Best overall value
Factors influencing moving costs from Mobile to Des Moines
What to know before moving from Mobile to Des Moines
Moving from Mobile to Des Moines comes with exciting new opportunities โ but also higher living costs. Since Des Moines is generally more expensive than Mobile, itโs important to plan ahead and budget carefully for the change.
Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:
| Mobile | Des Moines | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,300 | $1,150 |
| Average home value | $186,159 | $192,347 |
| Average income (per capita) | $61,962 | $58,492 |
| Cost of living (single person) | $1,825 | $1,891 |
| Cost of living (family of 4) | $4,104 | $4,380 |
| Unemployment rate | 6.2% | 5.9% |
| Sales tax | 10.0% | 7.0% |
| State income tax | 5.0% | 4.4% |
- Rent prices in Des Moines are 12% lower than in Mobile, which means youโll have more money in your pocket each month.
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In terms of homeownership, youโll be able to get more for your money in Mobile.
Home prices in Des Moines are 3.3% higher than in Mobile. - Income in Des Moines is 5.6% lower than in Mobile, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in Des Moines include MercyOne, Principal Financial Group, and Ppw Holdings.
- Be sure to budget for higher bills in Des Moines, since the cost of living for a single person in Des Moines is 3.6% higher than in Mobile. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
- If youโre moving your family to Des Moines, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Des Moines is 6.7% higher than in Mobile.
- The unemployment rate in Des Moines is 4.84% lower than in Mobile.
- Youโll spend less on retail and restaurants in Des Moines, since the cityโs sales taxes in Des Moines are 30.00% lower than in Mobile.
- One perk of moving to Des Moines is paying less in state income taxes, which are 12.00% lower than in Mobile.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,108.49 in Des Moines to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Mobile.
How life is different in Mobile vs. Des Moines
| Des Moines | Mobile | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 699,292 | 187,041 |
| AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 5 | 3 |
| Walkability score | 45 | 32 |
| Bike friendliness score | 39 | 34 |
| Crime Index | 5.0 | 64.95 |
| Safety Index | 57.8 | 35.05 |
| Air Quality | Good | Good |
- Des Moines's population is about 274% greater than Mobile.
- Des Moines's public transportation has a score of 5 out of 10 versus Mobile's lower score of 3.
- Des Moines is more walkable than Mobile with a score of 45 out of 100 vs Mobile's 32 out of 100.
- With a score of 39 out of 100, Des Moines is more bike-friendly than Mobile, which has a score of 34 out of 100. The higher a city's score, the more suited they are to safely accommodating cyclists.
- Des Moines's crime rate is lower than Mobile with a score of 5.0 compared to Mobile's 64.95. This means that Des Moines neighborhoods are safer than 5.0% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Mobile neighborhoods are safer than 64.95%.
- Des Moines is considered to be safer than Mobile with a safety index of 57.8 vs Mobile's 35.05.
- Air quality in Des Moines is good, and in Mobile it's good.
Other things to consider for your Mobile vs. Des Moines move
- Weather: September, June and May are the most pleasant months in Des Moines, while January and December are the least comfortable months.
- HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
- Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator you'll want to check on how to reserve it for move day.
- Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
- State licensing: 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 theyโve met minimum insurance and highway safety requirements. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
- State regulator: You can verify a Iowa moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving permits: Iowa does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
- Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Des Moines. Get started here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance.Choose cost-free Released Value Protection from movers for basic coverage at 60 cents per pound.
- Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.
Where to live in Des Moines
Now that you've decided to make the move to "Hartford of the West", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Des Moines.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Sherman Hill
- Woodland Heights
- Chautauqua Park
- Beaverdale
- Westwood
Best neighborhoods for families
- Linden Heights
- Waterbury
- Waveland Park
- Westwood
- Salisbury Oaks
Things to do in Des Moines
Once youโre settled into your new home in Iowa, itโs time to get out and discover what Des Moines has to offer. No matter your interests, thereโs something for everyone here:
- Arts and culture: Des Moines features a variety of museums and cultural arts centers, including the Des Moines Art Center, State Historical Museum, Science Center of Iowa, Salisbury House, and World Food Prize Hall of Laureates.
- Outdoor recreation: The cityโs Gray's Lake Park, Pappajohn Sculpture Park, Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, and Robert D. Ray Asian Gardens โ among other spots โ perfect for hiking, biking, or simply soaking up the outdoors.
- Sports: Grab a seat and root for the home team during an Drake Bulldogs game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Mobile to Des Moines?
The best time to move from Mobile to Des Moines is during the spring or fall. These seasons offer milder weather and avoid higher moving costs during the peak moving season in Mobile.
When is the cheapest time to move from Mobile to Des Moines?
Because most people are moving from Mobile to Des Moines in the spring or fall, you can often catch discounts by moving in the winter. Read our guide on moving discounts to learn more.
How long does a move from Mobile to Des Moines take?
The 979-mile move from Mobile, AL, to Des Moines, IA, takes two to seven days. Some Mobile movers may offer expedited moving if you need it faster. If you need more time, ask your mover about storage options in Des Moines.
