Columbus, GA to Des Moines, IA Movers (NEW 2026 Costs)
Quick answer: Moving from Columbus to Des Moines typically costs $2,800–$7,100 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home (about 1,004 miles). Use our moving cost calculator below to get an instant estimate.
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Cost to move from Columbus to Des Moines
Moving from Columbus, GA to Des Moines, IA typically costs $2,800–$7,100 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home.
The price ranges below are estimates for a 1,004-mile move from Columbus to Des Moines, based on moveBuddha pricing data as of Mar 16, 2026. Pricing is updated monthly to reflect seasonality and market changes.
Studio / 1 bedroom
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2-3 bedrooms
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Recent moving quotes for similar moves
- Mayflower Transit recently quoted $3,518 for a 1 bedroom (small) using professional movers.
- Joyce Van Lines recently quoted $4,406 for a 3 bedroom using professional movers.
- United Van Lines recently quoted $6,788 for a 4 bedroom using professional movers.
1 Bedroom (small)
Feb 13, 2026
3 Bedrooms
Feb 11, 2026
4 Bedrooms
Feb 04, 2026
4 Bedrooms
Jan 24, 2026
4 Bedrooms
Jan 16, 2026
4 Bedrooms
Jan 10, 2026
3 Bedrooms
Jan 10, 2026
Studio apartment
Jan 06, 2026
1 Bedroom (large)
Jan 05, 2026
Studio apartment
Dec 10, 2025
Key factors that influence moving costs from Columbus to Des Moines
Your total cost will depend on:
- The size of your home: Smaller moves (like one-bedrooms) cost less, sometimes just $2,600, while larger moves (four-bedrooms) can hit $9,400.
- Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in Columbus, which means higher prices.
- The type of mover you choose: Renting a truck ($700–$2,100) saves money but adds work compared to hiring pros.
Moving the opposite route? We got you covered with our moving from Des Moines, IA to Columbus, GA guide.
Best Columbus to Des Moines movers by type
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Best professional movers from Columbus to Des Moines
If you want to simplify your interstate move from Columbus to Des Moines, consider hiring a full-service mover. These professionals will take care of everything, so you can prioritize settling into your new environment without the extra hassle.
Want a deeper breakdown of the top long-distance movers? See our best interstate movers guide.
- Safeway Moving: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- American Van Lines: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- Allied Van Lines: 4.2 out of 5 stars
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- North American Van Lines: 4.8 out of 5 stars
Best overall value
How we chose the best GA→IA movers
At moveBuddha, our specialists conducted a thorough evaluation of 86 Georgia moving companies, identifying the leading ones by examining client satisfaction, reviews, and value.
- Customer satisfaction (40%): The company consistently delivers services in a timely matter with good communication and within the estimated cost.
- Dispute resolution (20%): Errors happen in moving. The best companies acknowledge them quickly and take real steps to resolve any problems for their customers.
- Industry reputation (15%): Within the moving field, the company has earned respect and regularly engages in conferences and trade groups.
- Online reputation (15%): The organization ensures its website is reliable and actively addresses online customer inquiries in a professional manner.
- Service options (10%): Top movers provide versatile offerings including packing, storage, special-item handling, and the option for faster delivery when needed.
Here is our full moving company rating methodology.
What to know before moving from Columbus to Des Moines
Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move - Des Moines runs about -7% higher for singles and 14% higher for families than Columbus.
Singles spend around $1,891 in Des Moines versus $2,041 in Columbus; families pay $4,380 compared with $3,834.
Dig into the side-by-side details here:
| Columbus | Des Moines | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $1,250 | $1,229 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $1,400 | $1,763 |
| Average home value | $157,861 | $192,347 |
| Average income (per capita) | $50,542 | $58,492 |
| Cost of living (single) | $2,041 | $1,891 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $3,834 | $4,380 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.3% | 5.9% |
| Sales tax | 9.0% | 7.0% |
| State income tax | 5.49% | 4.4% |
- Budgeting for a move from Columbus to Des Moines won't necessitate major adjustments since rent remains relatively constant.
- Prepare for increased mortgage costs as home prices are roughly 22% greater in Des Moines than in Columbus.
- Here's some promising news: the average income is around 16% higher in Des Moines than in Columbus, which could mean added opportunities to save or invest each month.
- 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 7% lower than in Columbus.
- When relocating to Des Moines, it's important to be aware that living expenses may rise. The cost of living for a family in Des Moines is 14% greater than in Columbus.
