10 Best Moving Companies in Iowa (2026 Reviews)
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Let’s get moving.
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Claeys Brothers Moving & Storage Inc
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Safeway Moving
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U-Pack
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Budget Truck Rental
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TWO MEN AND A TRUCK
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rating
Our track record
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
Best movers for those moving locally in Iowa
Staying local in Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, or somewhere else in Iowa within a 50-mile radius? A local mover in IA could be the way to go.
Out of 37 local Iowa companies we reviewed, Claeys Brothers Moving & Storage Inc earned the top spot for Iowa moves for their excellent service and fair rates.
- Claeys Brothers Moving & Storage Inc: 4.62 out of 5 stars
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK: 4.56 out of 5 stars
- Action Moving & Storage, Inc.: 4.5 out of 5 stars
- White Glove Movers: 4.48 out of 5 stars
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving: 4.38 out of 5 stars
Company Info
Years in Business: 70
DOT #: 70719
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
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
Years in Business: 42
DOT #: 299154
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
Years in Business: 21
DOT #: 2991947
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
Years in Business: 7
DOT #: 2378173
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Other local IA movers
While these local Iowa movers did not make our top list, they are still worth looking into:
- Hemmen Moving Inc
- Jake N’ Jose Moving Service
- Adamantine Spine Moving
- Porter Moving Company
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK
- Horizon Movers & Climate Control Storage
- Maher Bros. Transfer and Storage
- Riley Moving And Storage
- A-1 Movers
- All Mighty Movers LLC
- Black Belt Movers
- Lint Van Lines
- Select Van & Storage Co.
- The Approved Movers
- You First Moving
- Errand Boys
- Key City Moving & Storage
- Marty’s Moving LLC
- Powell Express Moving
- UniMovers Dubuque
- Blue Line Moving & Storage
Specialty services IA movers offer
Different movers specialize in different services. The options you’ll find depend on your state and the providers available there.
Here’s how Iowa compares to the national average, plus our recommendations for movers offering each specialty.
Piano moving
Special handling of antiques
Art packing and loading
Climate-controlled storage
Best movers for those moving out of Iowa
Planning to move out of the Hawkeye State? Check out our picks for top-rated interstate moving companies:
- Safeway Moving: 4.9 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: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- 1,800 trucks
- Storage available
- Customized moving plans
- Specialty packing services
- White-glove reputation
- 80+ years’ experience
Best moving containers in Iowa
If you’re trying to save money, need extra storage, or want the freedom to move on your schedule, moving containers are a smart alternative to hiring full-service movers. You’ll handle the loading yourself, but you’ll get several days to complete the task. When you’re done, the container company will handle driving your items to your new home.
These are our recommended moving containers in Iowa:
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Best rental trucks for your Iowa move
Opting for a rental truck is one of the most economical moving methods — but it requires the most hands-on work. You’ll need to manage everything from start to finish, including driving. If you’re willing to put in the labor, it can result in major savings, particularly for local moves.
Rental trucks can also be used for cross-country moves, but don’t overlook hidden costs like fuel and per-mile fees. These extras can really add up, so take them into account when budgeting.
Check out our picks for best rental moving trucks in Iowa:
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Labor-only hourly movers in Iowa
Want a hand with the heavy lifting without having to hire a full-service mover? Labor-only companies can send crews to help you with loading, packing, and even disassembly and reassembly of furniture and electronics. However, you’ll still need to rent a moving truck and handle the driving.
Take a look at these highly rated labor-only movers for your Iowa move:
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Top-rated movers in nearby cities
How we chose the best moving companies in Iowa
moveBuddha’s expert team analyzed 37 Iowa movers and listed the top movers based on customer satisfaction, reviews, and cost.
Customer satisfaction (40%): The company consistently delivers services in a timely matter with good communication and within the estimated cost.
Dispute resolution (20%): Mistakes cannot be avoided in the moving industry. We look for companies that own their mistakes and make genuine efforts to fix any issues that arise during a move.
Industry reputation (15%): The company is well-regarded within the moving industry and participates in industry conferences and organizations.
Online reputation (15%): The company maintains a professional website with accurate information. The company promptly and professionally responds to online customer inquiries.
Service options (10%): We look for companies with a deep breadth of services including full packing, storage, specialty item handling, and expedited delivery.
Here is our full moving company rating methodology.
Average cost of moving companies in Iowa
The table below includes estimated moving costs for local relocations within Iowa. For a deeper dive into pricing, here’s our guide on the cost to move in Iowa.
