($1,513) Movers From Des Moines, IA to Jacksonville, FL

What to know before moving from Des Moines to Jacksonville

Moving from Des Moines to Jacksonville comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville are 32% 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 Jacksonville are 49.5% higher than in Des Moines.
• Income in Jacksonville is 9.7% higher than in Des Moines, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in Jacksonville include FIS, Southeastern Grocers, and Winn-Dixie.
• Be sure to budget for higher bills in Jacksonville, since the cost of living for a single person in Jacksonville is 42.6% higher than in Des Moines. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• If you’re moving your family to Jacksonville, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Jacksonville is 50.8% higher than in Des Moines.
• The unemployment rate in Jacksonville is 16.95% lower than in Des Moines.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Jacksonville, since the city’s sales taxes in Jacksonville are 7.14% higher than in Des Moines.
• One perk of moving to Jacksonville 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 $4,277.10 in Jacksonville 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. Jacksonville

• Jacksonville's population is about 39% greater than Des Moines.
• Jacksonville's public transportation has a score of 4 out of 10 versus Des Moines's higher score of 5.
• Jacksonville is less walkable than Des Moines with a score of 26 out of 100 vs Des Moines's 45 out of 100.
• Both Jacksonville and Des Moines have the same bike-friendliness score of 39 out of 100, meaning Jacksonville 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.
• Jacksonville's crime rate is higher than Des Moines with a score of 56.38 compared to Des Moines's 5.0. This means that Jacksonville neighborhoods are safer than 56.38% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Des Moines neighborhoods are safer than 5.0%.
• Jacksonville is considered to be less safe than Des Moines with a score of 43.62 vs Des Moines's 57.8.
• Air quality in Jacksonville is good, and in Des Moines it's good.

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

• Weather: Jacksonville has hot humid summers, and warm to mild and drier winters. Seasonal rainfall is concentrated in the warmest months from May through September, when brief but intense downpours with thunder and lightning are common, while the driest months are from November through April. Be sure to check your weather app to avoid rain during your 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 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 – 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 Jacksonville. 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 Jacksonville

Now that you've decided to make the move to "Jax", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Jacksonville.

Helpful moving resources