- In Des Moines, the unemployment rate is approximately 11% higher than in Columbus, indicating a larger group of job seekers. This can lead to increased competition for positions.
- Sales taxes drop 22% in Des Moines compared to Columbus, providing a relief on your cost of living, especially for frequent shoppers.
- Income taxes are 20% less in Iowa than in Georgia. With these lower tax rates, you can enjoy more take-home pay, simplifying your financial management.
Here’s a closer snapshot of how common everyday costs and monthly bills compare between Columbus and Des Moines:
| Living Expense | Columbus | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $211.40 | $144.82 |
| Cell phone plan | $40.33 | $51.25 |
| Dozen eggs | $2.24 | $3.61 |
| Loaf of bread | $3.52 | $2.50 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $18.00 | $16.00 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $50.00 | $77.50 |
| Gym membership | $10.00 | $66.67 |
- Basic utilities tend to be more expensive in Columbus than in Des Moines.
- Cell phone plans are cheaper in Columbus than in Des Moines.
- Eggs are less expensive in Columbus than in Des Moines.
- Bread is more expensive in Columbus than in Des Moines.
- A quick meal tends to cost more in Columbus than in Des Moines.
- A mid-range dinner for two costs less in Columbus than in Des Moines.
- Gym memberships are more affordable in Columbus than in Des Moines.
How life is different in Columbus vs. Des Moines
| Columbus | Des Moines | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 206,922 | 699,292 |
| Transportation score | 2 | 5 |
| Walkability score | 25 | 45 |
| Bike friendliness score | 31 | 39 |
| Crime index | 72.18 | 5.0 |
| Safety index | 27.82 | 57.8 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
- Des Moines's population is about 238% greater than Columbus.
- Des Moines's public transportation score of 5 out of 10 is higher than Columbus's score of 2.
- Des Moines is more walkable than Columbus with a score of 45 out of 100 vs Columbus's 25 out of 100.
- With a score of 39 out of 100, Des Moines is more bike-friendly than Columbus, which has a score of 31 out of 100. The higher a city's score, the more suited it is to safely accommodating cyclists.
- Des Moines's crime rate is lower than Columbus with a score of 5.0 compared to Columbus's 72.18. This means that Des Moines neighborhoods are safer than 5.0% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Columbus neighborhoods are safer than 72.18%.
- Des Moines is considered to be safer than Columbus with a safety index of 57.8 vs Columbus's 27.82.
- Air quality in Des Moines is Good, and in Columbus it's Good.
Other things to consider for your Columbus to Des Moines move
- HOA rules: Be sure to review your community or HOA guidelines before moving day to avoid any surprises or delays.
- Elevator reservation: Make sure to arrange elevator access in advance if your building requires reservations for moving.
- 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. Always verify licensing details before committing to a mover.
- State regulator: You can verify a Iowa moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: Iowa doesn't require moving permits, but it's still a good idea to check local parking rules before your move-in day.
- Change of address: To avoid missing any mail, we recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least a week before your move. You can choose your official move date to make sure everything gets forwarded properly to Des Moines. 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: Follow our moving checklist to keep your move organized and stress-free.
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
Things to do in Des Moines
Once you're settled into your new home in Iowa, it's time to get out and discover what Des Moines has to offer. No matter your interests, there's something for everyone here:
- Arts and culture: You'll find museums and cultural hubs throughout Des Moines, such as 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 — and more — offering great opportunities to hike, bike, or relax in nature.
- Sports: Sports fans can join the excitement by supporting local favorites at an Drake Bulldogs game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Columbus to Des Moines?
The best time to move from Columbus to Des Moines is during the spring or fall. These seasons offer milder weather and avoid higher moving costs during the peak moving season in Columbus.
When is the cheapest time to move from Columbus to Des Moines?
Since spring and fall are the most popular times to move from Columbus to Des Moines, moving in the winter could help you save money. Check out our guide on moving discounts for more tips.
How long does a move from Columbus to Des Moines take?
Moving from Columbus, GA to Des Moines, IA covers 1,004 miles and usually takes two to eight days. Need to move faster? Some Columbus movers offer expedited options. If you're not ready to receive your items, look into storage solutions in Des Moines.
Who can move pianos or antiques in Columbus?
Specialty items need extra care and the right equipment. 5 movers in Columbus advertise piano moving expertise. 3 movers in Columbus provide antique moving services. State totals show 54 piano movers and 39 antique movers, with nationwide availability at 2,296 and 1,463.
Book early if you need these services — demand can outpace supply during busy moving seasons.
