Local moving companies in Des Moines
Out of 13 Des Moines movers that can handle state-to-state moves, here are the top 5 that can handle your move to Virginia.
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK: 4.48 out of 5 stars
- All Mighty Movers LLC: 4.38 out of 5 stars
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving: 4.38 out of 5 stars
- Black Belt Movers: 4.38 out of 5 stars
- Adamantine Spine Moving: 4.36 out of 5 stars
Company Info
Years in Business: 27
DOT #: 2527384
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Pianos
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
Pricing: $130/hr
Years in Business: 10
DOT #: 2468266
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
Years in Business: 7
DOT #: 2378173
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
Pricing: $150/hr
Years in Business: 17
DOT #: 3527158
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
Pricing: $100/hr
Years in Business: 25
DOT #: 1471037
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
Local moving services in Des Moines, IA
Here’s how many movers in Des Moines include specialty add-ons:
Cost to move from Des Moines, IA to Virginia
Check the table below for expected cost ranges to move from Des Moines to Virginia with various services, based on your home’s size.
| Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,131 – $4,981 | $832 – $2,112 | $686 – $1,214 |
| 2-3 bedrooms | $2,463 – $6,320 | $1,434 – $3,036 | $684 – $1,580 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,349 – $7,916 | $1,956 – $3,723 | $940 – $1,885 |
*These cost ranges are approximate estimates based on a 1,044-mile move from Des Moines, IA, to Virginia using pricing data compiled by moveBuddha as of Nov 17, 2025. moveBuddha gathers thousands of verified rates from movers across the country and refreshes them monthly to account for seasonal shifts and market trends. Your actual cost can change based on move size, added services, parking or access issues, fuel prices, and timing. We recommend getting quotes from several movers for the most accurate pricing.
Cost to hire movers from Des Moines to Virginia
If you’re packing up a studio or one-bedroom to move from Des Moines to Virginia, you can expect prices to land between $1,131 and $4,981. For a two- or three-bedroom space, your costs will usually range from $2,463 to $6,320 for the trip from Des Moines to VA. If you’re moving a large four- or five-bedroom home, you’re likely looking at a price tag between $4,349 and $7,916.
Cost of moving containers from Des Moines to Virginia
Moving containers from Des Moines to Virginia will cost you $832 to $2,112 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,434 to $3,036. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $1,956 to $3,723. Learn more about PODS cost.
Here are the cheapest moving container companies when moving out of Des Moines.
Cost of moving truck rentals from Des Moines to Virginia
Renting a moving truck typically costs the least, but you’ll be responsible for both the heavy lifting and all the driving.
Expect to pay between $686 and $1,214 to move a studio or one-bedroom apartment from Des Moines to Virginia with a rental truck. For a two- or three-bedroom move, prices usually range from $684 to $1,580. If you’re relocating a four-bedroom (or larger) home, you’ll likely spend anywhere from $940 to $1,885.
These estimates factor in the average cost of fuel.
Factors influencing moving costs from Des Moines to VA
Here’s what shapes the moving costs in Des Moines:
- Move size: The number of rooms and volume of belongings directly affect your final bill.
- Time of year: Summer moves in Des Moines fall during peak season, which usually means higher prices.
- DIY vs. professional mover: DIY moving services are usually cheaper but involve more work and stress compared to hiring the pros.
What you should know before moving from Des Moines to VA
When relocating from Des Moines to Virginia, you can look forward to new experiences, yet it’s crucial to anticipate higher living expenses. With Virginia typically being more costly than Des Moines, careful financial planning is essential.
Compare the lifestyle in Des Moines with that in Virginia to better prepare yourself for your upcoming move:
Compare cost of living: Des Moines vs. Virginia
| Des Moines, IA | Virginia | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent | $1,150 | $1,440 |
| Average home cost | $192,347 | $392,682 |
| Average income (per capita) | $58,492 | $87,249 |
| Cost of living index | 87 | 100 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.9% | 2.9% |
| State income tax | 4.4% | 5.75% |
Virginia sources: Zumper, Zillow, Numbeo
- Rent in Virginia runs about 25% higher than in Des Moines, so you’ll want to adjust your budget.
- Be sure to budget for a higher monthly mortgage payment, as home prices are about 104% higher in Virginia than in Des Moines.
- On average, incomes in Virginia run 49% above Des Moines, potentially improving your financial flexibility.
- Expect the cost of living in Virginia to be roughly 15% higher than in Des Moines, which may require some budgeting adjustments.
- Virginia has a lower unemployment rate than Des Moines by about 51%, suggesting a stronger job market.
- Expect to pay about 31% more in income taxes in Virginia compared to Iowa.
