Des Moines, IA to Denver, CO Movers (NEW 2026 Costs)
Quick answer: Moving from Des Moines to Denver typically costs $2,400–$6,200 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home (about 670 miles). Use our moving cost calculator below to get an instant estimate.
|
|
|
 rating
4.2 / 5
Licensed
Insured
Price
|
Cost to move from Des Moines to Denver
Moving from Des Moines, IA to Denver, CO typically costs $2,400–$6,200 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home.
The price ranges below are estimates for a 670-mile move from Des Moines to Denver, based on moveBuddha pricing data as of Mar 16, 2026. Pricing is updated monthly to reflect seasonality and market changes.
Studio / 1 bedroom
|
2-3 bedrooms
|
4+ bedrooms
|
Recent moving quotes for similar moves
- Budget Truck Rental recently quoted $795 for a studio apartment using a rental truck.
- United Van Lines recently quoted $2,824 for a 1 bedroom (small) using professional movers.
- BLVD Moving recently quoted $4,735 for a 5+ bedroom using professional movers.
Studio apartment
Feb 17, 2026
1 Bedroom (small)
Feb 12, 2026
5+ Bedrooms
Feb 04, 2026
2 Bedrooms
Jan 30, 2026
4 Bedrooms
Jan 28, 2026
4 Bedrooms
Dec 27, 2025
3 Bedrooms
Dec 22, 2025
2 Bedrooms
Dec 15, 2025
2 Bedrooms
Dec 10, 2025
4 Bedrooms
Dec 02, 2025
Factors that impact moving costs from Des Moines to Denver
Your total cost will depend on:
- The size of your move: Costs rise with more belongings. A small one-bedroom move can start at $1,600, but larger homes can run up to $9,000.
- Seasonal timing: Demand peaks in summer — expect premium rates during moving season in Des Moines.
- Whether you hire pros or do it yourself: Choosing DIY with a truck ($600–$1,400) is cheaper, though tougher, than using movers.
Moving the opposite route? We got you covered with our moving from Denver, CO to Des Moines, IA guide.
Best Des Moines to Denver movers by type
Professional
|
Local
|
Container
|
Rental Truck
|
Labor Only
|
Best professional movers from Des Moines to Denver
For a stress-free interstate move from Des Moines to Denver, selecting a full-service mover is a wise choice. These professionals cover all aspects of the move, freeing you to focus on the excitement of your new adventure.
Want a deeper breakdown of the top long-distance movers? See our best interstate movers guide.
- Safeway Moving: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- American Van Lines: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- Allied Van Lines: 4.2 out of 5 stars
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- North American Van Lines: 4.8 out of 5 stars
Best overall value
How we chose the best IA→CO movers
Our team at moveBuddha evaluated moving rates from 37 Iowa moving companies, highlighting the top options based on client feedback, reviews, and pricing.
- Customer satisfaction (40%): Services are delivered promptly, with excellent communication, and at the cost initially quoted.
- Dispute resolution (20%): Problems sometimes come up during moves. We favor companies that admit faults and focus on making things right for the customer.
- Industry reputation (15%): Known for its positive standing, the company is respected in the moving industry and contributes through conferences and memberships.
- Online reputation (15%): The company maintains a professional website with accurate information and responds to online customer inquiries promptly and courteously.
- Service options (10%): Movers that offer a wide range of services — from packing and storage to specialty handling and fast delivery — rank higher in our evaluations.
Here is our full moving company rating methodology.
What to know before moving from Des Moines to Denver
Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move - Denver runs about 79% higher for singles and 87% higher for families than Des Moines.
Singles spend around $3,392 in Denver versus $1,891 in Des Moines; families pay $8,201 compared with $4,380.
Dig into the side-by-side details here:
| Des Moines | Denver | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $1,229 | $2,108 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $1,763 | $3,529 |
| Average home value | $192,347 | $544,237 |
| Average income (per capita) | $58,492 | $85,853 |
| Cost of living (single) | $1,891 | $3,392 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $4,380 | $8,201 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.9% | 7.1% |
| Sales tax | 7.0% | 9.15% |
| State income tax | 4.4% | 5.49% |
- As you consider relocating to Denver, note that rent can be roughly 65% more expensive than it is in Des Moines; adjust your financial plans to accommodate this change.
- Be sure to budget for a higher monthly mortgage payment, as home prices are about 183% higher in Denver than in Des Moines.
- Great news! You'll find the average income is about 47% higher in Denver compared to Des Moines, giving you some extra room for savings or investments.
- Plan for higher expenses in Denver, since the cost of living for a single person is 79% more than in Des Moines. This encompasses usual costs like utilities, groceries, apparel, and transit.
- If your journey leads to Denver, be prepared for higher living expenditures. The cost of living for a family in Denver is 87% more than it is in Des Moines.
- The unemployment rate in Denver is 20% higher compared to Des Moines, translating to more job seekers for available positions, which might elevate competition.
- Sales taxes are 31% higher in Denver than in Des Moines. This means you'll likely pay more out-of-pocket for everyday purchases on taxable goods like clothing, electronics, dining out, and household items.
