Des Moines, IA to Irvine, CA Movers (NEW 2026 Costs)
Quick answer: Moving from Des Moines to Irvine typically costs $3,700–$7,600 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home (about 1,680 miles). Use our moving cost calculator below to get an instant estimate.
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Cost to move from Des Moines to Irvine
Moving from Des Moines, IA to Irvine, CA typically costs $3,700–$7,600 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home.
The price ranges below are estimates for a 1,680-mile move from Des Moines to Irvine, based on moveBuddha pricing data as of Mar 20, 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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4+ bedrooms
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Recent moving quotes for similar moves
- Mayzlin Relocation recently quoted $6,279 for a 5+ bedroom using professional movers.
- Safeway Moving recently quoted $7,491 for a 5+ bedroom using professional movers.
- Joyce Van Lines recently quoted $6,308 for a 4 bedroom using professional movers.
5+ Bedrooms
Mar 01, 2026
5+ Bedrooms
Feb 27, 2026
4 Bedrooms
Feb 23, 2026
5+ Bedrooms
Jan 22, 2026
1 Bedroom (small)
Jan 18, 2026
5+ Bedrooms
Jan 14, 2026
1 Bedroom (large)
Jan 03, 2026
1 Bedroom (small)
Dec 30, 2025
Studio apartment
Dec 27, 2025
1 Bedroom (small)
Dec 11, 2025
Factors that impact moving costs from Des Moines to Irvine
Your total cost will depend on:
- The size of your move: Costs rise with more belongings. A small one-bedroom move can start at $2,700, but larger homes can run up to $11,700.
- Seasonal timing: Demand peaks in summer — expect premium rates during moving season in Des Moines.
- Whether you hire pros or do it yourself: Choosing DIY with a truck ($1,200–$3,100) is cheaper, though tougher, than using movers.
Moving the opposite route? We got you covered with our moving from Irvine, CA to Des Moines, IA guide.
Best Des Moines to Irvine movers by type
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Best professional movers from Des Moines to Irvine
For a stress-free interstate move from Des Moines to Irvine, selecting a full-service mover is a wise choice. These professionals cover all aspects of the move, freeing you to focus on the excitement of your new adventure.
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 IA→CA movers
Our team at moveBuddha evaluated moving rates from 37 Iowa moving companies, highlighting the top options based on client feedback, reviews, and pricing.
- Customer satisfaction (40%): Services are delivered promptly, with excellent communication, and at the cost initially quoted.
- Dispute resolution (20%): Problems sometimes come up during moves. We favor companies that admit faults and focus on making things right for the customer.
- Industry reputation (15%): Known for its positive standing, the company is respected in the moving industry and contributes through conferences and memberships.
- Online reputation (15%): The company maintains a professional website with accurate information and responds to online customer inquiries promptly and courteously.
- Service options (10%): Movers that offer a wide range of services — from packing and storage to specialty handling and fast delivery — rank higher in our evaluations.
Here is our full moving company rating methodology.
What to know before moving from Des Moines to Irvine
Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move - Irvine runs about 385% higher for singles and 311% higher for families than Des Moines.
Singles spend around $9,167 in Irvine versus $1,891 in Des Moines; families pay $18,000 compared with $4,380.
Dig into the side-by-side details here:
| Des Moines | Irvine | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $1,229 | $2,719 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $1,763 | $4,575 |
| Average home value | $192,347 | $1,561,760 |
| Average income (per capita) | $58,492 | $114,027 |
| Cost of living (single) | $1,891 | $9,167 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $4,380 | $18,000 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.9% | 5.4% |
| Sales tax | 7.0% | 7.75% |
| State income tax | 4.4% | 13.3% |
- As you consider relocating to Irvine, note that rent can be roughly 248% more expensive than it is in Des Moines; adjust your financial plans to accommodate this change.
- Be sure to budget for a higher monthly mortgage payment, as home prices are about 712% higher in Irvine than in Des Moines.
- Great news! You'll find the average income is about 95% higher in Irvine compared to Des Moines, giving you some extra room for savings or investments.
- Plan for higher expenses in Irvine, since the cost of living for a single person is 385% more than in Des Moines. This encompasses usual costs like utilities, groceries, apparel, and transit.
- If your journey leads to Irvine, be prepared for higher living expenditures. The cost of living for a family in Irvine is 311% more than it is in Des Moines.
- Irvine experiences an unemployment rate that is about 8% lower than that of Des Moines. This is generally a positive sign for those considering a move here, as it reflects a healthy economy.
- Sales taxes are 11% higher in Irvine than in Des Moines. This means you'll likely pay more out-of-pocket for everyday purchases on taxable goods like clothing, electronics, dining out, and household items.
- Income taxes are 202% higher in California compared to Iowa. As a result, you might notice a larger bite taken out of your salary by the state's tax system, which could affect your net income.
