Local moving companies in Iowa

  1. Claeys Brothers Moving & Storage Inc: 4.76 out of 5 stars
  2. TWO MEN AND A TRUCK: 4.76 out of 5 stars
  3. Key City Moving & Storage: 4.66 out of 5 stars
  4. College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving: 4.58 out of 5 stars
  5. White Glove Movers: 4.58 out of 5 stars

Claeys Brothers Moving & Storage Inc

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar4.76 / 5

DOT #: 70719

Years in Business: 69

5600 Harbor Dr, Sioux City, IA 51111

Claeys Brothers Moving & Storage Inc, a staple in Sioux City, IA since 1955, offers comprehensive local residential moving services. With a strong reputation reflected in their 4.2 average rating on Google and an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, they are a trusted choice among local movers. Unlike many nearby moving companies, Claeys Brothers also offer packing and unpacking services, as well as the capability to move pianos, art, and antiques. The firm accepts both cash and credit cards, and no deposit is required, making them a flexible and customer-friendly option for local moves.

Get a Quote (712) 252-1335

Review Profiles

Services Offered

Move Distances

  • Local moves
  • Interstate moves

Available services

  • Packing
  • Unpacking
  • Offices
  • Pianos
  • Art
  • Antiques
  • Crating
  • Storage

Additional Information

Back to Top movebuddha icon

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar4.76 / 5

DOT #: 2527384

Years in Business: 27

2601 104th St #400, Urbandale, IA 50322

Two Men and a Truck, a reputable moving company in Urbandale, IA, has been providing local residential moving services since 1998. Renowned for their packing, unpacking, and labor-only services, they stand out by requiring no deposit and accepting credit cards, adding convenience for their clients. With an impressive average rating of 4.6 on Google from over 500 reviews and a BBB rating of A+, they excel in customer satisfaction compared to other nearby movers. Their proven track record makes them a trusted choice for local moves.

Get a Quote (515) 216-3654

Review Profiles

Services Offered

Move Distances

  • Local moves
  • Interstate moves

Available services

  • Packing
  • Unpacking
  • Pianos
  • Storage
  • Safes

Additional Information

Back to Top movebuddha icon

Key City Moving & Storage

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar4.66 / 5

DOT #: 125563

Years in Business: 114

9710 Royal Wood Dr, Peosta, IA 52068

Key City Moving & Storage has been a trusted name in local residential moving services in and around Peosta, IA since 1910. With glowing customer feedback, including an average rating of 4.6 on Yelp and 4.9 on Google, as well as an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, they stand out among local competitors. They offer comprehensive services including packing, unpacking, and specialized fragile-only packing, ensuring a stress-free move. Unlike other movers, they don't require a deposit and accept both cash and credit cards, making them a customer-friendly choice for your next move.

Get a Quote (563) 582-3237

Review Profiles

Services Offered

Move Distances

  • Local moves
  • Interstate moves

Available services

  • Packing
  • Unpacking
  • Offices
  • Pianos
  • Storage
  • Fragile-only packing
  • Safes

Additional Information

Back to Top movebuddha icon

College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar4.58 / 5

DOT #: 2378173

Years in Business: 7

10500 Hickman Rd Suite H, Clive, IA 50325

College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving, serving Clive, IA since 2018, specializes in local residential moves and stands out from other nearby movers with their comprehensive packing, unpacking, and labor-only services. They also cater to office moving needs, making them a versatile choice. While their Yelp reviews average 3.2 from 14 ratings, their astounding 4.8 out of 1452 Google reviews suggest a generally positive customer experience. Additionally, they accept credit cards and do not require a deposit, offering convenience and flexibility. Despite their F rating from the BBB, their extensive positive feedback on Google indicates a largely satisfactory service.

Get a Quote (336) 810-1801

Review Profiles

Services Offered

Move Distances

  • Local moves

Available services

  • Packing
  • Unpacking
  • Offices
  • Storage

Additional Information

Back to Top movebuddha icon

White Glove Movers

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar4.58 / 5

DOT #: 2991947

Years in Business: 19

4600 Commercial Ave, Marion, IA 52302

White Glove Movers, a local moving company based in Marion, IA, has been providing reliable residential moving services since 2005. Compared to other nearby movers, White Glove stands out with its comprehensive packing and unpacking services, as well as specialized capabilities to handle delicate items like pianos and art. Renowned for their exceptional service, they hold an average Google rating of 4.9 from 234 reviews and an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. Their excellent consumer feedback and array of services make them a top choice for local moves, offering peace of mind and quality assurance.

Get a Quote (319) 393-3000

Review Profiles

Services Offered

Move Distances

  • Local moves
  • Interstate moves
  • International moves

Available services

  • Packing
  • Unpacking
  • Offices
  • Pianos
  • Pool Tables
  • Art
  • Crating
  • Full-valuation coverage
  • Storage

Additional Information

Local Associations

Back to Top movebuddha icon

Things to know before moving from Iowa to Chicago, IL

Cost of living: Iowa vs Chicago, IL

Iowa Chicago
Average rent cost $914 $2,045
Average home value $220,277 $295,743
Average income (per capita) $70,571 $71,566
Unemployment rate 3% 9%
State income tax 4% 5%
  • Rent is about 124% more expensive in Chicago than in Iowa.
  • Home prices are about 34% higher in Chicago than in Iowa.
  • The average income is about 1% higher in Chicago than in Iowa.
  • Chicago has a higher unemployment rate than Iowa by about 200%.
  • Income taxes are 13% higher in Chicago than in Iowa.

