Colorado Springs, CO to Des Moines, IA Movers (NEW 2026 Costs)

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Quick answer: Moving from Colorado Springs to Des Moines typically costs $2,600–$6,600 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home (about 740 miles). Use our moving cost calculator below to get an instant estimate.

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  • Best overall value
  • Veteran owned
  • Portion to charity
moveBuddha logo iconrating star star star star star 4.9 / 5
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  • Certified crews
  • Flat-rate pricing
  • Family-owned
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  • Specialty packing services
  • White-glove reputation
  • 80+ years' experience

Cost to move from Colorado Springs to Des Moines

Moving from Colorado Springs, CO to Des Moines, IA typically costs $2,600–$6,600 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home.

The price ranges below are estimates for a 740-mile move from Colorado Springs to Des Moines, based on moveBuddha pricing data as of Mar 16, 2026. Pricing is updated monthly to reflect seasonality and market changes.

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Studio / 1 bedroom

  • Moving Company $2,000 - $5,000
  • Moving Container $1,200 - $2,100
  • Rental Truck $600 - $1,100
Two Three Bed Icon

2-3 bedrooms

  • Moving Company $2,600 - $6,600
  • Moving Container $1,500 - $3,000
  • Rental Truck $600 - $1,300
Four Bed Icon

4+ bedrooms

  • Moving Company $4,500 - $9,600
  • Moving Container $2,000 - $3,900
  • Rental Truck $800 - $1,600

Recent moving quotes for similar moves

  • Budget Truck Rental recently quoted $587 for a 1 bedroom (small) using a rental truck.
  • AB Moving recently quoted $2,592 for a 1 bedroom (small) using professional movers.
  • Joyce Van Lines recently quoted $5,146 for a 4 bedroom using professional movers.
Recent Moving Price Estimates
The following are real, anonymized quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 48 hours. Prices change with dates and availability; use these as a ballpark, not a guarantee.
Budget Truck Rental
Calhan, CO Des Moines, IA
Icon of a house 1 Bedroom (small)
Icon of a calendar Feb 09, 2026
AB Moving
Cascade-Chipita Park, CO Maxwell, IA
Icon of a house 1 Bedroom (small)
Icon of a calendar Feb 01, 2026
Joyce Van Lines
Castle Rock, CO Berkley, IA
Icon of a house 4 Bedrooms
Icon of a calendar Jan 25, 2026
American Van Lines
Florence, CO Linden, IA
Icon of a house 1 Bedroom (large)
Icon of a calendar Jan 23, 2026
1-800-Pack-Rat
Williamsburg, CO Sheldahl, IA
Icon of a house 2 Bedrooms
Icon of a calendar Jan 22, 2026
Mayflower Transit
Green Mountain Falls, CO Pleasantville, IA
Icon of a house 2 Bedrooms
Icon of a calendar Jan 16, 2026
Colonial Van Lines
Black Forest, CO Madrid, IA
Icon of a house 1 Bedroom (large)
Icon of a calendar Jan 10, 2026
Safeway Moving
Manitou Springs, CO Minburn, IA
Icon of a house 5+ Bedrooms
Icon of a calendar Dec 30, 2025
Roadway Moving
Rockvale, CO Nevada, IA
Icon of a house 4 Bedrooms
Icon of a calendar Dec 26, 2025
PODS
Cimarron Hills, CO Baxter, IA
Icon of a house 5+ Bedrooms
Icon of a calendar Dec 09, 2025

Key factors that impact the cost of your Colorado Springs to Des Moines move

Your total cost will depend on:

  • Home size: The number of rooms makes a big difference. Expect around $2,000 for a one-bedroom, or up to $9,600 for a four-bedroom.
  • The time of year you're moving: Rates climb in summer because of peak season demand in Colorado Springs.
  • DIY vs. professional: Rental trucks can range from $600 to $1,600, but require more effort than hiring movers.

Moving the opposite route? We got you covered with our moving from Des Moines, IA to Colorado Springs, CO guide.

Best Colorado Springs to Des Moines movers by type

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Professional
Local Movers Icon
Local
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Container
Rental Truck Icon
Rental Truck
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Labor Only

Best professional movers from Colorado Springs to Des Moines

Opting for a full-service mover can make your interstate move from Colorado Springs to Des Moines much easier by letting professionals manage the entire process. This choice allows you to focus on what matters most instead of the logistics of moving.

