($1,290) Moving from Des Moines to Harrisburg

Quick answer: A move from Des Moines to Harrisburg costs $754 to $6,464 and takes two-seven 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 976-mile move yourself.

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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
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  • Family owned
  • East coast focus
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 5
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.8 / 5
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  • Unlimited storage
  • 3 container sizes
  • 10% discount
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
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  • Certified crews
  • Flat-rate pricing
  • Family-owned

Hiring a long-distance moving company from Des Moines 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 Harrisburg to Des Moines guide.

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The best Des Moines to Harrisburg moving companies

Hiring an interstate moving company to go from Des Moines to Harrisburg 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 Des Moines to Harrisburg.

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.85 / 5
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Best overall value
  • Portion to charity
  • Veteran owned
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Family owned
  • East coast focus
  • Affordable pricing
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Family owned & operated
  • Affordable pricing
  • Same-day estimates

How much does it cost to move from Des Moines to Harrisburg?

Des Moines movers charge $142 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 $1,290 - $4,907 $932 - $2,272 $677 - $1,284
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,848 - $6,464 $1,674 - $3,326 $754 - $1,605
4+ bedrooms $4,285 - $9,038 $2,084 - $4,040 $993 - $1,875
*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 976 miles and historical averages. The actual size of your move, additional services required, truck parking access, market conditions, and availability can greatly affect the final cost of your move.

Factors influencing moving costs from Des Moines to Harrisburg

The cost of Des Moines 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 Des Moines to Harrisburg can be as low as $1,290 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $7,630.
  • Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in Des Moines, 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 $677 to $1,717. However, these options require more work and effort compared to hiring professional movers.

How much are professional moving companies when moving from Des Moines to Harrisburg?

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Des Moines to Harrisburg will cost between $1,290 to $4,907. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $2,848 to $6,464, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from Des Moines to Harrisburg will cost from $4,285 to $9,038.

How much are moving container companies from Des Moines to Harrisburg?

Moving containers from Des Moines to Harrisburg will cost you $932 to $2,272 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,674 to $3,326. A larger home will cost $2,084 to $4,040.

How much is a moving truck from Des Moines to Harrisburg?

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 $677 to $1,284. A larger move will cost $754 to $1,605, and a four-bedroom move from Des Moines to Harrisburg costs from $993 to $1,875. These estimates include the anticipated fuel cost.

Pros and cons of moving from Des Moines to Harrisburg

Cost of living: Des Moines vs Harrisburg

Des Moines Harrisburg
Average rent cost $1,150 $1,200
Average home value $192,347 $230,038
Average income (per capita) $58,492 $73,256
Cost of Living (single person) $1,891 $1,849
Cost of Living (family of 4) $4,380 $3,612
Unemployment rate 5.9% 13.4%
Sales Tax 7.0% 6.0%
State Income Tax 4.4% 3.07%
  • Rent prices in Harrisburg are 4% higher than in Des Moines.
  • Home prices in Harrisburg are 19.6% higher than in Des Moines.
  • Income in Harrisburg is 25.2% higher than in Des Moines.
  • The cost of living for a single person in Harrisburg is 2.2% lower than in Des Moines.
  • The cost of living for a family in Harrisburg is 17.5% lower than in Des Moines.
  • The unemployment rate in Harrisburg is 127.12% higher than in Des Moines.
  • Sales taxes in Harrisburg are 14.29% lower than in Des Moines.
  • State income taxes in Harrisburg are 30.23% lower than in Des Moines.

To put this into perspective, you would need around $2,933.37 in Harrisburg to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Des Moines.

How is life different in Des Moines compared to Harrisburg?

Harrisburg Des Moines
Population 50,099 699,292
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 6 5
Walkability score 68 45
Bike friendliness score 57 39
Crime Index 64.18 5.0
Safety Index 35.82 57.8
Air Quality Moderate Good
  • Harrisburg's population is about 93% less than Des Moines.
  • Harrisburg's public transportation has a score of 6 out of 10 versus Des Moines's higher score of 5.
  • Harrisburg is more walkable than Des Moines with a score of 68 out of 100 vs Des Moines's 45 out of 100.
  • Harrisburg is more bike-friendly than Des Moines with a score of 57 out of 100 vs Des Moines's 39.
  • Harrisburg's crime rate is higher than Des Moines with a score of 64.18 compared to Des Moines's 5.0. This means that Harrisburg neighborhoods are safer than 64.18% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Des Moines neighborhoods are safer than 5.0%.
  • Harrisburg is considered to be less safe than Des Moines with a score of 35.82 vs Des Moines's 57.8.
  • Air quality in Harrisburg is moderate, and in Des Moines it's good.

Considerations for moving to Harrisburg

  • Weather: June, September and August are the most pleasant months in Harrisburg, while January and February are the least comfortable months. Consider these months in your plans in moving to Harrisburg.
  • 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: For decades movers In Pennsylvania were regulated by the Public Utility Commission (PUC). Each company was issued a PUC Number and was required to abide by a universal publicly published tariff that established the rates movers could charge for various services. Now, some sources claim that the PUC no longer regulates in-state movers, and it appears as though the PUC’s website is no longer functioning. So if you’re moving within Pennsylvania, you’ll want to address these issues with your moving company representative and if possible, contact the state directly. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Pennsylvania moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
  • Moving permits: Pennsylvania 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 Harrisburg. Get started here.
  • Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. In Pennsylvania, movers typically offer Released Value Protection at no extra cost, covering items at 60 cents per pound. For more comprehensive coverage, inquire about Full Value Protection with the moving company, or explore third-party insurance options for tailored plans. Consider coverage limits, additional costs, and reviews before making a decision.
  • Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Local Des Moines movers

Company Quote Rating Contact
Adamantine Spine Moving Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.58 overall rating
4701 NW Urbandale Dr., Des Moines, IA, 50322
(319) 519-0154
All Mighty Movers LLC Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.52 overall rating
59 Clark St., Des Moines, IA, 50314
(515) 313-1395

Visit our best long distance movers in Des Moines page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.

What to do in Harrisburg

These are some of the best things to do in your new Pennsylvania home.

  • Pennsylvania State Capitol Complex
  • National Civil War Museum
  • State Museum of Pennsylvania
  • Fort Hunter Mansion and Park
  • City Island
  • Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts
  • Pride of the Susquehanna Riverboat Cruise
  • Susquehanna Art Museum

Get your sports on!

Harrisburg is a great sports town, these are the local teams to support:

  • Harrisburg Senators (Baseball-Eastern League)

FAQ

When is the best time to move from Des Moines to Harrisburg?

The best time to move from Des Moines to Harrisburg is during the spring or fall. These seasons offer milder weather and avoid higher moving costs during the peak moving season in Des Moines.

When is the cheapest time to move from Des Moines to Harrisburg?

Because most people are moving from Des Moines to Harrisburg 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 Des Moines to Harrisburg take?

The 976-mile move from Des Moines, IA, to Harrisburg, PA, takes two-seven days. Some Des Moines movers may offer expedited moving if you need it faster. If you need more time, ask your mover about storage options in Harrisburg.

Helpful moving resources