHG authority; 0 complaints on the city list. MC not on site; ICC unread in MCIS. 4/5
Pricing transparency No published dollar menu on pages fetched. 1/5
Service coverage Broadest fetched specialty list including auto transport and shredding. 5/5
Chicago logistics Elevator, parking permits, stairwells named; no CDOT fee, alley, or LSD detail. 3/5
Review and reputation proof Company BBB/Google chrome; BBB unread. 2/5
Quote-readiness Quote path exists; public rate and estimate inputs are thin. 2/5

Sources

Rank #6 · B- · 17/30

Sweet Home Movers Chicago Inc.

Sweet Home ranks sixth on high-rise/COI and neighborhood copy — and cannot win credentials. The about page claims an ILCC license and DOT/MC numbers without printing them.

Public facts used for this score

  • • Contact/schema: 65 E Scott St Apt 10N, Chicago IL 60610; (312) 219-5388. Local-moving footer also prints 533 W Barry Ave apt 3k. IMAWA: 4147 W. Nelson St. Unit 1 and IL License Number 234543 MC (association listing, not ICC verification; MCIS 234543 was captcha).
  • • About: licensed by the Illinois Commerce Commission (ILCC) — number not on fetched official pages. DOT/MC claimed, not printed. SAFER not queried from a site number.
  • • FMCSA city list legal-name match (as of 7/31/2026): SWEET HOME MOVERS CHICAGO INC, USDOT 3932260, MC 1457788, 65 East Scott Street Apt 10N; hhg_authorized; entity carrier; 0 complaints in the last four years. That USDOT is not printed on fetched official pages.
  • • Rates: transparent hourly rates / flat rates for long-distance with no dollar figures.
  • • Logistics: downtown high-rises, River North lofts, Lincoln Park walk-ups; COI specialists; parking permits, freight elevators, tight streets; vintage walk-up staircases and elevator schedules.
  • • Company/schema: 4.9/172 aggregateRating; Google widget 4.8/207. BBB profile URL opened; JS wall — no BBB number.

A customer cannot complete an MCIS or SAFER check from the official pages we fetched. Ask the company to put the ILCC and USDOT on the estimate, then look them up.

Score by category

Verifiable credentials License claimed; no number on fetched official pages. City-list legal-name match exists; the site still does not give you the number. Cannot win this category. 1/5
Pricing transparency Hourly/flat described; no dollars. 1/5
Service coverage Local, long-distance, office, packing, high-rise/COI, piano, storage, last-minute, full-service. 5/5
Chicago logistics Named building types, COI, permits, freight, walk-ups. 5/5
Review and reputation proof Widgets; BBB unread (profile URL opened, numbers omitted). 2/5
Quote-readiness High-rise/COI/permit steps are described; still no public rate. 3/5

Sources

Rank #7 · C+ · 16/30

Alliance Moving & Storage (HK&RP LLC on SAFER)

Alliance ranks seventh because a company blog prints typical Chicago hourly bands — with a legal-name and MC mismatch against SAFER.

Public facts used for this score

  • • Site: 4305 N. Lincoln Ave, Chicago and 3201 Tollview Drive, Rolling Meadows; 847-378-4949; USDOT: 2882675; footer ICC MC: 214854.
  • • SAFER 2882675: legal name HK&RP LLC dba ALLIANCE MOVING & STORAGE; MC-967507; Rolling Meadows physical; (847) 414-4682; AUTHORIZED household goods; 14 power units, 10 drivers.
  • • Not on the FMCSA Chicago-area HQ city list as of 7/31/2026 (Rolling Meadows is outside that extract). No city-list complaint count on this page.
  • • Site does not print HK&RP LLC on fetched pages. ICC MC 214854 vs federal MC-967507. 214854 is not treated as a confirmed ILCC.
  • • 2BR blog: typical 2BR $700-$1,400; typical hourly 2 movers $120-$170, 3 movers $170-$210, 4 movers $210-$250 — labeled typical Chicago, not Alliance's locked tariff. Homepage roughly $1,500 to $2,500.
  • • Logistics on that blog: narrow staircases or buildings without elevators as quote details.

Put HK&RP LLC (or whichever legal name will perform) on the estimate. Do not treat footer 214854 as the federal MC.

Score by category

Verifiable credentials USDOT resolves to a different legal name and federal MC; Rolling Meadows vs Lincoln Ave; absent from the Chicago-HQ city list. Cannot win this category. 2/5
Pricing transparency Named typical Chicago bands; not a company tariff table. 3/5
Service coverage Residential, apartment/condo, student, senior, commercial, local, long-distance, packing, storage, junk removal. 5/5
Chicago logistics Stairs/no-elevator as a quote prompt only. 2/5
Review and reputation proof No review claims on pages fetched. 1/5
Quote-readiness Blog lists inventory, access, and date as quote inputs. 3/5

Sources

Rank #8 · C · 14/30

Move-tastic! (Move-Tastic, Incorporated)

Move-tastic ranks eighth because Il.C.C. 158678 is printed on the Chicago Tripp Avenue contact page and matches IMAWA, with COI and parking-permit coordination listed — and no published dollar menu.

