Des Moines, IA to St. Paul, MN Movers (NEW 2026 Costs)
Quick answer: Moving from Des Moines to St. Paul typically costs $1,800–$4,700 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home (about 248 miles). Use our moving cost calculator below to get an instant estimate.
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Cost to move from Des Moines to St. Paul
Moving from Des Moines, IA to St. Paul, MN typically costs $1,800–$4,700 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home.
The price ranges below are estimates for a 248-mile move from Des Moines to St. Paul, based on moveBuddha pricing data as of Mar 20, 2026. Pricing is updated monthly to reflect seasonality and market changes.
Studio / 1 bedroom
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2-3 bedrooms
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4+ bedrooms
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Recent moving quotes for similar moves
- United Van Lines recently quoted $5,340 for a 5+ bedroom using professional movers.
- AB Moving recently quoted $1,923 for a 1 bedroom (small) using professional movers.
- Colonial Van Lines recently quoted $2,300 for a 1 bedroom (large) using professional movers.
5+ Bedrooms
Mar 02, 2026
1 Bedroom (small)
Feb 28, 2026
1 Bedroom (large)
Jan 30, 2026
4 Bedrooms
Jan 27, 2026
1 Bedroom (small)
Jan 23, 2026
3 Bedrooms
Jan 22, 2026
1 Bedroom (large)
Jan 14, 2026
Studio apartment
Jan 13, 2026
3 Bedrooms
Dec 29, 2025
4 Bedrooms
Dec 14, 2025
Factors that impact moving costs from Des Moines to St. Paul
Your total cost will depend on:
- The size of your move: Costs rise with more belongings. A small one-bedroom move can start at $1,100, but larger homes can run up to $6,800.
- Seasonal timing: Demand peaks in summer — expect premium rates during moving season in Des Moines.
- Whether you hire pros or do it yourself: Choosing DIY with a truck ($300–$800) is cheaper, though tougher, than using movers.
Moving the opposite route? We got you covered with our moving from St. Paul, MN to Des Moines, IA guide.
Best Des Moines to St. Paul movers by type
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Best professional movers from Des Moines to St. Paul
For a stress-free interstate move from Des Moines to St. Paul, selecting a full-service mover is a wise choice. These professionals cover all aspects of the move, freeing you to focus on the excitement of your new adventure.
Want a deeper breakdown of the top long-distance movers? See our best interstate movers guide.
- Safeway Moving: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- American Van Lines: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- Allied Van Lines: 4.2 out of 5 stars
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- North American Van Lines: 4.8 out of 5 stars
Best overall value
How we chose the best IA→MN movers
Our team at moveBuddha evaluated moving rates from 37 Iowa moving companies, highlighting the top options based on client feedback, reviews, and pricing.
- Customer satisfaction (40%): Services are delivered promptly, with excellent communication, and at the cost initially quoted.
- Dispute resolution (20%): Problems sometimes come up during moves. We favor companies that admit faults and focus on making things right for the customer.
- Industry reputation (15%): Known for its positive standing, the company is respected in the moving industry and contributes through conferences and memberships.
- Online reputation (15%): The company maintains a professional website with accurate information and responds to online customer inquiries promptly and courteously.
- Service options (10%): Movers that offer a wide range of services — from packing and storage to specialty handling and fast delivery — rank higher in our evaluations.
Here is our full moving company rating methodology.
What to know before moving from Des Moines to St. Paul
Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move - St. Paul runs about 92% higher for singles and -2% higher for families than Des Moines.
Singles spend around $3,633 in St. Paul versus $1,891 in Des Moines; families pay $4,290 compared with $4,380.
Dig into the side-by-side details here:
| Des Moines | St. Paul | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $1,229 | |
| Average 3 BR rent | $1,763 | |
| Average home value | $192,347 | $278,221 |
| Average income (per capita) | $58,492 | $63,483 |
| Cost of living (single) | $1,891 | $3,633 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $4,380 | $4,290 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.9% | 4.9% |
| Sales tax | 7.0% | 9.88% |
| State income tax | 4.4% | 9.85% |
- As you consider relocating to St. Paul, note that rent can be roughly 17% more expensive than it is in Des Moines; adjust your financial plans to accommodate this change.
- Be sure to budget for a higher monthly mortgage payment, as home prices are about 45% higher in St. Paul than in Des Moines.
- Great news! You'll find the average income is about 9% higher in St. Paul compared to Des Moines, giving you some extra room for savings or investments.
- Plan for higher expenses in St. Paul, since the cost of living for a single person is 92% more than in Des Moines. This encompasses usual costs like utilities, groceries, apparel, and transit.
- You’ll find the cost of living for a family to be nearly equivalent in St. Paul and Des Moines, with only a minor variance of about 5%, so you'll likely see minimal difference in daily expenses.
