($828+) Des Moines, IA to Manchester, NH Movers
Moving from Des Moines, IA, to Manchester, NH, runs anywhere from $871 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $9,269 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,338 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 3 to 8 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 $2,238, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $9,269 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,325 - $4,770, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $871 - $2,416.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Des Moines, IA, to Manchester, NH. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,970 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 Manchester, NH
There are 3 main ways to move from Des Moines to Manchester: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service handles labor and transportation for you, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route costing $2,970 - $6,524. Moving containers run about 30% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 60% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 3 to 8 days for this 1,338-mile route, depending on which option you go with.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,338-mile route from Des Moines to Manchester, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $2,238 for a studio up to $9,269 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,325 - $4,770 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $871 - $2,416, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $1,279 - $3,590, billed by the space you actually use.
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 Manchester, NH
Full-service movers for the 1,338-mile relocation from Des Moines, Iowa, to Manchester, New Hampshire, cost between $2,238 and $9,269. 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 $290 - $1,932, 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 Manchester:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,238 - $5,497
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,970 - $6,524
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,887 - $9,269
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 Manchester.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Iowa to New Hampshire. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: The summer months (May - September) are the busiest time of year for movers during peak moving season, which drives up prices and limits scheduling options. If you can move in the fall or winter, you'll likely find better rates and more flexibility.
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Specialty moving services from Des Moines, IA to Manchester, NH
Specialty needs vary by market — 58% of Des Moines movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Manchester, 100% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing92% of local movers | $483 - $4,830 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready58% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $193 - $1,159/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $290 - $2,318 |
| 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 | $966 - $2,898 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,415 - $9,660 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $724 - $1,375 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items42% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Adamantine Spine Moving | $966 - $2,415 |
| Piano | Any piano type75% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $773 - $3,381 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling17% of local movers | $290 - $1,449 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect17% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: All Mighty Movers LLC | $628 - $1,932 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $290 - $14,490+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $290 - $3,381+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Des Moines to Manchester?
Movers licensed to operate in New Hampshire are typically members of the New Hampshire Motor Transport Association, worth checking for before you book any of the three below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 customer support, and 30 days of free storage are included with every move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list, with 30+ years in business since 1995. AVL is one of the few national carriers that uses full-time in-house crews instead of contracted labor.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, combining fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan that covers damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Des Moines, IA. Local companies can run 30% - 40% more at that range since they don't consolidate shipments the way interstate carriers do. If a direct, dedicated route with an average 2-day delivery appeals to you, a local mover could be worth it, but that convenience comes at a cost.
Moving container costs from Des Moines, IA to Manchester, NH
Moving containers from Des Moines, Iowa, to Manchester, New Hampshire, cost between $1,325 and $4,770. You're in charge of loading, and the timeline is yours to set. U-Haul allows 3 days while PODS gives you a full 30. After that, the company picks it up and delivers it to your new address. Running behind schedule? Storage in Des Moines costs roughly $60/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Des Moines to Manchester:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,325 - $2,623
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,744 - $3,482
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,463 - $4,770
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $72 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $145 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Manchester, NH, if you need to retrieve anything while items are still in storage.
- Moving labor: Since you're responsible for loading the container yourself, many customers bring in hourly help. Based on moveBuddha data, hiring 2 movers for approximately 5 hours costs about $676 in Des Moines, IA. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection goes beyond the standard minimum and covers repair, replacement, or reimbursement at declared value. Pricing is typically 1% - 2% of your total shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 move.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Iowa to New Hampshire 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 $1,325. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,744 - $3,482, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Des Moines to Manchester?
