$1,350 Movers From Des Moines to Lexington

Quick Answer: The cost to move from Des Moines, IA to Lexington, KY averages from $624 to $6,717 depending on how much you're moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the move yourself.

Hiring a full-service Des Moines moving company will be on the more expensive side, while renting a truck or moving container is usually cheaper but requires more work.

Here's everything you need to know about your upcoming move to Lexington, KY.

Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Lexington to Des Moines guide.

Moving from Des Moines to Lexington resources

Moving 662 miles is no joke. Here's what you need to know.

How much does it cost to move from Des Moines to Lexington?

Des Moines movers charge $142 per hour on average. Here are average prices for a full-service moving company, moving container, or truck:

Move Size Moving Company Moving Container Rental Truck
Studio / 1 bedroom $1,350 - $4,163 $854 - $1,982 $544 - $1,082
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,642 - $6,717 $1,538 - $2,884 $624 - $1,235
4+ bedrooms $4,731 - $9,252 $2,056 - $4,006 $749 - $1,554
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*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 662 miles and historical averages. The actual size of your move, additional services required, truck parking access, market conditions, and availability can greatly affect the final cost of your move.

The cost to move from Des Moines to Lexington will depend on:

  • Move size: The amount of items you have — as well as your home size and layout — will impact the total cost of your relocation.
  • Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in Des Moines, so moving companies will likely charge more.
  • Do-it-yourself vs Professional Mover: DIY moving services are usually cheaper but involve more work and stress compared to letting the pros handle your move.

How much are professional moving companies when moving from Des Moines to Lexington?

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Des Moines to Lexington will cost between $1,350 to $4,163. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $2,642 to $6,717, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from Des Moines to Lexington will cost from $4,731 to $9,252.

How much are moving container companies from Des Moines to Lexington?

Moving containers from Des Moines to Lexington will cost you $854 to $1,982 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,538 to $2,884. A larger home will cost $2,056 to $4,006.

How much is a moving truck from Des Moines to Lexington?

Renting a moving truck is usually 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 $544 to $1,082. A larger move will cost $624 to $1,235, and a four-bedroom move from Des Moines to Lexington costs from $749 to $1,554. These estimates include the anticipated fuel cost.

The best Des Moines to Lexington moving companies

Hiring an interstate moving company to go from Des Moines to Lexington is a big deal.

There are more than 8,000 moving companies in the U.S. But don't worry, you won't have to filter through all of them. We've done the research for you and narrowed the list based on customer satisfaction, cost, and services. Here are the best long-distance moving companies serving Des Moines to Lexington.

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Best overall value
  • Portion to charity
  • Veteran owned
Get A Quote
(855) 650-0657

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • 20 yrs experience
  • Flat rate pricing
  • Family owned
Get A Quote
(866) 835-2392

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.45 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Family owned
  • East coast focus
  • Affordable pricing
Get A Quote
(980) 217-6841

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • 74 years in biz
  • 1,800 trucks
  • Storage available
Get A Quote
(844) 950-2963

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • White glove
  • Expensive items
  • Guaranteed delivery
Get A Quote
(703) 972-1772

% of users select this mover

If you're just trying to ship a few items, here are our picks for the best small load moving companies.

Pros and cons of moving from Des Moines to Lexington

Cost of living: Des Moines vs Lexington

Des Moines Lexington
Average rent cost $1,150 $1,302
Average home value $192,347 $287,076
Average income (per capita) $58,492 $61,526
Cost of Living (single person) $1,891 $865
Cost of Living (family of 4) $4,380 $3,047
Unemployment rate 5.9% 4.2%
Sales Tax 7.0% 6.0%
State Income Tax 4.4% 4.5%
  • Rent prices in Lexington are 13% higher than in Des Moines.
  • Home prices in Lexington are 49.2% higher than in Des Moines.
  • Income in Lexington is 5.2% higher than in Des Moines.
  • The cost of living for a single person in Lexington is 54.3% lower than in Des Moines.
  • The cost of living for a family in Lexington is 30.4% lower than in Des Moines.
  • The unemployment rate in Lexington is 28.81% lower than in Des Moines.
  • Sales taxes in Lexington are 14.29% lower than in Des Moines.
  • State income taxes in Lexington are 2.27% higher than in Des Moines.

To put this into perspective, you would need around $1,372.29 in Lexington to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Des Moines.

How is life different in Des Moines compared to Lexington?

Lexington Des Moines
Population 322,570 699,292
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 4 5
Walkability score 90 45
Bike friendliness score 85 39
Crime Index 50.18 5.0
Safety Index 49.82 57.8
Air Quality Good Good
  • Lexington's population is about 54% less than Des Moines.
  • Lexington's public transportation has a score of 4 out of 10 versus Des Moines's lower score of 5.
  • Lexington is more walkable than Des Moines with a score of 90 out of 100 vs Des Moines's 45 out of 100.
  • Lexington is more bike-friendly than Des Moines with a score of 85 out of 100 vs Des Moines's 39.
  • Lexington's crime rate is higher than Des Moines with a score of 50.18 compared to Des Moines's 5.0. This means that Lexington neighborhoods are safer than 50.18% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Des Moines neighborhoods are safer than 5.0%.
  • Lexington is considered to be less safe than Des Moines with a score of 49.82 vs Des Moines's 57.8.
  • Air quality in Lexington is good, and in Des Moines it's good.

Considerations for moving to Lexington

  • Weather: Lexington has hot, humid summers and moderately cold winters with occasional mild periods.
  • 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: Movers in Kentucky are licensed and regulated by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) – Division of Motor Carriers. Moving companies that operate within the state must carry adequate cargo insurance and file public tariffs detailing the services they offer and the cost for each. The KYTC can assist consumers with resolving disputes with movers, but only after a customer makes a formal written complaint. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Kentucky moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
  • Moving permits: Kentucky 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 Lexington. Get started here.
  • Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. Choose Released Value Protection for free, basic coverage from movers at 60 cents per pound. For comprehensive protection matching your items' full value, consult your moving company for alternative options or consider a third-party insurance provider.
  • Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Local Des Moines movers

Company Quote Rating Contact
All Mighty Movers LLC Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.58 overall rating
59 Clark St., Des Moines, IA, 50314
(515) 313-1395
Adamantine Spine Moving Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.48 overall rating
4701 NW Urbandale Dr., Des Moines, IA, 50322
(319) 519-0154

Visit our best long distance movers in Des Moines page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.

What to do in Lexington

These are some of the best things to do in your new Kentucky home.

  • Keeneland
  • Kentucky Horse Park
  • Mary Todd Lincoln House
  • James E. Pepper Distillery
  • Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co.
  • Ashland: The Henry Clay Estate
  • University of Kentucky
  • Bluegrass Distillers
  • Raven Run Nature Sanctuary
  • West Sixth Brewing
  • The Arboretum
  • Rupp Arena
  • The Aviation Museum of Kentucky
  • Country Boy Brewing
  • Kentucky Scenic Byway

Get your sports on!

Lexington is a great sports town, these are the local teams to support:
  • Lexington Legends (ALPB)
  • Lexington SC (USL League One)

FAQs about moving from Des Moines to Lexington

When is the best time to move from Des Moines to Lexington?

The best time to move from Des Moines to Lexington is during the transitional seasons of spring or fall, considering the summer highs of 86ºF and the winter lows of 24ºF in Lexington.

When is the cheapest time to move from Des Moines to Lexington?

Because most people are moving from Des Moines to Lexington in the spring or fall, you can often catch discounts by moving in the summer or winter. Read our guide on moving discounts to learn more.

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Learn more about Lexington