($1,431) Movers From Des Moines, IA to Reno, NV

What to know before moving from Des Moines to Reno

Moving from Des Moines to Reno comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Reno 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 Reno are 48% 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 Reno are 172.2% higher than in Des Moines.
• Income in Reno is 13.7% higher than in Des Moines, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in Reno include Amerco, Trane, and Hamilton.
• Be sure to budget for higher bills in Reno, since the cost of living for a single person in Reno is 12.2% higher than in Des Moines. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• If you’re moving your family to Reno, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Reno is 11.6% higher than in Des Moines.
• The unemployment rate in Reno is 22.03% lower than in Des Moines.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Reno, since the city’s sales taxes in Reno are 18.14% higher than in Des Moines.
• One perk of moving to Reno is paying less in state income taxes, which are 100.00% lower than in Des Moines.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,366.47 in Reno 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. Reno

• Reno might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 62% less than Des Moines.
• Getting around Reno without a car might be more difficult than in Des Moines. Reno has a public transportation score of 4 out of 10, whereas Des Moines is ranked 5. Ratings are based on a city’s transit connectivity, service frequency, and accessibility to key destinations like jobs and grocery stores.
• Reno neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as Des Moines. Based on its score of 40 out of 100, Reno isn’t as walkable as Des Moines, which has a score of 45 out of 100. The higher the walkability score a city has, the easier it is to access amenities. The most walkable cities also tend to be more densely populated and have shorter block lengths.
• If cycling is your thing, Reno is considered more bike-friendly than Des Moines in terms of designated lanes and connectivity and how many residents opt to commute on two wheels rather than by car. Reno has a bike-friendliness score of 52 out of 100, while Des Moines is rated as 39 out of 100.
• The crime rate in Reno is higher than in Des Moines, so you may want to exercise a little extra caution as you're acclimating to your new location. While the crime index is 46.26 in Reno, it is 5.0 in Des Moines. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a city’s crime levels.
• You may want to exercise more caution as you’re getting used to your new surroundings in Reno. With a crime index of 53.74, Reno ranks lower in overall safety than Des Moines, whose index is Des Moines's 57.8. The safety index measures how safe people in a city feel about walking alone, both during the day and at night, as well as data on muggings, theft, vandalism, and other instances of petty crime.
• The air quality in Reno and Des Moines is generally the same (Good). Cities with good to moderate ratings have clean or acceptable air quality, with the possibility of small pollutants affecting people with certain health conditions like asthma. Anything beyond the moderate rate means increased impact on residents.

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

• Weather: Reno experiences very hot summer and very cold winter. If you're looking to relocate, consider the months of June, September and May as these months have favorable weather. December and January are the least comfortable months.
• 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: Movers that provide relocation services within the Silver State are subject to rules and regulations set forth by the Nevada Transportation Authority (NTA). The NTA’s aims include fostering economic growth and promoting efficient, safe, and reliable moving services around the state. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
• State regulator: You can verify a Nevada moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
• Moving permits: Nevada 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 Reno. Get started here.
• Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance.Opt for Released Value Protection, the cost-free choice provided by movers, albeit with minimal coverage. Movers take responsibility for a maximum of 60 cents per pound per article. For instance, if your mover misplaced or damaged a valuable item like a 30-pound sculpture, you would only receive $18 (60 cents x 30 pounds). For comprehensive coverage of your items' full value, explore alternative options with your selected moving company or consider consulting 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 Reno

Now that you've decided to make the move to "Biggest Little City in the World", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Reno.

Helpful moving resources