Des Moines, IA to Santa Clarita, CA Movers (NEW 2026 Costs)

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Quick answer: Moving from Des Moines to Santa Clarita typically costs $3,700–$7,700 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.

moveBuddha logo iconrating star star star star star 4.9 / 5
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  • Best overall value
  • Veteran owned
  • Portion to charity
moveBuddha logo iconrating star star star star star 4.9 / 5
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  • Certified crews
  • Flat-rate pricing
  • Family-owned
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  • Specialty packing services
  • White-glove reputation
  • 80+ years' experience

Cost to move from Des Moines to Santa Clarita

Moving from Des Moines, IA to Santa Clarita, CA typically costs $3,700–$7,700 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 Santa Clarita, based on moveBuddha pricing data as of Mar 16, 2026. Pricing is updated monthly to reflect seasonality and market changes.

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Studio / 1 bedroom

  • Moving Company $2,600 - $6,100
  • Moving Container $1,700 - $3,000
  • Rental Truck $1,200 - $2,200
Two Three Bed Icon

2-3 bedrooms

  • Moving Company $3,700 - $7,700
  • Moving Container $2,100 - $4,500
  • Rental Truck $1,200 - $2,500
Four Bed Icon

4+ bedrooms

  • Moving Company $6,600 - $11,800
  • Moving Container $2,800 - $6,000
  • Rental Truck $1,600 - $3,000

Recent moving quotes for similar moves

  • Joyce Van Lines recently quoted $3,527 for a 1 bedroom (small) using professional movers.
  • United Van Lines recently quoted $5,306 for a 1 bedroom (small) using professional movers.
  • Colonial Van Lines recently quoted $3,526 for a 1 bedroom (large) using professional movers.
Recent Moving Price Estimates
The following are real, anonymized quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 48 hours. Prices change with dates and availability; use these as a ballpark, not a guarantee.
Joyce Van Lines
Minburn, IA Glendale, CA
Icon of a house 1 Bedroom (small)
Icon of a calendar Feb 04, 2026
United Van Lines
Valeria, IA Willowbrook, CA
Icon of a house 1 Bedroom (small)
Icon of a calendar Feb 02, 2026
Colonial Van Lines
Dallas Center, IA Stevenson Ranch, CA
Icon of a house 1 Bedroom (large)
Icon of a calendar Jan 30, 2026
Allied Van Lines
Melcher-Dallas, IA Lennox, CA
Icon of a house 4 Bedrooms
Icon of a calendar Jan 26, 2026
Roadway Moving
Grimes, IA Duarte, CA
Icon of a house Studio apartment
Icon of a calendar Jan 04, 2026
American Van Lines
Granger, IA Sun Village, CA
Icon of a house 3 Bedrooms
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Budget Truck Rental
Pleasantville, IA La Cañada Flintridge, CA
Icon of a house Studio apartment
Icon of a calendar Dec 20, 2025
1-800-Pack-Rat
Altoona, IA View Park-Windsor Hills, CA
Icon of a house 2 Bedrooms
Icon of a calendar Dec 09, 2025
Mayzlin Relocation
Bouton, IA Florence-Graham, CA
Icon of a house 1 Bedroom (large)
Icon of a calendar Dec 05, 2025
Safeway Moving
Dexter, IA Lake Sherwood, CA
Icon of a house 5+ Bedrooms
Icon of a calendar Dec 02, 2025

Key factors that impact the cost of your Des Moines to Santa Clarita move

Your total cost will depend on:

  • Home size: The number of rooms makes a big difference. Expect around $2,600 for a one-bedroom, or up to $11,800 for a four-bedroom.
  • The time of year you're moving: Rates climb in summer because of peak season demand in Des Moines.
  • DIY vs. professional: Rental trucks can range from $1,200 to $3,000, but require more effort than hiring movers.

Moving the opposite route? We got you covered with our moving from Santa Clarita, CA to Des Moines, IA guide.

Best Des Moines to Santa Clarita movers by type

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Professional
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Local
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Labor Only

Best professional movers from Des Moines to Santa Clarita

Opting for a full-service mover can make your interstate move from Des Moines to Santa Clarita much easier by letting professionals manage the entire process. This choice allows you to focus on what matters most instead of the logistics of moving.

Want a deeper breakdown of the top long-distance movers? See our best interstate movers guide.

