($716+) Des Moines, IA to Jersey City, NJ Movers
Moving from Des Moines, IA, to Jersey City, NJ, runs anywhere from $708 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,810 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,105 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 2 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 $2,344, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,810 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,201 - $4,125, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $708 - $1,991.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Des Moines, IA, to Jersey City, NJ. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,679 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 Jersey City, NJ
There are 3 main ways to move from Des Moines to Jersey City: 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 $2,679 - $6,876. 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 2 to 8 days for this 1,105-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 1,105-mile route from Des Moines to Jersey City, broken down by home size:
Home size makes the biggest difference in what you'll pay on this route. A studio or 1-bedroom runs $2,344 - $5,227 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,201 - $2,385), rental truck ($708 - $1,489), or freight trailer ($1,115 - $2,083). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $2,679 - $6,876 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $8,810.
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 Jersey City, NJ
Full-service movers for the 1,105-mile relocation from Des Moines, Iowa, to Jersey City, New Jersey, cost between $2,344 and $8,810. 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 $325 - $2,164, 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 Jersey City:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,344 - $5,227
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,679 - $6,876
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,612 - $8,810
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 Jersey City.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Iowa to New Jersey. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Moving company rates climb during peak moving season (May –-September) when demand peaks. Scheduling your move outside of that window can lead to noticeably lower costs and better availability.
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Specialty moving services from Des Moines, IA to Jersey City, NJ
Specialty needs vary by market — 58% of Des Moines movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Jersey City, 93% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing92% of local movers | $541 - $5,410 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready58% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $216 - $1,298/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $325 - $2,597 |
| 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 | $1,082 - $3,246 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,705 - $10,820 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $810 - $1,540 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items42% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Adamantine Spine Moving | $1,082 - $2,705 |
| Piano | Any piano type75% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $866 - $3,787 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling17% of local movers | $325 - $1,623 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect17% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: All Mighty Movers LLC | $703 - $2,164 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $325 - $16,230+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $325 - $3,787+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Des Moines to Jersey City?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in New Jersey Warehouse & Movers Association is a good first thing to confirm.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving offers the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing locks in your cost upfront, and 24/7 customer support is available throughout the move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. Operating since 1995, AVL staffs every move with full-time in-house crews trained on antiques, art, and other high-value items.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. As one of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, real-time shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Des Moines, IA. At that distance, local movers often charge 30% - 40% more because they don't spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments the way national carriers do. If a direct route and faster delivery (averaging 2 days) are priorities, a local mover may be worth considering, but that service comes at a higher price.
Moving container costs from Des Moines, IA to Jersey City, NJ
Moving containers from Des Moines, Iowa, to Jersey City, New Jersey, cost between $1,201 and $4,125. 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 Jersey City:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,201 - $2,385
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,547 - $3,223
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,245 - $4,125
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $81 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $162 per month for larger units (12 - 16 feet).
- Moving labor: Containers don't come with loading help, so many customers hire hourly movers for the job. Two movers for about 5 hours will run you around $757 in Des Moines, IA, per moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Standard coverage only reimburses by weight. Full-value protection gives you more complete coverage for higher-value items and typically costs 1% - 2% of your total declared value, around $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 shipment.
- Access: National providers generally operate in both cities, but verify that a facility near your Jersey City, NJ, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Iowa to New Jersey 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 $1,201. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,547 - $3,223, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Des Moines to Jersey City?
- 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 Jersey City, NJ
Truck rentals from Des Moines, Iowa, to Jersey City, New Jersey, range from $708 - $1,991 for the 1,105-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $380 - $435
- Daily insurance: $32/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $22
- 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 Jersey City based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $708 - $1,489
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $846 - $1,720
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,013 - $1,991
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Des Moines to Jersey City starts at $708 - $1,991, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($380 - $435) , overnight lodging ($162/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?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $162 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 $70 and $352 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $380 - $435 in fuel for the 1,105-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $757 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 Jersey City?
- 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 Jersey City, NJ
For larger DIY moves from Des Moines, Iowa, freight trailers give you plenty of room without putting you behind the wheel. Standard trailers are 28 feet long. You load the section you need, and the carrier transports everything to Jersey City, New Jersey.
Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For most medium-to-large moves on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,328 and $2,682.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Des Moines to Jersey City:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,115 - $2,083
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,328 - $2,682
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,849 - $3,507
Pro tip: Loading a freight trailer is a bit different from filling a container. The 4-foot ramp can be steep with large items, and getting the most out of 8 feet of vertical clearance takes planning. Since pricing is based on linear feet used, every inch of wasted space has a cost.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Seasonal demand: Pricing tends to rise during peak moving season, particularly between mid-May and mid-September.
- Moving labor: Most customers hire loading help since freight is self-loaded. Two movers in Des Moines, Iowa, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $757.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $81 and $162 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Des Moines to Jersey City?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the best for large moves pick. While it's a top moving container option for the DIY hybrid setup (you handle the loading, they handle the driving), the same approach makes it a strong freight choice for 3 to 5+ bedroom homes that need 53 feet of trailer capacity with pay-as-you-go pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer here. In addition to their popular container service, U-Pack delivers a top-tier freight trailer option that uses the same pay-by-the-foot pricing model and skips deposits and upfront fees entirely.
- Ruan Transportation Management Systems (4.5/5 stars): Ruan Transportation Management Systems is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Local ownership translates to accessible support staff and facilities based in the communities they serve, giving customers more direct communication than they'd typically get from a national-only freight network.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Des Moines to Jersey City. 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 Jersey City, NJ
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Jersey City, side by side with Des Moines on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Des Moines, IA | Jersey City, NJ |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 87 | 140 |
| Average rent | $1,150/mo | $2,975/mo |
| Median home value | $183,553 | $538,163 |
| Average income | $63,966/yr | $94,813/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.9% | 8.3% |
| State income tax | Up to 4.4% | Up to 10.7% |
| Walkability score | 45/100 | 87/100 |
| Safety index | 57.8/100 | 56.79/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Moderate |
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 Jersey City, NJ to Des Moines, IA guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Iowa to New Jersey, so our pricing data stays current. Use our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and spot bad actors early. We track 36 movers licensed in Iowa, useful context for sizing up this 1,105-mile move.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Des Moines, IA, to Jersey City, NJ, 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 $2,344 - $8,810 on the 1,105-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,201 - $4,125 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $708 - $1,991 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $2,679 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 Kuehne + Nagel International AG and Tokio Marine Management.
FAQs: Moving from Des Moines, IA, to Jersey City, NJ
What are the best neighborhoods in Jersey City?
For families, Greenville, Mcginley Square, and West Side are worth a look in Jersey City. If you're moving solo or without kids, Journal Square, Mcginley Square, and The Heights tend to be popular picks instead.
How long does a move from Des Moines, IA to Jersey City, NJ 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 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 Jersey City run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Des Moines, IA to Jersey City, NJ?
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.
How much does it cost to move from Des Moines, IA to Jersey City, NJ?
Costs on this route range from around $2,344 to $8,810, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,344 and $8,810, 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 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.
