Factors influencing moving costs from Des Moines to Grand Rapidstoggle

The cost of Des Moines movers will depend on:

  • Move size: The cost of your move will depend on the amount of items you have in your home. For example, moving a one-bedroom apartment from Des Moines to Grand Rapids can be as low as $1,435 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $8,205.
  • Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in Des Moines, so moving companies will likely charge more.
  • Do-it-yourself vs professional mover: Renting a truck or using a moving container can be cheaper options, with prices for a rental truck ranging from $489 to $1,128. However, these options require more work and effort compared to hiring professional movers.

What to know before moving from Des Moines to Grand Rapids

Des Moines Grand Rapids
Average rent cost $1,150 $1,659
Average home value $192,347 $328,256
Average income (per capita) $58,492 $63,299
Cost of living (single person) $1,891 $5,333
Cost of living (family of 4) $4,380 $7,160
Unemployment rate 5.9% 4.3%
Sales tax 7.0% 6.0%
State income tax 4.4% 4.25%
source: Zumper, Zillow, Numbeo
  • Rent prices in Grand Rapids are 44% higher than in Des Moines.
  • Home prices in Grand Rapids are 70.7% higher than in Des Moines.
  • Income in Grand Rapids is 8.2% higher than in Des Moines.
  • The cost of living for a single person in Grand Rapids is 182.0% higher than in Des Moines.
  • The cost of living for a family in Grand Rapids is 63.5% higher than in Des Moines.
  • The unemployment rate in Grand Rapids is 27.12% lower than in Des Moines.
  • Sales taxes in Grand Rapids are 14.29% lower than in Des Moines.
  • State income taxes in Grand Rapids are 3.41% lower than in Des Moines.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $8,460.60 in Grand Rapids 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. Grand Rapids

Grand Rapids Des Moines
Population 198,893 699,292
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 6 5
Walkability score 56 45
Bike friendliness score 52 39
Crime Index 44.23 5.0
Safety Index 55.77 57.8
Air Quality Good Good
source: Wikipedia, AllTransit, Walk Score, NeighborhoodScout, AirNow
  • Grand Rapids's population is about 72% less than Des Moines.
  • Grand Rapids's public transportation has a score of 6 out of 10 versus Des Moines's higher score of 5.
  • Grand Rapids is more walkable than Des Moines with a score of 56 out of 100 vs Des Moines's 45 out of 100.
  • With a score of 52 out of 100, Grand Rapids 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 they are to safely accommodating cyclists.
  • Grand Rapids's crime rate is higher than Des Moines with a score of 44.23 compared to Des Moines's 5.0. This means that Grand Rapids neighborhoods are safer than 44.23% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Des Moines neighborhoods are safer than 5.0%.
  • Grand Rapids is considered to be less safe than Des Moines with a score of 55.77 vs Des Moines's 57.8.
  • Air quality in Grand Rapids is good, and in Des Moines it's good.

Other things to consider for your Des Moines vs. Grand Rapids move

  • Weather: August, July and June are the most most advisable months to move in Grand Rapids, while January and December 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: The agency regulating local and intrastate household goods movers in Michigan is the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC). State regulation and oversight activities include commercial vehicle registration and safety compliance, review of published tariff rates, licensing, and consumer protection efforts. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Michigan moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
  • Moving permits: Michigan 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 Grand Rapids. Get started here.
  • Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. In Alabama, Massachusetts, and Michigan, choose the economical option of Released Value Protection, provided by movers at no extra cost. However, it offers minimal coverage at 60 cents per pound per article. For comprehensive coverage of your items' full value, consult with your moving company for alternatives 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 Grand Rapids

Now that you've decided to make the move to "GR", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Grand Rapids.

Best neighborhoods for singlestoggle

  • Fulton Heights
  • Heritage Hill
  • South Hill
  • Heartside-Downtown
  • East Hills
  • Midtown
  • Belknap Lookout

Best neighborhoods for familiestoggle

  • Eastgate
  • Ottawa Hills
  • Eastown
  • Fulton Heights
  • South East End
  • North East Citizens Action
  • Millbrook
  • East Hills
  • Belknap Lookout
  • Heritage Hill

Things to do in Grand Rapidstoggle

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

  • Arts and culture: Grand Rapids is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the Gerald R. Ford Museum, Grand Rapids Public Museum, Grand Rapids Children's Museum, Grand Rapids Art Museum, and Urban Institute For Contemporary Arts.
  • Outdoor recreation: The cityโ€™s Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, Gerald R. Ford Airport Viewing Park, Blandford Nature Center Richmond Park, and Riverside 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 Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL) game.
source: AttractionsofAmerica

FAQ

When is the best time to move from Des Moines to Grand Rapids?

The best time to move from Des Moines to Grand Rapids is during the spring or fall. These seasons offer milder weather and avoid higher moving costs during the peak moving season in Des Moines.

When is the cheapest time to move from Des Moines to Grand Rapids?

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

How long does a move from Des Moines to Grand Rapids take?

The 495-mile move from Des Moines, IA, to Grand Rapids, MI, takes one to four days. Some Des Moines movers may offer expedited moving if you need it faster. If you need more time, ask your mover about storage options in Grand Rapids.

Helpful moving resources

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