  1. Safeway Moving: 4.9 out of 5 stars
  2. American Van Lines: 4.9 out of 5 stars
  3. Allied Van Lines: 4.2 out of 5 stars
  4. Mayzlin Relocation: 4.8 out of 5 stars
  5. North American Van Lines: 4.8 out of 5 stars
Safeway Moving
checkmark Best overall value
checkmark Veteran owned
checkmark Portion to charity
American Van Lines
checkmark Certified crews
checkmark Flat-rate pricing
checkmark Family-owned
Allied Van Lines
checkmark Specialty packing services
checkmark White-glove reputation
checkmark 80+ years' experience
Mayzlin Relocation
checkmark Family owned
checkmark East coast focus
checkmark Affordable pricing
North American Van Lines
checkmark 1,800 trucks
checkmark Storage available
checkmark Customized moving plans

How we chose the best IA→CA movers

The experienced professionals at moveBuddha reviewed moving rates from 37 Iowa movers, pinpointing the highest-rated services by analyzing satisfaction metrics, reviews, and overall cost.

  • Customer satisfaction (40%): The business consistently meets deadlines, communicates clearly with clients, and remains within the expected spending limits.
  • Dispute resolution (20%): Mistakes cannot be avoided in the moving industry. We look for companies that own their mistakes and make genuine efforts to fix any issues that arise during a move.
  • Industry reputation (15%): This mover maintains a strong reputation among industry peers and is active in professional associations and events.
  • Online reputation (15%): A polished, accurate website and quick, respectful responses to online inquiries reflect the company’s strong digital presence.
  • Service options (10%): A broad service menu matters. We value movers that cover everything from packing and storage to unique item care and speedy delivery.

Here is our full moving company rating methodology.

What to know before moving from Des Moines to Santa Clarita

Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move - Santa Clarita runs about 74% higher for singles and 53% higher for families than Des Moines.

Singles spend around $3,290 in Santa Clarita versus $1,891 in Des Moines; families pay $6,722 compared with $4,380.

Dig into the side-by-side details here:

Des Moines Santa Clarita
Average 1 BR rent $1,229 $2,908
Average 3 BR rent $1,763 $3,898
Average home value $192,347 $804,740
Average income (per capita) $58,492 $106,166
Cost of living (single) $1,891 $3,290
Cost of living (family of four) $4,380 $6,722
Unemployment rate 5.9% 9.6%
Sales tax 7.0% 9.5%
State income tax 4.4% 13.3%
  • Planning a move to Santa Clarita? Keep in mind that rent could be approximately 187% higher than in Des Moines, so be sure to adjust your monthly expenses accordingly.
  • Anticipate a larger mortgage expense since home prices in Santa Clarita are about 318% higher than those in Des Moines.
  • Exciting update: you'll see an average income that's about 82% higher in Santa Clarita compared to Des Moines, which might allow for more savings or investments.
  • Prepare your budget for higher expenses in Santa Clarita, as living costs for a single person are 74% higher than in Des Moines. This includes essential costs such as utilities, groceries, clothing, and commuting.
  • If you're moving your family to Santa Clarita, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Santa Clarita is 53% higher than in Des Moines.
  • Santa Clarita shows an unemployment rate that exceeds Des Moines by around 63%. This increase suggests a broader candidate selection for employers, possibly making the job market more competitive for applicants.
  • Sales taxes in Santa Clarita are 36% more than in Des Moines, implying increased costs for common purchases like apparel, dining, and gadgets.
  • Income taxes in California are 202% above those in Iowa. Consequently, more of your income may be allocated to tax payments, which could diminish your overall earnings.

See how the cost of everyday necessities and regular monthly payments differs between Des Moines and Santa Clarita:

Living Expense Des Moines Santa Clarita
Basic utilities $144.82 $263.33
Cell phone plan $51.25 $66.79
Dozen eggs $3.61 $5.26
Loaf of bread $2.50 $3.97
Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) $16.00 $18.50
Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) $77.50 $85.00
Gym membership $66.67 $37.00
  • Basic utilities cost less in Des Moines than in Santa Clarita, helping trim your monthly bills.
  • Cell phone plans are cheaper in Des Moines than in Santa Clarita.
  • Eggs are less expensive in Des Moines than in Santa Clarita.
  • Bread costs less in Des Moines than in Santa Clarita.
  • A quick meal is cheaper in Des Moines than in Santa Clarita.
  • A mid-range dinner for two costs less in Des Moines than in Santa Clarita.
  • Gym memberships cost more in Des Moines than in Santa Clarita.