- Income taxes are 25% higher in Colorado compared to Iowa. As a result, you might notice a larger bite taken out of your salary by the state's tax system, which could affect your net income.
The breakdown below shows how typical living costs and monthly expenses line up when comparing Des Moines with Denver:
| Living Expense | Des Moines | Denver |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $144.82 | $173.96 |
| Cell phone plan | $51.25 | $72.24 |
| Dozen eggs | $3.61 | $4.94 |
| Loaf of bread | $2.50 | $4.15 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $16.00 | $20.00 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $77.50 | $85.00 |
| Gym membership | $66.67 | $64.43 |
- Basic utilities cost less in Des Moines than in Denver, helping trim your monthly bills.
- Cell phone plans are cheaper in Des Moines than in Denver.
- Eggs are less expensive in Des Moines than in Denver.
- Bread costs less in Des Moines than in Denver.
- A quick meal is cheaper in Des Moines than in Denver.
- A mid-range dinner for two costs less in Des Moines than in Denver.
- Gym memberships cost more in Des Moines than in Denver.
How life is different in Des Moines vs. Denver
| Des Moines | Denver | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 699,292 | 715,522 |
| Transportation score | 5 | 8 |
| Walkability score | 45 | 95 |
| Bike friendliness score | 39 | 96 |
| Crime index | 5.0 | 47.84 |
| Safety index | 57.8 | 52.16 |
| Air quality | Good | Moderate |
- Denver's population is within about 5% of Des Moines, so they’re very similar in size.
- Denver's public transportation score of 8 out of 10 is higher than Des Moines's score of 5.
- Denver is more walkable than Des Moines with a score of 95 out of 100 vs Des Moines's 45 out of 100.
- With a score of 96 out of 100, Denver is more bike-friendly than Des Moines, which has a score of 39 out of 100. The higher a city's score, the more suited it is to safely accommodating cyclists.
- Denver's crime rate is higher than Des Moines with a score of 47.84 compared to Des Moines's 5.0. This means that Denver neighborhoods are safer than 47.84% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Des Moines neighborhoods are safer than 5.0%.
- Denver is considered to be less safe than Des Moines with a score of 52.16 vs Des Moines's 57.8.
- Air quality in Denver is Moderate, and in Des Moines it's Good.
Other things to consider for your Des Moines to Denver move
- HOA rules: It's a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
- Elevator reservation: Reserve elevator access early if your building requires it, to avoid delays on moving 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: The Colorado Public Utilities Commission (COPUC) regulates local and intrastate moving service providers in Colorado. Double-check that the moving company is properly licensed before you hire them.
- State regulator: You can verify a Colorado moving company's license by visiting the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: While Colorado doesn't mandate moving permits, checking local parking guidelines before your move-in day is still a good idea.
- Change of address: File your USPS change of address about a week before moving so mail reaches Denver smoothly. Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. Choose Released Value Protection for its cost-free advantage, provided by movers with minimal coverage. Under this option, the mover's responsibility is capped at 60 cents per pound per article. For instance, if your mover lost or damaged a valuable item, you would only receive compensation based on this limited valuation. If you seek comprehensive coverage for your items' full value, discuss alternative options with the moving company you're hiring or explore third-party insurance providers.
- Moving checklist: Use our moving checklist to stay on top of every detail and reduce last-minute stress.
Where to live in Denver
Now that you've chosen The Mile-High City as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in Denver to check out.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Capitol Hill
- Five Points
- Highland
- LoDo
- Washington Park
Best neighborhoods for families
- Berkeley
- Fort Logan
- Hilltop
- Park Hill
- Washington Park
Things to do in Denver
After getting comfortable in your new Colorado home, it's time to see what Denver is all about. Whether you're into food, art, nature, or nightlife — there's plenty to check out:
- Arts and culture: From historic museums to vibrant art centers, Denver offers cultural landmarks like the Denver Botanic Gardens, Denver Museum of Nature & Science, Denver Art Museum, and Molly Brown House Museum.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Washington Park, Denver Mountain Parks, City Park - Denver, and Cheesman Park — among other sites — are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.
- Sports: Grab a seat and root for the home team during an Denver Broncos (NFL)Colorado Rockies (MLB)Colorado Avalance (NHL)Colorado Rapids (MLS)Denver Nuggets (NBA) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Des Moines to Denver?
The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from Des Moines to Denver are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in Des Moines are lower.
When is the cheapest time to move from Des Moines to Denver?
Because spring and fall moves from Des Moines to Denver are so common, winter can be a great time to move if you're looking for lower prices. Read our moving discounts guide to see how.
How long does a move from Des Moines to Denver take?
A move of 670 miles from Des Moines, IA to Denver, CO generally takes one to six days. Movers in Des Moines sometimes provide expedited service, while storage in Denver is a good fallback if you need extra time.
Which movers in Des Moines offer piano or antique moving?
Some moving jobs call for extra care and expertise. 10 movers in Des Moines have the skills and equipment for piano transport. 6 specialize in safely moving antiques. Across IA, there are 24 piano movers and 15 antique movers, while nationwide the numbers reach 2,296 and 1,463.
Because not every mover offers these services, ask about specialty experience and insurance coverage when you request quotes.