The breakdown below shows how typical living costs and monthly expenses line up when comparing Des Moines with Irvine:
| Living Expense | Des Moines | Irvine |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $144.82 | $200.96 |
| Cell phone plan | $51.25 | $54.33 |
| Dozen eggs | $3.61 | $4.50 |
| Loaf of bread | $2.50 | $4.59 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $16.00 | $25.00 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $77.50 | $100.00 |
| Gym membership | $66.67 | $54.17 |
- Basic utilities cost less in Des Moines than in Irvine, helping trim your monthly bills.
- Cell phone plans are cheaper in Des Moines than in Irvine.
- Eggs are less expensive in Des Moines than in Irvine.
- Bread costs less in Des Moines than in Irvine.
- A quick meal is cheaper in Des Moines than in Irvine.
- A mid-range dinner for two costs less in Des Moines than in Irvine.
- Gym memberships cost more in Des Moines than in Irvine.
How life is different in Des Moines vs. Irvine
| Des Moines | Irvine | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 699,292 | 307,670 |
| Transportation score | 5 | 4 |
| Walkability score | 45 | 43 |
| Bike friendliness score | 39 | 69 |
| Crime index | 5.0 | 31.01 |
| Safety index | 57.8 | 68.99 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
- Irvine's population is about 56% less than Des Moines.
- Irvine's public transportation score of 4 out of 10 is lower than Des Moines's score of 5.
- Irvine and Des Moines are similarly walkable.
- With a score of 69 out of 100, Irvine is more bike-friendly than Des Moines, which has a score of 39 out of 100. The higher a city's score, the more suited it is to safely accommodating cyclists.
- Irvine's crime rate is higher than Des Moines with a score of 31.01 compared to Des Moines's 5.0. This means that Irvine neighborhoods are safer than 31.01% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Des Moines neighborhoods are safer than 5.0%.
- Irvine is considered to be safer than Des Moines with a safety index of 68.99 vs Des Moines's 57.8.
- Air quality in Irvine is Good, and in Des Moines it's Good.
Other things to consider for your Des Moines to Irvine move
- HOA rules: It's a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
- Elevator reservation: Reserve elevator access early if your building requires it, to avoid delays on moving 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 contacting a local moving company for an estimate in California, make sure each has a “T Number” issued by the California Public Utilities Commission (CAPUC). Moving companies with valid T Numbers have met state requirements for insurance, safety, and financial stability and have passed criminal clearance checks conducted by the California Department of Justice. Double-check that the moving company is properly licensed before you hire them.
- State regulator: You can verify a California moving company's license by visiting the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: While California doesn't mandate moving permits, checking local parking guidelines before your move-in day is still a good idea.
- Change of address: File your USPS change of address about a week before moving so mail reaches Irvine smoothly. Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. Opt for Released Value Protection – a cost-free choice provided by movers with minimal coverage. The liability is capped at 60 cents per pound per article. For instance, if a 50-inch TV weighing 25 pounds is lost or damaged, your reimbursement is only $15 (60 cents x 25 pounds). To ensure comprehensive coverage for your items' full value, consult with your chosen moving company or consider third-party insurance options.
- Moving checklist: Use our moving checklist to stay on top of every detail and reduce last-minute stress.
Where to live in Irvine
Now that you've chosen as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in Irvine to check out.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Westpark
- Westpark II
- Oak Creek
- Woodbridge
- University Park
Best neighborhoods for families
- Westpark II
- Turtle Rock
- Woodbridge
- South Irvine
- Northwood Point
Things to do in Irvine
After getting comfortable in your new California home, it's time to see what Irvine is all about. Whether you're into food, art, nature, or nightlife — there's plenty to check out:
- Arts and culture: From historic museums to vibrant art centers, Irvine offers cultural landmarks like the Pretend City Children's Museum, Jack & Shanaz Langson Institute & Museum of California Art, and Museum of Woman.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Orange County Great Park, Adventure Playground, William R. Mason Regional Park, and Turtle Rock Community Park — among other sites — are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.
- Sports: Grab a seat and root for the home team during an UC Irvine Anteaters (Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Golf, Soccer, Tennis, Track & Field, Volleyball, Water Polo)Adult Basketball LeaguesAdult Soccer LeaguesAdult Softball LeaguesTennis LeagueSand Volleyball LeagueKickball League game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Des Moines to Irvine?
The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from Des Moines to Irvine are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in Des Moines are lower.
When is the cheapest time to move from Des Moines to Irvine?
Because spring and fall moves from Des Moines to Irvine 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 Des Moines to Irvine take?
A move of 1,680 miles from Des Moines, IA to Irvine, CA generally takes four to 15 days. Movers in Des Moines sometimes provide expedited service, while storage in Irvine is a good fallback if you need extra time.
Which movers in Des Moines offer piano or antique moving?
Some moving jobs call for extra care and expertise. 10 movers in Des Moines have the skills and equipment for piano transport. 6 specialize in safely moving antiques. Across IA, there are 24 piano movers and 15 antique movers, while nationwide the numbers reach 2,294 and 1,462.
Because not every mover offers these services, ask about specialty experience and insurance coverage when you request quotes.
