How Much do Des Moines Movers Cost?

Quick Answer: Although costs fluctuate depending on the service and company, the typical cost for hiring movers in Des Moines, Iowa, is $142 per hour. If you’re moving locally within Des Moines, moving companies range from $964 to $5,126 on average. If you’re moving out of Iowa, the cost of Des Moines long distance movers really depends on where you’re moving to.

Use our moving cost calculator below for a quick and personalized price estimate for your move out of Indianapolis, IN.

Average cost to hire a local moving company in Des Moines

Hiring a full-service Des Moines mover is definitely the most convenient option, but its convenience comes at a cost. Decide whether you want movers to do all the heavy lifting or if you want to save money by doing some of the work yourself.

Here's how much movers cost in Des Moines

Home Size Avg. Total Cost Cost/hour # of Movers # Hours
Studio $964 $198 2 movers 3 hours
1 Bedroom $1,162 $198 2 movers 4 hours
2 Bedroom $1,600 $278 3 movers 5 hours
3 Bedroom $3,100 $389 4 movers 8 hours
4 Bedroom $3,489 $389 4 movers 9 hours
5+ Bedroom $5,126 $545 5 movers 10 hours
  • Studio: The average cost to hire movers in Des Moines to move a studio apartment is $964. You'll need two movers for three hours at $198 per hour.
  • 1 Bedroom: If you have a 1 bedroom, expect to pay around $1,162 for local Des Moines movers. You'll need two movers for four hours at $198 per hour.
  • 2 Bedroom: The average cost to hire Des Moines movers to move a 2 bedroom is $1,600. You'll need three movers for five hours at $278 per hour.
  • 3 Bedroom: For a 3 bedroom, expect to pay $3,100 for local Des Moines movers. A 3 bedroom typically requires four movers for eight hours at $389 per hour.
  • 4 Bedroom: Moving a 4 bedroom house in Des Moines will cost on average $3,489. The cost to move a larger home can vary, but typically requires four movers for nine hours at $389 per hour.
  • 5+ Bedroom: The cost of hiring Des Moines movers for a home with 5 or more bedrooms is $5,126. You'll need five movers for ten hours at $545 per hour.

It's worth noting the cost per hour for Des Moines movers remains the same for all home sizes, ranging from $198 per hour for two movers to $545 per hour for five movers. As the size of your home increases, the number of movers and hours required for the move also increases, resulting in a higher overall cost.

Overall, hiring local Des Moines movers is a convenient and stress-free way to move within the city.
By knowing the approximate cost for your home size, you can budget accordingly and make informed decisions for your upcoming 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
Iowa Moving 1 Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.62 overall rating
2958 99th St., Ste. 5, Des Moines, IA, 50322
(515) 975-2840
Adamantine Spine Moving Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.58 overall rating
4701 NW Urbandale Dr., Des Moines, IA, 50322
(319) 519-0154

Visit our Best Movers in Des Moines page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews. And if you’re moving outside of Des Moines, consider one of Des Moines’s top long-distance movers.

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.
  • special 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.

Des Moines Movers Cost: Moving out of state

Since the cost of moving out of state depends so much on where you’re moving, here are some example costs, for more detailed guides on your specific destination, find your moving route to Des Moines or use our moving cost calculator.

Cost to move a one-bedroom home out of state from Des Moines

Des Moines to Los Angeles: $2,940 - $5,728
Des Moines to New York City: $2,761 - $5,684
Des Moines to Chicago: $1,526 - $3,538
Des Moines to Houston: $2,588 - $5,379
Des Moines to Phoenix: $2,875 - $5,705

Cost to move a two or three bedroom home out of state from Des Moines

Des Moines to Los Angeles: $3,649 - $6,946
Des Moines to New York City: $3,058 - $6,719
Des Moines to Chicago: $1,972 - $4,907
Des Moines to Houston: $2,872 - $6,428
Des Moines to Phoenix: $3,340 - $6,827

Cost to move a four bedroom home (or larger) out of state from Des Moines

Des Moines to Los Angeles: $6,611 - $10,833
Des Moines to New York City: $5,106 - $8,356
Des Moines to Chicago: $3,000 - $6,425
Des Moines to Houston: $4,771 - $7,908
Des Moines to Phoenix: $5,826 - $9,541

Now that you have an idea of what your move from Des Moines should cost, it’s time to start looking at the best long-distance movers in Des Moines.

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Best overall value
  • Portion to charity
  • Veteran owned
Get A Quote
(855) 650-0657

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • 20 yrs experience
  • Flat rate pricing
  • Family owned
Get A Quote
(866) 835-2392

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.45 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • 24/7 cust. service
  • Competitive rates
  • 15% discounts
Get A Quote
(855) 929-4120

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • 74 years in biz
  • 1,800 trucks
  • Storage available
Get A Quote
(844) 950-2963

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • White glove
  • Expensive items
  • Guaranteed delivery
Get A Quote
(703) 972-1772

% of users select this mover

Average cost to rent a moving truck in Des Moines

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): special 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

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 going to cost:

  • Storage Fee: $59.95 per 30 days
  • Damage Coverage: $10 - $350 based on coverage level
  • Parking Permit (if necessary): special 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)

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.

Where to rent a moving container in Des Moines, IA

Learn more about these types of companies at our best moving container companies page.

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