Des Moines, IA to Bridgeport, CT Movers (NEW 2026 Costs)
Quick answer: Moving from Des Moines to Bridgeport typically costs $3,000–$7,400 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home (about 1,166 miles). Use our moving cost calculator below to get an instant estimate.
|
|
|
 rating
4.2 / 5
Licensed
Insured
Price
|
Cost to move from Des Moines to Bridgeport
Moving from Des Moines, IA to Bridgeport, CT typically costs $3,000–$7,400 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home.
The price ranges below are estimates for a 1,166-mile move from Des Moines to Bridgeport, based on moveBuddha pricing data as of Mar 16, 2026. Pricing is updated monthly to reflect seasonality and market changes.
Studio / 1 bedroom
|
2-3 bedrooms
|
4+ bedrooms
|
Recent moving quotes for similar moves
- AB Moving recently quoted $2,847 for a studio apartment using professional movers.
- United Van Lines recently quoted $4,957 for a 1 bedroom (large) using professional movers.
- Joyce Van Lines recently quoted $3,984 for a 2 bedroom using professional movers.
Studio apartment
Feb 18, 2026
1 Bedroom (large)
Feb 09, 2026
2 Bedrooms
Feb 08, 2026
Studio apartment
Feb 02, 2026
1 Bedroom (large)
Jan 30, 2026
1 Bedroom (large)
Jan 09, 2026
Studio apartment
Jan 06, 2026
2 Bedrooms
Dec 01, 2025
Studio apartment
Nov 26, 2025
4 Bedrooms
Nov 26, 2025
Factors that affect moving costs from Des Moines to Bridgeport
Your total cost will depend on:
- How much stuff you have: A one-bedroom move from Des Moines to Bridgeport may only cost $2,500, whereas a full four-bedroom relocation can approach $9,800.
- 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 ($800–$2,200), but expect more hassle than hiring pros.
Moving the opposite route? We got you covered with our moving from Bridgeport, CT to Des Moines, IA guide.
Best Des Moines to Bridgeport movers by type
Professional
|
Local
|
Container
|
Rental Truck
|
Labor Only
|
Best professional movers from Des Moines to Bridgeport
Choosing a full-service mover is ideal when you prefer experts to oversee your interstate move from Des Moines to Bridgeport. 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→CT 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 Bridgeport
Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move - Bridgeport runs about 16% higher for singles and 17% higher for families than Des Moines.
Singles spend around $2,191 in Bridgeport versus $1,891 in Des Moines; families pay $5,126 compared with $4,380.
Dig into the side-by-side details here:
| Des Moines | Bridgeport | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $1,229 | $2,000 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $1,763 | $2,795 |
| Average home value | $192,347 | $334,700 |
| Average income (per capita) | $58,492 | $50,597 |
| Cost of living (single) | $1,891 | $2,191 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $4,380 | $5,126 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.9% | 13.2% |
| Sales tax | 7.0% | 6.35% |
| State income tax | 4.4% | 3.0% |
- Rent is about 83% more expensive in Bridgeport 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 74% steeper in Bridgeport compared to Des Moines.
- You might want to reassess your budget before relocating. The average income is roughly 13% less in Bridgeport than in Des Moines.
- Prepare for elevated costs in Bridgeport, with the cost of living for a single person being 16% more than in Des Moines. This includes routine costs such as utilities, groceries, clothes, and transportation.
- When considering a family move to Bridgeport, prepare for a potential rise in household expenses. The cost of living for a family here is 17% higher than in Des Moines.
- Bridgeport has a higher unemployment rate than Des Moines by about 124%. 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 are 9% cheaper in Bridgeport compared to Des Moines. This could significantly slash costs for families or individuals with higher spending on taxable necessities.
- Income taxes are 32% less in Connecticut compared to Iowa, offering a relief on your paycheck, which can enhance your budgeting options.
Here’s the side-by-side view of common monthly bills and day-to-day expenses in Des Moines versus Bridgeport:
| Living Expense | Des Moines | Bridgeport |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $144.82 | $170.37 |
| Cell phone plan | $51.25 | $57.65 |
| Dozen eggs | $3.61 | $3.75 |
| Loaf of bread | $2.50 | $3.49 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $16.00 | $20.00 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $77.50 | $112.50 |
| Gym membership | $66.67 |
- Basic utilities cost less in Des Moines than in Bridgeport, helping trim your monthly bills.
- Cell phone plans are cheaper in Des Moines than in Bridgeport.
- Eggs are less expensive in Des Moines than in Bridgeport.
- Bread costs less in Des Moines than in Bridgeport.
- A quick meal is cheaper in Des Moines than in Bridgeport.
- A mid-range dinner for two costs less in Des Moines than in Bridgeport.
How life is different in Des Moines vs. Bridgeport
| Des Moines | Bridgeport | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 699,292 | 148,654 |
| Transportation score | 5 | 7 |
| Walkability score | 45 | 66 |
| Bike friendliness score | 39 | 49 |
| Crime index | 5.0 | 60.6 |
| Safety index | 57.8 | 39.4 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
- Bridgeport's population is about 79% less than Des Moines.
- Bridgeport's public transportation score of 7 out of 10 is higher than Des Moines's score of 5.
- Bridgeport is more walkable than Des Moines with a score of 66 out of 100 vs Des Moines's 45 out of 100.
- With a score of 49 out of 100, Bridgeport 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.
- Bridgeport's crime rate is higher than Des Moines with a score of 60.6 compared to Des Moines's 5.0. This means that Bridgeport neighborhoods are safer than 60.6% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Des Moines neighborhoods are safer than 5.0%.
- Bridgeport is considered to be less safe than Des Moines with a score of 39.4 vs Des Moines's 57.8.
- Air quality in Bridgeport is Good, and in Des Moines it's Good.
Other things to consider for your Des Moines to Bridgeport 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 Connecticut Department of Transportation (CDOT) regulates in-state moving companies and taxi, trucking, and bus companies. In addition, customers are also protected from scam movers by regulations set forth by the Connecticut State Department of Consumer Protection. Ensure the company you choose is licensed to handle your move.
- State regulator: To confirm a moving company's license in Connecticut, visit the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: Moving permits aren’t typically required in Connecticut, 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 Bridgeport. Get started here.
- Moving company insurance: Each state has its own requirements for the level of insurance moving companies must carry. Opting for Released Value Protection is a budget-friendly choice, as it comes at no extra cost from movers, although it provides minimal coverage. Under this option, the mover's liability is limited to a maximum of 60 cents per pound per article. If your belongings are valuable and you seek coverage beyond this limited protection, it's recommended to discuss alternative options with your chosen moving company 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 Bridgeport
With your sights set on The Park City, these are some of the most popular neighborhoods to consider in Bridgeport.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Black Rock
- Downtown
- The Hollow
- East Side
- West Side
Best neighborhoods for families
- North End
- Brooklawn
- Lake Forest
- Trumbull Gardens
- South End
Things to do in Bridgeport
With your move to Connecticut complete, you can dive right into experiencing Bridgeport. From cultural attractions to outdoor adventures, you'll never run out of things to do:
- Arts and culture: Bridgeport is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the Discovery Museum and The Barnum Museum.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Seaside Park and McLevy Green — 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 Bridgeport Islanders (AHL) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Des Moines to Bridgeport?
If you're flexible with timing, spring and fall are great seasons to move from Des Moines to Bridgeport. 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 Bridgeport?
Want to save on your move from Des Moines to Bridgeport? 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 Bridgeport take?
The 1,166-mile move from Des Moines, IA, to Bridgeport, CT, takes two to eight 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 Bridgeport.
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.
