Quick answer: A move from Tempe to Des Moines costs $1,016–$7,639 and takes three to eight days. The main factors that determine the cost and time are how much you're moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the 1,390-mile move yourself.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Des Moines to Tempe guide.
Our track record
Best movers by type
Choosing an interstate mover from Tempe, AZ, to Des Moines, IA, isn’t as simple as picking the first name you find. In Tempe, there are 28 companies that can handle that route, each with their own approach, pricing, and service style.
Our team took a close look at every interstate mover in Tempe, examining service options, costs, and what customers are actually saying in reviews. The result is a carefully curated list of the best long-distance movers in Tempe you can trust with your Tempe to Des Moines relocation.
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Labor only
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Best professional movers from Tempe to Des Moines
If you’d rather let the professionals handle every part of your interstate move from Tempe to Des Moines, a full-service mover is the way to go. These companies can manage everything, so you can focus on the big picture instead of the heavy lifting.
Here are our top picks for full-service movers that can get you from Tempe to Des Moines with less stress and more peace of mind.
Safeway Moving
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American Van Lines
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Allied Van Lines
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Mayzlin Relocation
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North American Van Lines
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What moving services are available in Tempe?
How we chose the best moving companies for your AZ to IA move
The best local movers servicing Tempe to Des Moines moves
Finding a trusted local moving company in Tempe that offers long-distance services to Des Moines can be a challenge. With so many movers advertising similar services, it's tough to know who really delivers on quality.
Good news — we've done the homework for you. Our team reviewed top local movers in Tempe who handle long-distance moves, evaluating them based on pricing, service offerings, and customer satisfaction.
Here are the best local movers for long-distance moves from Tempe to Des Moines.
- Gilbert Moving & Storage: 5.0 out of 5 stars
- Dose Moving & Storage: 4.86 out of 5 stars
- B Line Movers: 4.76 out of 5 stars
- Dircks Moving & Logistics: 4.76 out of 5 stars
- Muscular Moving Men & Storage: 4.8 out of 5 stars
Company Info
Years in Business: 8
DOT #: 3190108
Alternate Names: Gilbert Moving and Storage LLC
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Antiques
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
Pricing: $155/hr
Years in Business: 10
DOT #: 2523039
Alternate Names: Dose Moving Delivery Staging LLC
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Antiques
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
Years in Business: 8
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
Years in Business: 34
DOT #: 923640
Alternate Names: Dircks Moving Services Inc, Dircks Moving Services, Dircks
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Shipment tracking
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
Company Info
Years in Business: 16
Alternate Names: Muscular Moving Men LLC
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Crane vans
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
How much does it cost to move from Tempe to Des Moines?
Tempe movers charge $85 per hour on average. Here are average prices for a full-service moving company, moving container, or truck:
Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
---|---|---|---|
Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,369 - $5,783 | $1,082 - $2,654 | $987 - $1,926 |
2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,226 - $7,639 | $2,012 - $3,790 | $1,016 - $2,226 |
4+ bedrooms | $5,456 - $10,390 | $2,706 - $5,201 | $1,305 - $2,690 |
Cost to hire movers from Arizona to Iowa
If you're packing up a studio or one-bedroom to move from Arizona to Iowa, you can expect prices to land between $1,369 and $5,783. For a two- or three-bedroom space, your costs will usually range from $3,226 to $7,639 for the trip from AZ to IA. If you're moving a large four- or five-bedroom home, you're likely looking at a price tag between $5,456 and $10,390.
Cost of moving containers from Arizona to Iowa
Moving containers from Arizona to Iowa will cost you $1,082 to $2,654 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $2,012 to $3,790. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $2,706 to $5,201. Learn more about PODS cost.
Here are the cheapest moving container companies when moving out of Arizona.
Cost of moving truck rentals from Arizona to Iowa
Looking to save money? Renting a moving truck is usually your cheapest option. Just keep in mind that you'll handle all the lifting, packing, and driving yourself.
If you're moving out of a studio or one-bedroom and renting a truck, plan to spend between $987 and $1,926. For two- or three-bedroom moves, prices typically land between $1,016 and $2,226. Dealing with a four-bedroom-plus home? Expect rental truck costs to be somewhere between $1,305 and $2,690.
These cost ranges already include estimated fuel costs.
Key factors that impact the cost of your Tempe to Des Moines move
What to know before moving from Tempe to Des Moines
Des Moines often delivers a lighter monthly spend than Tempe — around 65% less for singles and 36% less for families.
Expect about $1,891 per month for singles and $4,380 for families in Des Moines, versus $5,433 and $6,810 in Tempe.
Check the categories below to see where costs diverge:
- Rent prices in Des Moines are 37% lower than in Tempe, which means you'll have more money in your pocket each month.
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In terms of homeownership, you'll be able to get more for your money in Des Moines.
Home prices in Des Moines are 59.2% lower than in Tempe. - Income in Des Moines is 8.7% lower than in Tempe, 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.
- Get ready to save some money on recurring expenses like food, gas, and utility bills in Des Moines. On average, the cost of living for a single person there is 65.2% lower than in Tempe.
