Toledo, OH to Des Moines, IA Movers (NEW 2026 Costs)
Quick answer: Moving from Toledo to Des Moines typically costs $2,400–$6,400 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home (about 561 miles). Use our moving cost calculator below to get an instant estimate.
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Cost to move from Toledo to Des Moines
Moving from Toledo, OH to Des Moines, IA typically costs $2,400–$6,400 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home.
The price ranges below are estimates for a 561-mile move from Toledo to Des Moines, based on moveBuddha pricing data as of Mar 16, 2026. Pricing is updated monthly to reflect seasonality and market changes.
Studio / 1 bedroom
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2-3 bedrooms
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4+ bedrooms
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Recent moving quotes for similar moves
- Roadway Moving recently quoted $2,803 for a 1 bedroom (large) using professional movers.
- Mayzlin Relocation recently quoted $2,212 for a 1 bedroom (small) using professional movers.
- Allied Van Lines recently quoted $3,987 for a 2 bedroom using professional movers.
1 Bedroom (large)
Feb 11, 2026
1 Bedroom (small)
Feb 10, 2026
2 Bedrooms
Jan 22, 2026
5+ Bedrooms
Jan 09, 2026
4 Bedrooms
Jan 09, 2026
1 Bedroom (small)
Dec 29, 2025
1 Bedroom (large)
Dec 18, 2025
5+ Bedrooms
Dec 15, 2025
4 Bedrooms
Dec 07, 2025
2 Bedrooms
Nov 30, 2025
Key factors that influence moving costs from Toledo to Des Moines
Your total cost will depend on:
- The size of your home: Smaller moves (like one-bedrooms) cost less, sometimes just $1,500, while larger moves (four-bedrooms) can hit $8,900.
- Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in Toledo, which means higher prices.
- The type of mover you choose: Renting a truck ($500–$1,300) saves money but adds work compared to hiring pros.
Moving the opposite route? We got you covered with our moving from Des Moines, IA to Toledo, OH guide.
Best Toledo to Des Moines movers by type
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Labor Only
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Best professional movers from Toledo to Des Moines
If you want to simplify your interstate move from Toledo to Des Moines, consider hiring a full-service mover. These professionals will take care of everything, so you can prioritize settling into your new environment without the extra hassle.
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 OH→IA movers
At moveBuddha, our specialists conducted a thorough evaluation of 100 Ohio 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 Toledo to Des Moines
Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move - Des Moines runs about 3% higher for singles and -11% higher for families than Toledo.
Singles spend around $1,891 in Des Moines versus $1,830 in Toledo; families pay $4,380 compared with $4,938.
Dig into the side-by-side details here:
| Toledo | Des Moines | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $838 | $1,229 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $1,460 | $1,763 |
| Average home value | $118,985 | $192,347 |
| Average income (per capita) | $63,136 | $58,492 |
| Cost of living (single) | $1,830 | $1,891 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $4,938 | $4,380 |
| Unemployment rate | 6.7% | 5.9% |
| Sales tax | 7.3% | 7.0% |
| State income tax | 3.5% | 4.4% |
- Rent is estimated to be 28% higher in Des Moines compared to Toledo; it's essential to account for this in your budget planning.
- Prepare for increased mortgage costs as home prices are roughly 62% greater in Des Moines than in Toledo.
- Consider checking your finances before the transition. The average income is approximately 7% lower in Des Moines compared to Toledo.
- The cost of living for a single person is within about 5% of the same in Des Moines and Toledo, so you likely won’t notice a major difference.
- Choosing to move to Des Moines can significantly lower your family's regular expenses, such as utilities, transport, and groceries. The cost of living for a family of four is 11% less than in Toledo.
- Des Moines enjoys an unemployment rate that's roughly 12% lower compared to Toledo, suggesting better job prospects and a dynamic economy—an appealing prospect for new residents.
- Sales taxes show little difference between Des Moines and Toledo (around 5%), making it one less financial concern for your move.
- Income taxes are 26% higher in Iowa than in Ohio, 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 Toledo and Des Moines:
| Living Expense | Toledo | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $199.41 | $144.82 |
| Cell phone plan | $48.00 | $51.25 |
| Dozen eggs | $2.46 | $3.61 |
| Loaf of bread | $2.73 | $2.50 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $20.00 | $16.00 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $62.80 | $77.50 |
| Gym membership | $31.25 | $66.67 |
- Basic utilities tend to be more expensive in Toledo than in Des Moines.
- Cell phone plans are cheaper in Toledo than in Des Moines.
- Eggs are less expensive in Toledo than in Des Moines.
- Bread is more expensive in Toledo than in Des Moines.
- A quick meal tends to cost more in Toledo than in Des Moines.
- A mid-range dinner for two costs less in Toledo than in Des Moines.
- Gym memberships are more affordable in Toledo than in Des Moines.
How life is different in Toledo vs. Des Moines
| Toledo | Des Moines | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 270,871 | 699,292 |
| Transportation score | 3 | 5 |
| Walkability score | 46 | 45 |
| Bike friendliness score | 46 | 39 |
| Crime index | 67.44 | 5.0 |
| Safety index | 32.56 | 57.8 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
- Des Moines's population is about 158% greater than Toledo.
- Des Moines's public transportation score of 5 out of 10 is higher than Toledo's score of 3.
- Des Moines and Toledo 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 Toledo, which has a score of 46.
- Des Moines's crime rate is lower than Toledo with a score of 5.0 compared to Toledo's 67.44. This means that Des Moines neighborhoods are safer than 5.0% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Toledo neighborhoods are safer than 67.44%.
- Des Moines is considered to be safer than Toledo with a safety index of 57.8 vs Toledo's 32.56.
- Air quality in Des Moines is Good, and in Toledo it's Good.
Other things to consider for your Toledo 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.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Toledo to Des Moines?
The best time to move from Toledo 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 Toledo.
When is the cheapest time to move from Toledo to Des Moines?
Since spring and fall are the most popular times to move from Toledo 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 Toledo to Des Moines take?
Moving from Toledo, OH to Des Moines, IA covers 561 miles and usually takes one to six days. Need to move faster? Some Toledo movers offer expedited options. If you're not ready to receive your items, look into storage solutions in Des Moines.
Which movers in Toledo give price breaks?
Some companies go the extra mile by offering discounts to certain groups. 2 movers give special rates to military members. 3 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 Toledo?
Specialty items need extra care and the right equipment. 7 movers in Toledo advertise piano moving expertise. 6 movers in Toledo provide antique moving services. State totals show 59 piano movers and 37 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.
