Des Moines, IA to Seattle, WA Movers (NEW 2026 Costs)
Quick answer: Moving from Des Moines to Seattle typically costs $3,600–$8,300 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home (about 1,756 miles). Use our moving cost calculator below to get an instant estimate.
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Cost to move from Des Moines to Seattle
Moving from Des Moines, IA to Seattle, WA typically costs $3,600–$8,300 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home.
The price ranges below are estimates for a 1,756-mile move from Des Moines to Seattle, 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
- AB Moving recently quoted $4,241 for a 2 bedroom using professional movers.
- 1-800-Pack-Rat recently quoted $3,812 for a 5+ bedroom using a moving container.
- BLVD Moving recently quoted $3,312 for a studio apartment using professional movers.
2 Bedrooms
Jan 27, 2026
5+ Bedrooms
Jan 25, 2026
Studio apartment
Jan 13, 2026
Studio apartment
Jan 02, 2026
Studio apartment
Dec 16, 2025
5+ Bedrooms
Dec 15, 2025
1 Bedroom (small)
Dec 10, 2025
Studio apartment
Dec 10, 2025
5+ Bedrooms
Dec 07, 2025
1 Bedroom (large)
Nov 27, 2025
Factors that impact moving costs from Des Moines to Seattle
Your total cost will depend on:
- The size of your move: Costs rise with more belongings. A small one-bedroom move can start at $2,600, but larger homes can run up to $11,700.
- Seasonal timing: Demand peaks in summer — expect premium rates during moving season in Des Moines.
- Whether you hire pros or do it yourself: Choosing DIY with a truck ($1,200–$3,300) is cheaper, though tougher, than using movers.
Moving the opposite route? We got you covered with our moving from Seattle, WA to Des Moines, IA guide.
Best Des Moines to Seattle movers by type
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Best professional movers from Des Moines to Seattle
For a stress-free interstate move from Des Moines to Seattle, selecting a full-service mover is a wise choice. These professionals cover all aspects of the move, freeing you to focus on the excitement of your new adventure.
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→WA movers
Our team at moveBuddha evaluated moving rates from 37 Iowa moving companies, highlighting the top options based on client feedback, reviews, and pricing.
- Customer satisfaction (40%): Services are delivered promptly, with excellent communication, and at the cost initially quoted.
- Dispute resolution (20%): Problems sometimes come up during moves. We favor companies that admit faults and focus on making things right for the customer.
- Industry reputation (15%): Known for its positive standing, the company is respected in the moving industry and contributes through conferences and memberships.
- Online reputation (15%): The company maintains a professional website with accurate information and responds to online customer inquiries promptly and courteously.
- Service options (10%): Movers that offer a wide range of services — from packing and storage to specialty handling and fast delivery — rank higher in our evaluations.
Here is our full moving company rating methodology.
What to know before moving from Des Moines to Seattle
Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move - Seattle runs about 98% higher for singles and 124% higher for families than Des Moines.
Singles spend around $3,740 in Seattle versus $1,891 in Des Moines; families pay $9,801 compared with $4,380.
Dig into the side-by-side details here:
| Des Moines | Seattle | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $1,229 | $2,306 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $1,763 | $4,655 |
| Average home value | $192,347 | $842,068 |
| Average income (per capita) | $58,492 | $77,845 |
| Cost of living (single) | $1,891 | $3,740 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $4,380 | $9,801 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.9% | 4.8% |
| Sales tax | 7.0% | 10.35% |
| State income tax | 4.4% | 0.0% |
- As you consider relocating to Seattle, note that rent can be roughly 72% more expensive than it is in Des Moines; adjust your financial plans to accommodate this change.
- Be sure to budget for a higher monthly mortgage payment, as home prices are about 338% higher in Seattle than in Des Moines.
- Great news! You'll find the average income is about 33% higher in Seattle compared to Des Moines, giving you some extra room for savings or investments.
- Plan for higher expenses in Seattle, since the cost of living for a single person is 98% more than in Des Moines. This encompasses usual costs like utilities, groceries, apparel, and transit.
- If your journey leads to Seattle, be prepared for higher living expenditures. The cost of living for a family in Seattle is 124% more than it is in Des Moines.
- Seattle experiences an unemployment rate that is about 19% lower than that of Des Moines. This is generally a positive sign for those considering a move here, as it reflects a healthy economy.
- Sales taxes are 48% higher in Seattle than in Des Moines. This means you'll likely pay more out-of-pocket for everyday purchases on taxable goods like clothing, electronics, dining out, and household items.
- Washington has no income tax, meaning you keep more of your gross income, which can be a major advantage for salaried workers, freelancers, and retirees with taxable income.
