Des Moines, IA to Ogden, UT Movers (NEW 2026 Costs)
Quick answer: Moving from Des Moines to Ogden typically costs $2,900–$6,900 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home (about 1,058 miles). Use our moving cost calculator below to get an instant estimate.
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Cost to move from Des Moines to Ogden
Moving from Des Moines, IA to Ogden, UT typically costs $2,900–$6,900 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home.
The price ranges below are estimates for a 1,058-mile move from Des Moines to Ogden, based on moveBuddha pricing data as of Mar 16, 2026. Pricing is updated monthly to reflect seasonality and market changes.
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Recent moving quotes for similar moves
- North American Van Lines recently quoted $2,954 for a studio apartment using professional movers.
- American Van Lines recently quoted $3,202 for a studio apartment using professional movers.
- AB Moving recently quoted $4,577 for a 3 bedroom using professional movers.
Factors that impact moving costs from Des Moines to Ogden
Your total cost will depend on:
- The size of your move: Costs rise with more belongings. A small one-bedroom move can start at $2,500, but larger homes can run up to $9,300.
- 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 ($700–$2,200) is cheaper, though tougher, than using movers.
Moving the opposite route? We got you covered with our moving from Ogden, UT to Des Moines, IA guide.
Best Des Moines to Ogden movers by type
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Best professional movers from Des Moines to Ogden
For a stress-free interstate move from Des Moines to Ogden, 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
How we chose the best IA→UT 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 Ogden
Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move - Ogden runs about 8% higher for singles and 5% higher for families than Des Moines.
Singles spend around $2,039 in Ogden versus $1,891 in Des Moines; families pay $4,594 compared with $4,380.
Dig into the side-by-side details here:
| Des Moines | Ogden | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $1,229 | $1,400 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $1,763 | $2,400 |
| Average home value | $192,347 | $383,904 |
| Average income (per capita) | $58,492 | $62,986 |
| Cost of living (single) | $1,891 | $2,039 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $4,380 | $4,594 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.9% | 3.8% |
| Sales tax | 7.0% | 7.25% |
| State income tax | 4.4% | 4.95% |
- As you consider relocating to Ogden, note that rent can be roughly 11% 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 100% higher in Ogden than in Des Moines.
- Great news! You'll find the average income is about 8% higher in Ogden compared to Des Moines, giving you some extra room for savings or investments.
- Plan for higher expenses in Ogden, since the cost of living for a single person is 8% more than in Des Moines. This encompasses usual costs like utilities, groceries, apparel, and transit.
- You’ll find the cost of living for a family to be nearly equivalent in Ogden and Des Moines, with only a minor variance of about 5%, so you'll likely see minimal difference in daily expenses.
- Ogden experiences an unemployment rate that is about 36% 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 similar in Ogden and Des Moines (within about 5%), meaning this is one less financial adjustment to worry about on your move.
- Income taxes are 12% higher in Utah compared to Iowa. As a result, you might notice a larger bite taken out of your salary by the state's tax system, which could affect your net income.
The breakdown below shows how typical living costs and monthly expenses line up when comparing Des Moines with Ogden:
| Living Expense | Des Moines | Ogden |
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| Basic utilities | $144.82 | $183.16 |
| Cell phone plan | $51.25 | $40.33 |
| Dozen eggs | $3.61 | $4.28 |
| Loaf of bread | $2.50 | $2.76 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $16.00 | $14.00 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $77.50 | $60.00 |
| Gym membership | $66.67 | $20.00 |
- Basic utilities cost less in Des Moines than in Ogden, helping trim your monthly bills.
- Cell phone plans typically cost more in Des Moines than in Ogden.
- Eggs are less expensive in Des Moines than in Ogden.
- Bread costs less in Des Moines than in Ogden.
- A quick meal tends to cost more in Des Moines than in Ogden.
- A mid-range dinner for two is pricier in Des Moines than in Ogden.
- Gym memberships cost more in Des Moines than in Ogden.
How life is different in Des Moines vs. Ogden
| Des Moines | Ogden | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 699,292 | 87,321 |
| Transportation score | 5 | 6 |
| Walkability score | 45 | 44 |
| Bike friendliness score | 39 | 44 |
| Crime index | 5.0 | 46.94 |
| Safety index | 57.8 | 53.06 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
- Ogden's population is about 88% less than Des Moines.
- Ogden's public transportation score of 6 out of 10 is higher than Des Moines's score of 5.
- Ogden and Des Moines are similarly walkable.
- With a score of 44 out of 100, Ogden 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.
- Ogden's crime rate is higher than Des Moines with a score of 46.94 compared to Des Moines's 5.0. This means that Ogden neighborhoods are safer than 46.94% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Des Moines neighborhoods are safer than 5.0%.
- Ogden is considered to be less safe than Des Moines with a score of 53.06 vs Des Moines's 57.8.
- Air quality in Ogden is Good, and in Des Moines it's Good.
Other things to consider for your Des Moines to Ogden 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: Although a local license is not required in Utah, 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. Double-check that the moving company is properly licensed before you hire them.
- State regulator: You can verify a Utah moving company's license by visiting the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: While Utah 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 Ogden smoothly. Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. In Utah, movers commonly offer Released Value Protection at no extra cost, providing coverage at 60 cents per pound. To increase protection, consider discussing Full Value Protection options with the moving company.
- Moving checklist: Use our moving checklist to stay on top of every detail and reduce last-minute stress.
Where to live in Ogden
Now that you've chosen Junction City as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in Ogden to check out.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Historic 25th Street
- East Bench
- Shadow Valley
- West Ogden
- Mount Ogden
Best neighborhoods for families
- Shadow Valley
- East Bench
- North Ogden
- South Ogden
- West Haven
Things to do in Ogden
After getting comfortable in your new Utah home, it's time to see what Ogden 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, Ogden offers cultural landmarks like the Hill Aerospace Museum, Utah State Railroad Museum, Treehouse Children's Museum, and John M. Browning Firearms Museum.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Waterfall Canyon Trail, Beus Pond Park, Ogden Botanical Gardens, and Ogden Nature Center — 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 Weber State Wildcats (Big Sky) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Des Moines to Ogden?
The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from Des Moines to Ogden 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 Ogden?
Because spring and fall moves from Des Moines to Ogden 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 Ogden take?
A move of 1,058 miles from Des Moines, IA to Ogden, UT generally takes two to eight days. Movers in Des Moines sometimes provide expedited service, while storage in Ogden 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.