Highly rated local moving companies for Des Moines to Durham moves
Organizing a move from Des Moines to Durham can be daunting, particularly when trying to identify a reliable mover that offers long-distance services. We’ve done the groundwork for you, evaluating 13 local movers in Des Moines known for their long-distance moving capabilities, assessing them on pricing, customer experiences, and reliability.
Here are the best local movers for long-distance moves from Des Moines to Durham.
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK: 4.48 out of 5 stars
- All Mighty Movers LLC: 4.38 out of 5 stars
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving: 4.38 out of 5 stars
- Black Belt Movers: 4.38 out of 5 stars
- Adamantine Spine Moving: 4.36 out of 5 stars
Company Info
Years in Business: 27
DOT #: 2527384
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Pianos
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
Pricing: $130/hr
Years in Business: 10
DOT #: 2468266
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
Years in Business: 7
DOT #: 2378173
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
Pricing: $150/hr
Years in Business: 17
DOT #: 3527158
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
Pricing: $100/hr
Years in Business: 25
DOT #: 1471037
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
How much does it cost to move from Des Moines to Durham?
On average, moving companies in Iowa charge about $128 per hour. Consider these typical rates for a full-service moving company, moving container, or rental truck:
| Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,182 – $4,791 | $849 – $2,155 | $664 – $1,366 |
| 2 – 3 bedrooms | $2,609 – $5,898 | $1,461 – $2,947 | $725 – $1,500 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,422 – $8,151 | $1,994 – $4,008 | $975 – $1,920 |
Cost to hire movers from Des Moines to Durham
When planning a move to Durham from Des Moines, for a studio or one-bedroom, you’ll likely pay between $1,182 and $4,791. If you have a two- or three-bedroom home, expect costs to fall somewhere between $2,609 and $5,898 for the same journey. Moving four or five bedrooms? Typical prices range from $4,422 to $8,151.
Cost of moving containers from Des Moines to Durham
When you’re heading from Des Moines to Durham, and you’re only moving a few items, you can expect to spend between $849 and $2,155. For a two- or three-bedroom place, prices usually fall between $1,461 and $2,947. If you’re packing up a large home with four or more bedrooms, the cost can range from $1,994 to $4,008. 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 Durham
A moving rental truck from Des Moines to Durham 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 $664 to $1,366. A two to three-bedroom move will cost $725 to $1,500, and moving a home with four or more bedrooms from Des Moines to Durham costs around $975 to $1,920.
These quotes include the estimated fuel cost.
Factors that affect moving costs from Des Moines to Durham

What to know before moving from Des Moines to Durham
Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move – Durham runs about 48% higher for singles and 36% higher for families than Des Moines.
Singles spend around $2,803 in Des Moines versus $1,891 in Des Moines; families pay $5,945 compared with $4,380.
Dig into the side-by-side details here:
| Des Moines | Durham | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $1,229 | $1,875 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $1,763 | $2,573 |
| Average home value | $192,347 | $391,719 |
| Average income (per capita) | $58,492 | $69,117 |
| Cost of living (single) | $1,891 | $2,803 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $4,380 | $5,945 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.9% | 4.1% |
| Sales tax | 7.0% | 7.5% |
| State income tax | 4.4% | 4.5% |
- Rent is about 48% more expensive in Durham 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 104% steeper in Durham compared to Des Moines.
- Here’s some fantastic news, the average income is approximately 18% greater in Durham than in Des Moines, offering more potential for savings or investments each month.
- Prepare for elevated costs in Durham, with the cost of living for a single person being 48% more than in Des Moines. This includes routine costs such as utilities, groceries, clothes, and transportation.
- When considering a family move to Durham, prepare for a potential rise in household expenses. The cost of living for a family here is 36% higher than in Des Moines.
- Durham has a lower unemployment rate than Des Moines by about 31%. This signals a stronger job market and healthier local economy, both promising indicators for someone relocating.
- Sales taxes in Durham surpass those in Des Moines by 7%. This means everyday items like clothing, dining, and electronics may cost more at checkout.