The breakdown below shows how typical living costs and monthly expenses line up when comparing Des Moines with Seattle:
| Living Expense | Des Moines | Seattle |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $144.82 | $250.22 |
| Cell phone plan | $51.25 | $60.15 |
| Dozen eggs | $3.61 | $6.07 |
| Loaf of bread | $2.50 | $4.84 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $16.00 | $25.00 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $77.50 | $100.00 |
| Gym membership | $66.67 | $78.35 |
- Basic utilities cost less in Des Moines than in Seattle, helping trim your monthly bills.
- Cell phone plans are cheaper in Des Moines than in Seattle.
- Eggs are less expensive in Des Moines than in Seattle.
- Bread costs less in Des Moines than in Seattle.
- A quick meal is cheaper in Des Moines than in Seattle.
- A mid-range dinner for two costs less in Des Moines than in Seattle.
- Gym memberships are more affordable in Des Moines than in Seattle.
How life is different in Des Moines vs. Seattle
| Des Moines | Seattle | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 699,292 | 737,015 |
| Transportation score | 5 | 8 |
| Walkability score | 45 | 74 |
| Bike friendliness score | 39 | 71 |
| Crime index | 5.0 | 58.88 |
| Safety index | 57.8 | 49.23 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
- Seattle's population is within about 5% of Des Moines, so they’re very similar in size.
- Seattle's public transportation score of 8 out of 10 is higher than Des Moines's score of 5.
- Seattle is more walkable than Des Moines with a score of 74 out of 100 vs Des Moines's 45 out of 100.
- With a score of 71 out of 100, Seattle 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.
- Seattle's crime rate is higher than Des Moines with a score of 58.88 compared to Des Moines's 5.0. This means that Seattle neighborhoods are safer than 58.88% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Des Moines neighborhoods are safer than 5.0%.
- Seattle is considered to be less safe than Des Moines with a score of 49.23 vs Des Moines's 57.8.
- Air quality in Seattle is Good, and in Des Moines it's Good.
Other things to consider for your Des Moines to Seattle move
- HOA rules: It's a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
- Elevator reservation: Reserve elevator access early if your building requires it, to avoid delays on moving day.
- Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
- State licensing: Movers operating within Washington DC city limits are subject to regulation by the Utilities and Transportation Commission, which issues operating permits to household goods moving companies. Double-check that the moving company is properly licensed before you hire them.
- State regulator: You can verify a Washington moving company's license by visiting the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: While Washington doesn't mandate moving permits, checking local parking guidelines before your move-in day is still a good idea.
- Change of address: File your USPS change of address about a week before moving so mail reaches Seattle smoothly. Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. When planning a move in Washington state, explore movers' insurance options for added peace of mind. Many moving companies offer Released Value Protection at no extra cost, covering items at 60 cents per pound. Enhance your protection by discussing Full Value Protection with the moving company or exploring personalized plans with third-party insurance providers. Understand coverage limits, potential extra costs, and read reviews to make an informed decision on your Washington state moving insurance.
- Moving checklist: Use our moving checklist to stay on top of every detail and reduce last-minute stress.
Where to live in Seattle
Now that you've chosen Emerald City as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in Seattle to check out.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Ballard
- Capitol Hill
- Fremont
- Lower Queen Anne
- South Lake Union
Best neighborhoods for families
- Greenwood
- Laurelhurst
- Magnolia
- Upper Queen Anne
- West Seattle
Things to do in Seattle
After getting comfortable in your new Washington home, it's time to see what Seattle is all about. Whether you're into food, art, nature, or nightlife — there's plenty to check out:
- Arts and culture: From historic museums to vibrant art centers, Seattle offers cultural landmarks like the Museum of Popular Culture (MoPOP), Olympic Sculpture Park, National Nordic Museum, and Chihuly Garden and Glass.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Discovery Park, Olympic Sculpture Park, Green Lake Park, and Carkeek Park — among other sites — are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.
- Sports: Grab a seat and root for the home team during an Seattle Seahawks (NFL)Seattle Mariners (MLB)Seattle Kraken (NHL)Seattle Sounders FC (MLS)Seattle Seawolves (MLR)Seattle Dragons (XFL)Seattle Storm (WNBA) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Des Moines to Seattle?
The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from Des Moines to Seattle are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in Des Moines are lower.
When is the cheapest time to move from Des Moines to Seattle?
Because spring and fall moves from Des Moines to Seattle are so common, winter can be a great time to move if you're looking for lower prices. Read our moving discounts guide to see how.
How long does a move from Des Moines to Seattle take?
A move of 1,756 miles from Des Moines, IA to Seattle, WA generally takes five to 16 days. Movers in Des Moines sometimes provide expedited service, while storage in Seattle is a good fallback if you need extra time.
Which movers in Des Moines offer piano or antique moving?
Some moving jobs call for extra care and expertise. 10 movers in Des Moines have the skills and equipment for piano transport. 6 specialize in safely moving antiques. Across IA, there are 24 piano movers and 15 antique movers, while nationwide the numbers reach 2,296 and 1,463.
Because not every mover offers these services, ask about specialty experience and insurance coverage when you request quotes.
