($1,430) Movers From Des Moines, IA to Missoula, MT

What to know before moving from Des Moines to Missoula

Moving from Des Moines to Missoula comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Missoula is generally more expensive than Des Moines, it’s 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:

• Rent prices in Missoula are 15% higher than in Des Moines, which means you’ll have less money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Des Moines.
  Home prices in Missoula are 183.1% higher than in Des Moines.
• Income in Missoula is 1.2% higher than in Des Moines, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in Missoula include Walmart AT&T, Target, and Cognizant Technology Solutions.
• Be sure to budget for higher bills in Missoula, since the cost of living for a single person in Missoula is 6.3% higher than in Des Moines. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• If you’re moving your family to Missoula, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Missoula is 33.2% higher than in Des Moines.
• The unemployment rate in Missoula is 25.42% lower than in Des Moines.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Missoula, since the city’s sales taxes in Missoula are 100.00% lower than in Des Moines.
• State income taxes in Missoula are 53.41% higher than in Des Moines.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,190.38 in Missoula 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. Missoula

• Missoula's population is about 89% less than Des Moines.
• Missoula's public transportation has a similar score to Des Moines.
• Missoula and Des Moines are similarily 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 they are 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.

Other things to consider for your Des Moines vs. Missoula move

• Weather: August, July and June are the most pleasant months in Missoula, these are the best months to plan to move while you might hold off moving between December and January as these are the least comfortable months in Missoula.
• 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: In Montana, local and intrastate movers need to have a valid Public Service Commission (PSC) number issued by the Montana Department of Transportation (MDOT). Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
• State regulator: You can verify a Montana moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
• Moving permits: Montana 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 Missoula. Get started here.
• Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance.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: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Where to live in Missoula

Now that you've decided to make the move to "Garden City", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Missoula.

Helpful moving resources