($1,578) Movers From Des Moines, IA to San Jose, CA

What to know before moving from Des Moines to San Jose

Moving from Des Moines to San Jose comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since San Jose is generally more expensive than Des Moines, it’s 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:

• Rent prices in San Jose are 169% higher than in Des Moines, which means you’ll have less money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Des Moines.
  Home prices in San Jose are 655.7% higher than in Des Moines.
• Income in San Jose is 42.6% higher than in Des Moines, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in San Jose include Cisco Systems, Western Digital, and Infineon Technologies.
• Be sure to budget for higher bills in San Jose, since the cost of living for a single person in San Jose is 94.3% higher than in Des Moines. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• If you’re moving your family to San Jose, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in San Jose is 90.7% higher than in Des Moines.
• The unemployment rate in San Jose is 11.86% higher than in Des Moines.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in San Jose, since the city’s sales taxes in San Jose are 34.00% higher than in Des Moines.
• State income taxes in San Jose are 202.27% higher than in Des Moines.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $5,828.66 in San Jose 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. San Jose

• The population of San Jose is about 39% greater than Des Moines, 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.
• San Jose offers better access to buses and trains than Des Moines, based on public transportation ratings. San Jose has a transit score of 7 out of 10 compared to 5 in Des Moines. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
• Living in San Jose means you’ll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Des Moines. San Jose is considered more walkable than Des Moines, with a score of 51 out of 100 versus 45 out of 100 in Des Moines. A city’s walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
• If cycling is your thing, San Jose 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. San Jose has a bike-friendliness score of 62 out of 100, while Des Moines is rated as 39 out of 100.
• The crime rate in San Jose 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 47.73 in San Jose, it is 5.0 in Des Moines. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a city’s crime levels.
• You may want to exercise more caution as you’re getting used to your new surroundings in San Jose. With a crime index of 52.27, San Jose 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 San Jose isn’t as good as it is in Des Moines, so you may want to take precautions if you suffer from conditions like allergies or asthma. San Jose has an air quality rating of Moderate, and Des Moines is considered to be good. Cities with good to moderate air quality may have varying levels of minor potential for health risks for certain people. Beyond the moderate rating, those health risks increase in severity and the amount of residents affected.

Other things to consider for your Des Moines vs. San Jose move

• Weather: San Jose, like most of the Bay Area, has warm to hot, dry summers and mild to cool, wet winters. The city is somewhat more sheltered from rain, giving it a semi-arid feel
• 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 “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. 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 San Jose. Get started 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: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Where to live in San Jose

Now that you've decided to make the move to "Man Jose", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in San Jose.

Helpful moving resources