Little Rock, AR to Des Moines, IA Movers (NEW 2026 Costs)
Quick answer: Moving from Little Rock to Des Moines typically costs $2,600–$6,200 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home (about 616 miles). Use our moving cost calculator below to get an instant estimate.
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Cost to move from Little Rock to Des Moines
Moving from Little Rock, AR to Des Moines, IA typically costs $2,600–$6,200 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home.
The price ranges below are estimates for a 616-mile move from Little Rock to Des Moines, based on moveBuddha pricing data as of Mar 20, 2026. Pricing is updated monthly to reflect seasonality and market changes.
Studio / 1 bedroom
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2-3 bedrooms
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4+ bedrooms
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Recent moving quotes for similar moves
- Allied Van Lines recently quoted $4,020 for a 2 bedroom using professional movers.
- North American Van Lines recently quoted $3,657 for a 1 bedroom (large) using professional movers.
- Budget Truck Rental recently quoted $514 for a 1 bedroom (small) using a rental truck.
2 Bedrooms
Feb 27, 2026
1 Bedroom (large)
Feb 26, 2026
1 Bedroom (small)
Feb 26, 2026
1 Bedroom (small)
Feb 21, 2026
Studio apartment
Feb 15, 2026
Studio apartment
Feb 12, 2026
1 Bedroom (small)
Dec 30, 2025
2 Bedrooms
Dec 20, 2025
1 Bedroom (small)
Dec 19, 2025
1 Bedroom (large)
Dec 16, 2025
Key factors that influence moving costs from Little Rock to Des Moines
Your total cost will depend on:
- The size of your home: Smaller moves (like one-bedrooms) cost less, sometimes just $1,700, while larger moves (four-bedrooms) can hit $9,100.
- Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in Little Rock, which means higher prices.
- The type of mover you choose: Renting a truck ($500–$1,500) saves money but adds work compared to hiring pros.
Moving the opposite route? We got you covered with our moving from Des Moines, IA to Little Rock, AR guide.
Best Little Rock to Des Moines movers by type
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Best professional movers from Little Rock to Des Moines
If you want to simplify your interstate move from Little Rock to Des Moines, consider hiring a full-service mover. These professionals will take care of everything, so you can prioritize settling into your new environment without the extra hassle.
Want a deeper breakdown of the top long-distance movers? See our best interstate movers guide.
- Safeway Moving: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- American Van Lines: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- Allied Van Lines: 4.2 out of 5 stars
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- North American Van Lines: 4.8 out of 5 stars
Best overall value
How we chose the best AR→IA movers
At moveBuddha, our specialists conducted a thorough evaluation of 24 Arkansas moving companies, identifying the leading ones by examining client satisfaction, reviews, and value.
- Customer satisfaction (40%): The company consistently delivers services in a timely matter with good communication and within the estimated cost.
- Dispute resolution (20%): Errors happen in moving. The best companies acknowledge them quickly and take real steps to resolve any problems for their customers.
- Industry reputation (15%): Within the moving field, the company has earned respect and regularly engages in conferences and trade groups.
- Online reputation (15%): The organization ensures its website is reliable and actively addresses online customer inquiries in a professional manner.
- Service options (10%): Top movers provide versatile offerings including packing, storage, special-item handling, and the option for faster delivery when needed.
Here is our full moving company rating methodology.
What to know before moving from Little Rock to Des Moines
Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move - Des Moines runs about 8% higher for singles and 6% higher for families than Little Rock.
Singles spend around $1,891 in Des Moines versus $1,756 in Little Rock; families pay $4,380 compared with $4,149.
Dig into the side-by-side details here:
| Little Rock | Des Moines | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $1,276 | $1,229 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $1,700 | $1,763 |
| Average home value | $209,020 | $192,347 |
| Average income (per capita) | $56,928 | $58,492 |
| Cost of living (single) | $1,756 | $1,891 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $4,149 | $4,380 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.9% | 5.9% |
| Sales tax | 8.63% | 7.0% |
| State income tax | 2.0% | 4.4% |
- Budgeting for a move from Little Rock to Des Moines won't necessitate major adjustments since rent remains relatively constant.
- Your budget can breathe easier with home prices being close to 8% less in Des Moines than in Little Rock.
- Fortunately, the average income in Des Moines and Little Rock is quite close, within a 5% range, so financial stability is likely.
- Be sure to budget for higher bills in Des Moines, since the cost of living for a single person in Des Moines is 8% higher than in Little Rock. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
- When relocating to Des Moines, it's important to be aware that living expenses may rise. The cost of living for a family in Des Moines is 6% greater than in Little Rock.
- The unemployment rates of Des Moines and Little Rock are very similar, with less than a 5% difference, thus maintaining a consistent employment landscape.
- Sales taxes drop 19% in Des Moines compared to Little Rock, providing a relief on your cost of living, especially for frequent shoppers.
- Income taxes are 120% higher in Iowa than in Arkansas, meaning that a larger fraction of your income will be spent on state taxes, potentially reducing your savings.
