($580+) Des Moines, IA to Jackson, MS Movers
Moving from Des Moines, IA, to Jackson, MS, runs anywhere from $580 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,152 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 824 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 2 to 7 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
- Full-service moves for smaller spaces (studio apartments and 1-bedrooms) start around $1,822, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,152 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,132 - $3,631, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $580 - $1,544.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Des Moines, IA, to Jackson, MS. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,449 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
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Compare moving options from Des Moines, IA to Jackson, MS
Moving options from Des Moines to Jackson fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $2,449 - $5,513 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 44% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 75% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 824-mile route typically takes 2 to 7 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 824-mile route from Des Moines to Jackson, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,822 - $4,427 | $1,132 - $2,064 | $580 - $1,082 | $1,018 - $1,734 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,449 - $5,513 | $1,371 - $2,809 | $613 - $1,223 | $1,086 - $2,269 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,130 - $8,152 | $1,878 - $3,631 | $776 - $1,544 | $1,503 - $2,933 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated October 30, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Des Moines, IA to Jackson, MS
Full-service movers for the 824-mile relocation from Des Moines, Iowa, to Jackson, Mississippi, cost between $1,822 and $8,152. With a long-distance moving company, loading, transportation, and unloading are all taken care of. If you want to skip packing boxes, too, that can be added for $248 - $1,652, depending on your home size. What you pay in the end is mainly a function of how much your shipment weighs and how far it's traveling. As a point of reference, local movers in Des Moines typically charge a base rate around $737 plus $142 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Des Moines to Jackson:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,822 - $4,427
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,449 - $5,513
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,130 - $8,152
Packing, storage, shuttle fees, and added coverage can stack on top of the base price. See the full add-ons and specialty services table below for what each runs from Des Moines to Jackson.
Pro tip: Moving company rates climb during peak moving season (May –-September) when demand peaks. Scheduling your move outside of that window can lead to noticeably lower costs and better availability.
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Specialty moving services from Des Moines, IA to Jackson, MS
Specialty needs vary by market: 58% of Des Moines movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Jackson, 88% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing62% of local movers | $413 - $4,130 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready58% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $165 - $991/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $248 - $1,982 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage8% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs50% of local movers | $826 - $2,478 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,065 - $8,260 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $619 - $1,175 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items12% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Adamantine Spine Moving | $826 - $2,065 |
| Piano | Any piano type38% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $661 - $2,891 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling | $248 - $1,239 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect4% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $537 - $1,652 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $248 - $12,390+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $248 - $2,891+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Des Moines to Jackson?
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing means no surprise charges on moving day, and their support team is consistently rated among the most responsive in the industry.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here, with 30+ years in business since 1995. AVL is one of the few national carriers that uses full-time in-house crews instead of contracted labor.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan that covers damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in Des Moines, IA. Local companies typically run 30% - 40% more at longer distances because they aren't set up to consolidate shipments the way national carriers do. The one case where a local mover might be worth the premium is if you want a dedicated direct-route truck, which averages a 2-day delivery time, but expect to pay more for that convenience.
Moving container costs from Des Moines, IA to Jackson, MS
Moving containers from Des Moines, Iowa, to Jackson, Mississippi, cost between $1,132 and $3,631. The container gets dropped at your door and you load it at your own pace. U-Haul gives you 3 days to load and PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're done, the company handles all the transportation. If you need extra time, storage in Des Moines runs about $60/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Des Moines to Jackson:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,132 - $2,064
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,371 - $2,809
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,878 - $3,631
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $62 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $124 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Jackson, MS, if you need to retrieve anything while items are still in storage.
- Moving labor: Since you're responsible for loading the container yourself, many customers bring in hourly help. Based on moveBuddha data, hiring 2 movers for approximately 5 hours costs about $578 in Des Moines, IA. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection goes beyond the standard minimum and covers repair, replacement, or reimbursement at declared value. Pricing is typically 1% - 2% of your total shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 move.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Iowa to Mississippi move in the past 90 days. Our pricing data is drawn from 1,500+ monthly data points across our vetted mover network and refreshed every month.
Pro tip: Before ordering moving containers, take a careful inventory of everything you're moving. A typical 1-bedroom home weighs around 3,000 pounds and fits in a single container starting at $1,132. Underestimating how much you have and needing an extra container means paying for another one, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise. For reference, a 2 - 3 bedroom home typically runs $1,371 - $2,809.
What are the best moving containers Des Moines to Jackson?
- Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
- U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
- MovingYourself (5.0/5 stars)
Want a hand without paying for full service? A container or truck move does not mean doing all the heavy lifting yourself. You can hire a labor-only crew in Des Moines to load and unload while you handle the drive, then book full help later if you change your mind. Three top-rated local crews for labor-only help in Des Moines:
- All Mighty Movers LLC (4.8/5), 12 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.8/5), 8 years in business
- The Approved Movers (4.8/5), 6 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Des Moines, IA to Jackson, MS
A rental truck for this 824-mile move from Des Moines, Iowa, to Jackson, Mississippi, costs between $580 and $1,544. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $217 - $247
- Daily insurance: $25/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $17
- Des Moines daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $1.19
| Home size | Typical truck size |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | 10 - 12 ft |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | 15 - 17 ft |
| 4+ bedrooms | 20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel) |
These are typical moving truck rental costs from Des Moines to Jackson based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $580 - $1,082
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $613 - $1,223
- 4+ bedrooms: $776 - $1,544
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $580 - $1,544 does not include fuel ($217 - $247), lodging ($124/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Des Moines to Jackson typically runs more than the base rate alone, with meals, equipment, and other extras adding roughly $600 - $1,200 on top of fuel and lodging.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $124 per night if your drive requires an overnight stop. Typically, you'll make 1 - 3 overnight stops, depending on move distance.
- Moving labor: Bringing in professional loading help in Des Moines, Iowa, usually costs about $578 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 824-mile drive falls between $217 and $247, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, moving pads, and vehicle trailers are easy to overlook but can add between $41 and $248 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Des Moines to Jackson?
- Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
- Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
- U-Haul Truck Rental (4.2/5 stars)
The best truck rental companies for this route, based on moveBuddha's ratings.
Freight trailer costs from Des Moines, IA to Jackson, MS
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Des Moines, Iowa, to Jackson, Mississippi, when you want to do the loading yourself without having to drive a massive vehicle. The trailer is delivered, you pack it up, and the carrier handles the long haul.
What sets freight trailers apart is the pay-for-what-you-use pricing model. Each additional foot of trailer space you occupy adds to the cost. Pricing for a 2 - 3 bedroom move of this distance typically lands between $1,086 and $2,269.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Des Moines to Jackson:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,018 - $1,734
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,086 - $2,269
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,503 - $2,933
Pro tip: Freight trailers offer generous space but reward good packing strategy. The 4-foot ramp can be challenging for large or heavy pieces, and using the full 8-foot height takes careful stacking. Because you're billed by the linear foot, maximizing vertical space keeps your costs lower.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Des Moines, Iowa, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $578.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $62 - $124 per additional foot to your total.
- Time of year: Rates tend to climb during peak moving season (mid-May through mid-September) when trailer demand is at its highest.
What are the best freight companies from Des Moines to Jackson?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Primarily known as a top moving container option for its DIY hybrid model where customers load and the company drives, MovingYourself also functions as a strong freight option thanks to its 53-foot trucks and pay-only-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. Best known for its container service, U-Pack also runs a top-notch freight trailer operation with the same no-deposit, pay-by-the-foot approach that keeps overall costs lower than most freight competitors.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Des Moines to Jackson, freight trailers are one of the fastest interstate options available, second only to renting a truck and driving it yourself. The tradeoff is that freight works best when you're ready to receive your belongings on the other end. If your timeline is tight on the receiving side or you need a short storage buffer, a moving container might be a better fit.
Cost of living: Des Moines, IA vs Jackson, MS
Day-to-day costs in Jackson are close to what you're used to in Des Moines: cost of living index of 76 versus 87, with average rent of $1,170/mo compared to $1,150/mo. With an index gap that small, budgeting for this move mostly comes down to the moving costs above rather than a shift in your monthly expenses. For reference, walkability and safety scores are 45/100 and 57.8/100 in Des Moines versus 26/100 and 17.62/100 in Jackson.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Jackson, MS to Des Moines, IA guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Iowa to Mississippi in the past 3 months alone, keeping our pricing data current. Run your numbers through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. For context, we track 58 movers based in Iowa, handy for sizing up options on this 824-mile route.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Des Moines, IA, to Jackson, MS, comes down to your budget and how much time and work you're able to put into it. Hands-off relocations handled by full-service movers range from $1,822 - $8,152 on the 824-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,132 - $3,631 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $580 - $1,544 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $2,449 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and 24/7 live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Newk's Eatery and Cal-Maine Foods.
FAQs: Moving from Des Moines, IA, to Jackson, MS
What do local movers charge in Des Moines?
Local movers based in Des Moines typically start around $737 as a base rate, plus $142/hour per mover. That's a useful baseline if you're hiring help just to load a rental truck or container rather than booking a full long-distance move. Rates in Jackson run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
What size moving truck do I need for this route?
Rental trucks generally range from 10 to 26 feet. A 15- to 17-foot truck covers most 2-bedroom moves, while a smaller 10- to 12-foot truck works for a studio or 1-bedroom. Homes with 4 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
How much does it cost to move from Des Moines, IA to Jackson, MS?
Costs on this route range from around $580 to $8,152, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,822 and $8,152, while DIY options like rental trucks and containers come in lower. Moving during peak season (May - September) tends to push prices higher across the board.
What is the cheapest way to move from Des Moines, IA to Jackson, MS?
Renting a moving truck is almost always the most affordable option, since you handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself. A 2-bedroom rental truck move on this route averages $613 - $1,223. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($217 - $247), daily insurance ($25/day), and equipment rentals ($6 - $17) on top. Overnight stops can add another $124/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What percentage of Des Moines movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 38% of movers in Des Moines handle piano moves, and 12% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.