$1,430 Movers From San Francisco to Des Moines
Fact Checked by: Quick Answer: The cost to move from San Francisco, CA to Des Moines, IA averages from $1,379 to $8,638 depending on how much you're moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the move yourself.
Hiring a full-service San Francisco moving company will be on the more expensive side, while renting a truck or moving container is usually cheaper but requires more work.
Here's everything you need to know about your upcoming move to Des Moines, IA.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Des Moines to San Francisco guide.
Moving from San Francisco to Des Moines resources
- Best San Francisco to Des Moines movers: We've handpicked the best moving companies from San Francisco to Des Moines.
- Moving cost: Use our moving cost calculator to get a more accurate estimate on moving costs.
- Consider moving containers: Need a more budget-friendly option? With these companies, you load and they drive! These are the best moving container companies.
- San Francisco to Des Moines car shippers: Moving your car? Here's a list of our top car shipping companies.
Moving 1,798 miles is no joke. Here's what you need to know.
How much does it cost to move from San Francisco to Des Moines?
San Francisco movers charge $150 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 | $1,430 - $5,396 | $1,310 - $3,140 | $1,165 - $2,287 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,678 - $8,638 | $2,291 - $4,548 | $1,379 - $2,722 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $6,465 - $11,865 | $3,222 - $6,482 | $1,605 - $3,297 |
*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 1,798 miles and historical averages. The actual size of your move, additional services required, truck parking access, market conditions, and availability can greatly affect the final cost of your move.
The cost to move from San Francisco to Des Moines will depend on:
- Move size: The amount of items you have — as well as your home size and layout — will impact the total cost of your relocation.
- Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in San Francisco, so moving companies will likely charge more.
- Do-it-yourself vs Professional Mover: DIY moving services are usually cheaper but involve more work and stress compared to letting the pros handle your move.
How much are professional moving companies when moving from San Francisco to Des Moines?
Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from San Francisco to Des Moines will cost between $1,430 to $5,396. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $3,678 to $8,638, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from San Francisco to Des Moines will cost from $6,465 to $11,865.
How much are moving container companies from San Francisco to Des Moines?
Moving containers from San Francisco to Des Moines will cost you $1,310 to $3,140 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $2,291 to $4,548. A larger home will cost $3,222 to $6,482.
How much is a moving truck from San Francisco to Des Moines?
Renting a moving truck is usually the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor.
Moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $1,165 to $2,287. A larger move will cost $1,379 to $2,722, and a four-bedroom move from San Francisco to Des Moines costs from $1,605 to $3,297. These estimates include the anticipated fuel cost.
The best San Francisco to Des Moines moving companies
Hiring an interstate moving company to go from San Francisco to Des Moines is a big deal.
There are more than 8,000 moving companies in the U.S. But don't worry, you won't have to filter through all of them. We've done the research for you and narrowed the list based on customer satisfaction, cost, and services. Here are the best long-distance moving companies serving San Francisco to Des Moines.
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If you're just trying to ship a few items, here are our picks for the best small load moving companies.
Pros and cons of moving from San Francisco to Des Moines
Cost of living: San Francisco vs Des Moines
| San Francisco | Des Moines | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $3,220 | $1,150 |
| Average home value | $1,234,246 | $192,347 |
| Average income (per capita) | $126,187 | $58,492 |
| Cost of Living (single person) | $3,840 | $1,891 |
| Cost of Living (family of 4) | $8,998 | $4,380 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4% | 5.9% |
| Sales Tax | 8.63% | 7.0% |
| State Income Tax | 13.3% | 4.4% |
- Rent prices in Des Moines are 64% lower than in San Francisco.
- Home prices in Des Moines are 84.4% lower than in San Francisco.
- Income in Des Moines is 53.6% lower than in San Francisco.
- The cost of living for a single person in Des Moines is 50.8% lower than in San Francisco.
- The cost of living for a family in Des Moines is 51.3% lower than in San Francisco.
- The unemployment rate in Des Moines is 9.26% higher than in San Francisco.
- Sales taxes in Des Moines are 18.89% lower than in San Francisco.
- State income taxes in Des Moines are 66.92% lower than in San Francisco.
To put this into perspective, you would need around $1,477.34 in Des Moines to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in San Francisco.
How is life different in San Francisco compared to Des Moines?
| Des Moines | San Francisco | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 699,292 | 808,437 |
| AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 5 | 10 |
| Walkability score | 45 | 99 |
| Bike friendliness score | 39 | 99 |
| Crime Index | 5.0 | 54.33 |
| Safety Index | 57.8 | 37.9 |
| Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
- Des Moines's population is about 14% less than San Francisco.
- Des Moines's public transportation has a score of 5 out of 10 versus San Francisco's lower score of 10.
- Des Moines is less walkable than San Francisco with a score of 45 out of 100 vs San Francisco's 99 out of 100.
- Des Moines is less bike-friendly than San Francisco with a score of 39 out of 100 vs San Francisco's 99.
- Des Moines's crime rate is lower than San Francisco with a score of 5.0 compared to San Francisco's 54.33. This means that Des Moines neighborhoods are safer than 5.0% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and San Francisco neighborhoods are safer than 54.33%.
- Des Moines is considered to be safer than San Francisco with a safety index of 57.8 vs San Francisco's 37.9.
- Air quality in Des Moines is good, and in San Francisco it's moderate.
Considerations for moving to Des Moines
- 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.
- 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.
Local San Francisco movers
| Company | Quote | Rating | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
most popular
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Get A Quote |
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5550 Mission St, San Francisco, CA, 94112 (415) 413-4646 |
| Gentle Giant Moving Company | Get A Quote |
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361 Swift Ave, South San Francisco, CA, 94080 (415) 544-7000 |
| Good Green Moving | Get A Quote |
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1355 Market Street Suite 488, San Francisco, CA, 94103 (855) 613-4663 |
Visit our best long distance movers in San Francisco page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.
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
- East Village
- North of Grand
- Woodland Heights
- Arbor Peaks
- Chautauqua Park
- Beaverdale
- Westwood
Best neighborhoods for families:
- Linden Heights
- Waterbury
- Waveland Park
- Westwood
- Salisbury Oaks
- Meredith
- Beaverdale
What to do in Des Moines
These are some of the best things to do in your new Iowa home.
- State Capitol
- Science Center of Iowa
- John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park
- Salisbury House & Gardens
- Des Moines Art Center
- Principal Park
- East Village
- Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
- Water Works Park
- Iowa State Fair
- Hoyt Sherman Place
- Robert D. Ray Asian Gardens
Get your sports on!
Des Moines is a great sports town, these are the local teams to support:- Drake Bulldogs
FAQs about moving from San Francisco to Des Moines
When is the best time to move from San Francisco to Des Moines?
The best time to move from San Francisco to Des Moines is during the transitional seasons of spring or fall, considering the summer highs of 86ºF and the winter lows of 13ºF in Des Moines.
When is the cheapest time to move from San Francisco to Des Moines?
Because most people are moving from San Francisco to Des Moines in the spring or fall, you can often catch discounts by moving in the summer or winter. Read our guide on moving discounts to learn more.
