Factors influencing moving costs from Des Moines to Cape Coraltoggle

The cost of Des Moines movers will depend on:

  • Move size: The cost of your move will depend on the amount of items you have in your home. For example, moving a one-bedroom apartment from Des Moines to Cape Coral can be as low as $1,495 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $ 10,025.
  • Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in Des Moines, so moving companies will likely charge more.
  • Do-it-yourself vs professional mover: Renting a truck or using a moving container can be cheaper options, with prices for a rental truck ranging from $1,112 to $2,692. However, these options require more work and effort compared to hiring professional movers.

What to know before moving from Des Moines to Cape Coral

Moving from Des Moines to Cape Coral comes with exciting new opportunities โ€” but also higher living costs. Since Cape Coral is generally more expensive than Des Moines, itโ€™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:

Des Moines Cape Coral
Average rent cost $1,150 $2,120
Average home value $192,347 $363,960
Average income (per capita) $58,492 $65,282
Cost of living (single person) $1,891 $4,233
Cost of living (family of 4) $4,380 $6,030
Unemployment rate 5.9% 4.6%
Sales tax 7.0% 6.5%
State income tax 4.4% 0.0%
  • Rent prices in Cape Coral are 84% higher than in Des Moines, which means youโ€™ll have less money in your pocket each month.
  • In terms of homeownership, youโ€™ll be able to get more for your money in Des Moines.
    Home prices in Cape Coral are 89.2% higher than in Des Moines.
  • Income in Cape Coral is 11.6% higher than in Des Moines, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in Cape Coral include FL Guide, City of Cape Coral, and Sellstate Priority Realty.
  • Be sure to budget for higher bills in Cape Coral, since the cost of living for a single person in Cape Coral is 123.8% higher than in Des Moines. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
  • If youโ€™re moving your family to Cape Coral, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Cape Coral is 37.7% higher than in Des Moines.
  • The unemployment rate in Cape Coral is 22.03% lower than in Des Moines.
  • Youโ€™ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Cape Coral, since the cityโ€™s sales taxes in Cape Coral are 7.14% lower than in Des Moines.
  • One perk of moving to Cape Coral is paying less in state income taxes, which are 100.00% lower than in Des Moines.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $6,715.49 in Cape Coral 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. Cape Coral

Cape Coral Des Moines
Population 216,922 699,292
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 2 5
Walkability score 17 45
Bike friendliness score 37 39
Crime Index 19.41 5.0
Safety Index 80.59 57.8
Air Quality Good Good
  • Cape Coral's population is about 69% less than Des Moines.
  • Cape Coral's public transportation has a score of 2 out of 10 versus Des Moines's higher score of 5.
  • Cape Coral is less walkable than Des Moines with a score of 17 out of 100 vs Des Moines's 45 out of 100.
  • Both Cape Coral and Des Moines have the same bike-friendliness score of 39 out of 100, meaning Cape Coral is about as safe for cyclists as Des Moines. Typically, cities that have scores of 20 or higher are seen as reasonably safe, though the higher the score, the more safely accessible a city is for bicycling.
  • Cape Coral's crime rate is higher than Des Moines with a score of 19.41 compared to Des Moines's 5.0. This means that Cape Coral neighborhoods are safer than 19.41% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Des Moines neighborhoods are safer than 5.0%.
  • Cape Coral is considered to be safer than Des Moines with a safety index of 80.59 vs Des Moines's 57.8.
  • Air quality in Cape Coral is good, and in Des Moines it's good.

Other things to consider for your Des Moines vs. Cape Coral move

  • Weather: Cape Coral averages 355 days of sunshine each year, but experiences precipitation on 145 days per year. While the summers are very warm, humid, and rainy, the winters in Cape Coral are dry with moderate temperatures.
  • 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: Individuals and companies engaging in for-profit local and intrastate moving within the Sunshine State must register each year with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services โ€“ Division of Consumer Services. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Florida moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
  • Moving permits: Florida 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 Cape Coral. Get started here.
  • Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance.Released Value Protection stands out as a cost-effective choice, provided by movers at no extra expense, although it comes with limited coverage. In this option, the mover's liability is capped at 60 cents per pound per article. To ensure comprehensive coverage matching the full value of your items, consult with your chosen moving company about alternative options or explore third-party insurance providers. Secure the best protection for your belongings during the move with these tailored coverage choices.
  • Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Where to live in Cape Coral

Now that you've decided to make the move to "Waterfront Wonderland", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Cape Coral.

Best neighborhoods for singles

  • Tarpon Point Marina
  • Cape Harbour
  • City Center
  • Rose Garden
  • Caloosahatchee

Best neighborhoods for families

  • Sandoval
  • Pelican
  • Coral Lakes
  • Trafalgar
  • Burnt Store

Things to do in Cape Coral

After settling into your new Florida home, youโ€™ll want to branch out and explore your new city. Luckily, Cape Coral has lots to offer, no matter what youโ€™re interested in:

  • Arts and culture: Cape Coral is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the Harbour View Gallery, Cape Coral Historical Museum, and Lorne's Art Gallery.
  • Outdoor recreation: The cityโ€™s Cape Coral, Fellowship Park, Sirenia Vista Park, and Veterans Memorial 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 Cape Coral?

The best time to move from Des Moines to Cape Coral is during the spring or fall. These seasons offer milder weather and avoid higher moving costs during the peak moving season in Des Moines.

When is the cheapest time to move from Des Moines to Cape Coral?

Because most people are moving from Des Moines to Cape Coral 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 Cape Coral take?

The 1,481-mile move from Des Moines, IA, to Cape Coral, FL, takes three to eight days. Some Des Moines movers may offer expedited moving if you need it faster. If you need more time, ask your mover about storage options in Cape Coral.

Helpful moving resources