Here’s a closer snapshot of how common everyday costs and monthly bills compare between Little Rock and Des Moines:
| Living Expense | Little Rock | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $276.40 | $144.82 |
| Cell phone plan | $58.00 | $51.25 |
| Dozen eggs | $3.00 | $3.61 |
| Loaf of bread | $3.44 | $2.50 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $18.00 | $16.00 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $60.00 | $77.50 |
| Gym membership | $56.36 | $66.67 |
- Basic utilities tend to be more expensive in Little Rock than in Des Moines.
- Cell phone plans typically cost more in Little Rock than in Des Moines.
- Eggs are less expensive in Little Rock than in Des Moines.
- Bread is more expensive in Little Rock than in Des Moines.
- A quick meal tends to cost more in Little Rock than in Des Moines.
- A mid-range dinner for two costs less in Little Rock than in Des Moines.
- Gym memberships are more affordable in Little Rock than in Des Moines.
How life is different in Little Rock vs. Des Moines
| Little Rock | Des Moines | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,591 | 699,292 |
| Transportation score | 3 | 5 |
| Walkability score | 33 | 45 |
| Bike friendliness score | 32 | 39 |
| Crime index | 60.06 | 5.0 |
| Safety index | 39.94 | 57.8 |
| Air quality | Moderate | Good |
- Des Moines's population is about 245% greater than Little Rock.
- Des Moines's public transportation score of 5 out of 10 is higher than Little Rock's score of 3.
- Des Moines is more walkable than Little Rock with a score of 45 out of 100 vs Little Rock's 33 out of 100.
- With a score of 39 out of 100, Des Moines is more bike-friendly than Little Rock, which has a score of 32 out of 100. The higher a city's score, the more suited it is to safely accommodating cyclists.
- Des Moines's crime rate is lower than Little Rock with a score of 5.0 compared to Little Rock's 60.06. This means that Des Moines neighborhoods are safer than 5.0% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Little Rock neighborhoods are safer than 60.06%.
- Des Moines is considered to be safer than Little Rock with a safety index of 57.8 vs Little Rock's 39.94.
- Air quality in Des Moines is Good, and in Little Rock it's Moderate.
Other things to consider for your Little Rock to Des Moines move
- HOA rules: Be sure to review your community or HOA guidelines before moving day to avoid any surprises or delays.
- Elevator reservation: Make sure to arrange elevator access in advance if your building requires reservations for moving.
- Truck parking permits: To avoid fines or delays, check whether a parking permit is needed for your moving truck.
- 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. Always verify licensing details before committing to a mover.
- State regulator: You can verify a Iowa moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: Iowa doesn't require moving permits, but it's still a good idea to check local parking rules before your move-in day.
- Change of address: To avoid missing any mail, we recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least a week before your move. You can choose your official move date to make sure everything gets forwarded properly to Des Moines. Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state sets its own rules for what insurance moving companies need to maintain. Choose cost-free Released Value Protection from movers for basic coverage at 60 cents per pound.
- Moving checklist: Follow our moving checklist to keep your move organized and stress-free.
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
- Downtown
- East Village
- North of Grand
- Woodland Heights
- Arbor Peaks
- Chautauqua Park
- Beaverdale
- Westwood
Best neighborhoods for families
- Linden Heights
- Waterbury
- 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: You'll find museums and cultural hubs throughout Des Moines, such as the Des Moines Art Center, State Historical Museum, Science Center of Iowa, and Salisbury House.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Gray's Lake Park, Pappajohn Sculpture Park, Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, and Robert D. Ray Asian Gardens — and more — offering great opportunities to hike, bike, or relax in nature.
- Sports: Sports fans can join the excitement by supporting local favorites at an Drake Bulldogs game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Little Rock to Des Moines?
The best time to move from Little Rock 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 Little Rock.
When is the cheapest time to move from Little Rock to Des Moines?
Since spring and fall are the most popular times to move from Little Rock to Des Moines, moving in the winter could help you save money. Check out our guide on moving discounts for more tips.
How long does a move from Little Rock to Des Moines take?
Moving from Little Rock, AR to Des Moines, IA covers 616 miles and usually takes one to six days. Need to move faster? Some Little Rock movers offer expedited options. If you're not ready to receive your items, look into storage solutions in Des Moines.
Which movers in Little Rock give price breaks?
Some companies go the extra mile by offering discounts to certain groups. 1 movers give special rates to military members. 1 movers have deals for seniors.
Always ask for a full discount list and check eligibility requirements before you commit to a mover.
Who can move pianos or antiques in Little Rock?
Specialty items need extra care and the right equipment. 6 movers in Little Rock advertise piano moving expertise. 4 movers in Little Rock provide antique moving services. State totals show 14 piano movers and 8 antique movers, with nationwide availability at 2,294 and 1,462.
Book early if you need these services — demand can outpace supply during busy moving seasons.
