Compare Cost of Ames, IA Movers ($189/hour)
Quick answer: The average cost for local movers in Ames, Iowa is between $944 and $4,898, or roughly $189 per hour. If you're relocating beyond Iowa, the cost for long-distance movers in Ames varies based on the size and scope of your move.
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$1,132 - $2,973
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$1,548 - $3,343
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$507 - $2,999
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$20 - $101/day
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$59 - $81/hour
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Average cost of local Ames, IA movers
Hiring a moving company in Ames is definitely the most convenient way to move, but that convenience comes at a higher cost than a DIY approach. You'll need to decide whether you want movers to do all the heavy lifting for you or if you'd rather save money by doing at least some of the work yourself.
Here's how much movers cost in Ames:
| Home Size | Avg. Total Cost | Cost/hour | # of Movers | # Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $944 | $188 | 2 movers | 3 hours |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,132 | $188 | 2 movers | 4 hours |
| 2 Bedroom | $1,548 | $264 | 3 movers | 5 hours |
| 3 Bedroom | $2,973 | $370 | 4 movers | 8 hours |
| 4 Bedroom | $3,343 | $370 | 4 movers | 9 hours |
| 5+ Bedroom | $4,898 | $518 | 5 movers | 10 hours |
Read more cost details
Best local movers in Ames, IA
If you're moving within Ames or just a short distance away, these local moving companies come highly recommended:
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- Black Belt Movers: 4.58 out of 5 stars
- Hemmen Moving Inc: 4.34 out of 5 stars
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving: 4.52 out of 5 stars
- Adamantine Spine Moving: 4.42 out of 5 stars
Company Info
Years in Business: 27
DOT #: 2527384
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Pianos
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
Pricing: $140/hr
Years in Business: 34
DOT #: 608245
Alternate Names: Delivered Storage Trailer, State 2 State Pro Movers
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
Company Info
Years in Business: 7
DOT #: 2378173
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
Pricing: $100/hr
Years in Business: 25
DOT #: 1471037
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
Moving costs in other nearby Iowa cities
Average cost to move out of state with Ames movers
The cost of moving out of Iowa mostly depends on where you're headed, so we’ve listed some sample prices below. For more precise costs, explore your moving route to Iowa or use our moving cost calculator.
Cost to move a one-bedroom home out of state from Ames
When moving a one-bedroom home from Ames and out of Iowa, the overall cost will mostly come down to distance, move size, and how you decide to move.
Still, to give you a rough idea, here are some sample cost ranges for long-distance moves from Iowa:
- Iowa to New York City: $2,817 - $6,184
- Iowa to Los Angeles: $3,106 - $6,299
- Iowa to Chicago: $1,564 - $3,636
- Iowa to Houston: $2,979 - $5,726
- Iowa to Phoenix: $3,120 - $6,152
Cost to move a two or three-bedroom home out of state from Ames
Out-of-state moving costs from Ames for two- or three-bedroom homes vary based on the actual total volume and weight of your belongings. Move costs for a three-bedroom that is sparsely furnished and relatively small, for example, could be less than a two-bedroom home with a lot of square footage and decor.
In general, though, you can expect to pay within these ranges for two- to three-bedroom moves of similar distances from Ames:
- Iowa to New York City: $3,432 - $7,373
- Iowa to Los Angeles: $3,761 - $7,271
- Iowa to Chicago: $2,122 - $5,378
- Iowa to Houston: $3,249 - $7,228
- Iowa to Phoenix: $3,691 - $7,231
Cost to move a four bedroom home (or larger) out of state from Ames
Moving a four-bedroom home from Ames to another state comes with a wide range of possible costs. The final price often depends on how far you're going, how much you're moving, and the time of year.
Here’s a general look at what out-of-state moves with four or more bedrooms from Ames might cost:
- Iowa to New York City: $5,594 - $8,889
- Iowa to Los Angeles: $6,834 - $12,379
- Iowa to Chicago: $3,174 - $6,375
- Iowa to Houston: $5,426 - $8,785
- Iowa to Phoenix: $6,290 - $10,618
Best interstate moving companies in Ames
Now that you’ve got a clearer idea of what your move from Iowa might cost, it’s a good time to start comparing the best long-distance moving companies in Ames.
