Des Moines, IA to Burlington, VT Movers (NEW 2026 Costs)

How we chose the best IA→VT 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 Burlington

Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move - Burlington runs about 42% higher for singles and 26% higher for families than Des Moines.

Singles spend around $2,693 in Burlington versus $1,891 in Des Moines; families pay $5,537 compared with $4,380.

Dig into the side-by-side details here:

	Des Moines	Burlington
Average 1 BR rent	$1,229	$1,800
Average 3 BR rent	$1,763	$3,000
Average home value	$192,347	$495,758
Average income (per capita)	$58,492	$66,546
Cost of living (single)	$1,891	$2,693
Cost of living (family of four)	$4,380	$5,537
Unemployment rate	5.9%	3.2%
Sales tax	7.0%	7.0%
State income tax	4.4%	8.75%

source: World Population Review, Zillow, US Census Bureau, US BLS, Tax Foundation

Rent is estimated to be 91% higher in Burlington 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 158% greater in Burlington than in Des Moines.
Here's some promising news: the average income is around 14% higher in Burlington than in Des Moines, which could mean added opportunities to save or invest each month.
Be sure to budget for higher bills in Burlington, since the cost of living for a single person in Burlington is 42% higher than in Des Moines. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
When relocating to Burlington, it's important to be aware that living expenses may rise. The cost of living for a family in Burlington is 26% greater than in Des Moines.
Burlington enjoys an unemployment rate that's roughly 46% lower compared to Des Moines, suggesting better job prospects and a dynamic economy—an appealing prospect for new residents.
Sales taxes show little difference between Burlington and Des Moines (around 5%), making it one less financial concern for your move.
Income taxes are 99% higher in Vermont 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 Burlington:

Living Expense	Des Moines	Burlington
Basic utilities	$144.82	$192.91
Cell phone plan	$51.25	$57.53
Dozen eggs	$3.61	$4.43
Loaf of bread	$2.50	$4.07
Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal)	$16.00	$21.00
Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant)	$77.50	$80.00
Gym membership	$66.67	$75.00

Basic utilities cost less in Des Moines than in Burlington, helping trim your monthly bills.
Cell phone plans are cheaper in Des Moines than in Burlington.
Eggs are less expensive in Des Moines than in Burlington.
Bread costs less in Des Moines than in Burlington.
A quick meal is cheaper in Des Moines than in Burlington.
A mid-range dinner for two costs less in Des Moines than in Burlington.
Gym memberships are more affordable in Des Moines than in Burlington.

How life is different in Des Moines vs. Burlington

	Des Moines	Burlington
Population	699,292	44,743
Transportation score	5	5
Walkability score	45	59
Bike friendliness score	39	81
Crime index	5.0	43.33
Safety index	57.8	56.67
Air quality	Good	Good

source: Wikipedia, AllTransit, Walk Score, NeighborhoodScout, AirNow

Burlington's population is about 94% less than Des Moines.
Burlington's public transportation score is within about 5% of Des Moines, making them very similar.
Burlington is more walkable than Des Moines with a score of 59 out of 100 vs Des Moines's 45 out of 100.
With a score of 81 out of 100, Burlington 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.
Burlington's crime rate is higher than Des Moines with a score of 43.33 compared to Des Moines's 5.0. This means that Burlington neighborhoods are safer than 43.33% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Des Moines neighborhoods are safer than 5.0%.
Burlington and Des Moines have a similar safety level, with scores of 56.67 and 57.8.
Air quality in Burlington is Good, and in Des Moines it's Good.

Other things to consider for your Des Moines to Burlington 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 Vermont, 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 Vermont moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
Moving Permits: Vermont 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 Burlington. Start the process here.
Moving company insurance: Every state sets its own rules for what insurance moving companies need to maintain. When it comes to movers' insurance in Vermont, many moving companies provide Released Value Protection at no extra charge, covering items at 60 cents per pound. For heightened protection, consider discussing Full Value Protection options with the moving company. Exploring third-party insurance providers for personalized plans is also an option. It's essential to understand coverage limits, potential additional costs, and read reviews to make an informed decision about your moving insurance in Vermont.
Moving checklist: Follow our moving checklist to keep your move organized and stress-free.

Where to live in Burlington

Now that you've decided to make the move to BTV, these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Burlington.

Best neighborhoods for singles

Five Sisters
Downtown
Old North End
South End
Hill Section (Hill District)

Best neighborhoods for families

South End
The Hill

Things to do in Burlington

Once you're settled into your new home in Vermont, it's time to get out and discover what Burlington has to offer. No matter your interests, there's something for everyone here:

Arts and culture: You'll find museums and cultural hubs throughout Burlington, such as the Frog Hollow Craft Center, Burlington City Arts Center, Robert Hull Fleming Museum, and New City Galerie.
Outdoor recreation: The city's Burlington Bike Path, Waterfront Park, North Beach Park, and Oakledge — 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 Vermont Catamounts (America East) game.

source: AttractionsofAmerica

FAQ

When is the best time to move from Des Moines to Burlington?

The best time to move from Des Moines to Burlington 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 Burlington?

Since spring and fall are the most popular times to move from Des Moines to Burlington, 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 Burlington take?

Moving from Des Moines, IA to Burlington, VT covers 1,216 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 Burlington.

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.