Des Moines, IA to Albuquerque, NM Movers (NEW 2026 Costs)
Quick answer: Moving from Des Moines to Albuquerque typically costs $2,800–$6,600 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home (about 984 miles). Use our moving cost calculator below to get an instant estimate.
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Cost to move from Des Moines to Albuquerque
Moving from Des Moines, IA to Albuquerque, NM typically costs $2,800–$6,600 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home.
The price ranges below are estimates for a 984-mile move from Des Moines to Albuquerque, based on moveBuddha pricing data as of Mar 20, 2026. Pricing is updated monthly to reflect seasonality and market changes.
Studio / 1 bedroom
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2-3 bedrooms
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4+ bedrooms
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Recent moving quotes for similar moves
- BLVD Moving recently quoted $3,807 for a 1 bedroom (large) using professional movers.
- Safeway Moving recently quoted $5,387 for a 5+ bedroom using professional movers.
- Mayzlin Relocation recently quoted $3,423 for a 2 bedroom using professional movers.
1 Bedroom (large)
Mar 03, 2026
5+ Bedrooms
Feb 28, 2026
2 Bedrooms
Feb 23, 2026
4 Bedrooms
Feb 10, 2026
5+ Bedrooms
Jan 20, 2026
Studio apartment
Jan 19, 2026
4 Bedrooms
Jan 17, 2026
1 Bedroom (small)
Jan 17, 2026
Studio apartment
Jan 16, 2026
5+ Bedrooms
Dec 31, 2025
Factors that affect moving costs from Des Moines to Albuquerque
Your total cost will depend on:
- How much stuff you have: A one-bedroom move from Des Moines to Albuquerque may only cost $2,300, whereas a full four-bedroom relocation can approach $9,200.
- The season you're moving in: Movers charge more in summer, the busiest months in Des Moines.
- Which type of mover you use: Save with a truck rental ($700–$2,000), but expect more hassle than hiring pros.
Moving the opposite route? We got you covered with our moving from Albuquerque, NM to Des Moines, IA guide.
Best Des Moines to Albuquerque movers by type
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Best professional movers from Des Moines to Albuquerque
Choosing a full-service mover is ideal when you prefer experts to oversee your interstate move from Des Moines to Albuquerque. These companies handle all the details, allowing you to dedicate your energy to your next steps.
Want a deeper breakdown of the top long-distance movers? See our best interstate movers guide.
- Safeway Moving: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- American Van Lines: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- Allied Van Lines: 4.2 out of 5 stars
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- North American Van Lines: 4.8 out of 5 stars
Best overall value
How we chose the best IA→NM movers
moveBuddha's dedicated analysts have scrutinized moving rates across 37 Iowa moving firms, selecting the top providers by assessing customer approval, reviews, and affordability.
- Customer satisfaction (40%): The team ensures timely service delivery, engages in effective communication, and adheres to the projected costs.
- Dispute resolution (20%): Moving isn’t perfect, and mistakes will happen. We highlight movers that handle those situations honestly and put effort into resolving them fairly.
- Industry reputation (15%): The company is well-regarded within the moving industry and participates in industry conferences and organizations.
- Online reputation (15%): This mover keeps its website up to date and provides timely, professional replies to questions or concerns raised online.
- Service options (10%): Companies stand out when they provide comprehensive options such as full-service packing, safe storage, handling of specialty items, and expedited shipping.
Here is our full moving company rating methodology.
What to know before moving from Des Moines to Albuquerque
Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move - Albuquerque runs about 12% higher for singles and 22% higher for families than Des Moines.
Singles spend around $2,111 in Albuquerque versus $1,891 in Des Moines; families pay $5,353 compared with $4,380.
Dig into the side-by-side details here:
| Des Moines | Albuquerque | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $1,229 | $1,189 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $1,763 | $2,321 |
| Average home value | $192,347 | $329,595 |
| Average income (per capita) | $58,492 | $61,503 |
| Cost of living (single) | $1,891 | $2,111 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $4,380 | $5,353 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.9% | 7.4% |
| Sales tax | 7.0% | 7.63% |
| State income tax | 4.4% | 5.9% |
- Rent is about 9% more expensive in Albuquerque 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 71% steeper in Albuquerque compared to Des Moines.
- There's good news: the average income differences between Albuquerque and Des Moines are within a modest 5%, minimizing financial adjustments.
- Prepare for elevated costs in Albuquerque, with the cost of living for a single person being 12% more than in Des Moines. This includes routine costs such as utilities, groceries, clothes, and transportation.
- When considering a family move to Albuquerque, prepare for a potential rise in household expenses. The cost of living for a family here is 22% higher than in Des Moines.
- Albuquerque has a higher unemployment rate than Des Moines by about 25%. This means that more people are out of work, so employers may have a larger pool of candidates to choose from, which can lead to a more competitive hiring process.
