Quick answer: Expect to pay $539–$6,288 for a move from Des Moines to Dayton, with most moves taking one to six days. Your cost depends on load size, timing, and whether you move yourself or hire help for the 589 miles.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Dayton to Des Moines guide.
Our track record
Best movers by type
From Iowa to Ohio, your interstate move will have a lot of moving parts — starting with which company to hire. Des Moines has 9 options for interstate moves, and each one comes with different strengths and specialties. Deciding which is right for you can be a challenge in itself.
After comparing service packages, pricing details, and real feedback from customer reviews, we were able to pinpoint the best long-distance movers in Des Moines for every moving option.
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Labor only
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Best professional movers from Des Moines to Dayton
When you’d rather skip the packing tape, heavy lifting, and scheduling hassles for your interstate move from Des Moines to Dayton, full-service movers are the answer. They manage every step so you can keep your attention on the big decisions and the excitement of the move.
Here are our picks for the most reliable full-service movers ready to take you from Des Moines to Dayton without the headaches.
Safeway Moving
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American Van Lines
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Allied Van Lines
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Mayzlin Relocation
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North American Van Lines
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What moving services are available in Des Moines?
How we chose the best moving companies for your IA to OH move
Local moving companies servicing Des Moines to Dayton moves
When planning a move from Des Moines to Dayton, finding a local mover that also handles long-distance relocations can be tricky. There are plenty of companies, but which ones are actually worth it?
We've taken care of the research for you — reviewing local movers in Des Moines who provide long-distance services, and scoring them on price, customer reviews, and reliability.
These are the best local moving companies for getting from Des Moines to Dayton.
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK: 4.76 out of 5 stars
- All Mighty Movers LLC: 4.38 out of 5 stars
- Adamantine Spine Moving: 4.38 out of 5 stars
- Select Van & Storage Co.: 4.34 out of 5 stars
- Lint Van Lines: 4.2 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
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
Company Info
Years in Business: 79
DOT #: 1098759
Alternate Names: Mayflower
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Crane vans
- Shipment tracking
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Pay by credit card
- DOD certified
Company Info
Years in Business: 65
DOT #: 543541
Alternate Names: Lint Van Lines
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Crane vans
- Shipment tracking
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
How much does it cost to move from Des Moines to Dayton?
Des Moines movers charge $142 per hour on average. Here are average prices for a full-service moving company, moving container, or truck:
Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
---|---|---|---|
Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,390 - $3,973 | $749 - $1,825 | $515 - $903 |
2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,396 - $6,288 | $1,493 - $2,872 | $539 - $1,163 |
4+ bedrooms | $4,409 - $9,371 | $1,935 - $3,566 | $659 - $1,418 |
Cost to hire movers from Iowa to Ohio
Moving a studio or one-bedroom home from Iowa to Ohio typically costs between $1,390 and $3,973. For a two- or three-bedroom home, expect prices to fall between $2,396 and $6,288 when moving from IA to OH. If you're tackling a large move (think four or five bedrooms) from Iowa to Ohio, you're looking at costs ranging from $4,409 up to $9,371.
Cost of moving containers from Iowa to Ohio
Moving from Iowa to Ohio? For a small load, you'll likely pay between $749 and $1,825. If you have a two- or three-bedroom home, costs usually range from $1,493 to $2,872. Got a big family or a four-plus bedroom house? Expect prices ranging anywhere from $1,935 up to $3,566. For detailed pricing info, take a look at our complete PODS cost guide.
Check out the most affordable moving container companies to help with your move from Iowa.
Cost of moving truck rentals from Iowa to Ohio
Renting a moving truck is typically the most budget-friendly choice, but remember, you'll be responsible for all the heavy lifting, packing, and driving on your own.
If you're moving from a studio or one-bedroom place with a rental truck, expect to pay between $515 and $903. For a two- or three-bedroom move, costs usually range from $539 to $1,163. If you're tackling a four-bedroom or bigger move, your rental truck will likely run between $659 and $1,418.
Estimated fuel costs are already factored into these quotes.
Factors that influence moving costs from Des Moines to Dayton
What to know before moving from Des Moines to Dayton
Many movers find Dayton easier on the wallet than Des Moines — roughly 16% less for singles and 14% less for families.
Monthly basics average $1,593 for one person in Dayton versus $1,891 in Des Moines. For a family of four, it’s $3,788 compared with $4,380.
See the cost breakdown below to pinpoint where the savings add up:
- Rent prices in Dayton are 20% lower than in Des Moines, which means you'll have more money in your pocket each month.
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In terms of homeownership, you'll be able to get more for your money in Dayton.
Home prices in Dayton are 29.4% lower than in Des Moines. - You're likely to make a higher income living in Dayton, where incomes are, on average, 7.1% higher than in Des Moines. Major employers in Dayton include Morgan Linen & Uniform Services, Premier Physicians, and Maple Timber Acquisition LLC.
- Get ready to save some money on recurring expenses like food, gas, and utility bills in Dayton. On average, the cost of living for a single person there is 15.8% lower than in Des Moines.
- A move to Dayton can help cut down on a family's routine expenses, including utilities, transportation, and groceries. The cost of living for a family of four is 13.5% less than what it costs in Des Moines.
- The unemployment rate in Dayton is 15.25% higher than in Des Moines.
- Shopping and dining out will likely be a little pricier in Dayton, since its sales taxes are 7.14% higher than what you are paying in Des Moines.
- One perk of moving to Dayton is paying less in state income taxes, which are 20.45% lower than in Des Moines.
