What Is The Cost To Move in Des Moines, IA

Last Updated: May 3, 2022 · 5 min read

When it comes to saving money on a move, comparing all the options is the best way to keep costs low.

Here are the 3 primary options when moving locally in Des Moines.

Hire an Des Moines moving company
Rent a moving truck
Rent a portable moving container

Below we lay out the cost for each of these local moving options.

If you're coming from outside the greater Des Moines area, check these popular routes for moving to Des Moines and use the long distance move calculator to estimate costs.

Average cost to hire a moving company in Des Moines, IA

Hiring a full-service moving company is definitely the most convenient option, but you should consider the cost to decide whether hiring a company to do all the heavy lifting is worth it or not.

So let's examine exactly how much the average Des Moines moving company is going to charge.

Home Size	Avg. Total Cost	Cost/hour	# of Movers	# Hours
Studio	$935	$198	2 movers	3 hours
1 Bedroom	$1,133	$198	2 movers	4 hours
2 Bedroom	$1,571	$278	3 movers	5 hours
3 Bedroom	$3,071	$389	4 movers	8 hours
4 Bedroom	$3,460	$389	4 movers	9 hours
5+ Bedroom	$5,097	$545	5 movers	10 hours

Remember, these are just averages meant to give you a general idea on move pricing. Rates can vary depending on the moving company you choose to hire and the specific needs of your move.

Best Moving Companies in Des Moines, IA

Our team of analysts has spent thousands of hours cross-referencing license data, insurance data, online reviews, and hundreds of other data points to find you the best local moving companies in Des Moines.

Company	Quote	Rating	Contact
Two Men and a Truck	Get A Quote	4.8 overall rating	2601 104th St #400, Urbandale, IA, 50322 (515) 216-3654
Adamantine Spine Moving	Get A Quote	4.58 overall rating	4701 NW Urbandale Dr., Des Moines, IA, 50322 (319) 519-0154
Iowa Moving 1	Get A Quote	4.58 overall rating	2958 99th St., Ste. 5, Des Moines, IA, 50322 (515) 975-2840

Visit our Best Movers in Des Moines page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.

Ask your mover

Places like high-rises and managed apartments will often require a copy of your mover's insurance and elevator reservation on moving day.
Check ahead with any neighborhood, community, or HOA rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
pecial parking permits are issued by the Traffic and Transportation Division of the Engineering Department and are intended to provide for services or needs of an infrequent or unique nature. Examples include utility work, constructions, special events, etc.
When moving within Iowa, make sure to hire a company that is licensed by the Iowa Department of Transportation. Each household goods mover in the state should have an Iowa Motor Carrier (IOWAMC) Number, which means they’ve met minimum insurance and highway safety requirements.
Released Value Protection is the most economical option because it doesn’t cost anything. It is offered by movers at no additional charge, but the protection is minimal. Under this option, the mover is responsible for no more than 60 cents per pound per article. For example, if your mover lost or damaged a 50 inch TV weighing 25 pounds, you would only receive $15 (60 cents x 25 pounds). If you need for the full value of your items to be covered, please consult with the moving company you're hiring for other options or a third-party insurance provider.

Work with your movers to ensure all these items are taken care of before moving day.

Average cost to rent a moving truck in Des Moines, IA

You'll definitely have to break a sweat, but moving truck rentals in Des Moines will absolutely be easier on your wallet.

Here's how the costs break down:

Base Cost: $19 - $39 per day
Mileage Fee: $0.69 - $1.19 per mile
Fuel Cost: Dependent on driving distance.
Truck Coverage: $20 - $55 based on coverage level
Parking Permit (if necessary): pecial parking permits are issued by the Traffic and Transportation Division of the Engineering Department and are intended to provide for services or needs of an infrequent or unique nature. Examples include utility work, constructions, special events, etc.
Equipment Costs (optional): Dolly, straps, blankets

The total cost to rent a truck will depend on how far a distance you drive the truck, how many days you have the truck rented and a number of additional costs like insurance, parking, moving equipment rentals and more.

Average cost to rent a moving container in Des Moines, IA

The containers are delivered, you load everything into them, the company picks it up, and it gets put in storage until you're ready for everything to be delivered to your new place.

Naturally, the advantage here is storage. These things will buy you time if you end up with a weird gap between leases.

Here's roughly what it's gonna cost:

Storage Fee: $59.95 per 30 days
Damage Coverage: $10 - $350 based on coverage level
Parking Permit (if necessary): pecial parking permits are issued by the Traffic and Transportation Division of the Engineering Department and are intended to provide for services or needs of an infrequent or unique nature. Examples include utility work, constructions, special events, etc.
Door Lock (if necessary): $10 - $15
Equipment Costs (if necessary): Dolly, straps, blankets (optional)

So, storing everything in a one-bedroom will end up costing somewhere around $70 - $450 door to door. Still, you might want to factor in a little extra in case you end up paying for labor.

Each large container holds about 3 rooms until it's completely full. You might end up needing more containers, but keep in mind that your cost will essentially double with each container you add.