Highly rated local moving companies for Des Moines to Atlanta moves
Organizing a move from Des Moines to Atlanta can be daunting, particularly when trying to identify a reliable mover that offers long-distance services. We’ve done the groundwork for you, evaluating 13 local movers in Des Moines known for their long-distance moving capabilities, assessing them on pricing, customer experiences, and reliability.
Here are the best local movers for long-distance moves from Des Moines to Atlanta.
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK: 4.48 out of 5 stars
- All Mighty Movers LLC: 4.38 out of 5 stars
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving: 4.38 out of 5 stars
- Black Belt Movers: 4.38 out of 5 stars
- Adamantine Spine Moving: 4.36 out of 5 stars
Company Info
Years in Business: 27
DOT #: 2527384
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Pianos
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
Pricing: $130/hr
Years in Business: 10
DOT #: 2468266
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
Years in Business: 7
DOT #: 2378173
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
Pricing: $150/hr
Years in Business: 17
DOT #: 3527158
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
Pricing: $100/hr
Years in Business: 25
DOT #: 1471037
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
How much does it cost to move from Des Moines to Atlanta?
On average, moving companies in Iowa charge about $128 per hour. Consider these typical rates for a full-service moving company, moving container, or rental truck:
| Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,192 – $4,453 | $770 – $1,870 | $617 – $1,110 |
| 2 – 3 bedrooms | $2,373 – $5,889 | $1,424 – $2,877 | $641 – $1,415 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,841 – $7,908 | $1,840 – $3,844 | $845 – $1,603 |
Cost to hire movers from Des Moines to Atlanta
When planning a move to Atlanta from Des Moines, for a studio or one-bedroom, you’ll likely pay between $1,192 and $4,453. If you have a two- or three-bedroom home, expect costs to fall somewhere between $2,373 and $5,889 for the same journey. Moving four or five bedrooms? Typical prices range from $3,841 to $7,908.
Cost of moving containers from Des Moines to Atlanta
When you’re heading from Des Moines to Atlanta, and you’re only moving a few items, you can expect to spend between $770 and $1,870. For a two- or three-bedroom place, prices usually fall between $1,424 and $2,877. If you’re packing up a large home with four or more bedrooms, the cost can range from $1,840 to $3,844. Want more details? Check out our complete PODS cost guide.
Explore the top budget-friendly moving container companies to make your move from Iowa easier and more affordable.
Cost of moving truck rentals from Des Moines to Atlanta
A moving rental truck from Des Moines to Atlanta is generally the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor.
Moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $617 to $1,110. A two to three-bedroom move will cost $641 to $1,415, and moving a home with four or more bedrooms from Des Moines to Atlanta costs around $845 to $1,603.
These quotes include the estimated fuel cost.
Factors that affect moving costs from Des Moines to Atlanta
The cost of Des Moines movers will depend on:
- How much stuff you have: A one-bedroom move from Des Moines to Atlanta may only cost $2,059, whereas a full four-bedroom relocation can approach $6,395.
- The season you’re moving in: Movers charge more in summer, the busiest months in Des Moines.
- Which type of mover you use: Save with a truck rental ($617–$1,544), but expect more hassle than hiring pros.
What to know before moving from Des Moines to Atlanta
Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move – Atlanta runs about 66% higher for singles and 79% higher for families than Des Moines.
Singles spend around $3,134 in Des Moines versus $1,891 in Des Moines; families pay $7,822 compared with $4,380.
Dig into the side-by-side details here:
| Des Moines | Atlanta | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $1,229 | $1,810 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $1,763 | $3,039 |
| Average home value | $192,347 | $388,167 |
| Average income (per capita) | $58,492 | $66,107 |
| Cost of living (single) | $1,891 | $3,134 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $4,380 | $7,822 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.9% | 6.0% |
| Sales tax | 7.0% | 8.9% |
| State income tax | 4.4% | 5.49% |
- Rent is about 65% more expensive in Atlanta than in Des Moines. Make sure to include this increase in your monthly budget.
- Plan for a heftier mortgage payment since home prices are approximately 102% steeper in Atlanta compared to Des Moines.
- Here’s some fantastic news, the average income is approximately 13% greater in Atlanta than in Des Moines, offering more potential for savings or investments each month.
- Prepare for elevated costs in Atlanta, with the cost of living for a single person being 66% more than in Des Moines. This includes routine costs such as utilities, groceries, clothes, and transportation.
- When considering a family move to Atlanta, prepare for a potential rise in household expenses. The cost of living for a family here is 79% higher than in Des Moines.
- Atlanta and Des Moines have roughly the same unemployment rate (within about 5%), so you likely won’t see a major shift in job availability or competition from what you’re used to.
- Sales taxes in Atlanta surpass those in Des Moines by 27%. This means everyday items like clothing, dining, and electronics may cost more at checkout.
- Income taxes are 25% more in Georgia than in Iowa. This increase in state taxes means you will retain less of your earnings, impacting your disposable income.
