Quick answer: For a 894-mile move from Atlanta to Des Moines, expect to spend around $801–$7,697 and two to seven days in transit. Cost and time vary by move size, date, and whether you're going DIY or using a moving company.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Des Moines to Atlanta guide.
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Best Professional Movers from Atlanta to Des Moines
Picking a long-distance moving company for your journey from Atlanta to Des Moines isn't always easy. With so many choices out there, figuring out who you can really rely on can feel overwhelming.
No need to waste hours comparing moving companies — we've done the work for you. Our top picks stand out for their glowing reviews, affordable rates, and wide range of services to fit any move.
Safeway Moving
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American Van Lines
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Allied Van Lines
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Mayzlin Relocation
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North American Van Lines
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How we chose the best moving companies for your GA to IA move
Local moving companies servicing Atlanta to Des Moines moves
When planning a move from Atlanta to Des Moines, finding a local mover that also handles long-distance relocations can be tricky. There are plenty of companies, but which ones are actually worth it?
We've taken care of the research for you — reviewing local movers in Atlanta who provide long-distance services, and scoring them on price, customer reviews, and reliability.
These are the best local moving companies for getting from Atlanta to Des Moines.
- Atlanta Peach Movers: 4.76 out of 5 stars
- Mark the Mover, Inc.: 4.76 out of 5 stars
- Zip Moving And Storage, Inc.: 4.86 out of 5 stars
- Wirks Moving & Storage, Inc.: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- Falcon Moving LLC: 4.72 out of 5 stars
Company Info
State license #: 8292
Years in Business: 26
DOT #: 797586
Alternate Names: Georgia Peach Movers
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
Company Info
State license #: 7576
Years in Business: 48
DOT #: 0758674
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
Company Info
State license #: 8948
Pricing: $125/hr
Years in Business: 9
DOT #: 3306591
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
Company Info
State license #: 500873
Years in Business: 17
DOT #: 1942465
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by money order
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 8782
Years in Business: 7
DOT #: 3154107
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
How much does it cost to move from Atlanta to Des Moines?
Atlanta movers charge $85 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 | $1,476 - $5,920 | $1,033 - $2,486 | $713 - $1,375 |
2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,034 - $7,697 | $1,730 - $3,352 | $801 - $1,684 |
4+ bedrooms | $5,190 - $9,694 | $2,495 - $4,388 | $1,015 - $1,965 |
Cost to hire movers from Georgia to Iowa
If you're packing up a studio or one-bedroom to move from Georgia to Iowa, you can expect prices to land between $1,476 and $5,920. For a two- or three-bedroom space, your costs will usually range from $3,034 to $7,697 for the trip from GA to IA. If you're moving a large four- or five-bedroom home, you're likely looking at a price tag between $5,190 and $9,694.
Cost of moving containers from Georgia to Iowa
If you're relocating from Georgia to Iowa, you'll typically spend between $1,033 and $2,486 for a small move. Have a two or three-bedroom home? Plan for costs to range from $1,730 up to $3,352. If you're moving a larger home—four bedrooms or more—expect to pay anywhere between $2,495 and $4,388. For a full breakdown, check out our complete PODS cost guide.
Exploree our top budget-friendly moving container companies for your move from Georgia.
Cost of moving truck rentals from Georgia to Iowa
A moving rental truck is generally 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 $713 to $1,375. A two to three-bedroom move will cost $801 to $1,684, and moving a home with four or more bedrooms or from Georgia to Iowa costs around $1,015 to $1,965.
These quotes include the estimated fuel cost.
Key factors that impact the cost of your Atlanta to Des Moines move
What to know before moving from Atlanta to Des Moines
Moving from Atlanta to Des Moines means adjusting to a different pace of life — and a different price tag. On average, it costs significantly more to live in Atlanta than in Des Moines, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.
Check out how Atlanta compares to Des Moines so you know what to expect before you relocate:
Atlanta | Des Moines | |
---|---|---|
Average rent cost | $1,900 | $1,150 |
Average home value | $388,167 | $192,347 |
Average income (per capita) | $66,107 | $58,492 |
Cost of living (single person) | $3,134 | $1,891 |
Cost of living (family of 4) | $7,822 | $4,380 |
Unemployment rate | 6.0% | 5.9% |
Sales tax | 8.9% | 7.0% |
State income tax | 5.49% | 4.4% |
- Rent prices in Des Moines are 40% lower than in Atlanta, which means you'll have more money in your pocket each month.
