Des Moines, IA to Arlington, VA Movers (NEW 2026 Costs)
Quick answer: Moving from Des Moines to Arlington typically costs $2,800–$6,800 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home (about 1,017 miles). Use our moving cost calculator below to get an instant estimate.
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Cost to move from Des Moines to Arlington
Moving from Des Moines, IA to Arlington, VA typically costs $2,800–$6,800 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home.
The price ranges below are estimates for a 1,017-mile move from Des Moines to Arlington, based on moveBuddha pricing data as of Mar 20, 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
- Safeway Moving recently quoted $5,802 for a 4 bedroom using professional movers.
- AB Moving recently quoted $2,604 for a studio apartment using professional movers.
- 1-800-Pack-Rat recently quoted $2,348 for a 3 bedroom using a moving container.
4 Bedrooms
Feb 18, 2026
Studio apartment
Feb 03, 2026
3 Bedrooms
Feb 03, 2026
Studio apartment
Jan 29, 2026
1 Bedroom (small)
Jan 01, 2026
4 Bedrooms
Dec 31, 2025
5+ Bedrooms
Dec 30, 2025
4 Bedrooms
Dec 24, 2025
3 Bedrooms
Dec 19, 2025
1 Bedroom (large)
Dec 16, 2025
Key factors that impact the cost of your Des Moines to Arlington move
Your total cost will depend on:
- Home size: The number of rooms makes a big difference. Expect around $2,500 for a one-bedroom, or up to $9,200 for a four-bedroom.
- The time of year you're moving: Rates climb in summer because of peak season demand in Des Moines.
- DIY vs. professional: Rental trucks can range from $800 to $2,200, but require more effort than hiring movers.
Moving the opposite route? We got you covered with our moving from Arlington, VA to Des Moines, IA guide.
Best Des Moines to Arlington movers by type
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Rental Truck
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Labor Only
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Best professional movers from Des Moines to Arlington
Opting for a full-service mover can make your interstate move from Des Moines to Arlington much easier by letting professionals manage the entire process. This choice allows you to focus on what matters most instead of the logistics of moving.
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→VA movers
The experienced professionals at moveBuddha reviewed moving rates from 37 Iowa movers, pinpointing the highest-rated services by analyzing satisfaction metrics, reviews, and overall cost.
- Customer satisfaction (40%): The business consistently meets deadlines, communicates clearly with clients, and remains within the expected spending limits.
- Dispute resolution (20%): Mistakes cannot be avoided in the moving industry. We look for companies that own their mistakes and make genuine efforts to fix any issues that arise during a move.
- Industry reputation (15%): This mover maintains a strong reputation among industry peers and is active in professional associations and events.
- Online reputation (15%): A polished, accurate website and quick, respectful responses to online inquiries reflect the company’s strong digital presence.
- Service options (10%): A broad service menu matters. We value movers that cover everything from packing and storage to unique item care and speedy delivery.
Here is our full moving company rating methodology.
What to know before moving from Des Moines to Arlington
Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move - Arlington runs about 263% higher for singles and 173% higher for families than Des Moines.
Singles spend around $6,867 in Arlington versus $1,891 in Des Moines; families pay $11,970 compared with $4,380.
Dig into the side-by-side details here:
| Des Moines | Arlington | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $1,229 | $2,475 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $1,763 | $4,350 |
| Average home value | $192,347 | $810,670 |
| Average income (per capita) | $58,492 | $128,145 |
| Cost of living (single) | $1,891 | $6,867 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $4,380 | $11,970 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.9% | 4.0% |
| Sales tax | 7.0% | 6.0% |
| State income tax | 4.4% | 5.75% |
- Planning a move to Arlington? Keep in mind that rent could be approximately 136% higher than in Des Moines, so be sure to adjust your monthly expenses accordingly.
- Anticipate a larger mortgage expense since home prices in Arlington are about 321% higher than those in Des Moines.
- Exciting update: you'll see an average income that's about 119% higher in Arlington compared to Des Moines, which might allow for more savings or investments.
- Prepare your budget for higher expenses in Arlington, as living costs for a single person are 263% higher than in Des Moines. This includes essential costs such as utilities, groceries, clothing, and commuting.
- If you're moving your family to Arlington, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Arlington is 173% higher than in Des Moines.
- The unemployment rate in Arlington is about 32% lower than in Des Moines. This is often a positive indicator of a robust job market and economic health, beneficial if you plan to move there.
- Sales taxes are 14% less in Arlington relative to Des Moines. This will help shrink your living expenses, especially if you tend to buy more taxable goods.
- Income taxes in Virginia are 31% above those in Iowa. Consequently, more of your income may be allocated to tax payments, which could diminish your overall earnings.
See how the cost of everyday necessities and regular monthly payments differs between Des Moines and Arlington:
| Living Expense | Des Moines | Arlington |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $144.82 | $208.70 |
| Cell phone plan | $51.25 | $59.67 |
| Dozen eggs | $3.61 | $4.26 |
| Loaf of bread | $2.50 | $4.18 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $16.00 | $24.50 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $77.50 | $90.00 |
| Gym membership | $66.67 | $77.25 |
- Basic utilities cost less in Des Moines than in Arlington, helping trim your monthly bills.
