($1,471) Movers From Des Moines, IA to Denver, CO

What to know before moving from Des Moines to Denver

Moving from Des Moines to Denver comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Denver 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 Denver are 65% 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 Denver are 182.9% higher than in Des Moines.
• Income in Denver is 46.8% higher than in Des Moines, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in Denver include Re/max, DaVita, and Ing Security Life Of Denver.
• Be sure to budget for higher bills in Denver, since the cost of living for a single person in Denver is 79.4% higher than in Des Moines. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• If you’re moving your family to Denver, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Denver is 87.2% higher than in Des Moines.
• The unemployment rate in Denver is 20.34% higher than in Des Moines.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Denver, since the city’s sales taxes in Denver are 30.71% higher than in Des Moines.
• State income taxes in Denver are 24.77% higher than in Des Moines.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $5,381.28 in Denver 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. Denver

• Denver's population is about the same as Des Moines.
• Denver's public transportation has a score of 8 out of 10 versus Des Moines's lower score of 5.
• Denver is more walkable than Des Moines with a score of 95 out of 100 vs Des Moines's 45 out of 100.
• With a score of 96 out of 100, Denver 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 they are to safely accommodating cyclists.
• Denver's crime rate is higher than Des Moines with a score of 47.84 compared to Des Moines's 5.0. This means that Denver neighborhoods are safer than 47.84% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Des Moines neighborhoods are safer than 5.0%.
• Denver is considered to be less safe than Des Moines with a score of 52.16 vs Des Moines's 57.8.
• Air quality in Denver is moderate, and in Des Moines it's good.

Other things to consider for your Des Moines vs. Denver move

• Weather: Denver has four distinct seasons and receives most of its precipitation from April through August. Due to its inland location on the High Plains, at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, the region can be subject to sudden changes in weather.
• 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: The Colorado Public Utilities Commission (COPUC) regulates local and intrastate moving service providers in Colorado. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
• State regulator: You can verify a Colorado moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
• Moving permits: Colorado 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 Denver. Get started here.
• Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance.Choose Released Value Protection for its cost-free advantage, provided by movers with minimal coverage. Under this option, the mover's responsibility is capped at 60 cents per pound per article. For instance, if your mover lost or damaged a valuable item, you would only receive compensation based on this limited valuation. If you seek comprehensive coverage for your items' full value, discuss alternative options with the moving company you're hiring or explore third-party insurance providers.
• Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Where to live in Denver

Now that you've decided to make the move to "Mile-High City", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Denver.

Helpful moving resources