- A move to Des Moines can help cut down on a family's routine expenses, including utilities, transportation, and groceries. The cost of living for a family of four is 35.7% less than what it costs in Tempe.
- The unemployment rate in Des Moines is 9.26% higher than in Tempe.
- You'll spend less on retail and restaurants in Des Moines, since the city's sales taxes in Des Moines are 13.58% lower than in Tempe.
- State income taxes in Des Moines are 76.00% higher than in Tempe.
The breakdown below shows how typical living costs and monthly expenses line up when comparing Tempe with Des Moines.
Tempe | Des Moines | |
---|---|---|
Basic utilities | $256.54 | $144.82 |
Cell phone plan | $70.53 | $51.25 |
Dozen eggs | $4.75 | $3.61 |
Loaf of bread | $4.18 | $2.5 |
Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $19.17 | $16 |
Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $80 | $77.5 |
Gym membership | $30 | $66.67 |
- Basic utilities tend to be more expensive in Tempe than in Des Moines.
- Cell phone plans typically cost more in Tempe than in Des Moines.
- Eggs cost more in Tempe than in Des Moines.
- Bread is more expensive in Tempe than in Des Moines.
- A quick meal tends to cost more in Tempe than in Des Moines.
- A mid-range dinner for two is pricier in Tempe than in Des Moines.
- Gym memberships are more affordable in Tempe than in Des Moines.
How life is different in Tempe vs. Des Moines
Des Moines | Tempe | |
---|---|---|
Population | 699,292 | 180,587 |
Transportation Score | 5 | 8 |
Walkability score | 45 | 54 |
Bike friendliness score | 39 | 75 |
Crime Index | 5.0 | 42.36 |
Safety Index | 57.8 | 57.64 |
Air Quality | Good | Good |
- The population of Des Moines is about 287% greater than Tempe, 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.
- Getting around Des Moines without a car might be more difficult than in Tempe. Des Moines has a public transportation score of 5 out of 10, whereas Tempe is ranked 8. Ratings are based on a city's transit connectivity, service frequency, and accessibility to key destinations like jobs and grocery stores.
- Des Moines neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as Tempe. Based on its score of 45 out of 100, Des Moines isn't as walkable as Tempe, which has a score of 54 out of 100. The higher the walkability score a city has, the easier it is to access amenities. The most walkable cities also tend to be more densely populated and have shorter block lengths.
- You probably won't see as many cycling lanes or off-road trails in Des Moines, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than Tempe. While Tempe has a bike-friendliness score of 75 out of 100, Des Moines earned a 39. Scores are based on factors like whether a city accommodates cyclists on major roadways, how often people bike to work, and how many steep hills it has.
- Des Moines has a lower crime rate than Tempe based on scores of 5.0 and Tempe's 42.36, respectively. The crime index shows how safe a city is perceived to be. So, a lower score generally means less crime.
- Des Moines is generally as safe as Tempe, according to their similar safety index ratings. The ratings are based on how comfortable residents feel about walking alone during the daytime and nighttime and the number of small crimes like theft and muggings.
- The air quality in Des Moines and Tempe 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.
Other things to consider for your Tempe 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 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.
Where to live in Des Moines
Now that you've chosen Hartford of the West as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in Des Moines to check out.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- East Village
- North of Grand
- Woodland Heights
- Beaverdale
- Westwood
Best neighborhoods for families
- Linden Heights
- Westwood
- Salisbury Oaks
- Meredith
- Beaverdale
Things to do in Des Moines
After settling into your new Iowa home, you'll want to branch out and explore your new city. Luckily, Des Moines has lots to offer, no matter what you're interested in:
- 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.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Tempe to Des Moines?
Spring and fall are the ideal times to move from Tempe to Des Moines. You'll benefit from more comfortable weather and avoid the higher prices that come with peak moving season in Tempe.
When is the cheapest time to move from Tempe to Des Moines?
Because spring and fall moves from Tempe to Des Moines are so common, winter can be a great time to move if you're looking for lower prices. Read our moving discounts guide to see how.
How long does a move from Tempe to Des Moines take?
The 1,390-mile journey from Tempe, AZ to Des Moines, IA, typically takes three to eight days. Some movers in Tempe offer expedited services if you're on a tight schedule, and if you need extra time, be sure to ask about storage options in Des Moines.
What kinds of discounts do Tempe movers offer?
Many local moving companies provide ways to save, from ongoing deals to seasonal offers. In Tempe, 1 movers provide AAA member discounts. 2 movers offer special pricing for military members. 4 movers extend discounts to senior citizens.
Check with each mover to confirm discount availability, eligibility requirements, and how much you can save.
How many movers in Tempe can handle specialty items for my move to Des Moines?
Specialty moving services aren’t offered by every company. In Tempe, 26 movers can handle pianos. 19 offer antique moving services. Compared to the rest of AZ, there are 39 piano movers and 29 antique movers, while nationwide the numbers are 1607 and 1131 respectively.
If you need these services, it’s best to book early — availability can be limited, especially during peak moving months.