Highly rated local moving companies for Des Moines to Baltimore moves
Organizing a move from Des Moines to Baltimore 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 Baltimore.
- 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 Baltimore?
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 | $1,140 – $4,786 | $842 – $2,031 | $647 – $1,217 |
| 2 – 3 bedrooms | $2,568 – $6,164 | $1,465 – $3,092 | $685 – $1,549 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,084 – $7,761 | $1,936 – $3,681 | $852 – $1,777 |
Cost to hire movers from Des Moines to Baltimore
When planning a move to Baltimore from Des Moines, for a studio or one-bedroom, you’ll likely pay between $1,140 and $4,786. If you have a two- or three-bedroom home, expect costs to fall somewhere between $2,568 and $6,164 for the same journey. Moving four or five bedrooms? Typical prices range from $4,084 to $7,761.
Cost of moving containers from Des Moines to Baltimore
When you’re heading from Des Moines to Baltimore, and you’re only moving a few items, you can expect to spend between $842 and $2,031. For a two- or three-bedroom place, prices usually fall between $1,465 and $3,092. If you’re packing up a large home with four or more bedrooms, the cost can range from $1,936 to $3,681. 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 Baltimore
A moving rental truck from Des Moines to Baltimore 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 $647 to $1,217. A two to three-bedroom move will cost $685 to $1,549, and moving a home with four or more bedrooms from Des Moines to Baltimore costs around $852 to $1,777.
These quotes include the estimated fuel cost.
Factors that affect moving costs from Des Moines to Baltimore

What to know before moving from Des Moines to Baltimore
Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move – Baltimore runs about 18% higher for singles and 16% higher for families than Des Moines.
Singles spend around $2,223 in Des Moines versus $1,891 in Des Moines; families pay $5,088 compared with $4,380.
Dig into the side-by-side details here:
| Des Moines | Baltimore | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $1,229 | $1,892 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $1,763 | $3,333 |
| Average home value | $192,347 | $180,790 |
| Average income (per capita) | $58,492 | $58,349 |
| Cost of living (single) | $1,891 | $2,223 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $4,380 | $5,088 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.9% | 7.9% |
| Sales tax | 7.0% | 6.0% |
| State income tax | 4.4% | 5.75% |
- Rent is about 39% more expensive in Baltimore than in Des Moines. Make sure to include this increase in your monthly budget.
- Expect your mortgage payments to be easier on the wallet, as home prices are around 6% cheaper in Baltimore than in Des Moines.
- There’s good news: the average income differences between Baltimore and Des Moines are within a modest 5%, minimizing financial adjustments.
- Prepare for elevated costs in Baltimore, with the cost of living for a single person being 18% more than in Des Moines. This includes routine costs such as utilities, groceries, clothes, and transportation.
- When considering a family move to Baltimore, prepare for a potential rise in household expenses. The cost of living for a family here is 16% higher than in Des Moines.
- Baltimore has a higher unemployment rate than Des Moines by about 34%. This means that more people are out of work, so employers may have a larger pool of candidates to choose from, which can lead to a more competitive hiring process.
- Sales taxes are 14% cheaper in Baltimore compared to Des Moines. This could significantly slash costs for families or individuals with higher spending on taxable necessities.
- Income taxes are 31% more in Maryland 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 Baltimore:
| Living Expense | Des Moines | Baltimore |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $144.82 | $181.61 |
| Cell phone plan | $51.25 | $56.81 |
| Dozen eggs | $3.61 | $4.34 |
| Loaf of bread | $2.50 | $3.91 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $16.00 | $20.00 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $77.50 | $80.00 |
| Gym membership | $66.67 | $57.63 |
- Basic utilities cost less in Des Moines than in Baltimore, helping trim your monthly bills.
- Cell phone plans are cheaper in Des Moines than in Baltimore.
- Eggs are less expensive in Des Moines than in Baltimore.
- Bread costs less in Des Moines than in Baltimore.
- A quick meal is cheaper in Des Moines than in Baltimore.
- A mid-range dinner for two costs less in Des Moines than in Baltimore.
- Gym memberships cost more in Des Moines than in Baltimore.
How life is different in Des Moines vs. Baltimore
| Des Moines | Baltimore | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 699,292 | 585,708 |
| Transportation score | 5 | 8 |
| Walkability score | 45 | 64 |
| Bike friendliness score | 39 | 53 |
| Crime index | 5.0 | 72.72 |
| Safety index | 57.8 | 27.28 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
- Baltimore’s population is about 16% less than Des Moines.
- Baltimore’s public transportation score of 8 out of 10 is higher than Des Moines’s score of 5.
- Baltimore is more walkable than Des Moines with a score of 64 out of 100 vs Des Moines’s 45 out of 100.
- With a score of 53 out of 100, Baltimore 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.
- Baltimore’s crime rate is higher than Des Moines with a score of 72.72 compared to Des Moines’s 5.0. This means that Baltimore neighborhoods are safer than 72.72% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Des Moines neighborhoods are safer than 5.0%.
- Baltimore is considered to be less safe than Des Moines with a score of 27.28 vs Des Moines’s 57.8.
- Air quality in Baltimore is Good, and in Des Moines it’s Good.
Other things to consider for your Des Moines to Baltimore move
- HOA rules: Costs across Des Moines and Baltimore 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: Although a local license is not required in Maryland, make sure the moving company you’ll be hiring is registered with U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). To verify if you’re dealing with a legal and licensed mover, you may ask them their USDOT registration number. Ensure the company you choose is licensed to handle your move.
- State regulator: To confirm a moving company’s license in Maryland, visit the state’s public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: Moving permits aren’t typically required in Maryland, 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 Baltimore. Get started here.
- Moving company insurance: Each state has its own requirements for the level of insurance moving companies must carry. In Alabama, Released Value Protection stands out as the most economical option, incurring no additional costs. Provided by movers at no extra charge, it offers minimal coverage at 60 cents per pound per article. For those seeking comprehensive coverage, it is advisable to consult with your chosen moving company for alternative options or explore third-party insurance providers.
- Moving checklist: Let our moving checklist guide you through the process and help ensure nothing slips through the cracks.
Where to live in Baltimore
With your sights set on America’s Comeback Cit, these are some of the most popular neighborhoods to consider in Baltimore.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Federal Hill
- Fells Point
- Mid-Town Belvedere
- Mount Vernon
- South Baltimore
Best neighborhoods for families
- Catonsville
- Mount Washington
- Pikesville
- Roland Park
- Towson
Things to do in Baltimore
With your move to Maryland complete, you can dive right into experiencing Baltimore. From cultural attractions to outdoor adventures, you’ll never run out of things to do:
- Arts and culture: Baltimore is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the The Walters Art Museum, American Visionary Art Museum, Baltimore Museum of Art, and B&O Railroad Museum.
- Outdoor recreation: The city’s Federal Hill Park, Patterson Park, Canton Waterfront Park, and Leakin 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 Baltimore Orioles (MLB)Baltimore Ravens (NFL) game.
FAQ
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