Local moving companies in Des Moines

  1. TWO MEN AND A TRUCK: 4.66 out of 5 stars
  2. Bellhop Moving: 4.62 out of 5 stars
  3. All Mighty Movers LLC: 4.48 out of 5 stars
  4. Adamantine Spine Moving: 4.42 out of 5 stars
  5. Select Van & Storage Co.: 4.34 out of 5 stars

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar4.66 / 5

DOT #: 2527384

Years in Business: 27

2601 104th St #400, Urbandale, IA 50322 US

Two Men and a Truck earns its reputation for being fast, careful, and professional, with 92% of customer feedback praising efficient service, attention to detail, and courteous movers. Most people said the crews worked quickly, handled belongings with care, communicated well, and made moving less stressful. Many customers noted the movers were polite, helpful, and followed directions accurately, setting them apart from less organized competitors. Some even reported coming in under budget due to team efficiency, and highlighted transparent pricing and great office support. Negative feedback primarily cited issues with item damage, inexperienced movers, and unexpected costs. A small number of reviewers mentioned poor packing, lack of effort to resolve damages, and occasional rude remarks, especially in more complex moves. While damage to belongings arose more often than other negatives, the vast majority of feedback still positions this company as one of the most reliably consistent options for moving services in the region.

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

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Bellhop Moving

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar4.62 / 5

DOT #: 2878240

Years in Business: 12

5545 Lydia Avenue, Kansas City, MO 64110 US

Bellhop Moving earns high marks for professionalism, speed, and friendly movers, with 56% positive input from 45 customers. Clients frequently mention efficient service, affordability, and clear communication. Customers appreciate quick booking, polite staff, and that jobs are often completed faster than anticipated. On the other hand, 40% report problems like property damage, delays, and movers arriving late or not at all. Feedback about broken items, missed appointments, and inexperienced crews stands out among the complaints. Bellhop's value and reliability outpace some competitors, but inconsistencies in service delivery remain a risk for potential customers.

Get a Quote (816) 656-3399

Review Profiles

Services Offered

Move Distances

  • Local moves
  • Interstate moves

Available services

  • Packing
  • Unpacking
  • Storage

Additional Information

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All Mighty Movers LLC

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar4.48 / 5

DOT #: 2468266

Pricing: $130/hr

Years in Business: 10

59 Clark St., Des Moines, IA 50314 US

Fast, affordable, and carefulโ€”most customer feedback praises All Mighty Movers LLC for their quick moving process, professional crews, and attentive handling of belongings. Out of 25 reviews analyzed, 64% are positive, often highlighting low rates, polite staff, and efficient service. Clients commonly appreciate how speedily and safely items were moved, noting that furniture and fragile goods arrived undamaged. Many mention the company beats local competitors in both price and quality, thanks to thoughtful movers who keep an upbeat attitude even with challenging jobs. On the downside, 36% of feedback centers on inaccurate estimates, unexpected charges, and unclear communication, especially regarding additional fees and scheduling. Some customers feel misled when final costs exceeded quoted amounts. Compared to many moving companies, All Mighty Movers earns high marks for efficiency and pricing but leaves room to improve transparency and customer relations, especially for billing and communication during more complex moves.

Get a Quote (515) 313-1395

Review Profiles

Services Offered

Move Distances

  • Local moves
  • Interstate moves

Available services

  • Offices
  • Pianos
  • Hot Tubs
  • Pool Tables
  • Safes

Additional Information

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Adamantine Spine Moving

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar4.42 / 5

DOT #: 1471037

Pricing: $100/hr

Years in Business: 25

4701 NW Urbandale Dr., Des Moines, IA 50322 US

Rave reviews consistently place Adamantine Spine Moving at the top of moving services in Iowa and beyond. Analyzing 223 customer reviews, 99.6% of feedback highlights professionalism, efficient service, excellent communication, careful handling, and quick moving crews. Customers repeatedly mention that staff are polite, approachable, and make stressful moves easy with precise organization and prompt responses. Quotes tend to be accurate, crews are well-trained, and moves large or small are handled with care. Compared to larger moving firms, Adamantine stands out for its hard-working teams and reliable pricing, with many clients calling the experience the best they've had. The only significant complaint noted involves a billing discrepancy where the final charge was much higher than the initial estimate, and the situation wasn't resolved effectively. This single negative input strongly contrasts the otherwise outstanding reputation. Adamantineโ€™s client input sets it apart from typical moving companies and makes it a top recommendation for anyone looking for trusted moving professionals.

