Top Ontario, CA to Des Moines, IA Movers

Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Des Moines to Ontario guide.

1. Golden Eagle Moving, LLC: 4.86 out of 5 stars
2. Big Deahl's Movers: 4.62 out of 5 stars
3. Trek Movers: 4.66 out of 5 stars
4. Best California Movers: 4.9 out of 5 stars
5. VIP Transport, Inc.: 4.62 out of 5 stars

Cost to hire movers from California to Iowa

Moving a studio or one-bedroom home from California to Iowa typically costs between $1,467 and $5,584. For a two- or three-bedroom home, expect prices to fall between $3,603 and $7,519 when moving from CA to IA. If you're tackling a large move (think four or five bedrooms) from California to Iowa, you're looking at costs ranging from $6,067 up to $11,022.

Cost of moving containers from California to Iowa

If you're moving from California to Iowa, expect to pay between $1,159 and $2,826 for a small load. For a home with two or three bedrooms, prices typically range from $2,215 up to $4,215. Larger moves of four bedrooms or more can run between $2,762 and $5,475. Check out our guide on PODS cost for more details.

Check out the most affordable moving container companies for your move from California.

Cost of moving truck rentals from California 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 $1,169 and $2,244. For two- or three-bedroom moves, prices typically land between $1,241 and $2,619. Dealing with a four-bedroom-plus home? Expect rental truck costs to be somewhere between $1,578 and $2,955.

These cost ranges already include estimated fuel costs.

• Rent prices in Des Moines are 56% lower than in Ontario, which means you'll have more money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you'll be able to get more for your money in Des Moines.
  Home prices in Des Moines are 71.2% lower than in Ontario.
• Income in Des Moines is 18.7% lower than in Ontario, 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 23.5% lower than in Ontario.
• 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 24.4% less than what it costs in Ontario.
• The unemployment rate in Des Moines is 14.49% lower than in Ontario.
• You'll spend less on retail and restaurants in Des Moines, since the city's sales taxes in Des Moines are 20.00% lower than in Ontario.
• One perk of moving to Des Moines is paying less in state income taxes, which are 66.92% lower than in Ontario.

• The population of Des Moines is about 299% greater than Ontario, 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 Ontario. 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.
• You'll find Des Moines to be about as walkable as Ontario. The two cities have similar walkability scores of 45 and 48 respectively out of 100 in terms of how close housing is to businesses, recreational facilities, and jobs.
• You probably won't see as many cycling lanes or off-road trails in Des Moines, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than Ontario. While Ontario has a bike-friendliness score of 46 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 Ontario based on scores of 5.0 and Ontario's 50.25, 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 Ontario, based on Des Moines's safety index of 57.8 versus 49.75 for Ontario. 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 Ontario 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.

• 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.

Best neighborhoods for singles

• Sherman Hill
• Downtown
• North of Grand
• Chautauqua Park
• Westwood

Best neighborhoods for families

• Linden Heights
• Waveland Park
• Westwood
• Salisbury Oaks
• 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.