The best local movers for Des Moines to Cincinnati moves
It’s not always easy to find a reliable local moving company in Des Moines that also handles long-distance moves to Cincinnati. Luckily, we’ve done the research for you. We evaluated 13 local movers in Des Moines who offer long-distance services, looking at cost, service quality, and customer reviews.
Below are the top local moving companies for long-distance moves from Des Moines to Cincinnati.
- 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
How much does it cost to move from Des Moines to Cincinnati?
The average hourly rate for movers in Iowa is $128. Here are some general cost estimates for a full-service moving company, a moving container, or a rental truck:
| Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,099 – $3,301 | $661 – $1,744 | $455 – $789 |
| 2 – 3 bedrooms | $2,008 – $5,655 | $1,292 – $2,533 | $466 – $1,016 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,701 – $8,109 | $1,707 – $3,240 | $606 – $1,167 |
Cost to hire movers from Des Moines to Cincinnati
Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Des Moines to Cincinnati will cost between $1,099 and $3,301. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from Des Moines to Des Moines will range from $2,008 to $5,655, and a large move from Des Moines to Cincinnati will cost from $3,701 to $8,109.
Cost of moving containers from Des Moines to Cincinnati
If you’re moving from Des Moines to Cincinnati, expect to pay between $661 and $1,744 for a small load. For a home with two or three bedrooms, prices typically range from $1,292 up to $2,533. Larger moves of four bedrooms or more can run between $1,707 and $3,240. Check out our guide on PODS cost for more details.
Check out the most affordable moving container companies for your move from Iowa.
Cost of moving truck rentals from Des Moines to Cincinnati
Renting a moving truck from Des Moines to Cincinnati is usually your cheapest option, but keep in mind you’ll be handling all the loading, unloading, and driving yourself.
If you’re moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment with a rental truck, expect to spend between $455 and $789. For two to three bedrooms, rates typically fall between $466 and $1,016. Relocating a four-bedroom (or bigger) home? You’re likely looking at anywhere from $606 up to $1,167 for your rental truck.
These quotes include estimated fuel costs.
Key factors that influence moving costs from Des Moines to Cincinnati
The cost of Des Moines movers will depend on:
- The size of your home: Smaller moves (like one-bedrooms) cost less, sometimes just $1,730, while larger moves (four-bedrooms) can hit $6,400.
- Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in Des Moines, which means higher prices.
- The type of mover you choose: Renting a truck ($455–$1,105) saves money but adds work compared to hiring pros.
What to know before moving from Des Moines to Cincinnati
Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move – Cincinnati runs about 30% higher for singles and 47% higher for families than Des Moines.
Singles spend around $2,467 in Des Moines versus $1,891 in Des Moines; families pay $6,418 compared with $4,380.
Dig into the side-by-side details here:
| Des Moines | Cincinnati | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $1,229 | $1,488 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $1,763 | $2,893 |
| Average home value | $192,347 | $232,735 |
| Average income (per capita) | $58,492 | $65,682 |
| Cost of living (single) | $1,891 | $2,467 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $4,380 | $6,418 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.9% | 4.9% |
| Sales tax | 7.0% | 6.5% |
| State income tax | 4.4% | 3.5% |
- Rent is estimated to be 26% higher in Cincinnati compared to Des Moines; it’s essential to account for this in your budget planning.
- Prepare for increased mortgage costs as home prices are roughly 21% greater in Cincinnati than in Des Moines.
- Here’s some promising news: the average income is around 12% higher in Cincinnati than in Des Moines, which could mean added opportunities to save or invest each month.
- Be sure to budget for higher bills in Cincinnati, since the cost of living for a single person in Cincinnati is 30% higher than in Des Moines. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
- When relocating to Cincinnati, it’s important to be aware that living expenses may rise. The cost of living for a family in Cincinnati is 47% greater than in Des Moines.
- Cincinnati enjoys an unemployment rate that’s roughly 17% lower compared to Des Moines, suggesting better job prospects and a dynamic economy—an appealing prospect for new residents.
- Sales taxes drop 7% in Cincinnati compared to Des Moines, providing a relief on your cost of living, especially for frequent shoppers.
- Income taxes are 20% less in Ohio than in Iowa. With these lower tax rates, you can enjoy more take-home pay, simplifying your financial management.
Here’s a closer snapshot of how common everyday costs and monthly bills compare between Des Moines and Cincinnati:
| Living Expense | Des Moines | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $144.82 | $128.95 |
| Cell phone plan | $51.25 | $56.81 |
| Dozen eggs | $3.61 | $3.26 |
| Loaf of bread | $2.50 | $3.30 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $16.00 | $15.00 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $77.50 | $60.00 |
| Gym membership | $66.67 | $30.82 |
- Basic utilities tend to be more expensive in Des Moines than in Cincinnati.