- Sales taxes in Albuquerque surpass those in Des Moines by 9%. This means everyday items like clothing, dining, and electronics may cost more at checkout.
- Income taxes are 34% more in New Mexico than in Iowa. This increase in state taxes means you will retain less of your earnings, impacting your disposable income.
Here’s the side-by-side view of common monthly bills and day-to-day expenses in Des Moines versus Albuquerque:
| Living Expense | Des Moines | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $144.82 | $181.47 |
| Cell phone plan | $51.25 | $53.75 |
| Dozen eggs | $3.61 | $4.47 |
| Loaf of bread | $2.50 | $2.94 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $16.00 | $17.41 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $77.50 | $80.00 |
| Gym membership | $66.67 | $44.50 |
- Basic utilities cost less in Des Moines than in Albuquerque, helping trim your monthly bills.
- Cell phone plans are cheaper in Des Moines than in Albuquerque.
- Eggs are less expensive in Des Moines than in Albuquerque.
- Bread costs less in Des Moines than in Albuquerque.
- A quick meal is cheaper in Des Moines than in Albuquerque.
- A mid-range dinner for two costs less in Des Moines than in Albuquerque.
- Gym memberships cost more in Des Moines than in Albuquerque.
How life is different in Des Moines vs. Albuquerque
| Des Moines | Albuquerque | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 699,292 | 564,559 |
| Transportation score | 5 | 5 |
| Walkability score | 45 | 43 |
| Bike friendliness score | 39 | 61 |
| Crime index | 5.0 | 71.72 |
| Safety index | 57.8 | 28.28 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
- Albuquerque's population is about 19% less than Des Moines.
- Albuquerque's public transportation score is within about 5% of Des Moines, making them very similar.
- Albuquerque and Des Moines are similarly walkable.
- With a score of 61 out of 100, Albuquerque 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.
- Albuquerque's crime rate is higher than Des Moines with a score of 71.72 compared to Des Moines's 5.0. This means that Albuquerque neighborhoods are safer than 71.72% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Des Moines neighborhoods are safer than 5.0%.
- Albuquerque is considered to be less safe than Des Moines with a score of 28.28 vs Des Moines's 57.8.
- Air quality in Albuquerque is Good, and in Des Moines it's Good.
Other things to consider for your Des Moines to Albuquerque move
- HOA rules: Plan time to look into your HOA or community rules and regulations before moving day arrives, to avoid any delays.
- 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: Movers that operate within the Land of Enchantment are licensed and regulated by the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission. Ensure the company you choose is licensed to handle your move.
- State regulator: To confirm a moving company's license in New Mexico, visit the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: Moving permits aren’t typically required in New Mexico, 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 Albuquerque. 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, the cost-free, minimal coverage option from movers. They're responsible for a maximum of 60 cents per pound per article. For comprehensive coverage, discuss alternatives with your 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 Albuquerque
With your sights set on Burque, these are some of the most popular neighborhoods to consider in Albuquerque.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Nob HIll
- Downtown
- Balloon Fiesta
- Old Town
- Eastside
- Uptown
- Westside
Best neighborhoods for families
- Academy Hills Park
- Altura
- Bear Canyon
- Glenwood Hills
- Heritage East
- Kachina Hills
- Mirabella
- North Valley
- Ventana Ranch
- Vista Del Mundo
Things to do in Albuquerque
With your move to New Mexico complete, you can dive right into experiencing Albuquerque. From cultural attractions to outdoor adventures, you'll never run out of things to do:
- Arts and culture: Albuquerque is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History, Explora Science Center and Children's Museum, and New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Elena Gallegos Park, Volcano Park, Los Poblanos Open Space, and Tiguex 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 Albuquerque Isotopes (Triple-A West)New Mexico United (USL Championship)Duke City Gladiators (Indoor Football League)New Mexico Lobos (NCAA) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Des Moines to Albuquerque?
If you're flexible with timing, spring and fall are great seasons to move from Des Moines to Albuquerque. You'll dodge the heat, the crowds, and the higher moving costs typical of peak season in Des Moines.
When is the cheapest time to move from Des Moines to Albuquerque?
Want to save on your move from Des Moines to Albuquerque? Consider scheduling it in winter, when demand is lower and rates are often cheaper. Our moving discounts guide shows you how.
How long does a move from Des Moines to Albuquerque take?
The 984-mile move from Des Moines, IA, to Albuquerque, NM, takes two to seven days. Some Des Moines movers may offer expedited moving if you need it faster. If you need more time, ask your mover about storage options in Albuquerque.
Need help moving a piano or antiques in Des Moines?
These delicate items require movers with specialized training. Currently, 10 movers in Des Moines provide piano moving services. 6 can transport antiques with care. Statewide, there are 24 piano movers and 15 antique movers, with nationwide counts at 2,294 and 1,462.
Demand for these services can be high, so schedule your specialty move as far ahead as possible.
