Quick answer: A typical 1,676-mile move from Anaheim to Des Moines runs $1,374–$9,047 and takes four to 15 days. Price and timing vary based on how much stuff you are moving, move date, and choice of DIY or full-service.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Des Moines to Anaheim guide.
Our track record
Best Movers By Type
Professional
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Container
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Labor Only
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Best Professional Movers from Anaheim to Des Moines
Picking a long-distance moving company for your move from Anaheim to Des Moines isn't easy — there are tons of options out there, and figuring out who's reliable (and who's not) can feel like a real challenge.
No need to stress about sifting through endless options — we've already done the homework for you. Our picks are based on real reviews, pricing, and the range of services offered.
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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How we chose the best moving companies for your CA to IA move
Local moving companies in Anaheim
- Best California Movers: 5.0 out of 5 stars
- Rigo's Moving Company Inc: 4.86 out of 5 stars
- Seka Moving: 4.86 out of 5 stars
- Merit Moving Systems: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- Meathead Movers: 4.8 out of 5 stars
Company Info
State license #: T0192283
Pricing: $109/hr
Years in Business: 6
DOT #: 3489907
Alternate Names: Best California Movers & Storage, An Moving Forward
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
Company Info
State license #: 0191663
Years in Business: 11
DOT #: 3075110
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 0192497
Years in Business: 7
DOT #: 3014539
Alternate Names: Seka Moving Corporation
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
Company Info
State license #: 0192009
Years in Business: 38
DOT #: 1839600
Alternate Names: Merit Moving & Logistics LLC
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
- Fragile-only packing
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
- DOD certified
Company Info
State license #: 189849
Years in Business: 27
DOT #: 921143
Alternate Names: Meat Head Movers Inc, Meathead Movers Inc
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Storage
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
How much does it cost to move from Anaheim to Des Moines?
Anaheim movers charge $75 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 | $1,578 - $5,813 | $1,318 - $3,345 | $1,173 - $2,419 |
2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,664 - $9,047 | $2,304 - $4,938 | $1,374 - $2,708 |
4+ bedrooms | $6,918 - $12,161 | $3,143 - $6,238 | $1,700 - $3,484 |
Cost to hire movers from California to Iowa
Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from California to Iowa will cost between $1,578 and $5,813. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from CA to IA will range from $3,664 to $9,047, and a large move from California to Iowa will cost from $6,918 to $12,161.
Cost of moving containers from California to Iowa
If you’re relocating from California to Iowa, you’ll typically spend between $1,318 and $3,345 for a small move. Have a two or three-bedroom home? Plan for costs to range from $2,304 up to $4,938. If you’re moving a larger home—four bedrooms or more—expect to pay anywhere between $3,143 and $6,238. For a full breakdown, check out our complete PODS cost guide.
Exploree our top budget-friendly moving container companies for your move from California.
Cost of moving truck rentals from California to Iowa
Renting a moving truck is usually your cheapest option, but keep in mind you’ll be handling all the loading, unloading, and driving yourself.
If you’re moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment with a rental truck, expect to spend between $1,173 and $2,419. For two to three bedrooms, rates typically fall between $1,374 and $2,708. Relocating a four-bedroom (or bigger) home? You’re likely looking at anywhere from $1,700 up to $3,484 for your rental truck.
These quotes include estimated fuel costs.
Key factors that impact the cost of your Anaheim to Des Moines move
What to know before moving from Anaheim to Des Moines
Moving from Anaheim to Des Moines means adjusting to a different pace of life — and a different price tag. On average, it costs significantly more to live in Anaheim than in Des Moines, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.
Check out how Anaheim compares to Des Moines so you know what to expect before you relocate:
Anaheim | Des Moines | |
---|---|---|
Average rent cost | $2,550 | $1,150 |
Average home value | $924,742 | $192,347 |
Average income (per capita) | $88,538 | $58,492 |
Cost of living (single person) | $5,451 | $1,891 |
Cost of living (family of 4) | $11,381 | $4,380 |
Unemployment rate | 4.1% | 5.9% |
Sales tax | 7.75% | 7.0% |
State income tax | 13.3% | 4.4% |
- Rent prices in Des Moines are 55% lower than in Anaheim, 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 79.2% lower than in Anaheim. - Income in Des Moines is 33.9% lower than in Anaheim, 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 65.3% lower than in Anaheim.
- 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 61.5% less than what it costs in Anaheim.
- The unemployment rate in Des Moines is 43.90% higher than in Anaheim.
- You'll spend less on retail and restaurants in Des Moines, since the city's sales taxes in Des Moines are 9.68% lower than in Anaheim.
- One perk of moving to Des Moines is paying less in state income taxes, which are 66.92% lower than in Anaheim.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $1,040.73 in Des Moines to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Anaheim.
How life is different in Anaheim vs. Des Moines
Des Moines | Anaheim | |
---|---|---|
Population | 699,292 | 346,824 |
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 5 | 5 |
Walkability score | 45 | 56 |
Bike friendliness score | 39 | 52 |
Crime Index | 5.0 | 53.18 |
Safety Index | 57.8 | 46.82 |
Air Quality | Good | Good |
- The population of Des Moines is about 102% greater than Anaheim, 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.
- Your access to buses, shuttles, trams, or trains in Des Moines will be about the same as it currently is in Anaheim. The cities share a similar public transportation score, which means their transit systems are comparable in terms of how connected they are, how often they provide service, and how close they are to jobs, housing, retail and food stores, and other important locations.
- Des Moines neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as Anaheim. Based on its score of 45 out of 100, Des Moines isn't as walkable as Anaheim, which has a score of 56 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 Anaheim. While Anaheim has a bike-friendliness score of 52 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 Anaheim based on scores of 5.0 and Anaheim's 53.18, 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 Anaheim, based on Des Moines's safety index of 57.8 versus 46.82 for Anaheim. 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 Anaheim 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 Anaheim 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
- Downtown
- North of Grand
- Woodland Heights
- Arbor Peaks
- Beaverdale
Best neighborhoods for families
- Linden Heights
- Waterbury
- Waveland Park
- Westwood
- Beaverdale
Things to do in Des Moines
After getting comfortable in your new Iowa home, it's time to see what Des Moines is all about. Whether you're into food, art, nature, or nightlife — there's plenty to check out:
- 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 Anaheim to Des Moines?
If you're flexible with timing, spring and fall are great seasons to move from Anaheim to Des Moines. You'll dodge the heat, the crowds, and the higher moving costs typical of peak season in Anaheim.
When is the cheapest time to move from Anaheim to Des Moines?
Since spring and fall are the most popular times to move from Anaheim 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 Anaheim to Des Moines take?
Covering 1,676 miles, the move from Anaheim, CA to Des Moines, IA typically takes four to 15 days. Some Anaheim movers may offer faster options, and if your timing is flexible, storage services in Des Moines can help bridge the gap.