- Cell phone plans are cheaper in Des Moines than in Cincinnati.
- Eggs cost more in Des Moines than in Cincinnati.
- Bread costs less in Des Moines than in Cincinnati.
- A quick meal tends to cost more in Des Moines than in Cincinnati.
- A mid-range dinner for two is pricier in Des Moines than in Cincinnati.
- Gym memberships cost more in Des Moines than in Cincinnati.
How life is different in Des Moines vs. Cincinnati
| Des Moines | Cincinnati | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 699,292 | 309,317 |
| Transportation score | 5 | 6 |
| Walkability score | 45 | 49 |
| Bike friendliness score | 39 | 36 |
| Crime index | 5.0 | 48.47 |
| Safety index | 57.8 | 49.53 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
- Cincinnati’s population is about 56% less than Des Moines.
- Cincinnati’s public transportation score of 6 out of 10 is higher than Des Moines’s score of 5.
- Cincinnati is more walkable than Des Moines with a score of 49 out of 100 vs Des Moines’s 45 out of 100.
- Cincinnati has a bike-friendliness score of 36 out of 100, which means it isn’t as accessible or safe for cyclists as Des Moines, which has a score of 39.
- Cincinnati’s crime rate is higher than Des Moines with a score of 48.47 compared to Des Moines’s 5.0. This means that Cincinnati neighborhoods are safer than 48.47% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Des Moines neighborhoods are safer than 5.0%.
- Cincinnati is considered to be less safe than Des Moines with a score of 49.53 vs Des Moines’s 57.8.
- Air quality in Cincinnati is Good, and in Des Moines it’s Good.
Other things to consider for your Des Moines to Cincinnati 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: Although a local license is not required in Ohio, make sure the moving company you’ll be hiring is registered with U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). To verify if you’re dealing with a legal and licensed mover, you may ask them their USDOT registration number. Always verify licensing details before committing to a mover.
- State regulator: You can verify a Ohio moving license and its status through the state’s public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: Ohio 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 Cincinnati. Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state sets its own rules for what insurance moving companies need to maintain. Opt for cost-free Released Value Protection from movers, offering minimal coverage with a maximum liability of 60 cents per pound per article. For comprehensive coverage, explore alternatives with your chosen moving company or consider a third-party insurance provider.
- Moving checklist: Follow our moving checklist to keep your move organized and stress-free.
Where to live in Cincinnati
Now that you’ve decided to make the move to The Blue Chip City, these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Cincinnati.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Central Business District
- Clifton
- Columbia-Tusculum
- Oakley
- Over-The-Rhine
Best neighborhoods for families
- Hyde Park
- Mount Adams
- Mount Lookout
- Oakley
- Pleasant Ridge
Things to do in Cincinnati
Once you’re settled into your new home in Ohio, it’s time to get out and discover what Cincinnati has to offer. No matter your interests, there’s something for everyone here:
- Arts and culture: You’ll find museums and cultural hubs throughout Cincinnati, such as the American Classical Music Hall of Fame and Museum, American Sign Museum, Art Academy of Cincinnati, and Betts House.
- Outdoor recreation: The city’s Ault Park, Smale Riverfront Park, Mt. Airy Forest, and Eden Park — 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 Cincinnati Reds (MLB)Cincinnati Bengals (NFL)FC Cincinnati (MLS)Cincinnati Cyclones (ECHL)Florence Y’alls (Frontier League)FC Cincinnati 2 (MLS Next Pro) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Des Moines to Cincinnati?
The best time to move from Des Moines to Cincinnati 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 Cincinnati?
Since spring and fall are the most popular times to move from Des Moines to Cincinnati, 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 Des Moines to Cincinnati take?
Moving from Des Moines, IA to Cincinnati, covers 585 miles and usually takes one to six days. Need to move faster? Some Des Moines movers offer expedited options. If you’re not ready to receive your items, look into storage solutions in Cincinnati.
Who can move pianos or antiques in Des Moines?
Specialty items need extra care and the right equipment. 10 movers in Des Moines advertise piano moving expertise. 6 movers in Des Moines provide antique moving services. State totals show 24 piano movers and 15 antique movers, with nationwide availability at 2,303 and 1,466.
Book early if you need these services — demand can outpace supply during busy moving seasons.
Helpful moving resources
Des Moines moving services
Popular Iowa routes
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