Want a deeper breakdown of the top long-distance movers? See our best interstate movers guide.

  1. Safeway Moving: 4.9 out of 5 stars
  2. American Van Lines: 4.9 out of 5 stars
  3. Allied Van Lines: 4.2 out of 5 stars
  4. Mayzlin Relocation: 4.8 out of 5 stars
  5. North American Van Lines: 4.8 out of 5 stars
Safeway Moving
checkmark Best overall value
checkmark Veteran owned
checkmark Portion to charity
American Van Lines
checkmark Certified crews
checkmark Flat-rate pricing
checkmark Family-owned
Allied Van Lines
checkmark Specialty packing services
checkmark White-glove reputation
checkmark 80+ years' experience
Mayzlin Relocation
checkmark Family owned
checkmark East coast focus
checkmark Affordable pricing
North American Van Lines
checkmark 1,800 trucks
checkmark Storage available
checkmark Customized moving plans

How we chose the best CO→IA movers

The experienced professionals at moveBuddha reviewed moving rates from 78 Colorado movers, pinpointing the highest-rated services by analyzing satisfaction metrics, reviews, and overall cost.

  • Customer satisfaction (40%): The business consistently meets deadlines, communicates clearly with clients, and remains within the expected spending limits.
  • Dispute resolution (20%): Mistakes cannot be avoided in the moving industry. We look for companies that own their mistakes and make genuine efforts to fix any issues that arise during a move.
  • Industry reputation (15%): This mover maintains a strong reputation among industry peers and is active in professional associations and events.
  • Online reputation (15%): A polished, accurate website and quick, respectful responses to online inquiries reflect the company’s strong digital presence.
  • Service options (10%): A broad service menu matters. We value movers that cover everything from packing and storage to unique item care and speedy delivery.

Here is our full moving company rating methodology.

What to know before moving from Colorado Springs to Des Moines

Many movers find Des Moines easier on the wallet than Colorado Springs - roughly 39% less for singles and 38% less for families.

Monthly basics average $1,891 for one person in Des Moines versus $3,078 in Colorado Springs. For a family of four, it's $4,380 compared with $7,074.

See the cost breakdown below to pinpoint where the savings add up:

Colorado Springs Des Moines
Average 1 BR rent $1,832 $1,229
Average 3 BR rent $2,586 $1,763
Average home value $450,033 $192,347
Average income (per capita) $79,026 $58,492
Cost of living (single) $3,078 $1,891
Cost of living (family of four) $7,074 $4,380
Unemployment rate 6.8% 5.9%
Sales tax 8.2% 7.0%
State income tax 5.49% 4.4%
  • When relocating from Colorado Springs to Des Moines, expect to find rent about 36% cheaper, letting you enjoy more financial freedom monthly.
  • You can relax about your monthly mortgage expenses, thanks to home prices being nearly 57% more affordable in Des Moines compared to Colorado Springs.
  • Reviewing your financial plan is wise before moving. The average income is nearly 26% lower in Des Moines compared to Colorado Springs.
  • You'll save on routine expenses like food, gas, and utilities in Des Moines, as the cost of living for a single person is 39% lower compared to Colorado Springs.
  • 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 38% less than what it costs in Colorado Springs.
  • The unemployment rate in Des Moines is about 13% lower than in Colorado Springs. This is often a positive indicator of a robust job market and economic health, beneficial if you plan to move there.
  • Sales taxes are 15% less in Des Moines relative to Colorado Springs. This will help shrink your living expenses, especially if you tend to buy more taxable goods.
  • Income taxes in Iowa are 20% below those in Colorado. This decrease in income tax can leave more funds at your disposal, allowing you additional financial breathing room.