- Income taxes are nearly the same between North Carolina and Iowa, within a 5% range. This consistency assures you of predictable financial planning during your state move.
Here’s the side-by-side view of common monthly bills and day-to-day expenses in Des Moines versus Durham:
| Living Expense | Des Moines | Durham |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $144.82 | $148.21 |
| Cell phone plan | $51.25 | $51.67 |
| Dozen eggs | $3.61 | $4.53 |
| Loaf of bread | $2.50 | $3.66 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $16.00 | $15.00 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $77.50 | $70.00 |
| Gym membership | $66.67 | $40.00 |
- Basic utilities cost less in Des Moines than in Durham, helping trim your monthly bills.
- Cell phone plans are cheaper in Des Moines than in Durham.
- Eggs are less expensive in Des Moines than in Durham.
- Bread costs less in Des Moines than in Durham.
- A quick meal tends to cost more in Des Moines than in Durham.
- A mid-range dinner for two is pricier in Des Moines than in Durham.
- Gym memberships cost more in Des Moines than in Durham.
How life is different in Des Moines vs. Durham
| Des Moines | Durham | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 699,292 | 283,506 |
| Transportation score | 5 | 4 |
| Walkability score | 45 | 30 |
| Bike friendliness score | 39 | 38 |
| Crime index | 5.0 | 54.72 |
| Safety index | 57.8 | 45.28 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
- Durham’s population is about 59% less than Des Moines.
- Durham’s public transportation score of 4 out of 10 is lower than Des Moines’s score of 5.
- Durham is less walkable than Des Moines with a score of 30 out of 100 vs Des Moines’s 45 out of 100.
- Both Durham and Des Moines have similar bike-friendliness scores (39 vs 38), meaning Durham is about as safe for cyclists as Des Moines. Typically, cities with scores of 20 or higher are seen as reasonably safe, though higher scores mean better cycling accessibility.
- Durham’s crime rate is higher than Des Moines with a score of 54.72 compared to Des Moines’s 5.0. This means that Durham neighborhoods are safer than 54.72% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Des Moines neighborhoods are safer than 5.0%.
- Durham is considered to be less safe than Des Moines with a score of 45.28 vs Des Moines’s 57.8.
- Air quality in Durham is Good, and in Des Moines it’s Good.
Other things to consider for your Des Moines to Durham move
- HOA rules: Costs across Des Moines and Durham 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: For-profit household goods carriers in the state fall under the jurisdiction of the North Carolina Utilities Commission, Transportation Division. All legitimate movers should have a “C Number” issued by the commission, signifying that they’ve met minimum insurance requirements and adhere to the provisions outlined in the state’s Maximum Rate Tariff (MRT). Ensure the company you choose is licensed to handle your move.
- State regulator: To confirm a moving company’s license in North Carolina, visit the state’s public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: Moving permits aren’t typically required in North Carolina, 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 Durham. Get started here.
- Moving company insurance: Each state has its own requirements for the level of insurance moving companies must carry. Choose Released Value Protection for no-cost, minimal coverage from movers, with responsibility limited to 60 cents per pound per article. For comprehensive coverage, explore alternatives 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.
Where to live in Durham
With your sights set on City of The Viper, these are some of the most popular neighborhoods to consider in Durham.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Golden Belt
- Warehouse District
- City Center
- Research Triangle Park
- Central Park
- Chapel Hill
- Northgate Park
Best neighborhoods for families
- Treyburn
- American Village/Arrowhead
- Willowhaven
- Fieldstone by the Eno
- Hope Valley Farms
Things to do in Durham
With your move to North Carolina complete, you can dive right into experiencing Durham. From cultural attractions to outdoor adventures, you’ll never run out of things to do:
- Arts and culture: Durham is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the Museum of Life + Science, Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University, Museum of Durham History, and V & E Simonetti Historic Tuba Collection.
- Outdoor recreation: The city’s West Point on the Eno, RollingView Falls Lake State Park, Durham Central Park, and Historic Durham Athletic Park — 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 Duke University (ACC)Durham Bulls (Triple-A East baseball) game.
FAQ
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