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I've helped thousands of people move over the last decade, and I can tell you that no two moves are exactly alike. Let me help you find the mover that's right for you.
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Recommended by Time Magazine
Recommended by The New York Times
Recommended by Forbes
Recommended by Money.com
Recommended by Consumer Reports

Each year, 400,000+ people trust our moving recommendations. Here are a few reasons why:

  • Founded in 2015
  • 3,500+ moving companies analyzed
  • $50,000 in moving grants delivered
  • Up-to-date pricing info & industry data
  • Fact-checked for accuracy

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 $981 $188 2 movers 3 hours
1 Bedroom $1,139 $196 2 movers 4 hours
2 Bedroom $1,605 $275 3 movers 5 hours
3 Bedroom $3,106 $385 4 movers 8 hours
4 Bedroom $3,350 $385 4 movers 9 hours
5+ Bedroom $5,008 $534 5 movers 10 hours

Read more cost detailstoggle

  • Studio: Hiring movers in Ames for a studio will run you about $188 per hour. Plan for three hours with a two-person team.
  • One bedroom: A typical one-bedroom move in Ames costs around $196 an hour and takes four hours with two movers.
  • Two bedrooms: For a two-bedroom apartment or house, you'll likely pay $275 per hour. These moves often take five hours with three people.
  • Three bedrooms: The average cost to move a three-bedroom home in Ames is $385 per hour. You’ll need four movers for about eight hours.
  • Four bedrooms: Moving a four-bedroom home in Ames usually means paying $385 hourly, with four movers working nine hours.
  • Five or more bedrooms: Expect hourly costs of about $534 for large homes in Ames, requiring ten hours from a five-person crew.

Compare multiple moving quotes tailored to your Ames move with our free, fast cost calculator tool.

Best local movers in Ames, IA

For moves that keep you in or around Ames, these trusted local movers are our top picks to get the job done right:

  1. TWO MEN AND A TRUCK: 4.72 out of 5 stars
  2. College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving: 4.62 out of 5 stars
  3. Black Belt Movers: 4.58 out of 5 stars
  4. Adamantine Spine Moving: 4.38 out of 5 stars
  5. All Mighty Movers LLC: 4.38 out of 5 stars
https://www.facebook.com/TwoMenAndATruckDesMoines, https://twitter.com/TwoMenDesMoines
Customer Praise
  • Efficient service
  • Careful handling
  • Professional and polite staff
  • Helpful movers
  • Good communication
Customer Complaints
  • Damage to items
  • Inexperienced movers
  • Unexpected charges
Review Analysis
Two Men and a Truck earns its reputation for being fast, careful, and professional, with 92% of customer feedback praising efficient service, attention to detail, and courteous movers. Most people said the crews worked quickly, handled belongings with care, communicated well, and made moving less stressful. Many customers noted the movers were polite, helpful, and followed directions accurately, setting them apart from less organized competitors. Some even reported coming in under budget due to team efficiency, and highlighted transparent pricing and great office support. Negative feedback primarily cited issues with item damage, inexperienced movers, and unexpected costs. A small number of reviewers mentioned poor packing, lack of effort to resolve damages, and occasional rude remarks, especially in more complex moves. While damage to belongings arose more often than other negatives, the vast majority of feedback still positions this company as one of the most reliably consistent options for moving services in the region.
Get a Quote (515) 216-3654

Company Info

Years in Business: 27

DOT #: 2527384


Services Offered

  • Local moves
  • Interstate moves
  • Packing
  • Unpacking
  • Pianos
  • Storage
  • Safes
  • Pay by credit card
https://www.facebook.com/CollegeHunksClive/, https://x.com/CollegeHunks
Customer Praise
  • Efficient service
  • Professional and polite staff
  • Careful handling
  • Quick moving process
  • Good communication
Customer Complaints
  • Damage to items
  • Unexpected charges
  • Unprofessional behavior
Review Analysis
Moving has never looked so easy. From 260 customer feedback entries, College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving earned praise for efficient service, professionalism, and careful handling, with 92.7% of responses reflecting positive experiences. The staff often receives high marks for friendliness and effective communication, outperforming many competitors on reliability. Customers commonly mention the quick moving process and how carefully items are treated. On the downside, some reported damage to belongings, unexpected charges, and unprofessional conduct—chiefly in the few negative submissions, which account for 7.3% of the total. Compared to others, College Hunks stands out for speed, courteous crews, and strong problem-solving skills, but attention to quality control and transparent billing could prevent negative encounters. The company sets a high standard for service and staff demeanor, making it a leading choice in the moving industry.
Get a Quote (336) 810-1801

