($758+) Boston, MA to Des Moines, IA Movers
Moving from Boston, MA, to Des Moines, IA, runs anywhere from $758 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,427 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,299 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 3 to 8 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
- Full-service moves for smaller spaces (studio apartments and 1-bedrooms) start around $2,017, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,427 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,204 - $4,278, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $758 - $2,251.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Boston, MA, to Des Moines, IA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,624 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
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Compare moving options from Boston, MA to Des Moines, IA
Moving options from Boston to Des Moines fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move on this route costs $2,624 - $6,410 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 36% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 67% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 1,299 miles and typically takes 3 to 8 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,299-mile route from Boston to Des Moines, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $2,017 - $5,058 with full-service movers, $1,204 - $2,334 with a container, $758 - $1,551 with a rental truck, or $1,095 - $2,059 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $2,624 - $6,410 full-service, $1,683 - $3,354 by container, $862 - $1,810 by rental truck, or $1,307 - $2,684 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $4,509 - $8,427 full-service, $2,326 - $4,278 by container, $1,051 - $2,251 by rental truck, or $1,807 - $3,632 by freight.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated November 2, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Boston, MA to Des Moines, IA
Full-service movers for the 1,299-mile relocation from Boston, Massachusetts, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $2,017 and $8,427. With a long-distance moving company, loading, transportation, and unloading are all taken care of. If you want to skip packing boxes, too, that can be added for $376 - $2,508, depending on your home size. What you pay in the end is mainly a function of how much your shipment weighs and how far it's traveling. As a point of reference, local movers in Boston typically charge a base rate around $340 plus $100 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Boston to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,017 - $5,058
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,624 - $6,410
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,509 - $8,427
Packing, storage, shuttle fees, and added coverage can stack on top of the base price. See the full add-ons and specialty services table below for what each runs from Boston to Des Moines.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Massachusetts to Iowa. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Peak moving season (May - September) limits truck availability and pushes up full-service moving costs. Booking during slower months can give you more scheduling room and a lower final price.
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Specialty moving services from Boston, MA to Des Moines, IA
Specialty needs vary by market: 76% of Boston movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Des Moines, 60% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing82% of local movers | $627 - $6,270 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready76% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Poseidon Moving | $251 - $1,505/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $376 - $3,010 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage16% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs57% of local movers | $1,254 - $3,762 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,135 - $12,540 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $939 - $1,784 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items34% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Poseidon Moving | $1,254 - $3,135 |
| Piano | Any piano type47% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Poseidon Moving | $1,003 - $4,389 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling8% of local movers | $376 - $1,881 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect5% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Michael's Moving & Storage | $815 - $2,508 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $376 - $18,810+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $376 - $4,389+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Boston to Des Moines?
Look for Iowa Motor Truck Association membership as a baseline when comparing movers in Iowa beyond this list.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is our pick for best overall value. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 support, and 30 days of free storage make Safeway the clearest value on this list.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. AVL has been moving customers since 1995 and uses full-time in-house crews trained on high-value items like art and antiques.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. One of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, 24/7 monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan against damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Boston, MA. At that distance, local movers often charge 30% - 40% more because they don't spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments the way national carriers do. If a direct route and faster delivery (averaging 2 days) are priorities, a local mover may be worth considering, but that service comes at a higher price.
Moving container costs from Boston, MA to Des Moines, IA
Moving containers from Boston, Massachusetts, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $1,204 and $4,278. The container gets dropped at your door and you load it at your own pace. U-Haul gives you 3 days to load and PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're done, the company handles all the transportation. If you need extra time, storage in Boston runs about $145/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Boston to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,204 - $2,334
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,683 - $3,354
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,326 - $4,278
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Containers are self-loaded, so many people hire hourly help for the heavy lifting. moveBuddha data shows two movers for about five hours runs around $878 in Boston, MA. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: If you want stronger coverage than the default liability, full-value protection is the upgrade to consider. Most providers charge 1% - 2% of your shipment value, roughly $500 - $1,000 for $50,000 in contents.
- Storage: After the first month, rental fees average $94 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $188 per month for a larger 12- to 16-foot unit.
- Access: If you anticipate needing to access items while in storage, confirm there's a facility conveniently located near your Des Moines, IA, destination before booking.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Massachusetts to Iowa move in the past 90 days. Our pricing data is drawn from 1,500+ monthly data points across our vetted mover network and refreshed every month.
Pro tip: Before ordering moving containers, take a careful inventory of everything you're moving. A typical 1-bedroom home weighs around 3,000 pounds and fits in a single container starting at $1,204. Underestimating how much you have and needing an extra container means paying for another one, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise. For reference, a 2 - 3 bedroom home typically runs $1,683 - $3,354.
What are the best moving containers Boston to Des Moines?
- Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
- U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
- MovingYourself (5.0/5 stars)
Want a hand without paying for full service? A container or truck move does not mean doing all the heavy lifting yourself. You can hire a labor-only crew in Boston to load and unload while you handle the drive, then book full help later if you change your mind. Three top-rated local crews for labor-only help in Boston:
- Boston Best Rate Movers (4.7/5), 21 years in business
- Michael's Moving & Storage (4.9/5), 31 years in business
- Flash Moving (5.0/5), 6 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Boston, MA to Des Moines, IA
Renting a moving truck for the 1,299-mile move from Boston, Massachusetts, to Des Moines, Iowa, costs between $758 and $2,251, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $518 - $592
- Daily insurance: $38/day
- Equipment rentals: $9 - $25
- Boston daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.89 - $1.09
| Home size | Typical truck size |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | 10 - 12 ft |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | 15 - 17 ft |
| 4+ bedrooms | 20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel) |
These are typical moving truck rental costs from Boston to Des Moines based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $758 - $1,551
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $862 - $1,810
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,051 - $2,251
Pro tip: A rental truck from Boston to Des Moines looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $758 - $2,251. But once you factor in fuel ($518 - $592), overnight lodging ($188/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Equipment: Tow dollies, appliance dollies, and moving pads are not included in the base rate. These extras often total between $94 and $439.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $188.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $518 and $592 for the 1,299-mile drive, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: If you'd rather not do all the heavy lifting, budget around $878 for 2 movers in Boston, Massachusetts, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Boston to Des Moines?
- Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
- Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
- U-Haul Truck Rental (4.2/5 stars)
The best truck rental companies for this route, based on moveBuddha's ratings.
Freight trailer costs from Boston, MA to Des Moines, IA
For larger DIY moves from Boston, Massachusetts, freight trailers give you plenty of room without putting you behind the wheel. Standard trailers are 28 feet long. You load the section you need, and the carrier transports everything to Des Moines, Iowa.
Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For a 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,307 and $2,684.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Boston to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,095 - $2,059
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,307 - $2,684
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,807 - $3,632
Pro tip: Freight trailers offer generous space but reward good packing strategy. The 4-foot ramp can be challenging for large or heavy pieces, and using the full 8-foot height takes careful stacking. Because you're billed by the linear foot, maximizing vertical space keeps your costs lower.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Seasonal demand: Pricing tends to rise during peak moving season, particularly between mid-May and mid-September.
- Moving labor: Most customers hire loading help since freight is self-loaded. Two movers in Boston, Massachusetts, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $878.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $94 and $188 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Boston to Des Moines?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Best known as a top moving container option thanks to its DIY hybrid model (you load, they drive), MovingYourself also doubles as a strong freight choice with their 53-foot trucks and pay-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. In addition to their well-known container service, U-Pack offers freight trailers that follow the same pay-by-the-foot model with no deposits or upfront fees, making them one of the most flexible freight options for budget-conscious moves.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Des Moines fast. For interstate moves, freight is one of the quickest delivery methods out there. Just keep in mind that freight carriers expect you to be available to receive your shipment, so it works best when your move-in is locked in and you don't need temporary storage on either end.
Cost of living: Boston, MA vs Des Moines, IA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Des Moines, side by side with Boston on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Boston, MA | Des Moines, IA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 151 | 87 |
| Average rent | $3,400/mo | $1,150/mo |
| Median home value | $710,400 | $183,553 |
| Average income | $94,755/yr | $63,966/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 6.2% | 5.9% |
| State income tax | Up to 9.0% | Up to 4.4% |
| Walkability score | 98/100 | 45/100 |
| Safety index | 60.12/100 | 57.8/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
Cost of living index is relative to the U.S. average of 100. Figures reflect the latest available city and state data.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Des Moines, IA to Boston, MA guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Massachusetts to Iowa, so our pricing data reflects what movers are actually charging right now. Check our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers, the best way to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and bad actors. We track 299 movers in Massachusetts, so you have real options to compare for this 1,299-mile move.
Our take
The 1,299-mile move from Boston, MA, to Des Moines, IA, costs between $2,017 and $8,427 with full-service movers, $1,204 - $4,278 with a moving container, and $758 - $2,251 for a rental truck. Your budget and how much heavy lifting you want to do are the two biggest factors in choosing the right option. If you go with full-service movers, Safeway Moving is our top recommendation, with transparent flat-rate pricing starting around $2,624 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage, and 24/7 customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include MercyOne and Principal Financial Group.
FAQs: Moving from Boston, MA, to Des Moines, IA
What do local movers charge in Boston?
Local movers based in Boston typically start around $340 as a base rate, plus $100/hour per mover. That's a useful baseline if you're hiring help just to load a rental truck or container rather than booking a full long-distance move. Rates in Des Moines run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Boston, MA to Des Moines, IA?
Cutting 500 pounds from your shipment, roughly one bedroom's worth of items, saves approximately $200 - $400 on a full-service move on this route. Beyond that, staying organized matters just as much. A solid moving checklist keeps you on schedule and helps you avoid costly last-minute mistakes.
How much does it cost to move from Boston, MA to Des Moines, IA?
Costs on this route range from around $758 to $8,427, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,017 and $8,427, while DIY options like rental trucks and containers come in lower. Moving during peak season (May - September) tends to push prices higher across the board.
How walkable is Des Moines?
Des Moines has a walkability score of 45 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 39, compared to 98 and 86 in Boston. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($518 - $592), daily insurance ($38/day), and equipment rentals ($9 - $25) on top. Overnight stops can add another $188/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What percentage of Boston movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 47% of movers in Boston handle piano moves, and 34% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.