Public facts used for this score

  • • 3100 N. Tripp Ave., Chicago, IL 60641; Il.C.C. 158678; 773.715.3227 (contact).
  • • IMAWA: 158678 MC. MCIS 158678 returned reCAPTCHA. Not ICC-verified. No USDOT on fetched pages; SAFER not queried from a site number. No identity mismatches on the site roster.
  • • FMCSA city list legal-name match (as of 7/31/2026): MOVE-TASTIC, INCORPORATED, USDOT 1906350, MC 675927, 3100 N Tripp Ave; hhg_authorized; entity carrier; 0 complaints in the last four years.
  • • /moving-costs-in-chicago/ body was Page doesn't exist.
  • • Homepage: tight staircases; parking permit coordination; Certificates of Insurance (COI).
  • • Services: residential, commercial, packing, storage (overnight, vault, rack, micro), intrabuilding, loading/unloading, interstate loading.
  • • Review claim: Chicago's favorite professional movers and packers (about).

Worth a written estimate when you want a printed ILCC at a Chicago street. Get the hourly from the tariff; it is not on the site we fetched.

Score by category

Verifiable credentials Printed ILCC matching IMAWA; city-list legal-name match at the same street; no USDOT on the site; MCIS unread. 3/5
Pricing transparency No dollar menu; costs URL empty. 1/5
Service coverage Residential, commercial, packing, several storage types, interstate loading. 4/5
Chicago logistics Stairs, parking permits, COI listed; no CDOT/alley/winter/LSD detail. 3/5
Review and reputation proof Tagline only. 1/5
Quote-readiness Contact path; little public estimate structure. 2/5

Sources

Also compared (not scored in the top 8)

Quality over padding. These names were checked on fetched sites and, where a USDOT was printed, on SAFER, and against the FMCSA Chicago-area city list as of 7/31/2026.

Company Why it is not in the scored list
New City Moving (newcitymovers.com) Footer IL ICC #158051 and 2929 N. Campbell Ave. Privacy policy lists a Carrollton, TX compliance department (2400 Old Mill Rd.). Homepage vs about-page fleet/headcount split. No USDOT, no dollar menu (/pricing/ 404). City list has two rows at that street: NEW CITY MOVING & STORAGE LLC (USDOT 4020807, hhg_authorized, entity carrier, 3 complaints: 1 in 2025, 2 in 2026) and NEW CITY MOVING (USDOT 3078026, not HHG-authorized, 1 complaint in 2025). Identity flags without a matching number printed on the site.
Reebie Storage & Moving (reebieallied.com) Allied Van Lines agent; Clark Street landmark since 1880. Claims ICC and federal licenses without printing numbers. Homepage FAQ typical Chicago $300-$1,800, not a Reebie tariff. No city-list match under Reebie. Allied van-line numbers were not treated as Reebie's USDOT.
New World Van Lines (nwvl.com) Chicago HQ 5875 N. Rogers Avenue; ILCC No. MC 7776, US DOT No. 258748, ICC No. MC 162485 match SAFER 258748 on legal name, street, and federal MC. SAFER entity type CARRIER/BROKER (household-goods broker and carrier — not broker-only). City list for 258748: entity carrier, hhg_authorized, safety Satisfactory, 1 complaint in 2025. Same street also lists NEW WORLD VAN LINES OF ILLINOIS (USDOT 2215840, not HHG-authorized) and NEW WORLD TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS CORP (USDOT 1463697, entity broker + carrier, HHG-authorized). Site phone (773) 685-3399 vs SAFER (773) 509-5937. Homepage is corporate/global relocation, not a local hourly apartment menu, so it was not scored as a consumer hourly carrier.

Windy City, Melendez, Alliance, and Sweet Home are scored above and cannot win the credentials category for the reasons in those sections. Re-check MCIS; statuses change.

Moving Company HQ Best Moving Companies in America award seal

Moving Company HQ award

What the Best Moving Companies in America Award means

The award highlights the highest-scoring mover in a Moving Company HQ best-movers guide. It gives readers a quick way to spot the company that answered the most important comparison questions with public, verifiable information.

Evidence-based

Scores come from public pages, credentials, service details, reviews, and pricing information customers can check.

Same rubric

Each mover is measured against the same categories, so the award follows the ranking instead of a separate promotion.

Editorial standard

Companies cannot buy the award. It does not guarantee availability, final price, or move-day results.