Company Info

Years in Business: 7

DOT #: 2378173


Services Offered

  • Local moves
  • Packing
  • Unpacking
  • Offices
  • Storage
  • Pay by credit card
https://www.facebook.com/adamantinespinemoving/,
Customer Praise
  • Professional and polite staff
  • Efficient service
  • Good communication
  • Careful handling
  • Quick moving process
Customer Complaints
  • Inaccurate estimates
Review Analysis
Rave reviews consistently place Adamantine Spine Moving at the top of moving services in Iowa and beyond. Analyzing 223 customer reviews, 99.6% of feedback highlights professionalism, efficient service, excellent communication, careful handling, and quick moving crews. Customers repeatedly mention that staff are polite, approachable, and make stressful moves easy with precise organization and prompt responses. Quotes tend to be accurate, crews are well-trained, and moves large or small are handled with care. Compared to larger moving firms, Adamantine stands out for its hard-working teams and reliable pricing, with many clients calling the experience the best they've had. The only significant complaint noted involves a billing discrepancy where the final charge was much higher than the initial estimate, and the situation wasn't resolved effectively. This single negative input strongly contrasts the otherwise outstanding reputation. Adamantine’s client input sets it apart from typical moving companies and makes it a top recommendation for anyone looking for trusted moving professionals.
Get a Quote (319) 519-0154

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
https://www.facebook.com/Allmightymovers/,
Customer Praise
  • Quick moving process
  • Careful handling
  • Professional and polite staff
  • Affordable rates
  • Efficient service
Customer Complaints
  • Inaccurate estimates
  • Unexpected charges
  • Lack of communication
Review Analysis
Fast, affordable, and careful—most customer feedback praises All Mighty Movers LLC for their quick moving process, professional crews, and attentive handling of belongings. Out of 25 reviews analyzed, 64% are positive, often highlighting low rates, polite staff, and efficient service. Clients commonly appreciate how speedily and safely items were moved, noting that furniture and fragile goods arrived undamaged. Many mention the company beats local competitors in both price and quality, thanks to thoughtful movers who keep an upbeat attitude even with challenging jobs. On the downside, 36% of feedback centers on inaccurate estimates, unexpected charges, and unclear communication, especially regarding additional fees and scheduling. Some customers feel misled when final costs exceeded quoted amounts. Compared to many moving companies, All Mighty Movers earns high marks for efficiency and pricing but leaves room to improve transparency and customer relations, especially for billing and communication during more complex moves.
Get a Quote (515) 313-1395

Company Info

Pricing: $130/hr

Years in Business: 10

DOT #: 2468266


Services Offered

  • Local moves
  • Interstate moves
  • Offices
  • Pianos
  • Hot Tubs
  • Pool Tables
  • Safes
  • Pay by credit card

Moving costs in other nearby Iowa citiestoggle

Average cost to move out of state with Ames movers

The cost of moving out of Iowa depends heavily on where you’re headed. To give you a clearer picture, we’ve included a few sample price points below. For the most accurate numbers, be sure to check your specific moving route from 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:

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:

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:

Best interstate moving companies in Ames

Understanding the potential cost of your move from Iowa is a great starting point. From here, you’ll want to connect with the top-rated long-distance movers in Ames to get things rolling.

