($1,057+) Des Moines, IA to Sacramento, CA Movers
Moving from Des Moines, IA, to Sacramento, CA, runs anywhere from $1,025 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $10,364 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,708 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 4 to 15 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 $2,526, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $10,364 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,520 - $5,705, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,025 - $3,075.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Des Moines, IA, to Sacramento, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,385 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 Des Moines, IA to Sacramento, CA
There are 3 main ways to move from Des Moines to Sacramento: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service handles labor and transportation for you, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route costing $3,385 - $7,175. Moving containers run about 30% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 60% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 4 to 15 days for this 1,708-mile route, depending on which option you go with.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,708-mile route from Des Moines to Sacramento, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $2,526 - $5,361, container $1,520 - $2,750, rental truck $1,025 - $2,012, freight trailer $1,410 - $2,606.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $3,385 - $7,175, container $1,964 - $4,010, rental truck $1,121 - $2,393, freight trailer $1,635 - $3,143.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $6,090 - $10,364, container $2,599 - $5,705, rental truck $1,369 - $3,075, freight trailer $2,232 - $4,564.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Des Moines, IA to Sacramento, CA
Full-service movers for the 1,708-mile relocation from Des Moines, Iowa, to Sacramento, California, cost between $2,526 and $10,364. 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 $309 - $2,060, 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 Des Moines typically charge a base rate around $737 plus $142 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Des Moines to Sacramento:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,526 - $5,361
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,385 - $7,175
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,090 - $10,364
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 Des Moines to Sacramento.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Iowa to California. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Avoiding peak moving season dates (May - September) is one of the easiest ways to reduce costs. Off-season moves typically come with lower pricing and more room to negotiate since movers have fewer bookings.
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Specialty moving services from Des Moines, IA to Sacramento, CA
Specialty needs vary by market — 58% of Des Moines movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Sacramento, 88% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing92% of local movers | $515 - $5,150 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready58% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $206 - $1,236/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $309 - $2,472 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage42% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs67% of local movers | $1,030 - $3,090 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,575 - $10,300 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $771 - $1,466 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items42% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Adamantine Spine Moving | $1,030 - $2,575 |
| Piano | Any piano type75% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $824 - $3,605 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling17% of local movers | $309 - $1,545 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect17% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: All Mighty Movers LLC | $670 - $2,060 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $309 - $15,450+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $309 - $3,605+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Des Moines to Sacramento?
All three below meet the standards set by the California Moving & Storage Association, the group most California movers are affiliated with.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list, with flat-rate pricing that holds firm on moving day and a customer support team available around the clock.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here. With 30+ years of interstate moves behind them, AVL uses full-time in-house crews instead of the contracted labor most national carriers rely on.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan available on every long-distance move.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Des Moines, IA. Van lines spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments, while local movers tend to charge 30% - 40% more for the same distance. A direct route with a local mover averages 2-day delivery, but that added speed typically carries a higher price tag.
Moving container costs from Des Moines, IA to Sacramento, CA
Moving containers from Des Moines, Iowa, to Sacramento, California, cost between $1,520 and $5,705. With a moving container, you load on your own schedule. U-Haul gives you 3 days to fill yours, while PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're ready, the company transports it straight to your new place. Need more time first? Storage in Des Moines typically costs about $60/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Des Moines to Sacramento:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,520 - $2,750
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,964 - $4,010
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,599 - $5,705
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both Des Moines, IA and Sacramento, CA. Still, double-check that a nearby facility is available if you need to access your belongings before delivery.
- Moving labor: Because containers are self-loaded, many customers hire hourly help. Two movers for about 5 hours typically cost around $721 in Des Moines, IA, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $77 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $155 for larger ones (12 - 16 feet).
- Added contents protection: For more coverage beyond the standard minimum, full-value protection is the typical upgrade, generally 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value. On a $50,000 household, that's roughly $500 - $1,000 as a one-time fee.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Iowa to California 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 $1,520. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,964 - $4,010, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Des Moines to Sacramento?
- 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 Des Moines 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 Des Moines:
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.7/5), 29 years in business
- All Mighty Movers LLC (4.8/5), 12 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.8/5), 8 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Des Moines, IA to Sacramento, CA
Truck rentals from Des Moines, Iowa, to Sacramento, California, range from $1,025 - $3,075 for the 1,708-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $560 - $640
- Daily insurance: $31/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $21
- Des Moines daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $1.19
| 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 Des Moines to Sacramento based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,025 - $2,012
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,121 - $2,393
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,369 - $3,075
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Des Moines to Sacramento starts at $1,025 - $3,075, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($560 - $640) , overnight lodging ($155/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for an additional $600 - $1,200 on top of your base rate to cover those costs.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $155 per night. Most long-distance moves with rental trucks require 1 - 3 overnight stops.