How life is different in Des Moines, IA from Virginia
From the weather and population to local politics, here’s how life in Virginia stacks up against what you’re used to in Des Moines.
| Des Moines, IA | Virginia | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 699,292 | 8,715,698 |
| Political leaning | Democratic 57-41 | Democratic 52-48 |
| Summer high | 86ºF | 87ºF |
| Winter low | 13ºF | 25ºF |
| Annual rain | 36″ | 44″ |
| Annual snow | 33″ | 14″ |
| Crime index | 5.0 | 19.3 |
Virginia Sources: Wikipedia, AllTransit, Walk Score, NeighborhoodScout, AirNow
- In the last presidential election, both Des Moines and Virginia voted Democratic.
- Summertime highs settle at approximately 87ºF in Virginia as well as 86ºF in Des Moines, ensuring the climate feels quite familiar. Apart from temperatures, it’s important to think about humidity, weather trends, and energy costs to grasp what summertime will be like in your new area.
- Winter lows in Virginia stay around 25ºF, noticeably warmer than Des Moines, where lows drop to 13ºF. This shift means easier winters, lighter routines, and smaller heating bills.
- Get ready for about 44 inches of rain annually in Virginia, compared to just 36 inches in Des Moines. More rainfall means greener scenery and wetter days, so plan ahead with good rain gear and a flexible routine.
- In Virginia, you’ll get about 14 inches of snow each year, far less than Des Moines. That means moving to Virginia will bring milder winters with less shoveling and fewer weather headaches.
- Virginia records a higher crime rate (19.3) than Des Moines (5.0). It’s wise to research neighborhoods to understand how this may affect your day-to-day.
Other considerations when moving to Virginia
When you’re moving from Des Moines to Virginia, you’ll want to do more than just pack your boxes and hire movers. Make sure you’re up to speed on local rules, permits, and other logistics that could affect your move.
- HOA rules: Always check community regulations beforehand so your move-in goes smoothly.
- Elevator reservation: Be sure to reserve the elevator if your building requires it for move-ins.
- 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). Before you hire a moving company, double-check that they’re properly licensed.
- State regulator: You can verify a Virginia moving license anytime on the official state regulator’s site.
- Moving permits: There’s no need for a moving permit in Virginia, but be sure to look up local parking rules before moving day.
- Change of address: Make sure to fill out your USPS change of address form at least a week before moving. You can choose your official move date and have your mail forwarded to Virginia. Get started here.
- Moving insurance: Every state has their own requirements when it comes to 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: Nothing beats peace of mind. Our moving checklist makes it easy to stay organized and be sure you haven’t missed a thing.
Things to do in Virginia
Whether you’re into sports, parks, museums, or universities, Virginia has tons for you to discover and enjoy.
Museums in Virginia
- Colonial Williamsburg
- Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
- Historic Jamestowne
- Casemate Museum at Fort Monroe
- Military Aviation Museum
Parks in Virginia
- Mill Mountain Star & Park
- Morven Park
- The Mariners’ Museum & Park
- Great Falls Park
- Leesylvania State Park
Sports teams in Virginia
- Fredericksburg Nationals (Low-A East)
- Loudoun United FC (USL Championship)
- Lynchburg Hillcats (Low-A East)
- Norfolk Admirals (ECHL)
- Norfolk Tides Baseball (Triple-A East)
Universities in Virginia
- University of Virginia
- Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
- George Mason University
- Virginia Commonwealth University
- College of William & Mary
FAQ
How long does a move from Des Moines to Virginia take?
Curious about how long it’ll take to move from Des Moines, IA, to Virginia? Most moves on this route usually take two to eight days, depending on your service. Just a heads up. Moving during the hectic summer season might leave you open to delays.
To keep your move on track and steer clear of delays, be sure to ask about the delivery timeline before you book your movers.
How many movers provide custom crating for art or antiques?
There are eight movers in Des Moines that offer customized crates for a variety of fragile, oversized, or oddly shaped pieces, including artwork, antique pieces, and electronics. If you will need special crating for any of your items, be sure to confirm with a Des Moines moving company that they will be able to accommodate your specific needs.
What is the best way to get a car from Des Moines to Virginia?
Need to get your car from Des Moines to Virginia? Use a company that prioritizes professionalism, cares for your vehicle, and is experienced. Here is our list of the best Des Moines to Virginia car shippers.
Why are people moving from Des Moines to Virginia?
Many people are moving to Virginia because of its strong economy and beautiful scenery.
Read more about the Pros & cons of moving to Virginia.
Where can I find a list of long-distance moving companies in Des Moines?
Here are our top picks for the best long-distance movers in Des Moines.
Can I pay for my move from Des Moines, IA, with cash?
There are four movers in Des Moines that accept cash payments. Even so, cash is not the norm in the moving industry, where traceable payment types are preferred. Plan to pay a deposit to lock in your booking and move date. The rest of the balance is usually due at pickup or after delivery—verify timing and accepted methods with your mover.
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