Remember, the figures shown are averages. Your actual moving costs may vary significantly based on the details of your move and whether the movers use flat-rate pricing.
You can also use our free moving cost calculator to get a more personalized estimate.
| Home size | Avg. total cost | Cost/hour | # of movers | # hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $742 | $278 | 2 movers | 3 hours |
| 1 bedroom | $1,021 | $278 | 2 movers | 4 hours |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,633 | $390 | 3 movers | 5 hours |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,739 | $546 | 4 movers | 8 hours |
| 4 bedrooms | $4,285 | $546 | 4 movers | 9 hours |
| 5+ bedrooms | $6,577 | $764 | 5 movers | 10 hours |
Read more about the average cost of IA movers:
- On average, moving a studio within Iowa costs about $742.
- Moving a one-bedroom apartment locally in Iowa will cost around $1,021.
- Two-bedroom moves in Iowa come in at approximately $1,633.
- The typical cost of moving a three-bedroom home in Iowa is $3,739.
- A four-bedroom move in Iowa generally runs about $4,285.
- Need to move a five-bedroom or larger house in Iowa? Expect to spend about $6,577.
Factors that affect moving costs in Iowa
An online moving quote is a useful planning tool, but the actual price you pay will be based in large part on these variables.
- Distance: Even local moves depend on time and fuel, while interstate moves from Iowa can carry extra fees.
- Size: A bigger home means more work and larger moving trucks, which means higher pricing.
- Time of year: High-demand periods in Iowa — such as peak moving seasons — usually come with increased rates.
- Additional services: If you add services like packing or disassembly, expect those to raise your final cost.
Things to keep in mind when moving
Whether you are moving one town over in Iowa or are making a big cross-country relocation, here are some common considerations:
- Weather: Iowa has a humid continental climate throughout the state. Snowfall is common in Iowa. Spring brings in severe weather season. Iowa has about 50 thunderstorm days per year and has a tornado season. Iowa is known for hot and humid summers. Be sure to check the weather before your move, especially during the springtime.
- HOA rules: If you are moving to or from a neighborhood that has an HOA, it’s a good idea to brush up on the handbook. Many HOAs have established restrictions on which days and/or times moving is allowed, as well as guidelines on permissible truck sizes, parking, and notifying residents about when your move will occur. Checking the rules before moving day will ensure you won’t get hit with fines — or end up with angry neighbors!
- Elevator reservation: If you’re moving to or from a multi-level building with an elevator, property management may require you to use a service elevator or reserve an elevator ahead of time. You may also have some restrictions on when you can move, so be sure to check on the guidelines ahead of time.
- Parking permits: Iowa does not require special permits for moving rental trucks and vans or moving containers, but your destination state and/or city might. You can visit the municipal website for your new location for a list of parking rules and restrictions, or a contact number to call for additional help.
- Licensing and compliance: All the movers on our list are verified as licensed and insured, but you can check licensing, USDOT status, and safety violations for a mover in Iowa or any other U.S. state, by searching by their name in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration database.
- Change of address: You should submit your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. This will notify the postal service of your official moving date and help ensure all of your mail is forwarded to your new Iowa or out-of-state residence.
- Moving insurance: Federal law mandates that movers provide basic coverage — known as released value protection — at no charge to customers. While it is free, this insurance offers very minimal coverage, however — just $0.60 per pound per item. So, if a 25-pound TV valued at $2,000 is lost or damaged, your compensation would only be $15 ($0.60 x 25 pounds). For high-value items, you may want to consider purchasing more comprehensive protection directly through your moving company or with a third-party insurance provider.
FAQs
What should I consider when hiring a moving company in Iowa?
When selecting a moving company in Iowa, look for a strong track record, honest and upfront pricing, a wide range of services, and several insurance coverage choices. These elements — among others — are key to our reviews and rankings, helping you easily identify the best movers in Iowa.
Be sure to request quotes from at least three movers, including one of the best flat-rate companies in Iowa, to compare value and services.
Is it easy to find interstate movers in Iowa?
Yes, it is. With 32 out of 37 movers in Iowa licensed for interstate moves, most customers will have ample options. These movers are federally regulated, holding a USDOT number and oversight by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
To narrow down the best options, see our list of the best long-distance movers in Iowa.
How can I see all moving companies in Iowa?
You can see all moving companies in Iowa in our comprehensive list of Iowa movers.
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