- 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 Manchester, NH
Plan on $871 - $2,416 for a rental moving truck on the 1,338-mile route from Des Moines, Iowa, to Manchester, New Hampshire. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $411 - $470
- Daily insurance: $29/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $19
- 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 Manchester based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $871 - $1,599
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $886 - $2,019
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,197 - $2,416
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $871 - $2,416 when pricing out a rental truck from Des Moines to Manchester. Fuel alone runs ($411 - $470) , and overnight lodging ($145/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend an additional $600 - $1,200 beyond the base rate by the time the move is done.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $145 per night. Most long-distance moves with rental trucks require 1 - 3 overnight stops.
- Equipment: Tow dollies, auto trailers, and specialty moving equipment can add between $63 and $314 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $411 - $470 in fuel for the 1,338-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $676 in Des Moines, Iowa, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Des Moines to Manchester?
- 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 Manchester, NH
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Des Moines, Iowa, to Manchester, New Hampshire. Standard trailers run 28 feet long, and you're only charged for the portion you actually fill. The carrier drops the trailer off, you load it at your own pace, and they handle the drive to your new city.
Pricing is based entirely on the linear footage your shipment occupies, not the full trailer length. Most long-distance freight moves land somewhere between $869 and $2,700.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Des Moines to Manchester:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,279 - $2,246
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,382 - $2,700
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,893 - $3,590
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?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Des Moines, Iowa, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $676.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $72 - $145 per additional foot to your total.
- Time of year: Rates tend to climb during peak moving season (mid-May through mid-September) when trailer demand is at its highest.
What are the best freight companies from Des Moines to Manchester?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the pick for best for large moves. The company is well-regarded as a top moving container option for its load-it-yourself, we-drive-it model, and that same model makes it a strong freight option for larger homes that benefit from the company's 53-foot trucks and footage-based pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Alongside their flagship container service, U-Pack provides a top-notch freight trailer option that follows the same model: no deposits, no upfront fees, and pricing based on the linear footage you actually use.
- Ruan Transportation Management Systems (4.5/5 stars): Ruan Transportation Management Systems is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and based facilities mean accessible support staff and area-specific scheduling flexibility that national-only freight carriers typically don't match.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Des Moines to Manchester. 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 Manchester, NH
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Manchester, side by side with Des Moines on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Des Moines, IA | Manchester, NH |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 87 | 111 |
| Average rent | $1,150/mo | $2,004/mo |
| Median home value | $183,553 | $335,093 |
| Average income | $63,966/yr | $77,415/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.9% | 3.8% |
| State income tax | Up to 4.4% | Up to 4.0% |
| Walkability score | 45/100 | 51/100 |
| Safety index | 57.8/100 | 43.91/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
Cost of living index is relative to the U.S. average of 100. Figures reflect the latest available city and state data.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Manchester, NH to Des Moines, IA guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Iowa to New Hampshire, so we know current pricing better than most. Checking our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates. Iowa alone has 36 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 1,338-mile move like this one.
Our take
A move from Des Moines, IA, to Manchester, NH, gives you several options depending on your budget and how much you want to do yourself. Full-service movers handle everything but cost the most, ranging from $2,238 - $9,269 on the 1,338-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,325 - $4,770, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $871 - $2,416. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,970 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Southern New Hampshire University and Freudenberg North America Limited Partnership.
FAQs: Moving from Des Moines, IA, to Manchester, NH
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 Manchester run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
How do I know a mover is licensed in New Hampshire?
The New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT) is the agency tasked with regulating and overseeing movers that offer relocation services within the state. If you’ve already moved and had a dispute with your moving company, they may be able to help resolve the issue, but you’ll need to file a formal complaint first.
What are the best neighborhoods in Manchester?
For families, Bedford, Hollis, and Amherst are worth a look in Manchester. If you're moving solo or without kids, Wilton, Bedford, and Amherst tend to be popular picks instead.
How walkable is Manchester?
Manchester has a walkability score of 51 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 42, compared to 45 and 39 in Des Moines. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
Is Manchester a safe place to live?
Manchester has a safety index of 43.91 out of 100 and a crime index of 56.09, compared to 57.8 and 5.0 in Des Moines. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
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.