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In terms of homeownership, you'll be able to get more for your money in Des Moines.
Home prices in Des Moines are 50.4% lower than in Atlanta. - Income in Des Moines is 11.5% lower than in Atlanta, 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 39.7% lower than in Atlanta.
- 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 44.0% less than what it costs in Atlanta.
- The unemployment rate in Des Moines is 1.67% lower than in Atlanta.
- You'll spend less on retail and restaurants in Des Moines, since the city's sales taxes in Des Moines are 21.35% lower than in Atlanta.
- One perk of moving to Des Moines is paying less in state income taxes, which are 19.85% lower than in Atlanta.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $1,810.15 in Des Moines to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Atlanta.
How life is different in Atlanta vs. Des Moines
Des Moines | Atlanta | |
---|---|---|
Population | 699,292 | 498,715 |
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 5 | 8 |
Walkability score | 45 | 48 |
Bike friendliness score | 39 | 42 |
Crime Index | 5.0 | 64.23 |
Safety Index | 57.8 | 35.77 |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
- The population of Des Moines is about 40% greater than Atlanta, 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.
- Getting around Des Moines without a car might be more difficult than in Atlanta. Des Moines has a public transportation score of 5 out of 10, whereas Atlanta is ranked 8. Ratings are based on a city's transit connectivity, service frequency, and accessibility to key destinations like jobs and grocery stores.
- You'll find Des Moines to be about as walkable as Atlanta. 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.
- Des Moines and Atlanta are similarly bike-friendly based on their comparable ratings of 39 and 42 respectively. Bike-friendliness scores between 50 and 100 indicate varying levels of infrastructure to support cyclists, including bike lanes and roadway connectivity. Cities with scores under 50 are considered more car-dependent.
- Des Moines has a lower crime rate than Atlanta based on scores of 5.0 and Atlanta's 64.23, 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 Atlanta, based on Des Moines's safety index of 57.8 versus 35.77 for Atlanta. With this index, higher scores indicate more safety, particularly around how comfortable residents feel walking alone during the day and at night.
- You can breathe easy knowing that Des Moines has better air quality than in Atlanta. Des Moines has Good air quality, compared to moderate in Atlanta. Ratings of good to moderate mean very low risk of health concerns, although people with conditions like asthma or allergies could be affected. Beyond the moderate rating, health concerns increase for some or all residents.
Other things to consider for your Atlanta 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: It's a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
- Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, it's a good idea to secure a reservation before your moving day.
- Truck parking permits: To avoid fines or delays, check whether a parking permit is needed for your moving truck.
- 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: To confirm a moving company's license in Iowa, visit the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: While Iowa doesn't mandate moving permits, checking local parking guidelines before your move-in day is still a good idea.
- Change of address: We recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move to ensure your mail gets forwarded to Des Moines without delay. You can select your official move date when completing the form. Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state sets its own rules for what insurance moving companies need to maintain. 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
With your sights set on Hartford of the West, these are some of the most popular neighborhoods to consider in Des Moines.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- East Village
- North of Grand
- Arbor Peaks
- Chautauqua Park
- Westwood
Best neighborhoods for families
- Linden Heights
- Waveland Park
- Westwood
- Salisbury Oaks
- Meredith
Things to do in Des Moines
Now that you've made the move to Iowa it's the perfect time to explore Des Moines From local hotspots to hidden gems, there's something to enjoy for every lifestyle:
- 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.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Atlanta to Des Moines?
Spring and fall are the ideal times to move from Atlanta to Des Moines You'll benefit from more comfortable weather and avoid the higher prices that come with peak moving season in Atlanta.
When is the cheapest time to move from Atlanta to Des Moines?
Because spring and fall moves from Atlanta to Des Moines are so common, winter can be a great time to move if you're looking for lower prices. Read our moving discounts guide to see how.
How long does a move from Atlanta to Des Moines take?
The 894-mile journey from Atlanta, GA to Des Moines, IA, typically takes two to seven days. Some movers in Atlanta 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.