How life is different in Chicago from Iowa

Chicago Iowa
Population 2,746,388 3,207,004
Political leaning Democrat 74-24 Republican 53-45
Summer high 84ºF 84ºF
Winter low 19ºF 10ºF
Annual rain 38" 35"
Annual snow 35" 30"
Crime index 35.19 16.18
  • The population of Chicago is approximately 14% lower than the population of Iowa.
  • In the last presidential election, Chicago voted Democrat and Iowa voted Republican.
  • The average high in the summertime in Chicago is 84ºF and in Iowa, it’s 84ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Chicago reaches the temperature of 19ºF and Iowa gets down to 10ºF.
  • You can expect about 38 inches of annual rainfall in Chicago vs 35 inches of rainfall in Iowa.
  • In Chicago, it snows about 35 inches annually vs 30 inches of snow in Iowa.
  • Chicago has a higher crime rate than Iowa with a crime index of 35.19 vs 16.18.

Things to do in Chicago

Whether you’re looking for parks, museums, sports, or even universities, you’ll be happy to find a plethora of these in Chicago.

Museums in Chicagotoggle

  • The Field Museum
  • Shedd Aquarium
  • Art Institute of Chicago
  • Chicago History Museum
  • Museum of Contemporary Art
  • Museum of Contemporary Photography
  • Museum of Science and Industry
  • Smart Museum of Art
  • The Oriental Institute Museum
  • Adler Planetarium
  • DuSable Museum of African American History
  • The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
  • National Museum of Mexican Art

Parks in Chicagotoggle

  • Millennium Park
  • Grant Park
  • The 606
  • Lincoln Park
  • Garfield Park
  • Jackson Park
  • Maggie Daley Park
  • South Shore Cultural Center Park
  • Humboldt Park
  • Douglass Park

Sports Teams in Chicagotoggle

  • Chicago Bears (NFL)
  • Chicago Cubs (MLB)
  • Chicago White Sox (MLB)
  • Chicago Blackhawks (NHL)
  • Chicago Bulls (NBA)
  • Chicago Fire (MLS)
  • Chicago Sky (WNBA)

Universities in Chicagotoggle

  • Chicago State University
  • Governors State University
  • Northeastern Illinois University
  • Northern Illinois University
  • University of Illinois at Chicago
  • Aurora University
  • Benedictine University
  • Concordia University Chicago
  • DePaul University
  • Dominican University
  • East–West University
  • Elmhurst University
  • Illinois Institute of Technology
  • Judson University
  • Kendall College
  • Lewis University
  • Loyola University Chicago
  • Midwestern University
  • National Louis University
  • National University of Health Sciences
  • North Park University
  • Northwestern University
  • Resurrection University
  • Roosevelt University
  • Saint Xavier University
  • Trinity International University
  • University of Chicago
  • University of St. Francis
  • University of Saint Mary of the Lake

Other considerations when moving to Chicago, IL

  • Weather: Although Chicago gets less snowfall than surrounding areas in the Midwest and the Great Lakes region, heavy snowfall could still affect your move in the wintertime.
  • HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
  • Elevator reservation: One common and important example of something that should be handled ahead of time is reserving the building's elevator and finding out their rules for using the elevator.
  • Parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles, find out ahead of time with your new local rules.
  • State licensing: In Illinois, regulations on in-state moves and local movers are set forth by the Illinois Commerce Commission. To move household goods locally and intrastate, companies need to have a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity, so make sure the companies you’re considering have one and that it’s current. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Illinois moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
  • Moving permits: Illinois 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 Illinois. Get started here.
  • Mover's insurance: Every state has their own requirements when it comes to insurance. Choose cost-free Released Value Protection from movers for basic coverage at 60 cents per pound. For more extensive protection matching your items' full value, consult your moving company for alternative options or consider a third-party insurance provider.
  • Moving checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.

Compare the pros and cons of Iowa vs. Chicago, IL

Comparing the pros of Iowa vs. Chicago, IL:

There are always a lot of reasons to get excited about living somewhere new. These are the best parts of living in Iowa vs Chicago side-by-side.

Pros of living in Iowa Pros of living in Chicago, IL
Low cost of living Bountiful arts and recreational activities
Ample economic opportunity Delicious food
High quality of education Abundant entertainment
No traffic Intense sports culture
Beautiful outdoors Ample economic opportunity

Comparing the cons of living in Iowa vs. Chicago, IL:

Not everything is sunshine and rainbows, these are the things to be aware of when leaving Iowa for Chicago.

Cons of living in Iowa Cons of living in Chicago, IL
Severe weather conditions High crime rate
Limited recreational opportunities Temperamental weather
High taxes Terrible traffic
High emphasis on politics High taxes
Rustic food Pollution

FAQ

How long does a move from Iowa to Chicago take?

The time frame for a move from Iowa to Chicago, IL, varies based on your moving method and starting location. The actual loading up of your items should not take more than a day, even with DIY moves.

Obviously, the further upstate you are in Iowa, the longer the drive time to Chicago will be. If you’re driving a rental truck, the move could be completed in one or two days, on average, depending on your route and how often you stop.

With professional movers or moving containers, delivery times to Chicago from Iowa can range from a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the company’s schedule and transit logistics. You can always ask for a general timeline before booking.

How far in advance should I book movers when moving from Iowa to Chicago?

Because of the 316-mile move, it’s best to book your move from Iowa to Chicago as soon as you have your moving details. Ideally, you’d book your move two to three months ahead of time.

What time of year is the cheapest to move to Chicago, IL?

With the summer highs of 84ºF and the winter lows of 19ºF, most people move to Chicago from Iowa during the spring and fall months. To avoid competing during those busy moving seasons, you could save some money by booking your move to Chicago during summer or winter.

Helpful moving resources