Local moving companies in Des Moines
Out of 13 Des Moines movers that can handle state-to-state moves, here are the top 5 that can handle your move to Massachusetts.
- 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
Local moving services in Des Moines, IA
Quick breakdown of Des Moines movers that offer specialty add-on services:
Cost to move from Des Moines, IA to Massachusetts
The table below breaks down average costs for moves from Des Moines to Massachusetts, varying by home size and service option.
| Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,261 – $5,095 | $950 – $2,126 | $813 – $1,430 |
| 2-3 bedrooms | $2,675 – $6,666 | $1,585 – $3,387 | $862 – $1,702 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,692 – $8,592 | $2,282 – $4,191 | $1,062 – $2,120 |
*These cost ranges are approximate estimates based on a 1,288-mile move from Des Moines, IA, to Massachusetts using pricing data compiled by moveBuddha as of Nov 17, 2025. moveBuddha aggregates thousands of verified prices from movers nationwide, updating the data monthly to track seasonal patterns and market trends. Your final quote may differ due to move size, optional services, access or parking challenges, fuel costs, and timing. Always compare estimates from several movers for an accurate picture.
Cost to hire movers from Des Moines to Massachusetts
Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Des Moines to Massachusetts will cost between $1,261 and $5,095. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $2,675 to $6,666, and a large move will cost from $4,692 to $8,592.
Cost of moving containers from Des Moines to Massachusetts
If you’re moving from Des Moines to Massachusetts, expect to pay between $950 and $2,126 for a small load. For a home with two or three bedrooms, prices typically range from $1,585 up to $3,387. Larger moves of four bedrooms or more can run between $2,282 and $4,191. Check out our guide on PODS cost for more details.
Check out the most affordable moving container companies for your move from Des Moines.
Cost of moving truck rentals from Des Moines to Massachusetts
Renting a moving truck is usually your cheapest option, but keep in mind you’ll be handling all the loading, unloading, and driving yourself.
If you’re moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment with a rental truck from Des Moines to Massachusetts, expect to spend between $813 and $1,430. For two to three bedrooms, rates typically fall between $862 and $1,702. Relocating a four-bedroom (or bigger) home? You’re likely looking at anywhere from $1,062 up to $2,120 for your rental truck.
These quotes include estimated fuel costs.
Factors influencing moving costs from Des Moines to MA
When calculating the price of Des Moines movers, consider:
- Move size: The bigger your home and the more stuff you have, the more expensive your move will be.
- Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in Des Moines, so moving companies will likely charge more.
- DIY vs. professional mover: Going the DIY route can be less expensive but demands more effort compared to hiring experts.
What you should know before moving from Des Moines to MA
Transitioning from Des Moines to Massachusetts offers fresh opportunities, but also a rise in expenses. Given that Massachusetts’s living costs are generally steeper than in Des Moines, creating a solid budget will help ease the adjustment.
Find out how Des Moines contrasts with Massachusetts so you can head into your move with confidence:
Compare cost of living: Des Moines vs. Massachusetts
| Des Moines, IA | Massachusetts | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent | $1,150 | $1,588 |
| Average home cost | $192,347 | $623,131 |
| Average income (per capita) | $58,492 | $96,505 |
| Cost of living index | 87 | 100 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.9% | 3.9% |
| State income tax | 4.4% | 9.0% |
Massachusetts sources: Zumper, Zillow, Numbeo
- With rent about 38% higher in Massachusetts than Des Moines, prepare for steeper monthly costs.
- Homes in Massachusetts cost about 224% more than in Des Moines, so expect a higher mortgage payment.
- Expect incomes in Massachusetts to be about 65% higher than in Des Moines, offering more opportunities to save or spend.
- Moving to Massachusetts means the cost of living runs about 15% higher than in Des Moines, so you’ll want a clear financial plan.
- In Massachusetts, the unemployment rate is about 34% below Des Moines’s, a positive sign of healthier job opportunities.
- Income taxes run about 105% higher in Massachusetts than in Iowa, which means less spending money.
How life is different in Des Moines, IA from Massachusetts
When relocating from Des Moines to Massachusetts, get ready for some changes. From weather and population to politics, here’s how living in Massachusetts stacks up against life in the Des Moines.
| Des Moines, IA | Massachusetts | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 699,292 | 7,001,399 |
| Political leaning | Democratic 57-41 | Democratic 61.5-36.3 |
| Summer high | 86ºF | 82ºF |
| Winter low | 13ºF | 16ºF |
| Annual rain | 36″ | 49″ |
| Annual snow | 33″ | 47″ |
| Crime index | 5.0 | 13.92 |
Massachusetts Sources: Wikipedia, AllTransit, Walk Score, NeighborhoodScout, AirNow
- In the last presidential election, both Des Moines and Massachusetts voted Democratic.