Best Overall Value
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.85 / 5
(855) 650-0657
At A Glance
  • GPS tracking en route
  • Veteran-owned
  • Dedicated move coordinator
  • Flat-rate pricing
  • Donates a portion of moves to charity
read our full review
(855) 650-0657
Most Experienced Mover
Licensedcheckmark
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
866-835-2392
At A Glance
  • Experienced & fully trained moving crews
  • Specializes in moving art & antiques
  • Competitive pricing
  • Can handle last-minute moves
  • Climate-controlled storage
read our full review
866-835-2392
Best for Contents Coverage
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.75 / 5
866-825-0554
At A Glance
  • Fragile packing
  • Storage options
  • 24/7 shipment tracking
  • Quick & efficient
  • Accurate quotes
read our full review
866-825-0554
Best for personalized service
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
(980) 217-6841
At A Glance
  • 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
read our full review
(980) 217-6841
Best customized Plans
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
(844) 950-2963
At A Glance
  • Custom crates for electronics & art
  • Satellite shipment tracking
  • 1,500 local agents covering all 50 states
  • Self-packing option
  • No deposit required
read our full review
(844) 950-2963

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:

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.8 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Unlimited storage
  • 3 container sizes
  • 10% discount
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 5 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Fast delivery
  • Nationwide
  • 100+ miles moves
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Affordable pricing
  • Offers car shipping
  • No hidden fees

Average cost of moving truck rentals in Ames, IA

Renting a moving truck in Ames usually costs about $60 per day, but prices can range from $19 to $39 daily. You'll also pay a per-mile fee of $0.69–$0.99, depending on your move’s distance and the truck size. While this is the most affordable moving method, just know it also means doing all the heavy lifting — and driving — yourself.

Best moving truck rentals in Ames

A full DIY move with a rental truck is almost always the lowest-cost option. In Ames, you’ll find lots of moving truck rental companies ready to help you get on the road. If you're ready to do the heavy lifting — literally — these are some of the top companies to check out:

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.3 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Affordable pricing
  • Online pricing
  • Several discounts
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Most expensive
  • 4 truck sizes
  • Unlimited mileage
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.15 / 5
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Greatest coverage
  • 7 truck sizes
  • One way rentals

Average cost of labor-only moving companies in Ames, IA

It will cost $30–$40 an hour for labor-only movers in Ames. That hourly rate is per moving crew member, so you can expect total costs to be $60–$80 per hour, depending on the size of your moving crew.

Studio and one-bedroom apartments usually require two movers, while two- and three-bedroom homes will need crews of three and four movers, respectively. Homes that are four or more bedrooms will need between four and five movers.

Best labor-only moving companies in Ames

If you're looking for labor assistance in Ames, you'll want to find a company that offers fair and transparent pricing and a good reputation for quality service. A labor-only moving company that can handle packing or supply boxes and moving supplies may also be a plus.

Here are our favorite labor-only movers.

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.72 / 5
  • Years in Business: 27
  • Yelp: 3.5 / 5
  • BBB: A+
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.62 / 5
  • Years in Business: 7
  • Yelp: 3.2 / 5
  • BBB: A+
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.58 / 5
  • Years in Business: 17
  • Yelp: 4 / 5
  • BBB: A+

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

  • Buy additional insurance. Full-service movers are required by federal law to provide basic insurance, known as released value protection, at no cost. While you can't beat free, released value protection provides very minimal coverage — $0.60 per pound per item, regardless of the item's value. So, your reimbursement on a damaged 25-pound TV worth $1,000 would only be $15 ($0.60 x 25 pounds). Most moving companies — and some home insurance providers — offer optional comprehensive insurance plans. While these come at an added cost, they will protect your items based on estimated value instead of weight.
  • Get your move approved. Many neighborhoods — particularly those with HOAs — have restrictions around moving. Typically, these restrictions outline which days and times moving is allowable. It's best to double-check the rules ahead of time and to proactively inform a property management group of your moving date.
  • Have your paperwork handy. If you are moving to or from an apartment complex, you may need to show proof on moving day of your mover's insurance coverage and, if applicable, an elevator reservation. Go ahead and gather this information — which is usually available in your moving contract — so you aren't scrambling for it when your moving date arrives.

Helpful Ames Resources

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