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Top local movers for Des Moines to Fort Wayne moves
Searching for a dependable local mover in Des Moines that also provides long-distance services to Fort Wayne can feel overwhelming. That’s where we come in — we’ve analyzed 13 local movers in Des Moines who specialize in long-distance relocations, factoring in cost, services, and customer feedback.
These are the best local moving companies for getting from Des Moines to Fort Wayne.
- 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 Fort Wayne?
Movers in Iowa generally charge an average of $128 per hour. Check out these typical costs for a full-service moving company, moving container, or truck rental:
| Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,146 – $3,225 | $677 – $1,610 | $390 – $727 |
| 2 – 3 bedrooms | $1,931 – $5,289 | $1,210 – $2,334 | $428 – $863 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,621 – $8,043 | $1,657 – $2,996 | $544 – $1,029 |
Cost to hire movers from Des Moines to Fort Wayne
Moving a studio or one-bedroom home from Des Moines to Fort Wayne typically costs between $1,146 and $3,225. For a two- or three-bedroom home, expect prices to fall between $1,931 and $5,289 when moving from Des Moines to Fort Wayne. If you’re tackling a large move (think four or five bedrooms) from Des Moines to Fort Wayne, you’re looking at costs ranging from $3,621 up to $8,043.
Cost of moving containers from Des Moines to Fort Wayne
If you’re relocating from Des Moines to Fort Wayne, you’ll typically spend between $677 and $1,610 for a small move. Have a two or three-bedroom home? Plan for costs to range from $1,210 up to $2,334. If you’re moving a larger home — four bedrooms or more — expect to pay anywhere between $1,657 and $2,996. For a full breakdown, check out our complete PODS cost guide.
Explore our top budget-friendly moving container companies for your move from Iowa.
Cost of moving truck rentals from Des Moines to Fort Wayne
Renting a moving truck is typically the most budget-friendly choice for a Des Moines to Fort Wayne move, but remember, you’ll be responsible for all the heavy lifting, packing, and driving on your own.
If you’re moving from a studio or one-bedroom place with a rental truck, expect to pay between $390 and $727. For a two- or three-bedroom move, costs usually range from $428 to $863. If you’re tackling a four-bedroom or bigger move, your rental truck will likely run between $544 and $1,029.
Estimated fuel costs are already factored into these quotes.
Major factors affecting moving costs from Des Moines to Fort Wayne
The cost of Des Moines movers will depend on:
- Move size: The cost of your move depends on how much you’re bringing. A one-bedroom from Des Moines to Fort Wayne might be as low as $1,529, while a four-bedroom could reach $6,484.
- When you move: Moving in summer often costs more, since it’s the busiest season for movers in Des Moines.
- DIY moves vs. full-service help: Truck rentals cost less — around $390 to $946 — but you’ll handle all the labor vs. letting professionals do it.
What to know before moving from Des Moines to Fort Wayne
Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move – Fort Wayne runs about 37% higher for singles and -28% higher for families than Des Moines.
Singles spend around $2,600 in Des Moines versus $1,891 in Des Moines; families pay $3,150 compared with $4,380.
Dig into the side-by-side details here:
| Des Moines | Fort Wayne | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $1,229 | $1,233 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $1,763 | $2,367 |
| Average home value | $192,347 | $227,803 |
| Average income (per capita) | $58,492 | $53,978 |
| Cost of living (single) | $1,891 | $2,600 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $4,380 | $3,150 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.9% | 5.1% |
| Sales tax | 7.0% | 7.0% |
| State income tax | 4.4% | 3.15% |
- Switching from Des Moines to Fort Wayne won’t strain your budget, as rent prices are nearly identical.
- A larger mortgage budget will be necessary since home prices are about 18% higher in Fort Wayne than in Des Moines.
- Be sure to look over your budget before making the move. The average income is about 8% lower in Fort Wayne than in Des Moines.
- Anticipate increased living expenses in Fort Wayne, as the cost of living for a single person in Fort Wayne is 37% greater than in Des Moines. This covers typical expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transport.
- Relocating to Fort Wayne could provide savings on routine expenses for your family, including transportation, utilities, and groceries. The cost of living for a family is 28% lower than in Des Moines.
- With an unemployment rate approximately 14% lower than Des Moines, Fort Wayne boasts a favorable employment scene and thriving economic conditions, ideal for new arrivals.
- Sales taxes are effectively the same in Fort Wayne and Des Moines (within a 5% range), allowing you to focus on other financial aspects when moving.
- Income taxes are 28% lower in Indiana than in Iowa. Lower income tax rates mean less money is withheld from your paycheck, giving you more flexibility to save, invest, or cover everyday expenses.
Take a detailed look at how everyday expenses stack up between Des Moines and Fort Wayne, from monthly bills to routine purchases:
| Living Expense | Des Moines | Fort Wayne |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $144.82 | $245.73 |
| Cell phone plan | $51.25 | $56.88 |
| Dozen eggs | $3.61 | $3.21 |
| Loaf of bread | $2.50 | $2.87 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $16.00 | $17.00 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $77.50 | $60.00 |
| Gym membership | $66.67 | $50.00 |
- Basic utilities cost less in Des Moines than in Fort Wayne, helping trim your monthly bills.
