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Things to know before moving from California to Des Moines, IA
Cost of living: California vs Des Moines, IA
| California | Des Moines | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,856 | $1,150 |
| Average home value | $771,057 | $192,347 |
| Average income (per capita) | $91,905 | $58,492 |
| Unemployment rate | 5% | 6% |
| State income tax | 13% | 4% |
Des Moines sources: Zumper, Zillow, Numbeo
- Rent is about 38% less expensive in Des Moines than in California.
- Home prices are about 75% lower in Des Moines than in California.
- The average income is about 36% lower in Des Moines than in California.
- Des Moines has a higher unemployment rate than California by about 9%.
- Income taxes are 67% lower in Des Moines than in California.
How life is different in Des Moines from California
| Des Moines | California | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 699,292 | 39,029,342 |
| Political leaning | Democratic 57-41 | Democratic 59-41 |
| Summer high | 86ºF | 87ºF |
| Winter low | 13ºF | 59ºF |
| Annual rain | 36" | 22" |
| Annual snow | 33" | 7" |
| Crime index | 5.0 | 28.43 |
Des Moines sources: Wikipedia, AllTransit, Walk Score, NeighborhoodScout, AirNow
- The population of Des Moines is approximately 98% lower than the population of California.
- In the last presidential election, Des Moines voted Democratic and California voted Democratic.
- The average high in the summertime in Des Moines is 86ºF and in California, it’s 87ºF.
- During the coldest part of the year, Des Moines reaches the temperature of 13ºF and California gets down to 59ºF.
- You can expect about 36 inches of annual rainfall in Des Moines vs 22 inches of rainfall in California.
- In Des Moines, it snows about 33 inches annually vs 7 inches of snow in California.
- Des Moines has a lower crime rate than California with a crime index of 28.43 vs 5.0.
Things to do in Des Moines
Whether you’re looking for parks, museums, sports, or even universities, you’ll be happy to find a plethora of these in Des Moines.
Museums in Des Moines
Parks in Des Moines
Sports Teams in Des Moines
Universities in Des Moines
Other considerations when moving to Des Moines, IA
- 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: One common and important example of something that should be handled ahead of time is reserving the building's elevator and finding out their rules for using the elevator.
- Parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles, find out ahead of time with your new local rules.
- 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 on the state regulator's official website.
- Moving permits: Iowa does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
- Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Iowa. Get started here.
- Mover's insurance: Every state has their own requirements when it comes to insurance. Choose cost-free Released Value Protection from movers for basic coverage at 60 cents per pound.
- Moving checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.
FAQ
How long does a move from California to Des Moines take?
The time frame for a move from California to Des Moines, IA, varies based on your moving method and starting location. The actual loading up of your items should not take more than a day, even with DIY moves.
Obviously, the further upstate you are in California, the longer the drive time to Des Moines will be. If you’re driving a rental truck, the move could be completed in one or two days, on average, depending on your route and how often you stop.
With professional movers or moving containers, delivery times to Des Moines from California can range from a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the company’s schedule and transit logistics. You can always ask for a general timeline before booking.
How far in advance should I book movers when moving from California to Des Moines?
Because of the 1808-mile move, it’s best to book your move from California to Des Moines as soon as you have your moving details. Ideally, you’d book your move two to three months ahead of time.
What time of year is the cheapest to move to Des Moines, IA?
With the summer highs of 86ºF and the winter lows of 13ºF, most people move to Des Moines from California during the spring and fall months. To avoid competing during those busy moving seasons, you could save some money by booking your move to Des Moines during summer or winter.
