Des Moines, IA to Washington DC, MD Movers (NEW 2026 Costs)
Quick answer: Moving from Des Moines to Washington DC typically costs $2,700–$7,100 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home (about 1,014 miles). Use our moving cost calculator below to get an instant estimate.
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Cost to move from Des Moines to Washington DC
Moving from Des Moines, IA to Washington DC, MD typically costs $2,700–$7,100 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home.
The price ranges below are estimates for a 1,014-mile move from Des Moines to Washington DC, 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
- Colonial Van Lines recently quoted $6,723 for a 5+ bedroom using professional movers.
- North American Van Lines recently quoted $3,099 for a studio apartment using professional movers.
- Safeway Moving recently quoted $2,320 for a studio apartment using professional movers.
5+ Bedrooms
Feb 17, 2026
Studio apartment
Feb 15, 2026
Studio apartment
Jan 18, 2026
1 Bedroom (large)
Jan 09, 2026
1 Bedroom (large)
Jan 06, 2026
3 Bedrooms
Dec 13, 2025
1 Bedroom (large)
Dec 07, 2025
1 Bedroom (large)
Nov 28, 2025
3 Bedrooms
Nov 26, 2025
1 Bedroom (large)
Nov 26, 2025
Key factors that influence moving costs from Des Moines to Washington DC
Your total cost will depend on:
- The size of your home: Smaller moves (like one-bedrooms) cost less, sometimes just $2,400, while larger moves (four-bedrooms) can hit $8,800.
- Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in Des Moines, which means higher prices.
- The type of mover you choose: Renting a truck ($800–$2,100) saves money but adds work compared to hiring pros.
Moving the opposite route? We got you covered with our moving from Washington DC, MD to Des Moines, IA guide.
Best Des Moines to Washington DC movers by type
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Best professional movers from Des Moines to Washington DC
If you want to simplify your interstate move from Des Moines to Washington DC, 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→MD 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 Washington DC
Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move - Washington DC runs about 110% higher for singles and 153% higher for families than Des Moines.
Singles spend around $3,963 in Washington DC versus $1,891 in Des Moines; families pay $11,093 compared with $4,380.
Dig into the side-by-side details here:
| Des Moines | Washington DC | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $1,229 | $2,568 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $1,763 | $5,417 |
| Average home value | $192,347 | $594,337 |
| Average income (per capita) | $58,492 | $101,722 |
| Cost of living (single) | $1,891 | $3,963 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $4,380 | $11,093 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.9% | 7.0% |
| Sales tax | 7.0% | 6.0% |
| State income tax | 4.4% | 5.75% |
- Rent is estimated to be 109% higher in Washington DC 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 209% greater in Washington DC than in Des Moines.
- Here's some promising news: the average income is around 74% higher in Washington DC than in Des Moines, which could mean added opportunities to save or invest each month.
- Be sure to budget for higher bills in Washington DC, since the cost of living for a single person in Washington DC is 110% higher than in Des Moines. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
- When relocating to Washington DC, it's important to be aware that living expenses may rise. The cost of living for a family in Washington DC is 153% greater than in Des Moines.
- In Washington DC, the unemployment rate is approximately 19% higher than in Des Moines, indicating a larger group of job seekers. This can lead to increased competition for positions.
- Sales taxes drop 14% in Washington DC compared to Des Moines, providing a relief on your cost of living, especially for frequent shoppers.
- Income taxes are 31% higher in Maryland 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 Washington DC:
| Living Expense | Des Moines | Washington DC |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $144.82 | $191.62 |
| Cell phone plan | $51.25 | $65.80 |
| Dozen eggs | $3.61 | $4.67 |
| Loaf of bread | $2.50 | $4.43 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $16.00 | $25.00 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $77.50 | $120.00 |
| Gym membership | $66.67 | $103.76 |
- Basic utilities cost less in Des Moines than in Washington DC, helping trim your monthly bills.
- Cell phone plans are cheaper in Des Moines than in Washington DC.
- Eggs are less expensive in Des Moines than in Washington DC.
- Bread costs less in Des Moines than in Washington DC.
- A quick meal is cheaper in Des Moines than in Washington DC.
- A mid-range dinner for two costs less in Des Moines than in Washington DC.
- Gym memberships are more affordable in Des Moines than in Washington DC.
How life is different in Des Moines vs. Washington DC
| Des Moines | Washington DC | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 699,292 | 672,079 |
| Transportation score | 5 | 9 |
| Walkability score | 45 | 77 |
| Bike friendliness score | 39 | 70 |
| Crime index | 5.0 | 60.37 |
| Safety index | 57.8 | 39.63 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
- Washington DC's population is within about 5% of Des Moines, so they’re very similar in size.
- Washington DC's public transportation score of 9 out of 10 is higher than Des Moines's score of 5.
- Washington DC is more walkable than Des Moines with a score of 77 out of 100 vs Des Moines's 45 out of 100.
- With a score of 70 out of 100, Washington DC 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.
- Washington DC's crime rate is higher than Des Moines with a score of 60.37 compared to Des Moines's 5.0. This means that Washington DC neighborhoods are safer than 60.37% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Des Moines neighborhoods are safer than 5.0%.
- Washington DC is considered to be less safe than Des Moines with a score of 39.63 vs Des Moines's 57.8.
- Air quality in Washington DC is Good, and in Des Moines it's Good.
Other things to consider for your Des Moines to Washington DC 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: Although a local license is not required in Maryland, make sure the moving company you’ll be hiring is registered with U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). To verify if you’re dealing with a legal and licensed mover, you may ask them their USDOT registration number. Always verify licensing details before committing to a mover.
- State regulator: You can verify a Maryland moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: Maryland 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 Washington DC. Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state sets its own rules for what insurance moving companies need to maintain. In Alabama, Released Value Protection stands out as the most economical option, incurring no additional costs. Provided by movers at no extra charge, it offers minimal coverage at 60 cents per pound per article. For those seeking comprehensive coverage, it is advisable to consult with your chosen 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 Washington DC
Now that you've decided to make the move to DC, these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Washington DC.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Adams Morgan
- Capitol Hill
- Cleveland Park
- Foggy Bottom
- Logan Circle
Best neighborhoods for families
- AU-Tenleytown
- Chevy Chase
- Cleveland Park
- Georgetown
- The Palisades
Things to do in Washington DC
Once you're settled into your new home in Maryland, it's time to get out and discover what Washington DC has to offer. No matter your interests, there's something for everyone here:
- Arts and culture: You'll find museums and cultural hubs throughout Washington DC, such as the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, National Museum of African American History and Culture, National Gallery of Art, and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's National Mall, National Gallery of Art - Sculpture Garden, Rock Creek Park, and Theodore Roosevelt Island Park — 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 Washington Wizards (NBA)Washington Capitals (NHL)Washington Mystics (WNBA)D.C. Untied (MLS)Washington Commanders (NFL)DC Defenders (XFL)Old Glory DC (MLR) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Des Moines to Washington DC?
The best time to move from Des Moines to Washington DC 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 Washington DC?
Since spring and fall are the most popular times to move from Des Moines to Washington DC, 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 Washington DC take?
Moving from Des Moines, IA to Washington DC, MD covers 1,014 miles and usually takes two 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 Washington DC.
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 2,296 and 1,463.
Book early if you need these services — demand can outpace supply during busy moving seasons.
