Des Moines, IA to Boston, MA Movers (NEW 2026 Costs)
Quick answer: Moving from Des Moines to Boston typically costs $3,200–$7,200 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home (about 1,300 miles). Use our moving cost calculator below to get an instant estimate.
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Cost to move from Des Moines to Boston
Moving from Des Moines, IA to Boston, MA typically costs $3,200–$7,200 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home.
The price ranges below are estimates for a 1,300-mile move from Des Moines to Boston, based on moveBuddha pricing data as of Mar 20, 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
- American Van Lines recently quoted $6,275 for a 5+ bedroom using professional movers.
- Colonial Van Lines recently quoted $5,443 for a 5+ bedroom using professional movers.
- Safeway Moving recently quoted $5,374 for a 4 bedroom using professional movers.
5+ Bedrooms
Feb 27, 2026
5+ Bedrooms
Feb 16, 2026
4 Bedrooms
Feb 15, 2026
3 Bedrooms
Feb 04, 2026
1 Bedroom (small)
Jan 16, 2026
5+ Bedrooms
Jan 16, 2026
5+ Bedrooms
Dec 23, 2025
5+ Bedrooms
Dec 21, 2025
3 Bedrooms
Dec 20, 2025
1 Bedroom (large)
Dec 19, 2025
Key factors that influence moving costs from Des Moines to Boston
Your total cost will depend on:
- The size of your home: Smaller moves (like one-bedrooms) cost less, sometimes just $2,500, while larger moves (four-bedrooms) can hit $9,700.
- Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in Des Moines, which means higher prices.
- The type of mover you choose: Renting a truck ($900–$2,600) saves money but adds work compared to hiring pros.
Moving the opposite route? We got you covered with our moving from Boston, MA to Des Moines, IA guide.
Best Des Moines to Boston movers by type
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Labor Only
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Best professional movers from Des Moines to Boston
If you want to simplify your interstate move from Des Moines to Boston, 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 IA→MA movers
At moveBuddha, our specialists conducted a thorough evaluation of 37 Iowa 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 Des Moines to Boston
Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move - Boston runs about 155% higher for singles and 158% higher for families than Des Moines.
Singles spend around $4,820 in Boston versus $1,891 in Des Moines; families pay $11,304 compared with $4,380.
Dig into the side-by-side details here:
| Des Moines | Boston | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $1,229 | $3,361 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $1,763 | $5,973 |
| Average home value | $192,347 | $739,121 |
| Average income (per capita) | $58,492 | $89,212 |
| Cost of living (single) | $1,891 | $4,820 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $4,380 | $11,304 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.9% | 6.2% |
| Sales tax | 7.0% | 6.25% |
| State income tax | 4.4% | 9.0% |
- Rent is estimated to be 196% higher in Boston 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 284% greater in Boston than in Des Moines.
- Here's some promising news: the average income is around 53% higher in Boston than in Des Moines, which could mean added opportunities to save or invest each month.
- Be sure to budget for higher bills in Boston, since the cost of living for a single person in Boston is 155% higher than in Des Moines. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
- When relocating to Boston, it's important to be aware that living expenses may rise. The cost of living for a family in Boston is 158% greater than in Des Moines.
- The unemployment rates of Boston and Des Moines are very similar, with less than a 5% difference, thus maintaining a consistent employment landscape.
- Sales taxes drop 11% in Boston compared to Des Moines, providing a relief on your cost of living, especially for frequent shoppers.
- Income taxes are 105% higher in Massachusetts than in Iowa, 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 Des Moines and Boston:
| Living Expense | Des Moines | Boston |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $144.82 | $203.15 |
| Cell phone plan | $51.25 | $57.53 |
| Dozen eggs | $3.61 | $4.71 |
| Loaf of bread | $2.50 | $4.07 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $16.00 | $25.00 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $77.50 | $135.00 |
| Gym membership | $66.67 | $77.50 |
- Basic utilities cost less in Des Moines than in Boston, helping trim your monthly bills.
- Cell phone plans are cheaper in Des Moines than in Boston.
- Eggs are less expensive in Des Moines than in Boston.
- Bread costs less in Des Moines than in Boston.
- A quick meal is cheaper in Des Moines than in Boston.
- A mid-range dinner for two costs less in Des Moines than in Boston.
- Gym memberships are more affordable in Des Moines than in Boston.
How life is different in Des Moines vs. Boston
| Des Moines | Boston | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 699,292 | 675,647 |
| Transportation score | 5 | 9 |
| Walkability score | 45 | 98 |
| Bike friendliness score | 39 | 86 |
| Crime index | 5.0 | 39.88 |
| Safety index | 57.8 | 60.12 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
- Boston's population is within about 5% of Des Moines, so they’re very similar in size.
- Boston's public transportation score of 9 out of 10 is higher than Des Moines's score of 5.
- Boston is more walkable than Des Moines with a score of 98 out of 100 vs Des Moines's 45 out of 100.
- With a score of 86 out of 100, Boston 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.
- Boston's crime rate is higher than Des Moines with a score of 39.88 compared to Des Moines's 5.0. This means that Boston neighborhoods are safer than 39.88% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Des Moines neighborhoods are safer than 5.0%.
- Boston and Des Moines have a similar safety level, with scores of 60.12 and 57.8.
- Air quality in Boston is Good, and in Des Moines it's Good.
Other things to consider for your Des Moines to Boston 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: Moving companies in Massachusetts are required to obtain a license from the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities – Transportation Oversight Division to provide local and intrastate moving services in Massachusetts movers must carry adequate cargo insurance and publicly file their tariffs required to list the services they provide and the cost for each. Always verify licensing details before committing to a mover.
- State regulator: You can verify a Massachusetts moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: Massachusetts 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 Boston. Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state sets its own rules for what insurance moving companies need to maintain. In Alabama and Massachusetts, Released Value Protection is a no-cost option provided by movers but offers minimal coverage at 60 cents per pound per article. If you seek full value coverage for your items, consider consulting with your moving company for alternative options or explore third-party insurance providers.
- Moving checklist: Follow our moving checklist to keep your move organized and stress-free.
Where to live in Boston
Now that you've decided to make the move to Athens of America, these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Boston.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Allston-Brighton
- Back Bay-Beacon Hill
- East Boston
- Jamaica Plain
- South Boston
Best neighborhoods for families
- Charlestown
- East Boston
- Hyde Park
- Roslindale
- West Roxbury
Things to do in Boston
Once you're settled into your new home in Massachusetts, it's time to get out and discover what Boston has to offer. No matter your interests, there's something for everyone here:
- Arts and culture: You'll find museums and cultural hubs throughout Boston, such as the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum, John F. Kennedy Presidential Museum & Library, and Museum of Science.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Boston Public Garden, Boston Common, Arnold Arboretum, and Charles River Esplanade — 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 Boston Red Sox (MLB)Boston Bruins (NHL)Boston Celtics (NBA)New England Patriots (NFL)New England Revolution (MLS) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Des Moines to Boston?
The best time to move from Des Moines to Boston 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 Boston?
Since spring and fall are the most popular times to move from Des Moines to Boston, 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 Boston take?
Moving from Des Moines, IA to Boston, MA covers 1,300 miles and usually takes three to eight 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 Boston.
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 2,294 and 1,462.
Book early if you need these services — demand can outpace supply during busy moving seasons.
