Moving from San Francisco to Des Moines (Movers from $1,614)
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: A move from San Francisco to Des Moines costs $1,452 to $9,098 and takes 5-16 days. The main factors that determine the cost and time are how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the 1,795-mile move yourself.
Hiring a long-distance moving company from San Francisco will be more expensive, while renting a truck or using a moving container is usually cheaper but requires more work.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Des Moines to San Francisco guide.
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How much does it cost to move from San Francisco to Des Moines?
San Francisco movers charge $150 per hour on average. Here are average prices for a full-service moving company, moving container, or truck:
| Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,614 - $6,343 | $1,325 - $3,405 | $1,263 - $2,531 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $4,029 - $9,098 | $2,484 - $4,785 | $1,452 - $3,012 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $7,526 - $12,610 | $3,360 - $6,761 | $1,688 - $3,504 |
Factors influencing moving costs from San Francisco to Des Moines
The cost of San Francisco movers will depend on:
- Move size: The cost of your move will depend on the amount of items you have in your home. For example, moving a one-bedroom apartment from San Francisco to Des Moines can be as low as $1,614 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $12,454.
- Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in San Francisco, so moving companies will likely charge more.
- Do-it-yourself vs professional mover: Renting a truck or using a moving container can be cheaper options, with prices for a rental truck ranging from $1,263 to $3,366. However, these options require more work and effort compared to hiring professional movers.
How much are professional moving companies when moving from San Francisco to Des Moines?
Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from San Francisco to Des Moines will cost between $1,614 to $6,343. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $4,029 to $9,098, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from San Francisco to Des Moines will cost from $7,526 to $12,610.
How much are moving container companies from San Francisco to Des Moines?
Moving containers from San Francisco to Des Moines will cost you $1,325 to $3,405 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $2,484 to $4,785. A larger home will cost $3,360 to $6,761.
How much is a moving truck from San Francisco to Des Moines?
Renting a moving truck is usually the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor.
Moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $1,263 to $2,531. A larger move will cost $1,452 to $3,012, and a four-bedroom move from San Francisco to Des Moines costs from $1,688 to $3,504. These estimates include the anticipated fuel cost.
The best San Francisco to Des Moines moving companies
Hiring an interstate moving company to go from San Francisco to Des Moines is a big deal.
There are more than 8,000 moving companies in the U.S. But don't worry, you won't have to filter through all of them. We've done the research for you and narrowed the list based on customer satisfaction, cost, and services. Here are the best long-distance moving companies serving San Francisco to Des Moines.
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- Safeway Moving, 4.5 out of 5
- American Van Lines, 4.5 out of 5
- Mayzlin Relocation, 4.45 out of 5
- North American Van Lines, 4.25 out of 5
- JK Moving Services, 4.25 out of 5
Pros and cons of moving from San Francisco to Des Moines
Cost of living: San Francisco vs Des Moines
| San Francisco | Des Moines | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $3,220 | $1,150 |
| Average home value | $1,234,246 | $192,347 |
| Average income (per capita) | $126,187 | $58,492 |
| Cost of Living (single person) | $3,840 | $1,891 |
| Cost of Living (family of 4) | $8,998 | $4,380 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4% | 5.9% |
| Sales Tax | 8.63% | 7.0% |
| State Income Tax | 13.3% | 4.4% |
- Rent prices in Des Moines are 64% lower than in San Francisco.
- Home prices in Des Moines are 84.4% lower than in San Francisco.
- Income in Des Moines is 53.6% lower than in San Francisco.
- The cost of living for a single person in Des Moines is 50.8% lower than in San Francisco.
- The cost of living for a family in Des Moines is 51.3% lower than in San Francisco.
- The unemployment rate in Des Moines is 9.26% higher than in San Francisco.
- Sales taxes in Des Moines are 18.89% lower than in San Francisco.
- State income taxes in Des Moines are 66.92% lower than in San Francisco.
To put this into perspective, you would need around $1,477.34 in Des Moines to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in San Francisco.
