Top Mobile, AL to Des Moines, IA Movers

Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Des Moines to Mobile guide.

1. TWO MEN AND A TRUCK: 4.62 out of 5 stars
2. Coleman Worldwide Moving: 4.66 out of 5 stars
3. Griner Moving Services: 4.52 out of 5 stars
4. Motivated Movers, Inc.: 4.58 out of 5 stars
5. RS Moving & Warehousing: 4.42 out of 5 stars

Cost to hire movers from Alabama to Iowa

Moving a studio or one-bedroom home from Alabama to Iowa typically costs between $1,355 and $5,540. For a two- or three-bedroom home, expect prices to fall between $2,937 and $7,144 when moving from AL to IA. If you're tackling a large move (think four or five bedrooms) from Alabama to Iowa, you're looking at costs ranging from $4,594 up to $9,791.

Cost of moving containers from Alabama to Iowa

If you're moving from Alabama to Iowa, expect to pay between $925 and $2,187 for a small load. For a home with two or three bedrooms, prices typically range from $1,746 up to $3,234. Larger moves of four bedrooms or more can run between $2,330 and $4,603. Check out our guide on PODS cost for more details.

Check out the most affordable moving container companies for your move from Alabama.

Cost of moving truck rentals from Alabama to Iowa

Renting a moving truck typically costs the least, but you'll be responsible for both the heavy lifting and all the driving.

Expect to pay between $720 and $1,434 to move a studio or one-bedroom apartment with a rental truck. For a two- or three-bedroom move, prices usually range from $818 to $1,689. If you're relocating a four-bedroom (or larger) home, you'll likely spend anywhere from $1,016 to $1,974.

These estimates factor in the average cost of fuel.

• Rent prices in Des Moines are 12% lower than in Mobile, which means you'll have more money in your pocket each month.
• The home prices in Des Moines are 3.3% higher than in Mobile, which could mean saving up before buying a home, taking on a bigger mortgage, or downsizing.
• 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 — including MercyOne, Principal Financial Group, and Ppw Holdings — may pay more.
• 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 you're 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.
• You'll spend less on retail and restaurants in Des Moines, since the city's 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.

• The population of Des Moines is about 274% greater than Mobile, so you may find more to see and do in your new surroundings. Of course, with more people can also come increased competition for jobs and housing.
• Des Moines offers better access to buses and trains than Mobile, based on public transportation ratings. Des Moines has a transit score of 5 out of 10 compared to 3 in Mobile. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
• Living in Des Moines means you'll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Mobile. Des Moines is considered more walkable than Mobile, with a score of 45 out of 100 versus 32 out of 100 in Mobile. A city's walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
• If cycling is your thing, Des Moines is considered more bike-friendly than Mobile in terms of designated lanes and connectivity and how many residents opt to commute on two wheels rather than by car. Des Moines has a bike-friendliness score of 39 out of 100, while Mobile is rated as 34 out of 100.
• Des Moines has a lower crime rate than Mobile based on scores of 5.0 and Mobile's 64.95, respectively. The crime index shows how safe a city is perceived to be. So, a lower score generally means less crime.
• You might find more confidence in your overall safety in Des Moines than in Mobile, based on Des Moines's safety index of 57.8 versus 35.05 for Mobile. With this index, higher scores indicate more safety, particularly around how comfortable residents feel walking alone during the day and at night.
• The air quality in Des Moines and Mobile is generally the same (Good). Cities with good to moderate ratings have clean or acceptable air quality, with the possibility of small pollutants affecting people with certain health conditions like asthma. Anything beyond the moderate rate means increased impact on residents.

• 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 they’ve 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. We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move.
• Change of address: 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.

Best neighborhoods for singles

• Downtown
• East Village
• Woodland Heights
• Arbor Peaks
• Beaverdale

Best neighborhoods for families

• Waveland Park
• Westwood
• Salisbury Oaks
• Meredith
• Beaverdale

Things to do in Des Moines

Once you're settled into your new home in Iowa, it's time to get out and discover what Des Moines has to offer. No matter your interests, there's 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 city's Gray's Lake Park, Pappajohn Sculpture Park, Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, and Robert D. Ray Asian Gardens — among other spots — 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.