- Cell phone plans are cheaper in Des Moines than in Arlington.
- Eggs are less expensive in Des Moines than in Arlington.
- Bread costs less in Des Moines than in Arlington.
- A quick meal is cheaper in Des Moines than in Arlington.
- A mid-range dinner for two costs less in Des Moines than in Arlington.
- Gym memberships are more affordable in Des Moines than in Arlington.
How life is different in Des Moines vs. Arlington
| Des Moines | Arlington | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 699,292 | 238,643 |
| Transportation score | 5 | 9 |
| Walkability score | 45 | 71 |
| Bike friendliness score | 39 | 72 |
| Crime index | 5.0 | 15.67 |
| Safety index | 57.8 | 79.15 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
- Arlington's population is about 66% less than Des Moines.
- Arlington's public transportation score of 9 out of 10 is higher than Des Moines's score of 5.
- Arlington is more walkable than Des Moines with a score of 71 out of 100 vs Des Moines's 45 out of 100.
- With a score of 72 out of 100, Arlington 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.
- Arlington's crime rate is higher than Des Moines with a score of 15.67 compared to Des Moines's 5.0. This means that Arlington neighborhoods are safer than 15.67% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Des Moines neighborhoods are safer than 5.0%.
- Arlington is considered to be safer than Des Moines with a safety index of 79.15 vs Des Moines's 57.8.
- Air quality in Arlington is Good, and in Des Moines it's Good.
Other things to consider for your Des Moines to Arlington move
- HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
- Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, make sure to find out how to reserve it ahead of your move.
- Truck parking permits: Make sure to look into local parking regulations—some areas require permits for large moving trucks.
- State licensing: In addition to filing tariffs and complying with insurance, bond, and highway safety requirements, all intrastate moving companies in Virginia must have a certificate from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (VaDMV). Before booking, ensure the moving company is officially licensed to handle your move.
- State regulator: Virginia’s public utilities commission provides official mover license verification.
- Moving Permits: Virginia does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state. We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move.
- Change of address: We suggest filing your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move. You'll be able to set your official move date, helping ensure your mail is forwarded correctly to Arlington. Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: The amount and type of insurance movers must have depends on state regulations. In Virginia, movers commonly offer Released Value Protection at no additional cost, providing coverage at 60 cents per pound. For increased protection, consider discussing Full Value Protection options with the moving company. Alternatively, explore third-party insurance providers for personalized plans. It's essential to understand coverage limits, potential additional costs, and read reviews to make an informed decision about your moving insurance in Virginia.
- Moving checklist: Our moving checklist gives you the peace of mind that comes with being fully prepared.
Where to live in Arlington
Planning your move to ? Take a look at our picks for the best neighborhoods to call home in Arlington.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Aurora Highlands
- Ballston-Virginia Square
- Bluemont
- Clarendon-Courthouse
- Radnor-Ft Myer Heights
Best neighborhoods for families
- Arlington Ridge
- Barcroft
- Chain Bridge Forest
- Cherrydale
- Dominion Hills
- Forest Glen
- Lyon Village
- Penrose
- Westover Village
Things to do in Arlington
After settling into your new Virginia home, you'll want to branch out and explore your new city. Luckily, Arlington has lots to offer, no matter what you're interested in:
- Arts and culture: Arlington features a variety of museums and cultural arts centers, including the JW Tumbles, Ball-Sellers House Museum, David M. Brown Planetarium, and Arlington Historical Museum.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Gravelly Point Park, Long Bridge Park, Bon Air Park, and Upton Hill Regional Park — along with other locations — ideal for trails, cycling, or enjoying the fresh air.
- Sports: Nothing beats the thrill of cheering on the home team at an Arlington Youth Football Club game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Des Moines to Arlington?
Planning your move from Des Moines to Arlington? Aim for spring or fall when the weather is pleasant and demand is lower, helping you avoid peak-season rates in Des Moines.
When is the cheapest time to move from Des Moines to Arlington?
Because most people are moving from Des Moines to Arlington in the spring or fall, you can often catch discounts by moving in the winter. Read our guide on moving discounts to learn more.
How long does a move from Des Moines to Arlington take?
The 1,017-mile journey from Des Moines, IA to Arlington, VA, typically takes two to eight days. Some movers in Des Moines offer expedited services if you're on a tight schedule, and if you need extra time, be sure to ask about storage options in Arlington.
Are piano and antique moving services available in Des Moines?
Not all movers have the resources to handle high-value or delicate items. In Des Moines, 10 movers can manage piano relocations. 6 movers are equipped for antique transport. By comparison, Iowa has 24 piano movers and 15 antique movers, while nationwide there are 2,294 and 1,462 respectively.
Always confirm the mover’s experience and packing methods for fragile or specialty items before booking.