Here’s the side-by-side view of common monthly bills and day-to-day expenses in Des Moines versus Atlanta:
| Living Expense | Des Moines | Atlanta |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $144.82 | $200.80 |
| Cell phone plan | $51.25 | $57.65 |
| Dozen eggs | $3.61 | $4.13 |
| Loaf of bread | $2.50 | $3.96 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $16.00 | $20.00 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $77.50 | $90.00 |
| Gym membership | $66.67 | $46.00 |
- Basic utilities cost less in Des Moines than in Atlanta, helping trim your monthly bills.
- Cell phone plans are cheaper in Des Moines than in Atlanta.
- Eggs are less expensive in Des Moines than in Atlanta.
- Bread costs less in Des Moines than in Atlanta.
- A quick meal is cheaper in Des Moines than in Atlanta.
- A mid-range dinner for two costs less in Des Moines than in Atlanta.
- Gym memberships cost more in Des Moines than in Atlanta.
How life is different in Des Moines vs. Atlanta
| Des Moines | Atlanta | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 699,292 | 498,715 |
| Transportation score | 5 | 8 |
| Walkability score | 45 | 48 |
| Bike friendliness score | 39 | 42 |
| Crime index | 5.0 | 64.23 |
| Safety index | 57.8 | 35.77 |
| Air quality | Good | Moderate |
- Atlanta’s population is about 29% less than Des Moines.
- Atlanta’s public transportation score of 8 out of 10 is higher than Des Moines’s score of 5.
- Atlanta is more walkable than Des Moines with a score of 48 out of 100 vs Des Moines’s 45 out of 100.
- With a score of 42 out of 100, Atlanta 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 it is to safely accommodating cyclists.
- Atlanta’s crime rate is higher than Des Moines with a score of 64.23 compared to Des Moines’s 5.0. This means that Atlanta neighborhoods are safer than 64.23% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Des Moines neighborhoods are safer than 5.0%.
- Atlanta is considered to be less safe than Des Moines with a score of 35.77 vs Des Moines’s 57.8.
- Air quality in Atlanta is Moderate, and in Des Moines it’s Good.
Other things to consider for your Des Moines to Atlanta move
- HOA rules: Costs across Des Moines and Atlanta are largely aligned, so your monthly budget shouldn’t shift much after the 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: Many cities require special permits for parking large moving trucks. Check in advance to see if one is needed for your move.
- State licensing: Moving companies in Georgia are regulated by the the Georgia Department of Public Safety (GDPS). Regulations include insurance requirements and the handling of consumer complaints. Ensure the company you choose is licensed to handle your move.
- State regulator: To confirm a moving company’s license in Georgia, visit the state’s public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: Moving permits aren’t typically required in Georgia, but always confirm with local authorities to avoid surprises.
- Change of address: You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Atlanta. Get started here.
- Moving company insurance: Each state has its own requirements for the level of insurance moving companies must carry. Opt for Released Value Protection for its cost-effectiveness, offered by movers at no extra charge. However, it provides minimal coverage, with the mover’s responsibility limited to 60 cents per pound per article. For comprehensive coverage matching the full value of your items, explore other options with your chosen moving company or consider a third-party insurance provider.
- Moving checklist: Let our moving checklist guide you through the process and help ensure nothing slips through the cracks.
Where to live in Atlanta
With your sights set on The Atl, these are some of the most popular neighborhoods to consider in Atlanta.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Cabbagetown
- Inman Park
- Midtown
- Old Fourth Ward
- Virginia-Highland
Best neighborhoods for families
- Avondale Estates
- Buckhead
- Candler Park
- Decatur
- Druid Hills
- Inman Park
- Mountain Park
- North Decatur
- Poncey-Highland
- Virginia-Highland
Things to do in Atlanta
With your move to Georgia complete, you can dive right into experiencing Atlanta. From cultural attractions to outdoor adventures, you’ll never run out of things to do:
- Arts and culture: Atlanta is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Park, High Museum of Art, Fernbank Museum of Natural History, and Hammonds House Museum.
- Outdoor recreation: The city’s Sweetwater Creek State Park, Freedom Park, Stone Mountain Park, and Grant Park — among other spots — perfect for hiking, biking, or simply soaking up the outdoors.
- Sports: Experience the energy of a live game and back the home team at an Atlanta Braves (MLB)Atlanta Falcons (NFL)Atlanta Hawks (NBA)Atlanta United (MLS)Atlanta Dream (WNBA) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Des Moines to Atlanta?
If you’re flexible with timing, spring and fall are great seasons to move from Des Moines to Atlanta. You’ll dodge the heat, the crowds, and the higher moving costs typical of peak season in Des Moines.
When is the cheapest time to move from Des Moines to Atlanta?
Want to save on your move from Des Moines to Atlanta? Consider scheduling it in winter, when demand is lower and rates are often cheaper. Our moving discounts guide shows you how.
How long does a move from Des Moines to Atlanta take?
The 900-mile move from Des Moines, IA, to Atlanta, , takes two to seven 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 Atlanta.
Need help moving a piano or antiques in Des Moines?
These delicate items require movers with specialized training. Currently, 10 movers in Des Moines provide piano moving services. 6 can transport antiques with care. Statewide, there are 24 piano movers and 15 antique movers, with nationwide counts at 2,303 and 1,466.
Demand for these services can be high, so schedule your specialty move as far ahead as possible.
Helpful moving resources
Des Moines moving services
Popular Iowa routes
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