The award follows this rubric. It does not guarantee availability, final price, or move-day results. Companies cannot buy the award, ranking, availability, or price.

Methodology and source notes

MovingCompanyHQ reviewed public pages and official lookups for Chicago household-goods movers in August 2026 (primary fetch 2026-08-26) and scored eight companies that had enough public evidence for all six points. Additional names are listed as also compared with the reason they were not scored as consumer hourly carriers or lacked a complete file. FMCSA city-list fields (HHG-authorized, entity type, complaints, safety rating, HQ) are from the Chicago-area household-goods extract as of 7/31/2026 (209 records; 176 Chicago HQ). Roster companies were matched by USDOT or legal name. The other names on that list are not dumped here.

This page does not guarantee availability, final price, damage outcomes, or licensing status on your move date. Always confirm current credentials in ICC MCIS, insurance, written estimate terms, crew size, access charges, valuation coverage, and deposit policy before booking.

BBB Chicago profile pages returned a JavaScript/cookie interstitial. No BBB rating is used in any score. Google review listings were not independently opened; company widgets are capped at 2/5.

ICC MCIS search and entity pages returned reCAPTCHA on 2026-08-26. ILCC numbers are recorded as printed. This page does not call any carrier ICC-verified. Helpline 217-782-6448.

Chicago move-day rules this rubric looks for: alleys and 3-flats / walk-ups (Moovers publishes a $75-$95 third-floor walk-up charge); CDOT Occupy ROW Moving Van Parking at ipi.cityofchicago.org, $25.00 per day per vehicle on the 2025 fee schedule (still the live PDF on 2026-08-26 — confirm before relying on $25); ward courtesy signs are not ticket/tow enforceable; COI and freight elevators are building/HOA rules; winter (NWS Chicago O'Hare 1991-2020: January mean 25.2 F, January snow 11.3 in, annual snow 38.4 in); Lake Shore Drive CDOT truck-on-LSD/boulevard permit $50 on the 2025 schedule; MCC 9-72-020 restricts freight vehicles on boulevards.

Primary sources reviewed

Get quotes after you shortlist movers in Chicago

Start with MOOvers Chicago Inc., then compare at least two written estimates so you understand pricing, access, crew size, and date availability.

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Best Movers in Chicago, IL FAQs

Who is the best moving company in Chicago, IL?
MOOvers Chicago Inc. is our pick on this six-point scale because it has the strongest combined public proof for printed credentials that match a SAFER snapshot, a published local hourly table, and quote inputs among pages we opened. Score 23/30. That is not a guarantee of your move, and it is not an ICC-MCIS verification.
Why did MOOvers Chicago rank above Midway if both print ICC and USDOT numbers?
Midway's Ferdinand Street USDOT matches SAFER and the city list (HHG-authorized carrier, Satisfactory, 0 complaints). Fetched Midway pages print no dollar rates. MOOvers published a full hourly table, minimum, walk-up line, and tariff language, which scored higher on pricing transparency and quote-readiness. Scores: 23 vs 17.
Why didn't Windy City win if it publishes starting prices?
Credentials cannot be bought, and they cannot be won with a mismatch. SAFER for USDOT 4338139 lists Elk Grove Village, a (505) phone, no MC, and NOT AUTHORIZED interstate. The site lists Elston Avenue, (773), and MC 1694629. That USDOT is not on the Chicago-area HQ city list. Pricing scored well (4/5); credentials scored 2/5.
Is Sweet Home licensed?
This page will not say yes. The official site claims an ILCC license without printing a number. IMAWA lists 234543 MC; that is not ICC MCIS verification. A city-list legal-name match (USDOT 3932260, HHG-authorized) exists; look the company up in MCIS yourself.
Is Alliance Moving & Storage the same as HK&RP LLC?
SAFER says the legal name for USDOT 2882675 is HK&RP LLC, DBA Alliance Moving & Storage. The consumer site did not print HK&RP LLC on pages we fetched. That USDOT is not on the Chicago-area HQ city list. Put the performing legal name on the estimate.
What should I verify before hiring any Chicago mover?
Legal name; ILCC household-goods number in MCIS (intrastate) and/or USDOT/MC on SAFER (interstate); written estimate (Illinois: not binding, 110% at delivery); crew size including travel time; stairs/alley/freight plan; whether the mover files the CDOT $25/day Moving Van permit; valuation (Illinois default 60 cents/lb unless upgraded); performing carrier if a brand and a legal name differ.
Do alderman No Parking signs replace a CDOT permit?
No. 1st Ward and 47th Ward call those signs non-enforceable courtesy for self-moves. Commercial movers use CDOT Occupy ROW Moving Van Parking. 2nd Ward: if your mover tells you to get the permit from the alderman, that is not correct.