See how the cost of everyday necessities and regular monthly payments differs between Colorado Springs and Des Moines:

Living Expense Colorado Springs Des Moines
Basic utilities $183.04 $144.82
Cell phone plan $70.30 $51.25
Dozen eggs $5.52 $3.61
Loaf of bread $3.82 $2.50
Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) $20.00 $16.00
Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) $85.00 $77.50
Gym membership $56.11 $66.67
  • Basic utilities tend to be more expensive in Colorado Springs than in Des Moines.
  • Cell phone plans typically cost more in Colorado Springs than in Des Moines.
  • Eggs cost more in Colorado Springs than in Des Moines.
  • Bread is more expensive in Colorado Springs than in Des Moines.
  • A quick meal tends to cost more in Colorado Springs than in Des Moines.
  • A mid-range dinner for two is pricier in Colorado Springs than in Des Moines.
  • Gym memberships are more affordable in Colorado Springs than in Des Moines.

How life is different in Colorado Springs vs. Des Moines

Colorado Springs Des Moines
Population 478,961 699,292
Transportation score 3 5
Walkability score 36 45
Bike friendliness score 45 39
Crime index 41.94 5.0
Safety index 58.06 57.8
Air quality Moderate Good
  • Des Moines's population is about 46% greater than Colorado Springs.
  • Des Moines's public transportation score of 5 out of 10 is higher than Colorado Springs's score of 3.
  • Des Moines is more walkable than Colorado Springs with a score of 45 out of 100 vs Colorado Springs's 36 out of 100.
  • Des Moines has a bike-friendliness score of 39 out of 100, which means it isn't as accessible or safe for cyclists as Colorado Springs, which has a score of 45.
  • Des Moines's crime rate is lower than Colorado Springs with a score of 5.0 compared to Colorado Springs's 41.94. This means that Des Moines neighborhoods are safer than 5.0% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Colorado Springs neighborhoods are safer than 41.94%.
  • Des Moines and Colorado Springs have a similar safety level, with scores of 57.8 and 58.06.
  • Air quality in Des Moines is Good, and in Colorado Springs it's Moderate.

Other things to consider for your Colorado Springs to Des Moines move

  • 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, make sure to find out how to reserve it ahead of your move.
  • Truck parking permits: Make sure to look into local parking regulations—some areas require permits for large moving trucks.
  • 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. Before booking, ensure the moving company is officially licensed to handle your move.
  • State regulator: Iowa’s public utilities commission provides official mover license verification.
  • 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: We suggest filing your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move. You'll be able to set your official move date, helping ensure your mail is forwarded correctly to Des Moines. Start the process here.
  • Moving company insurance: The amount and type of insurance movers must have depends on state regulations. Choose cost-free Released Value Protection from movers for basic coverage at 60 cents per pound.
  • Moving checklist: Our moving checklist gives you the peace of mind that comes with being fully prepared.

Where to live in Des Moines

Planning your move to Hartford of the West? Take a look at our picks for the best neighborhoods to call home 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

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, and Salisbury House.
  • Outdoor recreation: The city's Gray's Lake Park, Pappajohn Sculpture Park, Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, and Robert D. Ray Asian Gardens — along with other locations — ideal for trails, cycling, or enjoying the fresh air.
  • Sports: Nothing beats the thrill of cheering on the home team at an Drake Bulldogs game.

FAQ

When is the best time to move from Colorado Springs to Des Moines?

Planning your move from Colorado Springs to Des Moines? Aim for spring or fall when the weather is pleasant and demand is lower, helping you avoid peak-season rates in Colorado Springs.

When is the cheapest time to move from Colorado Springs to Des Moines?

Because most people are moving from Colorado Springs 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 Colorado Springs to Des Moines take?

The 740-mile journey from Colorado Springs, CO to Des Moines, IA, typically takes one to six days. Some movers in Colorado Springs offer expedited services if you're on a tight schedule, and if you need extra time, be sure to ask about storage options in Des Moines.

Are there special savings available from movers in Colorado Springs?

Several movers here offer discounted rates that can help lower your total moving costs. 1 extend reduced rates to seniors.

These offers can vary widely, so it’s best to verify details with the mover before booking.

Are piano and antique moving services available in Colorado Springs?

Not all movers have the resources to handle high-value or delicate items. In Colorado Springs, 9 movers can manage piano relocations. 5 movers are equipped for antique transport. By comparison, Colorado has 56 piano movers and 33 antique movers, while nationwide there are 2,296 and 1,463 respectively.

Always confirm the mover’s experience and packing methods for fragile or specialty items before booking.