($1,176) Cost to Move From Des Moines, IA to Missoula, MT

1. TWO MEN AND A TRUCK: 4.48 out of 5 stars
2. All Mighty Movers LLC: 4.38 out of 5 stars
3. College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving: 4.38 out of 5 stars
4. Black Belt Movers: 4.38 out of 5 stars
5. Adamantine Spine Moving: 4.36 out of 5 stars

Cost to hire movers from Des Moines to Missoula

When planning a move to Missoula from Des Moines, for a studio or one-bedroom, you’ll likely pay between $1,176 and $4,658. If you have a two- or three-bedroom home, expect costs to fall somewhere between $2,896 and $6,731 for the same journey. Moving four or five bedrooms? Typical prices range from $4,503 to $8,855.

Cost of moving containers from Des Moines to Missoula

When you’re heading from Des Moines to Missoula, and you’re only moving a few items, you can expect to spend between $876 and $2,327. For a two- or three-bedroom place, prices usually fall between $1,651 and $3,387. If you’re packing up a large home with four or more bedrooms, the cost can range from $2,304 to $4,191. Want more details? Check out our complete PODS cost guide.

Explore the top budget-friendly moving container companies to make your move from Iowa easier and more affordable.

Cost of moving truck rentals from Des Moines to Missoula

A moving rental truck from Des Moines to Missoula is generally the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor.

Moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $813 to $1,460. A two to three-bedroom move will cost $811 to $1,792, and moving a home with four or more bedrooms from Des Moines to Missoula costs around $1,029 to $2,229.

These quotes include the estimated fuel cost.

• Rent is about 15% more expensive in Missoula than in Des Moines. Make sure to include this increase in your monthly budget.
• Plan for a heftier mortgage payment since home prices are approximately 183% steeper in Missoula compared to Des Moines.
• There’s good news: the average income differences between Missoula and Des Moines are within a modest 5%, minimizing financial adjustments.
• Prepare for elevated costs in Missoula, with the cost of living for a single person being 6% more than in Des Moines. This includes routine costs such as utilities, groceries, clothes, and transportation.
• When considering a family move to Missoula, prepare for a potential rise in household expenses. The cost of living for a family here is 33% higher than in Des Moines.
• Missoula has a lower unemployment rate than Des Moines by about 25%. This signals a stronger job market and healthier local economy, both promising indicators for someone relocating.
• Missoula has no sales tax, so you’ll save money on every taxable purchase compared to Des Moines. This can be especially helpful if you make frequent or larger purchases.
• Income taxes are 53% more in Montana than in Iowa. This increase in state taxes means you will retain less of your earnings, impacting your disposable income.

• Missoula’s population is about 89% less than Des Moines.
• Missoula’s public transportation score is within about 5% of Des Moines, making them very similar.
• Missoula and Des Moines are similarly walkable.
• With a score of 60 out of 100, Missoula 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.
• Missoula’s crime rate is higher than Des Moines with a score of 33.27 compared to Des Moines’s 5.0. This means that Missoula neighborhoods are safer than 33.27% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Des Moines neighborhoods are safer than 5.0%.
• Missoula is considered to be safer than Des Moines with a safety index of 66.73 vs Des Moines’s 57.8.
• Air quality in Missoula is Good, and in Des Moines it’s Good.

• HOA rules: Costs across Des Moines and Missoula are largely aligned, so your monthly budget shouldn’t shift much after the 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: Many cities require special permits for parking large moving trucks. Check in advance to see if one is needed for your move.
• State licensing: In Montana, local and intrastate movers need to have a valid Public Service Commission (PSC) number issued by the Montana Department of Transportation (MDOT). Ensure the company you choose is licensed to handle your move.
• State regulator: To confirm a moving company’s license in Montana, visit the state’s public utilities commission.
• Moving Permits: Moving permits aren’t typically required in Montana, but always confirm with local authorities to avoid surprises.
• Change of address: You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Missoula. Get started here.
• Moving company insurance: Each state has its own requirements for the level of insurance moving companies must carry. Opt for Released Value Protection, a no-cost option from movers with basic coverage. Movers assume liability for up to 60 cents per pound per item. For instance, if your mover lost or damaged a valuable painting weighing 20 pounds, you would only receive $12 (60 cents x 20 pounds). To ensure comprehensive coverage for the full value of your items, discuss alternative options with your chosen moving company or consider a third-party insurance provider.
• Moving checklist: Let our moving checklist guide you through the process and help ensure nothing slips through the cracks.

Best neighborhoods for singles

• Heart Of Missoula
• Lewis And Clark
• Farviews And Pattee
• Canyon River
• Front Lower
• Rattlesnake

Best neighborhoods for families

• Lewis And Clark
• Rose Park
• Miller Creek
• Riverfront Lower
• Rattlesnake

Things to do in Missoula

With your move to Montana complete, you can dive right into experiencing Missoula. From cultural attractions to outdoor adventures, you’ll never run out of things to do:

• Arts and culture: Missoula is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the Fort Missoula Museum, Missoula Art Museum, Montana Natural History Center, and Museum of Mountain Flying.
• Outdoor recreation: The city’s Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Rattlesnake National Recreation Area, Caras Park, and Blue Mountain Recreational Area — among other spots — perfect for hiking, biking, or simply soaking up the outdoors.
• Sports: Experience the energy of a live game and back the home team at an Montana Grizzlies (NCAA) game.