($997+) Santa Clarita, CA to Des Moines, IA Movers
The cost to move from Santa Clarita, CA to Des Moines, IA ranges from $1,187 to $9,722, with an average cost of $3,650. Moves can be as low as $997 if you're wanting to DIY it.
This move covers about 1,680 miles and usually takes 4 to 15 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
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Compare moving options from Santa Clarita, CA to Des Moines, IA
Moving options from Santa Clarita to Des Moines fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,187 - $9,722 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $3,650, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 43% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 65% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This particular route covers 1,680 miles and typically takes 4 to 15 days depending on the service you pick.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,680-mile route from Santa Clarita to Des Moines, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $1,187 - $5,314 with full-service movers, $1,412 - $2,768 with a container, $947 - $1,915 with a rental truck, or $1,362 - $2,368 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $3,115 - $7,307 full-service, $1,786 - $3,873 by container, $1,099 - $2,392 by rental truck, or $1,579 - $2,976 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $5,813 - $9,722 full-service, $2,667 - $5,398 by container, $1,373 - $2,703 by rental truck, or $2,010 - $4,030 by freight.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated October 30, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Santa Clarita, CA to Des Moines, IA
Full-service movers for the 1,680-mile relocation from Santa Clarita, California, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $1,187 and $9,722. With a long-distance moving company, loading, transportation, and unloading are all taken care of. If you want to skip packing boxes, too, that can be added for $396 - $2,640, depending on your home size. What you pay in the end is mainly a function of how much your shipment weighs and how far it's traveling. As a point of reference, local movers in Santa Clarita typically charge a base rate around $291 plus $125 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Santa Clarita to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,187 - $5,314
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,115 - $7,307
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,813 - $9,722
Packing, storage, shuttle fees, and added coverage can stack on top of the base price. See the full add-ons and specialty services table below for what each runs from Santa Clarita to Des Moines.
Pro tip: The summer months (May - September) are the busiest time of year for movers during peak moving season, which drives up prices and limits scheduling options. If you can move in the fall or winter, you'll likely find better rates and more flexibility.
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Specialty moving services from Santa Clarita, CA to Des Moines, IA
Specialty needs vary by market: 60% of Santa Clarita movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Des Moines, 58% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing81% of local movers | $660 - $6,600 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready60% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: NorthStar Moving Company | $264 - $1,584/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $396 - $3,168 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage15% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs58% of local movers | $1,320 - $3,960 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,300 - $13,200 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $989 - $1,878 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items31% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: NorthStar Moving Company | $1,320 - $3,300 |
| Piano | Any piano type45% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: NorthStar Moving Company | $1,056 - $4,620 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling11% of local movers | $396 - $1,980 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect4% of local movers9% nationally | $858 - $2,640 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $396 - $19,800+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $396 - $4,620+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Santa Clarita to Des Moines?
Look for Iowa Motor Truck Association membership as a baseline when comparing movers in Iowa beyond this list.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is our pick for best overall value. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 support, and 30 days of free storage make Safeway the clearest value on this list.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. AVL has been moving customers since 1995 and uses full-time in-house crews trained on high-value items like art and antiques.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. One of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, 24/7 monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan against damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Santa Clarita, CA. At that distance, local movers often charge 30% - 40% more because they don't spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments the way national carriers do. If a direct route and faster delivery (averaging 2 days) are priorities, a local mover may be worth considering, but that service comes at a higher price.
Moving container costs from Santa Clarita, CA to Des Moines, IA
Moving containers from Santa Clarita, California, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $1,412 and $5,398. With a moving container, you load on your own schedule. U-Haul gives you 3 days to fill yours, while PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're ready, the company transports it straight to your new place. Need more time first? Storage in Santa Clarita typically costs about /month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Santa Clarita to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,412 - $2,768
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,786 - $3,873
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,667 - $5,398
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $99 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $198 per month for larger units (12 - 16 feet).
- Moving labor: Containers don't come with loading help, so many customers hire hourly movers for the job. Two movers for about 5 hours will run you around $924 in Santa Clarita, CA, per moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Standard coverage only reimburses by weight. Full-value protection gives you more complete coverage for higher-value items and typically costs 1% - 2% of your total declared value, around $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 shipment.
- Access: National providers generally operate in both cities, but verify that a facility near your Des Moines, IA, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a California to Iowa move in the past 90 days. Our pricing data is drawn from 1,500+ monthly data points across our vetted mover network and refreshed every month.
Pro tip: Before ordering moving containers, take a careful inventory of everything you're moving. A typical 1-bedroom home weighs around 3,000 pounds and fits in a single container starting at $1,412. Underestimating how much you have and needing an extra container means paying for another one, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise. For reference, a 2 - 3 bedroom home typically runs $1,786 - $3,873.
What are the best moving containers Santa Clarita to Des Moines?
- Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
- U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
- MovingYourself (5.0/5 stars)
Want a hand without paying for full service? A container or truck move does not mean doing all the heavy lifting yourself. You can hire a labor-only crew in Santa Clarita to load and unload while you handle the drive, then book full help later if you change your mind. Three top-rated local crews for labor-only help in Santa Clarita:
- Best California Movers (5.0/5), 8 years in business
- Affordable Quality Moving and Storage (4.9/5), 29 years in business
- Gentlemen's Moving Company (4.6/5), 13 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Santa Clarita, CA to Des Moines, IA
Plan on $947 - $2,703 for a rental moving truck on the 1,680-mile route from Santa Clarita, California, to Des Moines, Iowa. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $706 - $806
- Daily insurance: $40/day
- Equipment rentals: $9 - $26
- Santa Clarita daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.89 - $1.39
| Home size | Typical truck size |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | 10 - 12 ft |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | 15 - 17 ft |
| 4+ bedrooms | 20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel) |
These are typical moving truck rental costs from Santa Clarita to Des Moines based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $947 - $1,915
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,099 - $2,392
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,373 - $2,703
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $947 - $2,703 does not include fuel ($706 - $806), lodging ($198/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Santa Clarita to Des Moines typically runs more than the base rate alone, with meals, equipment, and other extras adding roughly $600 - $1,200 on top of fuel and lodging.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $198 per night. Most long-distance moves with rental trucks require 1 - 3 overnight stops.
- Equipment: Tow dollies, auto trailers, and specialty moving equipment can add between $86 and $429 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $706 - $806 in fuel for the 1,680-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $924 in Santa Clarita, California, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Santa Clarita to Des Moines?
- Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
- Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
- U-Haul Truck Rental (4.2/5 stars)
The best truck rental companies for this route, based on moveBuddha's ratings.
Freight trailer costs from Santa Clarita, CA to Des Moines, IA
For larger DIY moves from Santa Clarita, California, freight trailers give you plenty of room without putting you behind the wheel. Standard trailers are 28 feet long. You load the section you need, and the carrier transports everything to Des Moines, Iowa.
Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For a 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,579 and $2,976.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Santa Clarita to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,362 - $2,368
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,579 - $2,976
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,010 - $4,030
Pro tip: Freight trailers offer generous space but reward good packing strategy. The 4-foot ramp can be challenging for large or heavy pieces, and using the full 8-foot height takes careful stacking. Because you're billed by the linear foot, maximizing vertical space keeps your costs lower.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- More space: Freight trailers are billed by the section you fill. If you misjudge your shipment size, each extra foot of trailer space adds around $99 - $198 to your final bill.
- Peak season pricing: Expect higher rates during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) when trailer availability tightens across the country.
- Moving labor: Loading is on you unless you hire outside help. A half-day crew of two movers in Santa Clarita, California, typically costs $924.
What are the best freight companies from Santa Clarita to Des Moines?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is our pick for best for large moves. The company is best known as a top moving container option for its hybrid model where you load and they drive, and that same model translates well to freight thanks to their 53-foot trucks and pay-by-the-foot pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Beyond their flagship container service, U-Pack also runs freight trailers with the same no-deposit, no-upfront-fee model, charging only for the linear footage you actually fill.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Santa Clarita to Des Moines, freight trailers are one of the fastest interstate options available, second only to renting a truck and driving it yourself. The tradeoff is that freight works best when you're ready to receive your belongings on the other end. If your timeline is tight on the receiving side or you need a short storage buffer, a moving container might be a better fit.
Cost of living: Santa Clarita, CA vs Des Moines, IA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Des Moines, side by side with Santa Clarita on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Santa Clarita, CA | Des Moines, IA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 162 | 87 |
| Average rent | $3,295/mo | $1,150/mo |
| Median home value | $722,430 | $183,553 |
| Average income | $119,926/yr | $63,966/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 9.6% | 5.9% |
| State income tax | Up to 13.3% | Up to 4.4% |
| Walkability score | 35/100 | 45/100 |
| Safety index | 64.08/100 | 57.8/100 |
| Air quality | Moderate | Good |
Cost of living index is relative to the U.S. average of 100. Figures reflect the latest available city and state data.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Des Moines, IA to Santa Clarita, CA guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from California to Iowa, so we know current pricing better than most. Checking our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates. California alone has 1,126 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 1,680-mile move like this one.
Our take
A move from Santa Clarita, CA, to Des Moines, IA, gives you several options depending on your budget and how much you want to do yourself. Full-service movers handle everything but cost the most, ranging from $1,187 - $9,722 on the 1,680-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,412 - $5,398, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $947 - $2,703. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $3,115 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include MercyOne and Principal Financial Group.
FAQs: Moving from Santa Clarita, CA, to Des Moines, IA
How do I know a mover is licensed in Iowa?
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.
What are the best neighborhoods in Des Moines?
For families, Linden Heights, Waterbury, and Waveland Park are worth a look in Des Moines. If you're moving solo or without kids, Sherman Hill, Downtown, and East Village tend to be popular picks instead.
How walkable is Des Moines?
Des Moines has a walkability score of 45 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 39, compared to 35 and 33 in Santa Clarita. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
Is Des Moines a safe place to live?
Des Moines has a safety index of 57.8 out of 100 and a crime index of 5.0, compared to 64.08 and 35.92 in Santa Clarita. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Santa Clarita, CA to Des Moines, IA?
Cutting 500 pounds from your shipment, roughly one bedroom's worth of items, saves approximately $200 - $400 on a full-service move on this route. Beyond that, staying organized matters just as much. A solid moving checklist keeps you on schedule and helps you avoid costly last-minute mistakes.
What percentage of Santa Clarita movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 45% of movers in Santa Clarita handle piano moves, and 31% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.