Get a Quote (319) 519-0154

Review Profiles

Services Offered

Move Distances

  • Local moves
  • Interstate moves
  • International moves

Available services

  • Packing
  • Unpacking
  • Offices
  • Pianos
  • Art
  • Antiques
  • Grandfather clocks
  • Crating
  • Full-valuation coverage
  • Storage
  • Safes

Additional Information

  • Pay by money order
  • Pay by cash
  • Pay by credit card
  • Deposit Required
  • DOT #: 1471037
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Select Van & Storage Co.

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar4.34 / 5

DOT #: 1098759

Years in Business: 79

523 S 18th St, West Des Moines, IA 50265 US

Moving with Select Van & Storage Co. comes with strong benefits, as most customer feedback praises their professional and polite staff, quick moving process, and efficient service. Out of 34 reviews, over two-thirds are positive, highlighting helpful movers who keep pricing transparent, and jobs often completed faster or under budget compared to competitors. Customers frequently describe interactions as courteous, emphasize smooth experiences, and value responsive communication. Some reviewers appreciated a detailed and upfront estimate process as well as careful handling of items. On the downside, many negative reports focus on late or unreliable deliveries, occasional damage or loss of items, and frustrating lapses in communication. Delayed pickups, items left behind, and slow claim responses stand out as key drawbacks when compared to top moving services. Input shows Select Van & Storage excels with professionalism and efficient handling, but clients looking for guaranteed timeliness and consistent communication may want to confirm all details before booking.

Get a Quote (515) 223-8329

Review Profiles

Services Offered

Move Distances

  • Local moves
  • Interstate moves

Available services

  • Packing
  • Unpacking
  • Offices
  • Pianos
  • Art
  • Antiques
  • Crating
  • Crane vans
  • Shipment tracking
  • Full-valuation coverage
  • Storage
  • Fragile-only packing

Additional Information

Alternative Business Names

  • Mayflower
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Key factors that influence moving costs from Des Moines to Washington DCtoggle

The cost of Des Moines movers will depend on:

  • Amount of belongings: Moving costs go up with more stuff. A move from Des Moines to Washington DC might cost just $1,416 for a one-bedroom, but up to $8,630 for a four-bedroom.
  • When you move: Summer is peak moving season in Des Moines, which means movers charge more during those months.
  • DIY or hire help: You can save by going the DIY route. Rental trucks cost between $788 and $2,099, though you\โ€™ll be doing the hard work vs letting the pros handle it.

What to know before moving from Des Moines to Washington DC

Moving from Des Moines to Washington DC comes with exciting new opportunities โ€” but also higher living costs. Since Washington DC is generally more expensive than Des Moines, itโ€™s important to plan ahead and budget carefully for the change.

Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:

Des Moines Washington DC
Average rent cost $1,150 $2,400
Average home value $192,347 $594,337
Average income (per capita) $58,492 $101,722
Cost of living (single person) $1,891 $3,963
Cost of living (family of 4) $4,380 $11,093
Unemployment rate 5.9% 7.0%
Sales tax 7.0% 6.0%
State income tax 4.4% 5.75%
  • Rent prices in Washington DC are 109% higher than in Des Moines, which means youโ€™ll have less money in your pocket each month.
  • In terms of homeownership, youโ€™ll be able to get more for your money in Des Moines.
    Home prices in Washington DC are 209.0% higher than in Des Moines.
  • Income in Washington DC is 73.9% higher than in Des Moines, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in Washington DC include Department of Homeland Security, US Navy, and United States Postal Service.
  • Be sure to budget for higher bills in Washington DC, since the cost of living for a single person in Washington DC is 109.6% higher than in Des Moines. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
  • If youโ€™re moving your family to Washington DC, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Washington DC is 153.3% higher than in Des Moines.
  • The unemployment rate in Washington DC is 18.64% higher than in Des Moines.
  • Youโ€™ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Washington DC, since the cityโ€™s sales taxes in Washington DC are 14.29% lower than in Des Moines.
  • State income taxes in Washington DC are 30.68% higher than in Des Moines.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $6,287.15 in Washington DC to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Des Moines.

