Factors influencing moving costs from Moreno Valley to Des Moinestoggle

The cost of Moreno Valley movers will depend on:

  • Move size: The cost of your move will depend on the amount of items you have in your home. For example, moving a one-bedroom apartment from Moreno Valley to Des Moines can be as low as $1,425 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $ 11,009.
  • Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in Moreno Valley, so moving companies will likely charge more.
  • Do-it-yourself vs professional mover: Renting a truck or using a moving container can be cheaper options, with prices for a rental truck ranging from $1,172 to $3,140. However, these options require more work and effort compared to hiring professional movers.

What to know before moving from Moreno Valley to Des Moines

Moving from Moreno Valley to Des Moines means adjusting to a different pace of life โ€” and a different price tag. On average, it costs significantly more to live in Moreno Valley than in Des Moines, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.

Check out how Moreno Valley compares to Des Moines so you know what to expect before you relocate:

Moreno Valley Des Moines
Average rent cost $2,550 $1,150
Average home value $549,363 $192,347
Average income (per capita) $73,635 $58,492
Cost of living (single person) $2,611 $1,891
Cost of living (family of 4) $5,923 $4,380
Unemployment rate 9.1% 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 Moreno Valley, which means youโ€™ll have more money in your pocket each month.
  • In terms of homeownership, youโ€™ll be able to get more for your money in Des Moines.
    Home prices in Des Moines are 65.0% lower than in Moreno Valley.
  • Income in Des Moines is 20.6% lower than in Moreno Valley, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in Des Moines include MercyOne, Principal Financial Group, and Ppw Holdings.
  • The cost of living for a single person in Des Moines is 27.6% lower than in Moreno Valley. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
  • The cost of living for a family in Des Moines is 26.1% lower than in Moreno Valley.
  • The unemployment rate in Des Moines is 35.16% lower than in Moreno Valley.
  • Youโ€™ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Des Moines, since the cityโ€™s sales taxes in Des Moines are 9.68% lower than in Moreno Valley.
  • One perk of moving to Des Moines is paying less in state income taxes, which are 66.92% lower than in Moreno Valley.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,172.73 in Des Moines to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Moreno Valley.

How life is different in Moreno Valley vs. Des Moines

Des Moines Moreno Valley
Population 699,292 208,634
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 5 4
Walkability score 45 33
Bike friendliness score 39 37
Crime Index 5.0 40.24
Safety Index 57.8 59.76
Air Quality Good Moderate
  • Des Moines's population is about 235% greater than Moreno Valley.
  • Des Moines's public transportation has a score of 5 out of 10 versus Moreno Valley's lower score of 4.
  • Des Moines is more walkable than Moreno Valley with a score of 45 out of 100 vs Moreno Valley's 33 out of 100.
  • Both Des Moines and Moreno Valley have the same bike-friendliness score of 37 out of 100, meaning Des Moines is about as safe for cyclists as Moreno Valley. Typically, cities that have scores of 20 or higher are seen as reasonably safe, though the higher the score, the more safely accessible a city is for bicycling.
  • Des Moines's crime rate is lower than Moreno Valley with a score of 5.0 compared to Moreno Valley's 40.24. This means that Des Moines neighborhoods are safer than 5.0% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Moreno Valley neighborhoods are safer than 40.24%.
  • Des Moines and Moreno Valley are considered to be equally safe.
  • Air quality in Des Moines is good, and in Moreno Valley it's moderate.

Other things to consider for your Moreno Valley 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 theyโ€™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.
  • 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 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 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
  • Woodland Heights
  • Chautauqua Park
  • Westwood

Best neighborhoods for families

  • Linden Heights
  • Waterbury
  • Waveland Park
  • Salisbury Oaks
  • Meredith

Things to do in Des Moines

Once youโ€™re settled into your new home in Iowa, itโ€™s time to get out and discover what Des Moines has to offer. No matter your interests, thereโ€™s something for everyone here:

  • 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 cityโ€™s Gray's Lake Park, Pappajohn Sculpture Park, Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, and Robert D. Ray Asian Gardens โ€” among other spots โ€” 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 Moreno Valley to Des Moines?

The best time to move from Moreno Valley 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 Moreno Valley.

When is the cheapest time to move from Moreno Valley to Des Moines?

Because most people are moving from Moreno Valley to Des Moines in the spring or fall, you can often catch discounts by moving in the winter. Read our guide on moving discounts to learn more.

How long does a move from Moreno Valley to Des Moines take?

The 1,656-mile move from Moreno Valley, CA, to Des Moines, IA, takes four to 15 days. Some Moreno Valley movers may offer expedited moving if you need it faster. If you need more time, ask your mover about storage options in Des Moines.

Helpful moving resources