Best overall value
Local moving companies in Des Moines
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK: 4.66 out of 5 stars
- Bellhop Moving: 4.62 out of 5 stars
- All Mighty Movers LLC: 4.48 out of 5 stars
- Adamantine Spine Moving: 4.42 out of 5 stars
- Select Van & Storage Co.: 4.34 out of 5 stars
TWO MEN AND A TRUCK
rating
4.66 / 5
DOT #: 2527384
Years in Business: 27
2601 104th St #400, Urbandale, IA 50322 USTwo Men and a Truck earns its reputation for being fast, careful, and professional, with 92% of customer feedback praising efficient service, attention to detail, and courteous movers. Most people said the crews worked quickly, handled belongings with care, communicated well, and made moving less stressful. Many customers noted the movers were polite, helpful, and followed directions accurately, setting them apart from less organized competitors. Some even reported coming in under budget due to team efficiency, and highlighted transparent pricing and great office support. Negative feedback primarily cited issues with item damage, inexperienced movers, and unexpected costs. A small number of reviewers mentioned poor packing, lack of effort to resolve damages, and occasional rude remarks, especially in more complex moves. While damage to belongings arose more often than other negatives, the vast majority of feedback still positions this company as one of the most reliably consistent options for moving services in the region.
Review Profiles
Services Offered
Move Distances
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
Available services
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Pianos
- Storage
- Safes
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 2527384
Bellhop Moving
rating
4.62 / 5
DOT #: 2878240
Years in Business: 12
5545 Lydia Avenue, Kansas City, MO 64110 USBellhop Moving earns high marks for professionalism, speed, and friendly movers, with 56% positive input from 45 customers. Clients frequently mention efficient service, affordability, and clear communication. Customers appreciate quick booking, polite staff, and that jobs are often completed faster than anticipated. On the other hand, 40% report problems like property damage, delays, and movers arriving late or not at all. Feedback about broken items, missed appointments, and inexperienced crews stands out among the complaints. Bellhop's value and reliability outpace some competitors, but inconsistencies in service delivery remain a risk for potential customers.
Review Profiles
Services Offered
Move Distances
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
Available services
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Storage
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- DOT #: 2878240
All Mighty Movers LLC
rating
4.48 / 5
DOT #: 2468266
Pricing: $130/hr
Years in Business: 10
59 Clark St., Des Moines, IA 50314 USFast, affordable, and carefulโmost customer feedback praises All Mighty Movers LLC for their quick moving process, professional crews, and attentive handling of belongings. Out of 25 reviews analyzed, 64% are positive, often highlighting low rates, polite staff, and efficient service. Clients commonly appreciate how speedily and safely items were moved, noting that furniture and fragile goods arrived undamaged. Many mention the company beats local competitors in both price and quality, thanks to thoughtful movers who keep an upbeat attitude even with challenging jobs. On the downside, 36% of feedback centers on inaccurate estimates, unexpected charges, and unclear communication, especially regarding additional fees and scheduling. Some customers feel misled when final costs exceeded quoted amounts. Compared to many moving companies, All Mighty Movers earns high marks for efficiency and pricing but leaves room to improve transparency and customer relations, especially for billing and communication during more complex moves.
Review Profiles
Services Offered
Move Distances
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
Available services
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Safes
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 2468266
Adamantine Spine Moving
rating
4.42 / 5
DOT #: 1471037
Pricing: $100/hr
Years in Business: 25
4701 NW Urbandale Dr., Des Moines, IA 50322 USRave reviews consistently place Adamantine Spine Moving at the top of moving services in Iowa and beyond. Analyzing 223 customer reviews, 99.6% of feedback highlights professionalism, efficient service, excellent communication, careful handling, and quick moving crews. Customers repeatedly mention that staff are polite, approachable, and make stressful moves easy with precise organization and prompt responses. Quotes tend to be accurate, crews are well-trained, and moves large or small are handled with care. Compared to larger moving firms, Adamantine stands out for its hard-working teams and reliable pricing, with many clients calling the experience the best they've had. The only significant complaint noted involves a billing discrepancy where the final charge was much higher than the initial estimate, and the situation wasn't resolved effectively. This single negative input strongly contrasts the otherwise outstanding reputation. Adamantineโs client input sets it apart from typical moving companies and makes it a top recommendation for anyone looking for trusted moving professionals.
Review Profiles
Services Offered
Move Distances
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
Available services
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Safes
Additional Information
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- DOT #: 1471037
Select Van & Storage Co.
rating
4.34 / 5
DOT #: 1098759
Years in Business: 79
523 S 18th St, West Des Moines, IA 50265 USMoving with Select Van & Storage Co. comes with strong benefits, as most customer feedback praises their professional and polite staff, quick moving process, and efficient service. Out of 34 reviews, over two-thirds are positive, highlighting helpful movers who keep pricing transparent, and jobs often completed faster or under budget compared to competitors. Customers frequently describe interactions as courteous, emphasize smooth experiences, and value responsive communication. Some reviewers appreciated a detailed and upfront estimate process as well as careful handling of items. On the downside, many negative reports focus on late or unreliable deliveries, occasional damage or loss of items, and frustrating lapses in communication. Delayed pickups, items left behind, and slow claim responses stand out as key drawbacks when compared to top moving services. Input shows Select Van & Storage excels with professionalism and efficient handling, but clients looking for guaranteed timeliness and consistent communication may want to confirm all details before booking.
