($975+) Anaheim, CA to Des Moines, IA Movers
The cost to move from Anaheim, CA to Des Moines, IA ranges from $1,173 to $9,507, with an average cost of $3,600. Moves can be as low as $975 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 1,677 miles and usually takes 4 to 15 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
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Compare moving options from Anaheim, CA to Des Moines, IA
Moving options from Anaheim to Des Moines fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,173 - $9,507 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $3,600, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 43% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 66% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This particular route covers 1,677 miles and typically takes 4 to 15 days depending on the service you pick.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,677-mile route from Anaheim to Des Moines, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,173 - $5,251 | $1,424 - $2,735 | $956 - $1,949 | $1,229 - $2,535 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,171 - $6,670 | $1,820 - $3,600 | $1,076 - $2,273 | $1,545 - $3,031 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $5,409 - $9,507 | $2,458 - $5,029 | $1,289 - $2,891 | $2,007 - $4,023 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated November 2, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Anaheim, CA to Des Moines, IA
Full-service movers for the 1,677-mile relocation from Anaheim, California, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $1,173 and $9,507. With a long-distance moving company, loading, transportation, and unloading are all taken care of. If you want to skip packing boxes, too, that can be added for $401 - $2,676, depending on your home size. What you pay in the end is mainly a function of how much your shipment weighs and how far it's traveling. As a point of reference, local movers in Anaheim typically charge a base rate around $182 plus $75 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Anaheim to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,173 - $5,251
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,171 - $6,670
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,409 - $9,507
Packing, storage, shuttle fees, and added coverage can stack on top of the base price. See the full add-ons and specialty services table below for what each runs from Anaheim to Des Moines.
Pro tip: Moving company rates climb during peak moving season (May –-September) when demand peaks. Scheduling your move outside of that window can lead to noticeably lower costs and better availability.
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Specialty moving services from Anaheim, CA to Des Moines, IA
Specialty needs vary by market: 54% of Anaheim movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Des Moines, 60% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing78% of local movers | $669 - $6,690 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready54% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Meathead Movers | $268 - $1,606/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $401 - $3,211 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage12% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs55% of local movers | $1,338 - $4,014 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,345 - $13,380 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,002 - $1,904 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items31% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: SOS Moving, LLC | $1,338 - $3,345 |
| Piano | Any piano type41% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: SOS Moving, LLC | $1,070 - $4,683 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling11% of local movers | $401 - $2,007 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect5% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Silicon Valley Moving and Storage (CA) | $870 - $2,676 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $401 - $20,070+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $401 - $4,683+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Anaheim to Des Moines?
Movers licensed to operate in Iowa are typically members of the Iowa Motor Truck Association, worth checking for before you book any of the three below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 customer support, and 30 days of free storage are included with every move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list, with 30+ years in business since 1995. AVL is one of the few national carriers that uses full-time in-house crews instead of contracted labor.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, combining fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan that covers damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in Anaheim, CA. Local companies typically run 30% - 40% more at longer distances because they aren't set up to consolidate shipments the way national carriers do. The one case where a local mover might be worth the premium is if you want a dedicated direct-route truck, which averages a 2-day delivery time, but expect to pay more for that convenience.
Moving container costs from Anaheim, CA to Des Moines, IA
Moving containers from Anaheim, California, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $1,424 and $5,029. The container gets dropped at your door and you load it at your own pace. U-Haul gives you 3 days to load and PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're done, the company handles all the transportation. If you need extra time, storage in Anaheim runs about $110/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Anaheim to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,424 - $2,735
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,820 - $3,600
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,458 - $5,029
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $100 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $201 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Des Moines, IA, if you need to retrieve anything while items are still in storage.
- Moving labor: Since you're responsible for loading the container yourself, many customers bring in hourly help. Based on moveBuddha data, hiring 2 movers for approximately 5 hours costs about $937 in Anaheim, CA. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection goes beyond the standard minimum and covers repair, replacement, or reimbursement at declared value. Pricing is typically 1% - 2% of your total shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 move.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a California to Iowa move in the past 90 days. Our pricing data is drawn from 1,500+ monthly data points across our vetted mover network and refreshed every month.
Pro tip: Before ordering moving containers, take a careful inventory of everything you're moving. A typical 1-bedroom home weighs around 3,000 pounds and fits in a single container starting at $1,424. Underestimating how much you have and needing an extra container means paying for another one, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise. For reference, a 2 - 3 bedroom home typically runs $1,820 - $3,600.
What are the best moving containers Anaheim to Des Moines?
- Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
- U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
- MovingYourself (5.0/5 stars)
Want a hand without paying for full service? A container or truck move does not mean doing all the heavy lifting yourself. You can hire a labor-only crew in Anaheim to load and unload while you handle the drive, then book full help later if you change your mind. Three top-rated local crews for labor-only help in Anaheim:
- Meathead Movers (4.7/5), 24 years in business
- Rigo's Moving Company Inc (4.3/5), 12 years in business
- Best Fit Movers (4.8/5), 8 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Anaheim, CA to Des Moines, IA
Renting a moving truck for the 1,677-mile move from Anaheim, California, to Des Moines, Iowa, costs between $956 and $2,891, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $714 - $816
- Daily insurance: $40/day
- Equipment rentals: $9 - $27
- Anaheim daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $1.09
| Home size | Typical truck size |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | 10 - 12 ft |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | 15 - 17 ft |
| 4+ bedrooms | 20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel) |
These are typical moving truck rental costs from Anaheim to Des Moines based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $956 - $1,949
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,076 - $2,273
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,289 - $2,891
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $956 - $2,891 does not include fuel ($714 - $816), lodging ($201/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Anaheim to Des Moines typically runs more than the base rate alone, with meals, equipment, and other extras adding roughly $600 - $1,200 on top of fuel and lodging.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $201 per night. Most long-distance moves with rental trucks require 1 - 3 overnight stops.
- Equipment: Tow dollies, auto trailers, and specialty moving equipment can add between $87 and $435 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $714 - $816 in fuel for the 1,677-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $937 in Anaheim, California, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Anaheim to Des Moines?
- Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
- Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
- U-Haul Truck Rental (4.2/5 stars)
The best truck rental companies for this route, based on moveBuddha's ratings.
Freight trailer costs from Anaheim, CA to Des Moines, IA
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Anaheim, California, to Des Moines, Iowa, when you want to do the loading yourself without having to drive a massive vehicle. The trailer is delivered, you pack it up, and the carrier handles the long haul.
What sets freight trailers apart is the pay-for-what-you-use pricing model. Each additional foot of trailer space you occupy adds to the cost. Pricing for a 2 - 3 bedroom move of this distance typically lands between $1,545 and $3,031.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Anaheim to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,229 - $2,535
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,545 - $3,031
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,007 - $4,023
Pro tip: Freight trailers offer generous space but reward good packing strategy. The 4-foot ramp can be challenging for large or heavy pieces, and using the full 8-foot height takes careful stacking. Because you're billed by the linear foot, maximizing vertical space keeps your costs lower.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Demand cycles: Trailer costs climb during peak moving season, especially from mid-May through mid-September when demand is at its highest.
- More space: You're billed only for the linear feet you use, but underestimating your inventory means paying for extra space, typically around $100 - $201 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Anaheim, California, for about five hours typically runs $937.
What are the best freight companies from Anaheim to Des Moines?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Best known as a top moving container option thanks to its DIY hybrid model (you load, they drive), MovingYourself also doubles as a strong freight choice with their 53-foot trucks and pay-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. In addition to their well-known container service, U-Pack offers freight trailers that follow the same pay-by-the-foot model with no deposits or upfront fees, making them one of the most flexible freight options for budget-conscious moves.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are one of the fastest ways to move your belongings interstate, often beating full-service movers on delivery time. If getting your stuff to Des Moines quickly is a priority, freight is worth a hard look. That said, freight carriers typically require you to be available to receive your shipment within a set window, so if you need short-term storage or your new place won't be ready right away, a container or full-service mover may give you more flexibility.
Cost of living: Anaheim, CA vs Des Moines, IA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Des Moines, side by side with Anaheim on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Anaheim, CA | Des Moines, IA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 165 | 87 |
| Average rent | $2,550/mo | $1,150/mo |
| Median home value | $769,966 | $183,553 |
| Average income | $90,583/yr | $63,966/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 4.1% | 5.9% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | Up to 4.4% |
| Walkability score | 56/100 | 45/100 |
| Safety index | 46.82/100 | 57.8/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
Cost of living index is relative to the U.S. average of 100. Figures reflect the latest available city and state data.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Des Moines, IA to Anaheim, CA guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from California to Iowa in the past 3 months alone, keeping our pricing data current. Run your numbers through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. For context, we track 1,154 movers based in California, handy for sizing up options on this 1,677-mile route.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 1,677-mile route from Anaheim, CA, to Des Moines, IA, run $1,173 - $9,507 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,424 - $5,029, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $956 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,171, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include MercyOne and Principal Financial Group.
FAQs: Moving from Anaheim, CA, to Des Moines, IA
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Anaheim, CA to Des Moines, IA?
Cutting 500 pounds from your shipment, roughly one bedroom's worth of items, saves approximately $200 - $400 on a full-service move on this route. Beyond that, staying organized matters just as much. A solid moving checklist keeps you on schedule and helps you avoid costly last-minute mistakes.
Is Des Moines a safe place to live?
Des Moines has a safety index of 57.8 out of 100 and a crime index of 5.0, compared to 46.82 and 53.18 in Anaheim. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
How walkable is Des Moines?
Des Moines has a walkability score of 45 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 39, compared to 56 and 52 in Anaheim. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What are the best neighborhoods in Des Moines?
For families, Linden Heights, Waterbury, and Waveland Park are worth a look in Des Moines. If you're moving solo or without kids, Sherman Hill, Downtown, and East Village tend to be popular picks instead.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Iowa?
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.
What percentage of Anaheim movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 41% of movers in Anaheim handle piano moves, and 31% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.