- Safeway Moving: 4.85 out of 5 stars
- American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5 stars
- North American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5 stars
- Allied Van Lines: 4.75 out of 5 stars
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.9 out of 5 stars
rating
- GPS tracking en route
- Veteran-owned
- Dedicated move coordinator
- Flat-rate pricing
- Donates a portion of moves to charity
- Experienced & fully trained moving crews
- Specializes in moving art & antiques
- Competitive pricing
- Can handle last-minute moves
- Climate-controlled storage
- Custom crates for electronics & art
- Satellite shipment tracking
- 1,500 local agents covering all 50 states
- Self-packing option
- No deposit required
- Fragile packing
- Storage options
- 24/7 shipment tracking
- Quick & efficient
- Accurate quotes
- Family-owned, with locations covering the East Coast
- Full refund if you cancel within 7 days of your move
- Hands-on customer service
- 24/7 support
- Price-matching policy
Average cost of moving containers in Ames, IA
In Ames, moving container prices usually start around $530 for local moves and can run as high as $2,950 for longer hauls. Cross-country relocations tend to be more expensive, with some topping out near $6,950 or more. The final price depends heavily on the distance and size of the container you go with.
Our favorite container mover in Ames is PODS, largely because they offer a versatile range of container sizes — eight, 12, and 16 feet — along with reasonable pricing and consistently positive feedback from customers. However, you should get quotes from PODS and two other moving container companies before making a decision.
You can always start by checking out these other top-rated moving container companies.
Best moving container companies in Ames
Choosing a moving container company is a smart option if you’re comfortable packing and loading on your own but would rather leave the driving to a pro. We recommend these dependable container companies In Ames:
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Average cost of moving truck rentals in Ames, IA
The average cost to rent a moving truck in Ames is $60 per day, but prices can be anywhere from $19–$39 daily, with an additional per-mile fee of $0.69–$0.99, depending on how far you're moving and the truck size you need. A moving truck rental is definitely going to be your cheapest option for relocating. Just keep in mind that you will not only be responsible for all the packing and loading, you'll also need to drive the truck to your new home.
Best moving truck rentals in Ames
The cheapest way to move is to just pack and drive it yourself with a moving truck. There’s no shortage of options for moving truck rental companies in Ames. If you are ready to put the work in, here are some of the top moving truck rental companies:
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Average cost of labor-only moving companies in Ames, IA
Expect to pay between $30 and $40 an hour for each labor-only mover in Ames. Depending on how many crew members you need, the total hourly rate can range from $60 to $80.
Most studios and one-bedrooms require just two movers. Larger homes — two or three bedrooms — generally need three or four movers, and anything beyond that will require a team of four to five movers.
Best labor-only moving companies in Ames
Not all labor-only moving services in Ames are created equal. The best ones combine fair pricing with dependable service. Some even go the extra mile by helping with packing or providing supplies.
Here’s a look at our favorite labor-only moving companies.
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Factors that affect the cost of your Ames move
Since no two moves are exactly the same, neither are the costs. The amount you’ll pay will be based on the exact details of your move. There are some common cost factors to consider with your Ames move, including:
- How far you’re moving: The cost goes up the farther you’re moving. Local moves are typically less expensive than out-of-state or cross-country moves, which require more time, fuel, and labor.
- Move size: The more belongings you need to transport, the more it’ll cost. Bigger moves usually require larger trucks and more movers.
- The type of mover: Going with full-service movers generally costs more than doing it yourself with a moving container company, where you take on the packing and loading yourself.
- Optional services: Add-ons like packing, unpacking, or high-value insurance will raise your total. Even if you DIY, hiring labor to help load or unload will increase your costs.
- When you move: Timing matters. Summer, weekends, and month beginnings are in high demand—and more expensive. You can save by scheduling your move for mid-month or mid-week.
Quick tips for a stress-free move
- Consider extra insurance. Full-service movers must provide basic coverage — called released value protection — at no additional charge. It’s free, but offers very limited protection: just $0.60 per pound per item, no matter what it’s worth. So, if a 25-pound TV valued at $1,000 gets damaged, you’d only be reimbursed $15 ($0.60 x 25 pounds). Many movers — and some home insurers — also offer full-value insurance based on your item’s actual worth for an added fee.
- Confirm your move is approved. Certain neighborhoods, especially those with HOAs, may restrict moving days or hours. Be sure to check those policies ahead of time and notify your property manager of your planned move-in or move-out date.
- Keep key documents ready. If you’re moving in or out of an apartment complex, you may need to present proof of mover’s insurance and possibly an elevator reservation. These details are often found in your moving agreement, so pull them together early to avoid last-minute scrambling.
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