Take a detailed look at how everyday expenses stack up between Des Moines and Dayton, from monthly bills to routine purchases.
Des Moines | Dayton | |
---|---|---|
Basic utilities | $144.82 | $200.37 |
Cell phone plan | $51.25 | $44.17 |
Dozen eggs | $3.61 | $3.02 |
Loaf of bread | $2.5 | $2.61 |
Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $16 | $15 |
Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $77.5 | $57.5 |
Gym membership | $66.67 | $33.34 |
- Basic utilities cost less in Des Moines than in Dayton, helping trim your monthly bills.
- Cell phone plans typically cost more in Des Moines than in Dayton.
- Eggs cost more in Des Moines than in Dayton.
- Bread costs less in Des Moines than in Dayton.
- A quick meal tends to cost more in Des Moines than in Dayton.
- A mid-range dinner for two is pricier in Des Moines than in Dayton.
- Gym memberships cost more in Des Moines than in Dayton.
How life is different in Des Moines vs. Dayton
Dayton | Des Moines | |
---|---|---|
Population | 137,644 | 699,292 |
Transportation Score | 6 | 5 |
Walkability score | 45 | 45 |
Bike friendliness score | 47 | 39 |
Crime Index | 4.0 | 5.0 |
Safety Index | 40.68 | 57.8 |
Air Quality | Moderate | Good |
- Dayton might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 80% less than Des Moines.
- Dayton offers better access to buses and trains than Des Moines, based on public transportation ratings. Dayton has a transit score of 6 out of 10 compared to 5 in Des Moines. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
- You'll find Dayton to be about as walkable as Des Moines. The two cities have similar walkability scores of 45 and 45 respectively out of 100 in terms of how close housing is to businesses, recreational facilities, and jobs.
- If cycling is your thing, Dayton 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. Dayton has a bike-friendliness score of 47 out of 100, while Des Moines is rated as 39 out of 100.
- You can anticipate the same crime rate in Dayton as Des Moines. With the crime index, lower scores are better because they indicate less crime. Cities with scores of 20 or below, for example, have much fewer instances of crime than those with scores of 80–100.
- You may want to exercise more caution as you're getting used to your new surroundings in Dayton. With a crime index of 40.68, Dayton ranks lower in overall safety than Des Moines, whose index is 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 Dayton isn't as good as it is in Des Moines, so you may want to take precautions if you suffer from conditions like allergies or asthma. Dayton has an air quality rating of Moderate, and Des Moines is considered to be good. Cities with good to moderate air quality may have varying levels of minor potential for health risks for certain people. Beyond the moderate rating, those health risks increase in severity and the amount of residents affected.
Other things to consider for your Des Moines vs. Dayton move
- Weather: September, June and May are the best months to move to Dayton.
- HOA rules: Be sure to review your community or HOA guidelines before moving day to avoid any surprises or delays.
- Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, make sure to find out how to reserve it ahead of your move.
- 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: Although a local license is not required in Ohio, make sure the moving company you’ll be hiring is registered with U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). To verify if you’re dealing with a legal and licensed mover, you may ask them their USDOT registration number. Double-check that the moving company is properly licensed before you hire them.
- State regulator: You can check the status of a Ohio moving license through the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: Ohio doesn't require moving permits, but it's still a good idea to check local parking rules before your move-in day.
- Change of address: We suggest filing your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move. You'll be able to set your official move date, helping ensure your mail is forwarded correctly to Dayton. Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: Each state has its own requirements for the level of insurance moving companies must carry. Opt for cost-free Released Value Protection from movers, offering minimal coverage with a maximum liability of 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: Use our moving checklist to stay on top of every detail and reduce last-minute stress.
Where to live in Dayton
Now that you've decided to make the move to Gem City, these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Dayton.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Oakwood
- Centerville
- Springboro
- Five Points
- Bellbrook
Best neighborhoods for families
- Downtown
- Webster Station
- Shroyer Park
- Five Oaks
- Gratton Hill
Things to do in Dayton
Once you're settled into your new home in Ohio, it's time to get out and discover what Dayton has to offer. No matter your interests, there's something for everyone here:
- Arts and culture: You'll find museums and cultural hubs throughout Dayton, such as the National Museum of the US Air Force, America's Packard Museum - The Citizens Motorcar Co., Boonshoft Museum of Discovery, Dayton International Peace Museum, and British Transportation Museum.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park, Carriage Hill MetroPark, RiverScape MetroPark, and Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark — along with other locations, ideal for trails, cycling, or enjoying the fresh air.
- Sports: Experience the energy of a live game and back the home team at an Dayton Dragons (Baseball-Midwest League) and Wright State Raiders (Horizon League) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Des Moines to Dayton?
The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from Des Moines to Dayton are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in Des Moines. are lower.
When is the cheapest time to move from Des Moines to Dayton?
Because most people are moving from Des Moines to Dayton in the spring or fall, you can often catch discounts by moving in the winter. Read our guide on moving discounts to learn more.
How long does a move from Des Moines to Dayton take?
Moving from Des Moines, IA to Dayton, OH covers 589 miles and usually takes one to six days Need to move faster? Some Des Moines movers offer expedited options. If you're not ready to receive your items, look into storage solutions in Dayton.
Are piano and antique moving services available in Des Moines?
Not all movers have the resources to handle high-value or delicate items. In Des Moines, 10 movers can manage piano relocations. 6 movers are equipped for antique transport. By comparison, Iowa has 22 piano movers and 14 antique movers, while nationwide there are 2176 and 1401 respectively.
Always confirm the mover’s experience and packing methods for fragile or specialty items before booking.