- Comparable summer highs of about 82ºF in Massachusetts match those of 86ºF in Des Moines. With similarly warm temperatures, adjusting to your new climate might prove easy. Consider examining humidity, climate patterns, and energy demands for a full representation of how summers will unfold in your new home.
- Winter lows in Massachusetts average about 16ºF, while Des Moines usually dips to 13ºF. Since the temperatures are similar, you can expect steady seasonal routines and costs without big surprises.
- Expect about 49 inches of rain per year in Massachusetts, a clear jump from 36 inches in Des Moines. Be ready for more frequent wet days and plan accordingly with waterproof gear.
- Every year, Massachusetts gets around 47 inches of snow, much more than the 33 inches that Des Moines typically sees. With all that extra snow, you’ll enjoy stunning winter scenery and tons of outdoor fun, but you’ll also have to do more prep work in the winter.
- Massachusetts has a higher crime rate than Des Moines, with indexes at 13.92 vs 5.0. While this doesn’t have to be a dealbreaker, it’s smart to research neighborhoods and consider how it might affect your daily routine.
Other considerations when moving to Massachusetts
If you’re moving from Des Moines to Massachusetts, there’s more to do than just booking a moving crew and transporting your stuff. Be sure you’re on top of local regulations, permits, and any logistics that might affect your move.
- HOA rules: Confirm whether your HOA has any moving restrictions or requirements before scheduling your movers.
- Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, you’ll want to check on how to reserve it for move day.
- Truck parking permits: Certain cities ask you to get parking permits for moving trucks or large vehicles. Check in advance to see if you’ll need one for your move.
- State licensing: Moving companies in Massachusetts are required to obtain a license from the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities – Transportation Oversight Division to provide local and intrastate moving services in Massachusetts movers must carry adequate cargo insurance and publicly file their tariffs required to list the services they provide and the cost for each. Make sure your moving company is fully licensed before you hire them.
- State regulator: You can check a Massachusetts moving license anytime on the state’s official regulatory website.
- Moving permits: You won’t need a moving permit in Massachusetts, but make sure to check local parking regulations before your move.
- 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 Massachusetts. Get started here.
- Moving insurance: Insurance requirements vary from state to state. In Alabama and Massachusetts, Released Value Protection is a no-cost option provided by movers but offers minimal coverage at 60 cents per pound per article. If you seek full value coverage for your items, consider consulting with your moving company for alternative options or explore third-party insurance providers.
- Moving checklist: Use a checklist to move with confidence. Our moving checklist keeps you organized and ensures everything’s covered, so you can relax and focus on the move.
Things to do in Massachusetts
No matter what you’re into, from parks and museums to sports or college-town vibes—Massachusetts is packed with things for you to explore and enjoy.
Museums in Massachusetts
- The House of the Seven Gables
- Museum of Fine Arts
- Plimoth Patuxet
- Whaling Museum
- John F Kennedy Hyannis Museum
Parks in Massachusetts
- Stage Fort Park and Beach
- Salem Witch Trials Memorial
- Forest Park
- Cornelia Carey Sanctuary (The Knob)
- Veterans Memorial Park
Sports teams in Massachusetts
- Boston Red Sox (MLB)
- Boston Bruins (NHL)
- Boston Celtics (NBA)
- New England Patriots (NFL)
- New England Revolution (MLS)
Universities in Massachusetts
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Harvard University
- Boston University
- Tufts University
- University of Massachusetts Amherst
FAQ
How long does a move from Des Moines to Massachusetts take?
Curious about how long it’ll take to move from Des Moines, IA to Massachusetts? Typically, the process takes about three to eight days, but the service you choose can affect the timeline. Keep in mind that if you’re planning a summer move, things might take a bit longer due to higher demand.
Keep your move on track by confirming delivery timelines with your movers ahead of time. That way, you won’t get stuck with any surprise delays.
How many Des Moines movers provide custom crating for art or antiques?
There are eight movers in Des Moines that offer custom-built crates for delicate or unusual items like artwork, antique pieces, and electronics. If you need special crating, confirm with a Des Moines moving company that they can accommodate your specific items.
What is the best way to get a car from Des Moines to Massachusetts?
Looking to move your car from Des Moines to Massachusetts? Choose a service that puts professionalism and vehicle care first, backed by real experience. Check out our top picks for car shippers from Iowa to Massachusetts.
Why are people moving from Des Moines to Massachusetts?
Many people are moving to Massachusetts because of its natural beauty and excellent education system.
Read more about the Pros & cons of moving to Massachusetts.
Where can I find a list of long-distance moving companies in Des Moines?
Here are our top picks for the best long-distance movers in Des Moines.
Do movers in Des Moines, IA, accept cash?
Yes, four movers in Des Moines accept cash. However, cash is uncommon in the moving space, where traceable payment types are standard. You’ll typically pay a deposit to secure your booking before moving day. The rest of the total is due at pickup or post-delivery—confirm the schedule and permitted payment methods with your mover.
Helpful moving resources
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