($1,266) Moving from Des Moines to Arlington

Quick answer: A move from Des Moines to Arlington costs $799 to $6,900 and takes two-eight 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 1,018-mile move yourself.

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  • 10% discount
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  • Certified crews
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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 Arlington to Des Moines guide.

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The best Des Moines to Arlington moving companies

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

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  • Best overall value
  • Portion to charity
  • Veteran owned
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Family owned
  • East coast focus
  • Affordable pricing
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 5
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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 Arlington?

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 $1,266 - $5,047 $915 - $2,143 $718 - $1,404
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,792 - $6,900 $1,674 - $3,330 $799 - $1,684
4+ bedrooms $4,262 - $8,783 $2,062 - $4,087 $1,013 - $2,010
*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 1,018 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 Arlington

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 Arlington can be as low as $1,266 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $7,122.
  • 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 $718 to $1,716. 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 Arlington?

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Des Moines to Arlington will cost between $1,266 to $5,047. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $2,792 to $6,900, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from Des Moines to Arlington will cost from $4,262 to $8,783.

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

Moving containers from Des Moines to Arlington will cost you $915 to $2,143 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,674 to $3,330. A larger home will cost $2,062 to $4,087.

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

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 $718 to $1,404. A larger move will cost $799 to $1,684, and a four-bedroom move from Des Moines to Arlington costs from $1,013 to $2,010. These estimates include the anticipated fuel cost.

Pros and cons of moving from Des Moines to Arlington

Cost of living: Des Moines vs Arlington

Des Moines Arlington
Average rent cost $1,150 $2,608
Average home value $192,347 $759,300
Average income (per capita) $58,492 $128,145
Cost of Living (single person) $1,891 $0
Cost of Living (family of 4) $4,380 $0
Unemployment rate 5.9% 4.0%
Sales Tax 7.0% 6.0%
State Income Tax 4.4% 5.75%
  • Rent prices in Arlington are 127% higher than in Des Moines.
  • Home prices in Arlington are 294.8% higher than in Des Moines.
  • Income in Arlington is 119.1% higher than in Des Moines.
  • The cost of living for a single person in Arlington is 100.0% lower than in Des Moines.
  • The cost of living for a family in Arlington is 100.0% lower than in Des Moines.
  • The unemployment rate in Arlington is 32.20% lower than in Des Moines.
  • Sales taxes in Arlington are 14.29% lower than in Des Moines.
  • State income taxes in Arlington are 30.68% higher than in Des Moines.

To put this into perspective, you would need around $0.00 in Arlington 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 Arlington?

Arlington Des Moines
Population 238,643 699,292
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 9 5
Walkability score 71 45
Bike friendliness score 72 39
Crime Index 15.67 5.0
Safety Index 79.15 57.8
Air Quality Good Good
  • Arlington's population is about 66% less than Des Moines.
  • Arlington's public transportation has a score of 9 out of 10 versus Des Moines's higher score of 5.
  • Arlington is more walkable than Des Moines with a score of 71 out of 100 vs Des Moines's 45 out of 100.
  • Arlington is more bike-friendly than Des Moines with a score of 72 out of 100 vs Des Moines's 39.
  • Arlington's crime rate is higher than Des Moines with a score of 15.67 compared to Des Moines's 5.0. This means that Arlington neighborhoods are safer than 15.67% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Des Moines neighborhoods are safer than 5.0%.
  • Arlington is considered to be safer than Des Moines with a safety index of 79.15 vs Des Moines's 57.8.
  • Air quality in Arlington is good, and in Des Moines it's good.

Considerations for moving to Arlington

  • Weather: Arlington has hot humid summers, mild to moderately cold winters, and pleasant spring and fall seasons.
  • 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: In addition to filing tariffs and complying with insurance, bond, and highway safety requirements, all intrastate moving companies in Virginia must have a certificate from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (VaDMV). Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Virginia moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
  • Moving permits: Virginia 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 Arlington. Get started here.
  • Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. In Virginia, movers commonly offer Released Value Protection at no additional cost, providing coverage at 60 cents per pound. For increased protection, consider discussing Full Value Protection options with the moving company. Alternatively, explore third-party insurance providers for personalized plans. It's essential to understand coverage limits, potential additional costs, and read reviews to make an informed decision about your moving insurance in Virginia.
  • 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
All Mighty Movers LLC Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.62 overall rating
59 Clark St., Des Moines, IA, 50314
(515) 313-1395
Adamantine Spine Moving Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.58 overall rating
4701 NW Urbandale Dr., Des Moines, IA, 50322
(319) 519-0154

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

Where to live in Arlington

Now that you've decided to make the move to "", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Arlington.

Best neighborhoods for singles:

  • Aurora Highlands
  • Ballston-Virginia Square
  • Bluemont
  • Clarendon-Courthouse
  • Radnor-Ft Myer Heights

Best neighborhoods for families:

  • Arlington Ridge
  • Barcroft
  • Chain Bridge Forest
  • Cherrydale
  • Dominion Hills
  • Forest Glen
  • Lyon Village
  • Penrose
  • Westover Village

What to do in Arlington

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

  • Arlington National Cemetery
  • The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
  • U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial
  • Pentagon Memorial
  • John F. Kennedy Grave Site
  • Gravelly Point Park
  • Fort Myer
  • Mount Vernon Trail
  • The Observation Deck at CEB Tower
  • Air Force Memorial
  • Signature Theatre
  • Village at Shirlington
  • Arlington House - The Robert E. Lee Memorial
  • The Fashion Centre at Pentagon City
  • Women in Military Service for America Memorial

Get your sports on!

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

FAQ

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

The best time to move from Des Moines to Arlington 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 Arlington?

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

The 1,018-mile move from Des Moines, IA, to Arlington, VA, takes two-eight 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 Arlington.

Helpful moving resources