How is life different in San Francisco compared to Des Moines?
| Des Moines | San Francisco | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 699,292 | 808,437 |
| AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 5 | 10 |
| Walkability score | 45 | 99 |
| Bike friendliness score | 39 | 99 |
| Crime Index | 5.0 | 54.33 |
| Safety Index | 57.8 | 37.9 |
| Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
- Des Moines's population is about 14% less than San Francisco.
- Des Moines's public transportation has a score of 5 out of 10 versus San Francisco's lower score of 10.
- Des Moines is less walkable than San Francisco with a score of 45 out of 100 vs San Francisco's 99 out of 100.
- Des Moines is less bike-friendly than San Francisco with a score of 39 out of 100 vs San Francisco's 99.
- Des Moines's crime rate is lower than San Francisco with a score of 5.0 compared to San Francisco's 54.33. This means that Des Moines neighborhoods are safer than 5.0% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and San Francisco neighborhoods are safer than 54.33%.
- Des Moines is considered to be safer than San Francisco with a safety index of 57.8 vs San Francisco's 37.9.
- Air quality in Des Moines is good, and in San Francisco it's moderate.
Considerations for moving to Des Moines
- Weather: September, June and May are the most pleasant months in Des Moines, while January and December are the least comfortable months..
- HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
- Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator you'll want to check on how to reserve it for move day.
- Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
- State licensing: When moving within Iowa, make sure to hire a company that is licensed by the Iowa Department of Transportation. Each household goods mover in the state should have an Iowa Motor Carrier (IOWAMC) Number, which means they’ve met minimum insurance and highway safety requirements. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
- State regulator: You can verify a Iowa moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving permits: Iowa does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
- Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Des Moines. Get started here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. Choose cost-free Released Value Protection from movers for basic coverage at 60 cents per pound.
- Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.
Local San Francisco movers
| Company | Quote | Rating | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
most popular
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Get A Quote |
 
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149 New Montgomery St., San Francisco, CA, 94105 (415) 263-9024 |
| Luigy's Moving & Storage | Get A Quote |
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5550 Mission St, San Francisco, CA, 94112 (415) 413-4646 |
| Eagle Moving & Storage, Inc. | Get A Quote |
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1149 Montgomery Ave, San Bruno, CA, 94066 (415) 404-7400 |
Visit our best long distance movers in San Francisco page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.
Where to live in Des Moines
Now that you've decided to make the move to "Hartford of the West", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Des Moines.
Best neighborhoods for singles:
- Sherman Hill
- Downtown
- East Village
- North of Grand
- Woodland Heights
- Arbor Peaks
- Chautauqua Park
- Beaverdale
- Westwood
Best neighborhoods for families:
- Linden Heights
- Waterbury
- Waveland Park
- Westwood
- Salisbury Oaks
- Meredith
- Beaverdale
What to do in Des Moines
These are some of the best things to do in your new Iowa home.
- State Capitol
- Science Center of Iowa
- John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park
- Salisbury House & Gardens
- Des Moines Art Center
- Principal Park
- East Village
- Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
- Water Works Park
- Iowa State Fair
- Hoyt Sherman Place
- Robert D. Ray Asian Gardens
Get your sports on!
Des Moines is a great sports town, these are the local teams to support:- Drake Bulldogs
FAQ
When is the best time to move from San Francisco to Des Moines?
The best time to move from San Francisco to Des Moines is during the spring or fall. These seasons offer milder weather and avoid higher moving costs during the peak moving season in San Francisco.
When is the cheapest time to move from San Francisco to Des Moines?
Because most people are moving from San Francisco to Des Moines in the spring or fall, you can often catch discounts by moving in the winter. Read our guide on moving discounts to learn more.
How long does a move from San Francisco to Des Moines take?
The 1,795-mile move from San Francisco, CA, to Des Moines, IA, takes 5-16 days. Some San Francisco movers may offer expedited moving if you need it faster. If you need more time, ask your mover about storage options in Des Moines.