How life is different in Des Moines vs. Santa Clarita

Des Moines Santa Clarita
Population 699,292 228,673
Transportation score 5 5
Walkability score 45 35
Bike friendliness score 39 33
Crime index 5.0 35.92
Safety index 57.8 64.08
Air quality Good Moderate
  • Santa Clarita's population is about 67% less than Des Moines.
  • Santa Clarita's public transportation score is within about 5% of Des Moines, making them very similar.
  • Santa Clarita is less walkable than Des Moines with a score of 35 out of 100 vs Des Moines's 45 out of 100.
  • Santa Clarita has a bike-friendliness score of 33 out of 100, which means it isn't as accessible or safe for cyclists as Des Moines, which has a score of 39.
  • Santa Clarita's crime rate is higher than Des Moines with a score of 35.92 compared to Des Moines's 5.0. This means that Santa Clarita neighborhoods are safer than 35.92% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Des Moines neighborhoods are safer than 5.0%.
  • Santa Clarita is considered to be safer than Des Moines with a safety index of 64.08 vs Des Moines's 57.8.
  • Air quality in Santa Clarita is Moderate, and in Des Moines it's Good.

Other things to consider for your Des Moines to Santa Clarita move

  • 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, make sure to find out how to reserve it ahead of your move.
  • Truck parking permits: Make sure to look into local parking regulations—some areas require permits for large moving trucks.
  • 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. Before booking, ensure the moving company is officially licensed to handle your move.
  • State regulator: California’s public utilities commission provides official mover license verification.
  • Moving Permits: California does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state. We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move.
  • Change of address: We suggest filing your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move. You'll be able to set your official move date, helping ensure your mail is forwarded correctly to Santa Clarita. Start the process here.
  • Moving company insurance: The amount and type of insurance movers must have depends on state regulations. 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 gives you the peace of mind that comes with being fully prepared.

Where to live in Santa Clarita

Planning your move to ? Take a look at our picks for the best neighborhoods to call home in Santa Clarita.

Best neighborhoods for singles

  • Valencia
  • Newhall
  • Canyon Country
  • Saugus
  • Stevenson Ranch

Best neighborhoods for families

  • Valencia
  • Saugus
  • Stevenson Ranch
  • Canyon Country
  • Newhall

Things to do in Santa Clarita

After settling into your new California home, you'll want to branch out and explore your new city. Luckily, Santa Clarita has lots to offer, no matter what you're interested in:

  • Arts and culture: Santa Clarita features a variety of museums and cultural arts centers, including the William S. Hart Museum & Ranch, Melody Ranch Motion Picture Studio, and The Olde World Emporium.
  • Outdoor recreation: The city's Santa Clarita Woodlands Park — along with other locations — ideal for trails, cycling, or enjoying the fresh air.
  • Sports: Nothing beats the thrill of cheering on the home team at an FC Santa Claritai9 Sports Santa Clarita (flag football, soccer, baseball, basketball)Santa Clarita Sports Center (soccer)Santa Clarita Youth Sports (basketball, flag football, T-Ball/Softball, Volleyball) game.

FAQ

When is the best time to move from Des Moines to Santa Clarita?

Planning your move from Des Moines to Santa Clarita? Aim for spring or fall when the weather is pleasant and demand is lower, helping you avoid peak-season rates in Des Moines.

When is the cheapest time to move from Des Moines to Santa Clarita?

Because most people are moving from Des Moines to Santa Clarita in the spring or fall, you can often catch discounts by moving in the winter. Read our guide on moving discounts to learn more.

How long does a move from Des Moines to Santa Clarita take?

The 1,680-mile journey from Des Moines, IA to Santa Clarita, CA, typically takes four to 15 days. Some movers in Des Moines offer expedited services if you're on a tight schedule, and if you need extra time, be sure to ask about storage options in Santa Clarita.

Are piano and antique moving services available in Des Moines?

Not all movers have the resources to handle high-value or delicate items. In Des Moines, 10 movers can manage piano relocations. 6 movers are equipped for antique transport. By comparison, Iowa has 24 piano movers and 15 antique movers, while nationwide there are 2,296 and 1,463 respectively.

Always confirm the mover’s experience and packing methods for fragile or specialty items before booking.