Local moving companies in Des Moines
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK: 4.66 out of 5 stars
- Bellhop Moving: 4.62 out of 5 stars
- All Mighty Movers LLC: 4.48 out of 5 stars
- Adamantine Spine Moving: 4.42 out of 5 stars
- Select Van & Storage Co.: 4.34 out of 5 stars
TWO MEN AND A TRUCK

DOT #: 2527384
Years in Business: 27
2601 104th St #400, Urbandale, IA 50322 USTwo 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.
Review Profiles
Services Offered
Move Distances
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
Available services
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Pianos
- Storage
- Safes
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 2527384
Bellhop Moving

DOT #: 2878240
Years in Business: 12
5545 Lydia Avenue, Kansas City, MO 64110 USBellhop 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.
Review Profiles
Services Offered
Move Distances
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
Available services
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Storage
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- DOT #: 2878240
All Mighty Movers LLC

DOT #: 2468266
Pricing: $130/hr
Years in Business: 10
59 Clark St., Des Moines, IA 50314 USFast, affordable, and carefulโmost 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.
Review Profiles
Services Offered
Move Distances
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
Available services
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Safes
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 2468266
Adamantine Spine Moving

DOT #: 1471037
Pricing: $100/hr
Years in Business: 25
4701 NW Urbandale Dr., Des Moines, IA 50322 USRave 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. Adamantineโs client input sets it apart from typical moving companies and makes it a top recommendation for anyone looking for trusted moving professionals.
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
Select Van & Storage Co.

DOT #: 1098759
Years in Business: 79
523 S 18th St, West Des Moines, IA 50265 USMoving 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.
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
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 1098759
- DOD certified
Alternative Business Names
- Mayflower
Key factors that impact the cost of your Des Moines to Portland move
What to know before moving from Des Moines to Portland
Moving from Des Moines to Portland comes with exciting new opportunities โ but also higher living costs. Since Portland is generally more expensive than Des Moines, itโs 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 | Portland | |
---|---|---|
Average rent cost | $1,150 | $1,991 |
Average home value | $192,347 | $542,001 |
Average income (per capita) | $58,492 | $64,171 |
Cost of living (single person) | $1,891 | $2,491 |
Cost of living (family of 4) | $4,380 | $6,060 |
Unemployment rate | 5.9% | 5.2% |
Sales tax | 7.0% | 5.5% |
State income tax | 4.4% | 5.8% |
- Rent prices in Portland are 73% higher than in Des Moines, which means youโll have less money in your pocket each month.
-
In terms of homeownership, youโll be able to get more for your money in Des Moines.
Home prices in Portland are 181.8% higher than in Des Moines. - Income in Portland is 9.7% higher than in Des Moines, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in Portland include TD Banknorth Inc, Maine Medical Center, and Unum Life Insurance Company of America.
- Be sure to budget for higher bills in Portland, since the cost of living for a single person in Portland is 31.7% higher than in Des Moines. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
- If youโre moving your family to Portland, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Portland is 38.4% higher than in Des Moines.
- The unemployment rate in Portland is 11.86% lower than in Des Moines.
- Youโll spend less on retail and restaurants in Portland, since the cityโs sales taxes in Portland are 21.43% lower than in Des Moines.
- State income taxes in Portland are 31.82% higher than in Des Moines.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,951.88 in Portland 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. Portland
Portland | Des Moines | |
---|---|---|
Population | 68,408 | 699,292 |
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 6 | 5 |
Walkability score | 62 | 45 |
Bike friendliness score | 68 | 39 |
Crime Index | 32.16 | 5.0 |
Safety Index | 67.84 | 57.8 |
Air Quality | Good | Good |
- Portland might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 90% less than Des Moines.
- Portland offers better access to buses and trains than Des Moines, based on public transportation ratings. Portland has a transit score of 6 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 Portland means youโll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Des Moines. Portland is considered more walkable than Des Moines, with a score of 62 out of 100 versus 45 out of 100 in Des Moines. A cityโs walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
- If cycling is your thing, Portland 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. Portland has a bike-friendliness score of 68 out of 100, while Des Moines is rated as 39 out of 100.
- The crime rate in Portland 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 32.16 in Portland, it is 5.0 in Des Moines. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a cityโs crime levels.
- You might find more confidence in your overall safety in Portland than in Des Moines, based on Portlandโs safety index of 67.84 versus 57.8 for Des Moines. With this index, higher scores indicate more safety, particularly around how comfortable residents feel walking alone during the day and at night.
- The air quality in Portland 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. Portland move
- Weather: August, July and June are the most pleasant months in Portland, while January and February are the least comfortable months.
- 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 Maine, make sure the moving company youโll be hiring is registered with U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). To verify if youโre 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 Maine moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving permits: Maine 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 Portland. Get started here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance.Consider cost-free Released Value Protection from movers in Maine, offering basic coverage at 60 cents per pound. If you seek full-value protection, discuss alternative options with your chosen moving company 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.
Where to live in Portland
Now that you've decided to make the move to "Forest City", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Portland.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- East End
- West End
- Downtown
- Oakdale
- Back Cove
Best neighborhoods for families
- East End
- Rosemont
- North Deering
- Back Cove
- Oakdale
Things to do in Portland
After settling into your new Maine home, youโll want to branch out and explore your new city. Luckily, Portland has lots to offer, no matter what youโre interested in:
- Arts and culture: Portland is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the Portland Museum of Art, Victoria Mansion, 5th Maine Museum, The Wadsworth-Longfellow House, and Richard Boyd Art Gallery.
- Outdoor recreation: The cityโs Eastern Promenade Trail, Back Cove Trail, Deering Oaks Park, and Quarry Run Dog 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 Maine Celtics (G League) and Maine Mariners (ECHL) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Des Moines to Portland?
The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from Des Moines to Portland are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in Des Moines are lower.
When is the cheapest time to move from Des Moines to Portland?
With many people choosing to move from Des Moines to Portland 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 Portland take?
Moving from Des Moines, IA to Portland, ME covers 1,399 miles and usually takes three to eight days. Need to move faster? Some Des Moines movers offer expedited options. If youโre not ready to receive your items, look into storage solutions in Portland.