($619+) Des Moines, IA to Jackson, MS Movers
Moving from Des Moines, IA, to Jackson, MS, runs anywhere from $560 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,205 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 824 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 2 to 7 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
- Full-service moves for smaller spaces (studio apartments and 1-bedrooms) start around $1,779, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,205 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,084 - $3,692, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $560 - $1,538.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Des Moines, IA, to Jackson, MS. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,393 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
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Compare moving options from Des Moines, IA to Jackson, MS
There are 3 main ways to move from Des Moines to Jackson: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service is the most expensive but covers everything from labor to transportation, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route averaging $2,393 - $5,958. Containers cost roughly 30% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 60% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 824 miles, expect 2 to 7 days in transit no matter which service you choose.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 824-mile route from Des Moines to Jackson, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,779 - $4,826 | $1,084 - $2,162 | $560 - $1,089 | $1,066 - $1,890 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,393 - $5,958 | $1,422 - $2,800 | $668 - $1,387 | $1,219 - $2,171 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,990 - $8,205 | $1,986 - $3,692 | $805 - $1,538 | $1,512 - $3,103 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Des Moines, IA to Jackson, MS
Full-service movers for the 824-mile relocation from Des Moines, Iowa, to Jackson, Mississippi, cost between $1,779 and $8,205. With a long-distance moving company, loading, transportation, and unloading are all taken care of. If you want to skip packing boxes, too, that can be added for $248 - $1,652, depending on your home size. What you pay in the end is mainly a function of how much your shipment weighs and how far it's traveling. As a point of reference, local movers in Des Moines typically charge a base rate around $737 plus $142 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Des Moines to Jackson:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,779 - $4,826
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,393 - $5,958
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,990 - $8,205
Packing, storage, shuttle fees, and added coverage can stack on top of the base price. See the full add-ons and specialty services table below for what each runs from Des Moines to Jackson.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Iowa to Mississippi. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Avoiding peak moving season dates (May - September) is one of the easiest ways to reduce costs. Off-season moves typically come with lower pricing and more room to negotiate since movers have fewer bookings.
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Specialty moving services from Des Moines, IA to Jackson, MS
Specialty needs vary by market — 58% of Des Moines movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Jackson, 100% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing92% of local movers | $413 - $4,130 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready58% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $165 - $991/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $248 - $1,982 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage42% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs67% of local movers | $826 - $2,478 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,065 - $8,260 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $619 - $1,175 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items42% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Adamantine Spine Moving | $826 - $2,065 |
| Piano | Any piano type75% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $661 - $2,891 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling17% of local movers | $248 - $1,239 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect17% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: All Mighty Movers LLC | $537 - $1,652 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $248 - $12,390+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $248 - $2,891+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Des Moines to Jackson?
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list, with flat-rate pricing that holds firm on moving day and a customer support team available around the clock.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here. With 30+ years of interstate moves behind them, AVL uses full-time in-house crews instead of the contracted labor most national carriers rely on.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan available on every long-distance move.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in Des Moines, IA. Local companies typically run 30% - 40% more at longer distances because they aren't set up to consolidate shipments the way national carriers do. The one case where a local mover might be worth the premium is if you want a dedicated direct-route truck, which averages a 2-day delivery time, but expect to pay more for that convenience.
Moving container costs from Des Moines, IA to Jackson, MS
Moving containers from Des Moines, Iowa, to Jackson, Mississippi, cost between $1,084 and $3,692. With a moving container, you load on your own schedule. U-Haul gives you 3 days to fill yours, while PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're ready, the company transports it straight to your new place. Need more time first? Storage in Des Moines typically costs about $60/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Des Moines to Jackson:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,084 - $2,162
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,422 - $2,800
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,986 - $3,692
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Containers are self-loaded, so many people hire hourly help for the heavy lifting. moveBuddha data shows two movers for about five hours runs around $578 in Des Moines, IA. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: If you want stronger coverage than the default liability, full-value protection is the upgrade to consider. Most providers charge 1% - 2% of your shipment value, roughly $500 - $1,000 for $50,000 in contents.
- Storage: After the first month, rental fees average $62 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $124 per month for a larger 12- to 16-foot unit.
- Access: If you anticipate needing to access items while in storage, confirm there's a facility conveniently located near your Jackson, MS, destination before booking.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Iowa to Mississippi move in the past 90 days. Our pricing data is drawn from 1,500+ monthly data points across our vetted mover network and refreshed every month.
Pro tip: Before ordering moving containers, take a careful inventory of everything you're moving. A typical 1-bedroom home weighs around 3,000 pounds and fits in a single container starting at $1,084. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,422 - $2,800, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Des Moines to Jackson?
- Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
- U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
- MovingYourself (5.0/5 stars)
Want a hand without paying for full service? A container or truck move does not mean doing all the heavy lifting yourself. You can hire a labor-only crew in Des Moines to load and unload while you handle the drive, then book full help later if you change your mind. Three top-rated local crews for labor-only help in Des Moines:
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.7/5), 29 years in business
- All Mighty Movers LLC (4.8/5), 12 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.8/5), 8 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Des Moines, IA to Jackson, MS
Plan on $560 - $1,538 for a rental moving truck on the 824-mile route from Des Moines, Iowa, to Jackson, Mississippi. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $217 - $247
- Daily insurance: $25/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $17
- Des Moines daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $1.19
| Home size | Typical truck size |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | 10 - 12 ft |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | 15 - 17 ft |
| 4+ bedrooms | 20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel) |
These are typical moving truck rental costs from Des Moines to Jackson based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $560 - $1,089
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $668 - $1,387
- 4+ bedrooms: $805 - $1,538
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Des Moines to Jackson starts at $560 - $1,538, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($217 - $247) , overnight lodging ($124/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for an additional $600 - $1,200 on top of your base rate to cover those costs.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Equipment: Tow dollies, appliance dollies, and moving pads are not included in the base rate. These extras often total between $62 and $289.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $124.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $217 and $247 for the 824-mile drive, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: If you'd rather not do all the heavy lifting, budget around $578 for 2 movers in Des Moines, Iowa, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Des Moines to Jackson?
- Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
- Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
- U-Haul Truck Rental (4.2/5 stars)
The best truck rental companies for this route, based on moveBuddha's ratings.
Freight trailer costs from Des Moines, IA to Jackson, MS
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Des Moines, Iowa, to Jackson, Mississippi, when you want to do the loading yourself without having to drive a massive vehicle. The trailer is delivered, you pack it up, and the carrier handles the long haul.
What sets freight trailers apart is the pay-for-what-you-use pricing model. Each additional foot of trailer space you occupy adds to the cost. Overall pricing for a move of this size and distance typically lands around $1,219 and $2,171.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Des Moines to Jackson:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,066 - $1,890
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,219 - $2,171
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,512 - $3,103
Pro tip: A 4-foot ramp sounds simple, but heavy or awkward furniture can make the climb tricky. With 8 feet of height to work with, smart vertical stacking is key. Since freight companies charge by the linear foot, every extra foot you use adds to the bill.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- More space: Freight trailers are billed by the section you fill. If you misjudge your shipment size, each extra foot of trailer space adds around $62 - $124 to your final bill.
- Peak season pricing: Expect higher rates during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) when trailer availability tightens across the country.
- Moving labor: Loading is on you unless you hire outside help. A half-day crew of two movers in Des Moines, Iowa, typically costs $578.
What are the best freight companies from Des Moines to Jackson?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is our pick for best for large moves. The company is best known as a top moving container option for its hybrid model where you load and they drive, and that same model translates well to freight thanks to their 53-foot trucks and pay-by-the-foot pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Beyond their flagship container service, U-Pack also runs freight trailers with the same no-deposit, no-upfront-fee model, charging only for the linear footage you actually fill.
- Ruan Transportation Management Systems (4.5/5 stars): Ruan Transportation Management Systems is our pick for best locally owned freight company. Their locally owned and operated facilities mean you work with support staff who know the route and the area, giving you more responsive scheduling than national-only carriers typically offer.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Des Moines to Jackson. If you have a hard move-in date and want your stuff there as soon as possible, freight is hard to beat. It's worth noting that freight works best when you're ready to receive your delivery, so if your move-in date is still up in the air or you'll need short-term storage, a moving container is likely the more practical choice.
Cost of living: Des Moines, IA vs Jackson, MS
There's not a big cost-of-living gap between Des Moines and Jackson to plan around. Cost of living index: 87 vs. 76. Average rent: $1,150/mo vs. $1,170/mo. The bigger factor in your budget is the one-time cost of the move itself, covered above. Walkability: 45 vs. 26. Safety index: 57.8 vs. 17.62.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Jackson, MS to Des Moines, IA guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Iowa to Mississippi in the past 3 months alone, keeping our pricing data current. Run your numbers through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. For context, we track 36 movers based in Iowa, handy for sizing up options on this 824-mile route.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Des Moines, IA, to Jackson, MS, comes down to your budget and how much time and work you're able to put into it. Hands-off relocations handled by full-service movers range from $1,779 - $8,205 on the 824-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,084 - $3,692 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $560 - $1,538 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $2,393 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and 24/7 live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Newk's Eatery and Cal-Maine Foods.
FAQs: Moving from Des Moines, IA, to Jackson, MS
How much does it cost to move from Des Moines, IA to Jackson, MS?
Costs on this route range from around $1,779 to $8,205, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,779 and $8,205, while DIY options like rental trucks and containers come in lower. Moving during peak season (May - September) tends to push prices higher across the board.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Des Moines, IA to Jackson, MS?
Cutting 500 pounds from your shipment, roughly one bedroom's worth of items, saves approximately $200 - $400 on a full-service move on this route. Beyond that, staying organized matters just as much. A solid moving checklist keeps you on schedule and helps you avoid costly last-minute mistakes.
What do local movers charge in Des Moines?
Local movers based in Des Moines typically start around $737 as a base rate, plus $142/hour per mover. That's a useful baseline if you're hiring help just to load a rental truck or container rather than booking a full long-distance move. Rates in Jackson run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
How long does a move from Des Moines, IA to Jackson, MS take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 5 - 7 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are usually the fastest option outside of driving yourself, with deliveries in 3 - 5 days, though you'll need to be ready to receive your shipment on arrival. Driving a rental truck yourself puts the schedule entirely in your hands.
What are the best neighborhoods in Jackson?
For families, Madison, Clinton, and Flowood are worth a look in Jackson. If you're moving solo or without kids, Ridgeland, Flowood, and Madison tend to be popular picks instead.
What percentage of Des Moines movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 75% of movers in Des Moines handle piano moves, and 42% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