How life is different in Des Moines vs. Washington DC

Washington DC Des Moines
Population 705,749 699,292
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 9 5
Walkability score 77 45
Bike friendliness score 70 39
Crime Index 60.37 5.0
Safety Index 39.63 57.8
Air Quality Good Good
  • Washington DC and Des Moines have roughly the same population, which could make adjusting to your new life in Maryland easier.
  • Washington DC offers better access to buses and trains than Des Moines, based on public transportation ratings. Washington DC has a transit score of 9 out of 10 compared to 5 in Des Moines. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
  • Living in Washington DC means youโ€™ll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Des Moines. Washington DC is considered more walkable than Des Moines, with a score of 77 out of 100 versus 45 out of 100 in Des Moines. A cityโ€™s walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
  • If cycling is your thing, Washington DC is considered more bike-friendly than Des Moines in terms of designated lanes and connectivity and how many residents opt to commute on two wheels rather than by car. Washington DC has a bike-friendliness score of 70 out of 100, while Des Moines is rated as 39 out of 100.
  • The crime rate in Washington DC is higher than in Des Moines, so you may want to exercise a little extra caution as you're acclimating to your new location. While the crime index is 60.37 in Washington DC, it is 5.0 in Des Moines. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a cityโ€™s crime levels.
  • You may want to exercise more caution as youโ€™re getting used to your new surroundings in Washington DC. With a crime index of 39.63, Washington DC ranks lower in overall safety than Des Moines, whose index is Des Moines's 57.8. The safety index measures how safe people in a city feel about walking alone, both during the day and at night, as well as data on muggings, theft, vandalism, and other instances of petty crime.
  • The air quality in Washington DC and Des Moines is generally the same (Good). Cities with good to moderate ratings have clean or acceptable air quality, with the possibility of small pollutants affecting people with certain health conditions like asthma. Anything beyond the moderate rate means increased impact on residents.

Other things to consider for your Des Moines vs. Washington DC move

  • Weather: Winters are cool to cold with light snow more common but heavy snow not uncommon, and summers are hot and humid. Spring and fall are mild to warm. Be sure to check your weather app to avoid heavy snowfall or high heat.
  • 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: Although a local license is not required in Maryland, make sure the moving company youโ€™ll be hiring is registered with U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). To verify if youโ€™re dealing with a legal and licensed mover, you may ask them their USDOT registration number. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Maryland moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
  • Moving permits: Maryland 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 Washington DC. Get started here.
  • Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance.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: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Where to live in Washington DC

Now that you've decided to make the move to "DC", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Washington DC.

Best neighborhoods for singles

  • Adams Morgan
  • Capitol Hill
  • Cleveland Park
  • Foggy Bottom
  • Logan Circle

Best neighborhoods for families

  • AU-Tenleytown
  • Chevy Chase
  • Cleveland Park
  • Georgetown
  • The Palisades

Things to do in Washington DC

After settling into your new Maryland home, youโ€™ll want to branch out and explore your new city. Luckily, Washington DC has lots to offer, no matter what youโ€™re interested in:

  • Arts and culture: Washington DC is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, National Museum of African American History and Culture, National Gallery of Art, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, and National Air and Space Museum.
  • Outdoor recreation: The cityโ€™s National Mall, National Gallery of Art - Sculpture Garden, Rock Creek Park, and Theodore Roosevelt Island Park โ€” among other sites โ€” are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.
  • Sports: Catch a live game and cheer on the home team at an Washington Wizards (NBA), Washington Capitals (NHL), Washington Mystics (WNBA), or D.C. Untied (MLS) game.

FAQ

When is the best time to move from Des Moines to Washington DC?

If you're flexible with timing, spring and fall are great seasons to move from Des Moines to Washington DC. Youโ€™ll dodge the heat, the crowds, and the higher moving costs typical of peak season in Des Moines.

When is the cheapest time to move from Des Moines to Washington DC?

Because spring and fall moves from Des Moines to Washington DC are so common, winter can be a great time to move if you're looking for lower prices. Read our moving discounts guide to see how.

How long does a move from Des Moines to Washington DC take?

Covering 1,013 miles, the move from Des Moines, IA to Washington DC, MD typically takes two to eight days. Some Des Moines movers may offer faster options, and if your timing is flexible, storage services inWashington DC can help bridge the gap.

Helpful moving resources