Review Profiles
Services Offered
Move Distances
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
Available services
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Crane vans
- Shipment tracking
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 1098759
- DOD certified
Alternative Business Names
- Mayflower
Key factors that impact the cost of your Des Moines to Ontario move
What to know before moving from Des Moines to Ontario
Moving from Des Moines to Ontario comes with exciting new opportunities โ but also higher living costs. Since Ontario is generally more expensive than Des Moines, itโs important to plan ahead and budget carefully for the change.
Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:
| Des Moines | Ontario | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,150 | $2,619 |
| Average home value | $192,347 | $668,089 |
| Average income (per capita) | $58,492 | $71,908 |
| Cost of living (single person) | $1,891 | $2,473 |
| Cost of living (family of 4) | $4,380 | $5,793 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.9% | 6.9% |
| Sales tax | 7.0% | 8.75% |
| State income tax | 4.4% | 13.3% |
- Rent prices in Ontario are 128% higher than in Des Moines, which means youโll have less money in your pocket each month.
-
In terms of homeownership, youโll be able to get more for your money in Des Moines.
Home prices in Ontario are 247.3% higher than in Des Moines. - Income in Ontario is 22.9% higher than in Des Moines, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in Ontario include Prime Healthcare, Niagara Bottling, and Gold Star Foods.
- Be sure to budget for higher bills in Ontario, since the cost of living for a single person in Ontario is 30.8% higher than in Des Moines. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
- If youโre moving your family to Ontario, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Ontario is 32.3% higher than in Des Moines.
- The unemployment rate in Ontario is 16.95% higher than in Des Moines.
- Youโll spend more on retail and restaurants in Ontario, since the cityโs sales taxes in Ontario are 25.00% higher than in Des Moines.
- State income taxes in Ontario are 202.27% higher than in Des Moines.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,923.32 in Ontario to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Des Moines.
How life is different in Des Moines vs. Ontario
| Ontario | Des Moines | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 175,265 | 699,292 |
| AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 5 | 5 |
| Walkability score | 48 | 45 |
| Bike friendliness score | 46 | 39 |
| Crime Index | 50.25 | 5.0 |
| Safety Index | 49.75 | 57.8 |
| Air Quality | Good | Good |
- Ontario might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 75% less than Des Moines.
- Your access to buses, shuttles, trams, or trains in Ontario will be about the same as it currently is in Des Moines. The cities share a similar public transportation score, which means their transit systems are comparable in terms of how connected they are, how often they provide service, and how close they are to jobs, housing, retail and food stores, and other important locations.
- Youโll find Ontario to be about as walkable as Des Moines. The two cities have similar walkability scores of 48 and 45 respectively out of 100 in terms of how close housing is to businesses, recreational facilities, and jobs.
- If cycling is your thing, Ontario is considered more bike-friendly than Des Moines in terms of designated lanes and connectivity and how many residents opt to commute on two wheels rather than by car. Ontario has a bike-friendliness score of 46 out of 100, while Des Moines is rated as 39 out of 100.
- The crime rate in Ontario is higher than in Des Moines, so you may want to exercise a little extra caution as you're acclimating to your new location. While the crime index is 50.25 in Ontario, it is 5.0 in Des Moines. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a cityโs crime levels.
- You may want to exercise more caution as youโre getting used to your new surroundings in Ontario. With a crime index of 49.75, Ontario ranks lower in overall safety than Des Moines, whose index is Des Moines's 57.8. The safety index measures how safe people in a city feel about walking alone, both during the day and at night, as well as data on muggings, theft, vandalism, and other instances of petty crime.
- The air quality in Ontario and Des Moines is generally the same (Good). Cities with good to moderate ratings have clean or acceptable air quality, with the possibility of small pollutants affecting people with certain health conditions like asthma. Anything beyond the moderate rate means increased impact on residents.
Other things to consider for your Des Moines vs. Ontario move
- Weather: Ontario with hot summers and mild winters.
- 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 you'll want to check on how to reserve it for move 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 โT Numberโ 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. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
- State regulator: You can verify a California moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving permits: California does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
- Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Ontario. Get started here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance.Opt for Released Value Protection โ 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: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.
Where to live in Ontario
Now that you've decided to make the move to "", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Ontario.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Downtown Ontario
- Piemonte
- Ontario Ranch
- Rancho Cucamonga
- Upland
Best neighborhoods for families
- Creekside
- Parkview
- Ontario Ranch
- College Park
- Downtown Ontario
Things to do in Ontario
After settling into your new California home, youโll want to branch out and explore your new city. Luckily, Ontario has lots to offer, no matter what youโre interested in:
- Arts and culture: Ontario is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the Museum of History and Art, Ontario.
- Outdoor recreation: The cityโs Cucamonga-Guasti Regional Park โ among other sites โ are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.
- Sports: Catch a live game and cheer on the home team at an game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Des Moines to Ontario?
The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from Des Moines to Ontario 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 Ontario?
With many people choosing to move from Des Moines to Ontario in spring or fall, winter moves often come with better rates. Take a look at our moving discounts guide to find out how to save.
How long does a move from Des Moines to Ontario take?
Moving from Des Moines, IA to Ontario, CA covers 1,650 miles and usually takes four to 15 days. Need to move faster? Some Des Moines movers offer expedited options. If youโre not ready to receive your items, look into storage solutions in Ontario.