- Equipment: Tow dollies, auto trailers, and specialty moving equipment can add between $67 and $335 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $560 - $640 in fuel for the 1,708-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $721 in Des Moines, Iowa, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Des Moines to Sacramento?
- 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 Des Moines, IA to Sacramento, CA
If you're moving a larger household from Des Moines, Iowa, and want to stay in control of the loading process, freight trailers offer a practical middle ground between hiring movers and renting a truck yourself. A 28-foot trailer is delivered to your door, you load what you need, and the carrier handles the drive to Sacramento, California.
Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. Most moves on this route fall between $1,635 and $3,143.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Des Moines to Sacramento:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,410 - $2,606
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,635 - $3,143
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,232 - $4,564
Pro tip: A 4-foot ramp sounds simple, but heavy or awkward furniture can make the climb tricky. With 8 feet of height to work with, smart vertical stacking is key. Since freight companies charge by the linear foot, every extra foot you use adds to the bill.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Demand cycles: Trailer costs climb during peak moving season, especially from mid-May through mid-September when demand is at its highest.
- More space: You're billed only for the linear feet you use, but underestimating your inventory means paying for extra space, typically around $77 - $155 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Des Moines, Iowa, for about five hours typically runs $721.
What are the best freight companies from Des Moines to Sacramento?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the best for large moves pick. While it's a top moving container option for the DIY hybrid setup (you handle the loading, they handle the driving), the same approach makes it a strong freight choice for 3 to 5+ bedroom homes that need 53 feet of trailer capacity with pay-as-you-go pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer here. In addition to their popular container service, U-Pack delivers a top-tier freight trailer option that uses the same pay-by-the-foot pricing model and skips deposits and upfront fees entirely.
- Ruan Transportation Management Systems (4.5/5 stars): Ruan Transportation Management Systems is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Local ownership translates to accessible support staff and facilities based in the communities they serve, giving customers more direct communication than they'd typically get from a national-only freight network.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Des Moines to Sacramento. If you have a hard move-in date and want your stuff there as soon as possible, freight is hard to beat. It's worth noting that freight works best when you're ready to receive your delivery, so if your move-in date is still up in the air or you'll need short-term storage, a moving container is likely the more practical choice.
Cost of living: Des Moines, IA vs Sacramento, CA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Sacramento, side by side with Des Moines on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Des Moines, IA | Sacramento, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 87 | 127 |
| Average rent | $1,150/mo | $1,899/mo |
| Median home value | $183,553 | $483,739 |
| Average income | $63,966/yr | $83,753/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.9% | 7.7% |
| State income tax | Up to 4.4% | Up to 13.3% |
| Walkability score | 45/100 | 49/100 |
| Safety index | 57.8/100 | 50.79/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Moderate |
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 Sacramento, CA to Des Moines, IA guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Iowa to California in the past 3 months alone, keeping our pricing data current. Run your numbers through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. For context, we track 36 movers based in Iowa, handy for sizing up options on this 1,708-mile route.
Our take
A move from Des Moines, IA, to Sacramento, CA, gives you several options depending on your budget and how much you want to do yourself. Full-service movers handle everything but cost the most, ranging from $2,526 - $10,364 on the 1,708-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,520 - $5,705, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $1,025 - $3,075. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $3,385 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Sutter Health and SynGen.
FAQs: Moving from Des Moines, IA, to Sacramento, CA
What do local movers charge in Des Moines?
Local movers based in Des Moines typically start around $737 as a base rate, plus $142/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 Sacramento run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
How long does a move from Des Moines, IA to Sacramento, CA take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 5 - 7 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are usually the fastest option outside of driving yourself, with deliveries in 3 - 5 days, though you'll need to be ready to receive your shipment on arrival. Driving a rental truck yourself puts the schedule entirely in your hands.
What are the best neighborhoods in Sacramento?
For families, Boulevard Park, River Park, and Land Park are worth a look in Sacramento. If you're moving solo or without kids, Downtown Sacramento, East Sacramento, and Land Park tend to be popular picks instead.
What is the cheapest way to move from Des Moines, IA to Sacramento, CA?
Renting a moving truck is almost always the most affordable option, since you handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself. A 2-bedroom rental truck move on this route averages $1,121 - $2,393. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
Is Sacramento a safe place to live?
Sacramento has a safety index of 50.79 out of 100 and a crime index of 49.21, compared to 57.8 and 5.0 in Des Moines. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What percentage of Des Moines movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 75% of movers in Des Moines handle piano moves, and 42% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