- Cell phone plans are cheaper in Des Moines than in Fort Wayne.
- Eggs cost more in Des Moines than in Fort Wayne.
- Bread costs less in Des Moines than in Fort Wayne.
- A quick meal is cheaper in Des Moines than in Fort Wayne.
- A mid-range dinner for two is pricier in Des Moines than in Fort Wayne.
- Gym memberships cost more in Des Moines than in Fort Wayne.
How life is different in Des Moines vs. Fort Wayne
| Des Moines | Fort Wayne | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 699,292 | 265,974 |
| Transportation score | 5 | 3 |
| Walkability score | 45 | 32 |
| Bike friendliness score | 39 | 41 |
| Crime index | 5.0 | 40.9 |
| Safety index | 57.8 | 59.1 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
- Fort Wayne’s population is about 62% less than Des Moines.
- Fort Wayne’s public transportation score of 3 out of 10 is lower than Des Moines’s score of 5.
- Fort Wayne is less walkable than Des Moines with a score of 32 out of 100 vs Des Moines’s 45 out of 100.
- Both Fort Wayne and Des Moines have similar bike-friendliness scores (39 vs 41), meaning Fort Wayne is about as safe for cyclists as Des Moines. Typically, cities with scores of 20 or higher are seen as reasonably safe, though higher scores mean better cycling accessibility.
- Fort Wayne’s crime rate is higher than Des Moines with a score of 40.9 compared to Des Moines’s 5.0. This means that Fort Wayne neighborhoods are safer than 40.9% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Des Moines neighborhoods are safer than 5.0%.
- Fort Wayne and Des Moines have a similar safety level, with scores of 59.1 and 57.8.
- Air quality in Fort Wayne is Good, and in Des Moines it’s Good.
Other things to consider for your Des Moines to Fort Wayne move
- HOA rules: To keep things running smoothly, make sure you’re familiar with any HOA or community moving policies before the big day.
- Elevator reservation: If there is an elevator in your building, it’s a good idea to secure a reservation before your moving day.
- Truck parking permits: Research parking requirements in your destination city to ensure your truck won’t run into restrictions.
- State licensing: The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) regulate movers operating within Indiana and issue moving companies Indiana Households Goods Carriers Numbers. Check to make sure prospective movers have one and that it’s up to date. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
- State regulator: You can check the status of a Indiana moving license through the state’s public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: You won’t need a moving permit in Indiana, though it’s smart to double-check any local parking restrictions ahead of your move.
- Change of address: We recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move to ensure your mail gets forwarded to Fort Wayne without delay. You can select your official move date when completing the form. Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: State laws differ on mover insurance. Opt for Released Value Protection – a budget-friendly choice with no extra cost from movers, though coverage is limited to 60 cents per pound. For instance, if a 50-inch TV weighing 25 pounds is lost or damaged, reimbursement is just $15. To ensure coverage for your items’ full value, discuss alternative options with your chosen moving company or consider 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 Fort Wayne
Ready to relocate to City of Churches? Here are some of the top neighborhoods to consider in Fort Wayne.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- West Central
- North Anthony
- Downtown
- Northside
- Historic Northeast
Best neighborhoods for families
- Pine Valley
- Aboite Township
- Cherry Hill
- Arlington Park
- Georgetown
Things to do in Fort Wayne
Now that you’ve made the move to Indiana, it’s the perfect time to explore Fort Wayne. From local hotspots to hidden gems, there’s something to enjoy for every lifestyle:
- Arts and culture: Cultural attractions in Fort Wayne include museums and art centers like the Science Central, Fort Wayne Museum of Art, Fort Wayne Firefighters Museum, and History Center.
- Outdoor recreation: Outdoor lovers will appreciate Lakeside Park & Rose Garden, Kreager Park, Buckner Park, and Promenade Park, along with many other spots perfect for walking, cycling, and fresh air adventures.
- Sports: Catch a live game and cheer on the home team at an Fort Wayne Komets (ECHL)Fort Wayne Ants (NBA G League) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Des Moines to Fort Wayne?
Spring and fall are the ideal times to move from Des Moines to Fort Wayne. You’ll benefit from more comfortable weather and avoid the higher prices that come with peak moving season in Des Moines.
When is the cheapest time to move from Des Moines to Fort Wayne?
With many people choosing to move from Des Moines to Fort Wayne in spring or fall, winter moves often come with better rates. Take a look at our moving discounts guide to find out how to save.
How long does a move from Des Moines to Fort Wayne take?
Covering 479 miles, the move from Des Moines, IA to Fort Wayne, typically takes one to four days. Some Des Moines movers may offer faster options, and if your timing is flexible, storage services in Fort Wayne can help bridge the gap.
How many movers in Des Moines can handle specialty items for my move to Fort Wayne?
Specialty moving services aren’t offered by every company. In Des Moines, 10 movers can handle pianos. 6 offer antique moving services. Compared to the rest of IA, there are 24 piano movers and 15 antique movers, while nationwide the numbers are 2,303 and 1,466 respectively.
If you need these services, it’s best to book early — availability can be limited, especially during peak moving months.
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Des Moines moving services
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