Des Moines, IA to Aurora, CO Movers (NEW 2026 Costs)
Quick answer: Moving from Des Moines to Aurora typically costs $2,400–$6,400 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home (about 671 miles). Use our moving cost calculator below to get an instant estimate.
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Cost to move from Des Moines to Aurora
Moving from Des Moines, IA to Aurora, CO typically costs $2,400–$6,400 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home.
The price ranges below are estimates for a 671-mile move from Des Moines to Aurora, 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
- Budget Truck Rental recently quoted $648 for a 1 bedroom (large) using a rental truck.
- BLVD Moving recently quoted $2,915 for a 1 bedroom (large) using professional movers.
- Safeway Moving recently quoted $1,854 for a studio apartment using professional movers.
1 Bedroom (large)
Feb 08, 2026
1 Bedroom (large)
Feb 04, 2026
Studio apartment
Jan 30, 2026
5+ Bedrooms
Jan 27, 2026
2 Bedrooms
Jan 18, 2026
Studio apartment
Jan 17, 2026
5+ Bedrooms
Jan 14, 2026
2 Bedrooms
Jan 13, 2026
1 Bedroom (small)
Jan 08, 2026
Studio apartment
Dec 18, 2025
Factors that affect moving costs from Des Moines to Aurora
Your total cost will depend on:
- How much stuff you have: A one-bedroom move from Des Moines to Aurora may only cost $1,700, whereas a full four-bedroom relocation can approach $9,200.
- The season you're moving in: Movers charge more in summer, the busiest months in Des Moines.
- Which type of mover you use: Save with a truck rental ($600–$1,500), but expect more hassle than hiring pros.
Moving the opposite route? We got you covered with our moving from Aurora, CO to Des Moines, IA guide.
Best Des Moines to Aurora movers by type
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Local
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Rental Truck
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Labor Only
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Best professional movers from Des Moines to Aurora
Choosing a full-service mover is ideal when you prefer experts to oversee your interstate move from Des Moines to Aurora. These companies handle all the details, allowing you to dedicate your energy to your next steps.
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
moveBuddha's dedicated analysts have scrutinized moving rates across 37 Iowa moving firms, selecting the top providers by assessing customer approval, reviews, and affordability.
- Customer satisfaction (40%): The team ensures timely service delivery, engages in effective communication, and adheres to the projected costs.
- Dispute resolution (20%): Moving isn’t perfect, and mistakes will happen. We highlight movers that handle those situations honestly and put effort into resolving them fairly.
- Industry reputation (15%): The company is well-regarded within the moving industry and participates in industry conferences and organizations.
- Online reputation (15%): This mover keeps its website up to date and provides timely, professional replies to questions or concerns raised online.
- Service options (10%): Companies stand out when they provide comprehensive options such as full-service packing, safe storage, handling of specialty items, and expedited shipping.
Here is our full moving company rating methodology.
What to know before moving from Des Moines to Aurora
Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move - Aurora runs about 166% higher for singles and 67% higher for families than Des Moines.
Singles spend around $5,033 in Aurora versus $1,891 in Des Moines; families pay $7,320 compared with $4,380.
Dig into the side-by-side details here:
| Des Moines | Aurora | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $1,229 | $1,933 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $1,763 | $3,075 |
| Average home value | $192,347 | $476,793 |
| Average income (per capita) | $58,492 | $72,052 |
| Cost of living (single) | $1,891 | $5,033 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $4,380 | $7,320 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.9% | 7.6% |
| Sales tax | 7.0% | 8.0% |
| State income tax | 4.4% | 5.49% |
- Rent is about 61% more expensive in Aurora than in Des Moines. Make sure to include this increase in your monthly budget.
- Plan for a heftier mortgage payment since home prices are approximately 148% steeper in Aurora compared to Des Moines.
- Here's some fantastic news, the average income is approximately 23% greater in Aurora than in Des Moines, offering more potential for savings or investments each month.
- Prepare for elevated costs in Aurora, with the cost of living for a single person being 166% more than in Des Moines. This includes routine costs such as utilities, groceries, clothes, and transportation.
- When considering a family move to Aurora, prepare for a potential rise in household expenses. The cost of living for a family here is 67% higher than in Des Moines.
- Aurora has a higher unemployment rate than Des Moines by about 29%. This means that more people are out of work, so employers may have a larger pool of candidates to choose from, which can lead to a more competitive hiring process.
- Sales taxes in Aurora surpass those in Des Moines by 14%. This means everyday items like clothing, dining, and electronics may cost more at checkout.
- Income taxes are 25% more in Colorado than in Iowa. This increase in state taxes means you will retain less of your earnings, impacting your disposable income.