- St. Paul experiences an unemployment rate that is about 17% lower than that of Des Moines. This is generally a positive sign for those considering a move here, as it reflects a healthy economy.
- Sales taxes are 41% higher in St. Paul than in Des Moines. This means you'll likely pay more out-of-pocket for everyday purchases on taxable goods like clothing, electronics, dining out, and household items.
- Income taxes are 124% higher in Minnesota compared to Iowa. As a result, you might notice a larger bite taken out of your salary by the state's tax system, which could affect your net income.
The breakdown below shows how typical living costs and monthly expenses line up when comparing Des Moines with St. Paul:
| Living Expense | Des Moines | St. Paul |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $144.82 | |
| Cell phone plan | $51.25 | |
| Dozen eggs | $3.61 | |
| Loaf of bread | $2.50 | |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $16.00 | |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $77.50 | |
| Gym membership | $66.67 |
How life is different in Des Moines vs. St. Paul
| Des Moines | St. Paul | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 699,292 | 303,176 |
| Transportation score | 5 | 8 |
| Walkability score | 45 | 60 |
| Bike friendliness score | 39 | 64 |
| Crime index | 5.0 | 50.86 |
| Safety index | 57.8 | 49.14 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
- St. Paul's population is about 57% less than Des Moines.
- St. Paul's public transportation score of 8 out of 10 is higher than Des Moines's score of 5.
- St. Paul is more walkable than Des Moines with a score of 60 out of 100 vs Des Moines's 45 out of 100.
- With a score of 64 out of 100, St. Paul 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.
- St. Paul's crime rate is higher than Des Moines with a score of 50.86 compared to Des Moines's 5.0. This means that St. Paul neighborhoods are safer than 50.86% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Des Moines neighborhoods are safer than 5.0%.
- St. Paul is considered to be less safe than Des Moines with a score of 49.14 vs Des Moines's 57.8.
- Air quality in St. Paul is Good, and in Des Moines it's Good.
Other things to consider for your Des Moines to St. Paul move
- HOA rules: It's a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
- Elevator reservation: Reserve elevator access early if your building requires it, to avoid delays on moving 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: To operate legally within the state, Minnesota household goods movers must have a current permit from the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT). Before being granted operating authority, each moving company must file a public tariff, provide proof of insurance and submit a Certificate of Compliance to MnDOT. Double-check that the moving company is properly licensed before you hire them.
- State regulator: You can verify a Minnesota moving company's license by visiting the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: While Minnesota doesn't mandate moving permits, checking local parking guidelines before your move-in day is still a good idea.
- Change of address: File your USPS change of address about a week before moving so mail reaches St. Paul smoothly. Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. In Minnesota, opt for the budget-friendly Released Value Protection provided by movers at no extra charge. While economical, it offers minimal coverage at 60 cents per pound per article. For full value coverage of your items, consult with your chosen moving company for alternatives or consider a third-party insurance provider.
- Moving checklist: Use our moving checklist to stay on top of every detail and reduce last-minute stress.
Where to live in St. Paul
Now that you've chosen Pigs Eye as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in St. Paul to check out.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Downtown
- St. Anthony Park
- Summit Hill
- Summit-University
- Union Park
Best neighborhoods for families
- Macalester-Groveland
- Summit Hill
- Highland
- Union Park
- St. Anthony Park
Things to do in St. Paul
After getting comfortable in your new Minnesota home, it's time to see what St. Paul is all about. Whether you're into food, art, nature, or nightlife — there's plenty to check out:
- Arts and culture: From historic museums to vibrant art centers, St. Paul offers cultural landmarks like the Science Museum of Minnesota, Minnesota History Center, Historic Fort Snelling, and James J. Hill House.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Rice Park, Mears Park, Harriet Island Regional Park, and Indian Mounds Regional Park — among other sites — are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.
- Sports: Grab a seat and root for the home team during an Minnesota Wild (NHL)St. Paul Saints (MiLB)St. Paul Twin Stars (NPSL)Minnesota United FC (MLS)Minnesota Whitecaps (PHF)Minnesota Wind Chill (AUDL) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Des Moines to St. Paul?
The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from Des Moines to St. Paul 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 St. Paul?
Because spring and fall moves from Des Moines to St. Paul 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 St. Paul take?
A move of 248 miles from Des Moines, IA to St. Paul, MN generally takes one to two days. Movers in Des Moines sometimes provide expedited service, while storage in St. Paul is a good fallback if you need extra time.
Which movers in Des Moines offer piano or antique moving?
Some moving jobs call for extra care and expertise. 10 movers in Des Moines have the skills and equipment for piano transport. 6 specialize in safely moving antiques. Across IA, there are 24 piano movers and 15 antique movers, while nationwide the numbers reach 2,294 and 1,462.
Because not every mover offers these services, ask about specialty experience and insurance coverage when you request quotes.
