Evansville, IN to Des Moines, IA Movers (NEW 2026 Costs)

How we chose the best IN→IA movers

At moveBuddha, our specialists conducted a thorough evaluation of 60 Indiana moving companies, identifying the leading ones by examining client satisfaction, reviews, and value.

Customer satisfaction (40%): The company consistently delivers services in a timely matter with good communication and within the estimated cost.
Dispute resolution (20%): Errors happen in moving. The best companies acknowledge them quickly and take real steps to resolve any problems for their customers.
Industry reputation (15%): Within the moving field, the company has earned respect and regularly engages in conferences and trade groups.
Online reputation (15%): The organization ensures its website is reliable and actively addresses online customer inquiries in a professional manner.
Service options (10%): Top movers provide versatile offerings including packing, storage, special-item handling, and the option for faster delivery when needed.

Here is our full moving company rating methodology.

What to know before moving from Evansville to Des Moines

Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move - Des Moines runs about 20% higher for singles and 17% higher for families than Evansville.

Singles spend around $1,891 in Des Moines versus $1,582 in Evansville; families pay $4,380 compared with $3,753.

Dig into the side-by-side details here:

	Evansville	Des Moines
Average 1 BR rent	$925	$1,229
Average 3 BR rent	$1,750	$1,763
Average home value	$180,050	$192,347
Average income (per capita)	$60,051	$58,492
Cost of living (single)	$1,582	$1,891
Cost of living (family of four)	$3,753	$4,380
Unemployment rate	5.5%	5.9%
Sales tax	7.0%	7.0%
State income tax	3.15%	4.4%

source: World Population Review, Zillow, US Census Bureau, US BLS, Tax Foundation

Rent is estimated to be 33% higher in Des Moines compared to Evansville; it's essential to account for this in your budget planning.
Prepare for increased mortgage costs as home prices are roughly 7% greater in Des Moines than in Evansville.
Fortunately, the average income in Des Moines and Evansville is quite close, within a 5% range, so financial stability is likely.
Be sure to budget for higher bills in Des Moines, since the cost of living for a single person in Des Moines is 20% higher than in Evansville. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
When relocating to Des Moines, it's important to be aware that living expenses may rise. The cost of living for a family in Des Moines is 17% greater than in Evansville.
In Des Moines, the unemployment rate is approximately 7% higher than in Evansville, indicating a larger group of job seekers. This can lead to increased competition for positions.
Sales taxes show little difference between Des Moines and Evansville (around 5%), making it one less financial concern for your move.
Income taxes are 40% higher in Iowa than in Indiana, meaning that a larger fraction of your income will be spent on state taxes, potentially reducing your savings.

Here’s a closer snapshot of how common everyday costs and monthly bills compare between Evansville and Des Moines:

Living Expense	Evansville	Des Moines
Basic utilities	$231.67	$144.82
Cell phone plan	$60.60	$51.25
Dozen eggs	$3.33	$3.61
Loaf of bread	$2.60	$2.50
Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal)	$19.50	$16.00
Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant)	$60.00	$77.50
Gym membership	$36.33	$66.67

Basic utilities tend to be more expensive in Evansville than in Des Moines.
Cell phone plans typically cost more in Evansville than in Des Moines.
Eggs are less expensive in Evansville than in Des Moines.
Bread is more expensive in Evansville than in Des Moines.
A quick meal tends to cost more in Evansville than in Des Moines.
A mid-range dinner for two costs less in Evansville than in Des Moines.
Gym memberships are more affordable in Evansville than in Des Moines.

How life is different in Evansville vs. Des Moines

	Evansville	Des Moines
Population	117,298	699,292
Transportation score	3	5
Walkability score	44	45
Bike friendliness score	43	39
Crime index	5.0	5.0
Safety index	56.42	57.8
Air quality	Moderate	Good

source: Wikipedia, AllTransit, Walk Score, NeighborhoodScout, AirNow

Des Moines's population is about 496% greater than Evansville.
Des Moines's public transportation score of 5 out of 10 is higher than Evansville's score of 3.
Des Moines and Evansville are similarly walkable.
Des Moines has a bike-friendliness score of 39 out of 100, which means it isn't as accessible or safe for cyclists as Evansville, which has a score of 43.
Des Moines and Evansville have a similar crime rate with scores of 5.0 and 5.0, respectively.
Des Moines and Evansville have a similar safety level, with scores of 57.8 and 56.42.
Air quality in Des Moines is Good, and in Evansville it's Moderate.

Other things to consider for your Evansville to Des Moines move

HOA rules: Be sure to review your community or HOA guidelines before moving day to avoid any surprises or delays.
Elevator reservation: Make sure to arrange elevator access in advance if your building requires reservations for moving.
Truck parking permits: To avoid fines or delays, check whether a parking permit is needed for your moving truck.
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. Always verify licensing details before committing to a mover.
State regulator: You can verify a Iowa moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
Moving Permits: Iowa doesn't require moving permits, but it's still a good idea to check local parking rules before your move-in day.
Change of address: To avoid missing any mail, we recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least a week before your move. You can choose your official move date to make sure everything gets forwarded properly to Des Moines. Start the process here.
Moving company insurance: Every state sets its own rules for what insurance moving companies need to maintain. Choose cost-free Released Value Protection from movers for basic coverage at 60 cents per pound.
Moving checklist: Follow our moving checklist to keep your move organized and stress-free.

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

Things to do in Des Moines

Once you're settled into your new home in Iowa, it's time to get out and discover what Des Moines has to offer. No matter your interests, there's something for everyone here:

Arts and culture: You'll find museums and cultural hubs throughout Des Moines, such as the Des Moines Art Center, State Historical Museum, Science Center of Iowa, and Salisbury House.
Outdoor recreation: The city's Gray's Lake Park, Pappajohn Sculpture Park, Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, and Robert D. Ray Asian Gardens — and more — offering great opportunities to hike, bike, or relax in nature.
Sports: Sports fans can join the excitement by supporting local favorites at an Drake Bulldogs game.

source: AttractionsofAmerica

FAQ

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

The best time to move from Evansville 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 Evansville.

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

Since spring and fall are the most popular times to move from Evansville to Des Moines, moving in the winter could help you save money. Check out our guide on moving discounts for more tips.

How long does a move from Evansville to Des Moines take?

Moving from Evansville, IN to Des Moines, IA covers 513 miles and usually takes one to six days. Need to move faster? Some Evansville movers offer expedited options. If you're not ready to receive your items, look into storage solutions in Des Moines.

Which movers in Evansville give price breaks?

Some companies go the extra mile by offering discounts to certain groups. 1 movers have deals for seniors.

Always ask for a full discount list and check eligibility requirements before you commit to a mover.

Who can move pianos or antiques in Evansville?

Specialty items need extra care and the right equipment. 3 movers in Evansville advertise piano moving expertise. 1 movers in Evansville provide antique moving services. State totals show 43 piano movers and 21 antique movers, with nationwide availability at 2,296 and 1,463.

Book early if you need these services — demand can outpace supply during busy moving seasons.