Here’s the side-by-side view of common monthly bills and day-to-day expenses in Des Moines versus Aurora:
| Living Expense | Des Moines | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $144.82 | $173.33 |
| Cell phone plan | $51.25 | $62.00 |
| Dozen eggs | $3.61 | $2.80 |
| Loaf of bread | $2.50 | $3.00 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $16.00 | $20.00 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $77.50 | $60.00 |
| Gym membership | $66.67 | $12.00 |
- Basic utilities cost less in Des Moines than in Aurora, helping trim your monthly bills.
- Cell phone plans are cheaper in Des Moines than in Aurora.
- Eggs cost more in Des Moines than in Aurora.
- Bread costs less in Des Moines than in Aurora.
- A quick meal is cheaper in Des Moines than in Aurora.
- A mid-range dinner for two is pricier in Des Moines than in Aurora.
- Gym memberships cost more in Des Moines than in Aurora.
How life is different in Des Moines vs. Aurora
| Des Moines | Aurora | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 699,292 | 386,261 |
| Transportation score | 5 | 6 |
| Walkability score | 45 | 43 |
| Bike friendliness score | 39 | 53 |
| Crime index | 5.0 | 59.05 |
| Safety index | 57.8 | 40.95 |
| Air quality | Good | Moderate |
- Aurora's population is about 45% less than Des Moines.
- Aurora's public transportation score of 6 out of 10 is higher than Des Moines's score of 5.
- Aurora and Des Moines are similarly walkable.
- With a score of 53 out of 100, Aurora 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.
- Aurora's crime rate is higher than Des Moines with a score of 59.05 compared to Des Moines's 5.0. This means that Aurora neighborhoods are safer than 59.05% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Des Moines neighborhoods are safer than 5.0%.
- Aurora is considered to be less safe than Des Moines with a score of 40.95 vs Des Moines's 57.8.
- Air quality in Aurora is Moderate, and in Des Moines it's Good.
Other things to consider for your Des Moines to Aurora move
- HOA rules: Plan time to look into your HOA or community rules and regulations before moving day arrives, to avoid any delays.
- Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator you'll want to check on how to reserve it for move day.
- Truck parking permits: Many cities require special permits for parking large moving trucks. Check in advance to see if one is needed for your move.
- State licensing: The Colorado Public Utilities Commission (COPUC) regulates local and intrastate moving service providers in Colorado. Ensure the company you choose is licensed to handle your move.
- State regulator: To confirm a moving company's license in Colorado, visit the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: Moving permits aren’t typically required in Colorado, but always confirm with local authorities to avoid surprises.
- Change of address: You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Aurora. Get started here.
- Moving company insurance: Each state has its own requirements for the level of insurance moving companies must carry. 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: Let our moving checklist guide you through the process and help ensure nothing slips through the cracks.
Where to live in Aurora
With your sights set on Gateway to the Rockies, these are some of the most popular neighborhoods to consider in Aurora.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Dayton Triangle
- Fitzsimons
- Eastridge Ptarmigan Park
- Sableridge
- Village East
Best neighborhoods for families
- Tallyn's Reach
- Prides Crossing
- Shenandoah
- Mission Viejo
- Eastridge Ptarmigan Park
Things to do in Aurora
With your move to Colorado complete, you can dive right into experiencing Aurora. From cultural attractions to outdoor adventures, you'll never run out of things to do:
- Arts and culture: Aurora is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the Aurora History Museum and Selfie@stanley.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Great Plains Park and Horseshoe Park — among other spots — perfect for hiking, biking, or simply soaking up the outdoors.
- Sports: Experience the energy of a live game and back the home team at an FieldhouseUSA (Basketball, Volleyball, Soccer, Pickleball)Spartan Youth Club (Tackle Football, Girls Flag Football, AA Baseball, AAA Baseball, Boy's Lacrosse, Coed Volleyball) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Des Moines to Aurora?
If you're flexible with timing, spring and fall are great seasons to move from Des Moines to Aurora. You'll dodge the heat, the crowds, and the higher moving costs typical of peak season in Des Moines.
When is the cheapest time to move from Des Moines to Aurora?
Want to save on your move from Des Moines to Aurora? Consider scheduling it in winter, when demand is lower and rates are often cheaper. Our moving discounts guide shows you how.
How long does a move from Des Moines to Aurora take?
The 671-mile move from Des Moines, IA, to Aurora, CO, takes one to six days. Some Des Moines movers may offer expedited moving if you need it faster. If you need more time, ask your mover about storage options in Aurora.
Need help moving a piano or antiques in Des Moines?
These delicate items require movers with specialized training. Currently, 10 movers in Des Moines provide piano moving services. 6 can transport antiques with care. Statewide, there are 24 piano movers and 15 antique movers, with nationwide counts at 2,296 and 1,463.
Demand for these services can be high, so schedule your specialty move as far ahead as possible.
