Key factors that influence moving costs from Des Moines to Toledotoggle

The cost of Des Moines movers will depend on:

  • Amount of belongings: Moving costs go up with more stuff. A move from Des Moines to Toledo might cost just $1,334 for a one-bedroom, but up to $8,268 for a four-bedroom.
  • When you move: Summer is peak moving season in Des Moines, which means movers charge more during those months.
  • DIY or hire help: You can save by going the DIY route. Rental trucks cost between $539 and $1,280, though you\’ll be doing the hard work vs letting the pros handle it.

What to know before moving from Des Moines to Toledo

Moving from Des Moines to Toledo means adjusting to a different pace of life — and a different price tag. On average, it costs significantly more to live in Des Moines than in Toledo, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.

Check out how Des Moines compares to Toledo so you know what to expect before you relocate:

Des Moines Toledo
Average rent cost $1,150 $900
Average home value $192,347 $118,985
Average income (per capita) $58,492 $63,136
Cost of living (single person) $1,891 $1,830
Cost of living (family of 4) $4,380 $4,938
Unemployment rate 5.9% 6.7%
Sales tax 7.0% 7.3%
State income tax 4.4% 3.5%
source: Zumper, Zillow, Numbeo
  • Rent prices in Toledo are 22% lower than in Des Moines, which means you’ll have more money in your pocket each month.
  • In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Toledo.
    Home prices in Toledo are 38.1% lower than in Des Moines.
  • Income in Toledo is 7.9% higher than in Des Moines, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in Toledo include Faurecia Exhaust Systems, Marco's Pizza, and HCR ManorCare.
  • The cost of living for a single person in Toledo is 3.2% lower than in Des Moines. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
  • If you’re moving your family to Toledo, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Toledo is 12.7% higher than in Des Moines.
  • The unemployment rate in Toledo is 13.56% higher than in Des Moines.
  • You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Toledo, since the city’s sales taxes in Toledo are 4.29% higher than in Des Moines.
  • One perk of moving to Toledo is paying less in state income taxes, which are 20.45% lower than in Des Moines.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,903.23 in Toledo 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. Toledo

Toledo Des Moines
Population 270,871 699,292
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 3 5
Walkability score 46 45
Bike friendliness score 46 39
Crime Index 67.44 5.0
Safety Index 32.56 57.8
Air Quality Good Good
source: Wikipedia, AllTransit, Walk Score, NeighborhoodScout, AirNow
  • Toledo might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 61% less than Des Moines.
  • Getting around Toledo without a car might be more difficult than in Des Moines. Toledo has a public transportation score of 3 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.
  • You’ll find Toledo to be about as walkable as Des Moines. The two cities have similar walkability scores of 46 and 45 respectively out of 100 in terms of how close housing is to businesses, recreational facilities, and jobs.
  • If cycling is your thing, Toledo 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. Toledo has a bike-friendliness score of 46 out of 100, while Des Moines is rated as 39 out of 100.
  • The crime rate in Toledo 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 67.44 in Toledo, 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 Toledo. With a crime index of 32.56, Toledo 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 Toledo 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. Toledo move

  • Weather: Toledo has four very distinct seasons. This means that in the wintertime, you should prepare for snow and in the summer it's usually warm.
  • 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: 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. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Ohio moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
  • Moving permits: Ohio 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 Toledo. Get started here.
  • Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance.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: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Where to live in Toledo

Now that you've decided to make the move to "Frog Town", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Toledo.

Best neighborhoods for singles

  • West Gate
  • Southwyck
  • Franklin Park
  • Beverly
  • Reynolds Corners

Best neighborhoods for families

  • Ottawa Hills
  • Old Orchard
  • Sylvania
  • Perrysburg
  • Beverly

Things to do in Toledo

After settling into your new Ohio home, you’ll want to branch out and explore your new city. Luckily, Toledo has lots to offer, no matter what you’re interested in:

  • Arts and culture: Toledo is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the Toledo Museum of Art, National Museum of the Great Lakes, Imagination Station, Glass Pavilion, and Toledo Firefighters Museum.
  • Outdoor recreation: The city’s Toledo Botanical Garden, Oak Openings Preserve, Wildwood Preserve Metropark, and Walbridge Park — among other sites — are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.
  • Sports: Catch a live game and cheer on the home team at an Toledo Walleye (ECHL), Toledo Reign (WFA), The Glass City Rollers (WFTDA), or Toledo Villa FC (USL) game.
source: AttractionsofAmerica

FAQ

When is the best time to move from Des Moines to Toledo?

If you're flexible with timing, spring and fall are great seasons to move from Des Moines to Toledo. 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 Toledo?

Because spring and fall moves from Des Moines to Toledo are so common, winter can be a great time to move if you're looking for lower prices. Read our moving discounts guide to see how.

How long does a move from Des Moines to Toledo take?

Covering 562 miles, the move from Des Moines, IA to Toledo, OH typically takes one to six days. Some Des Moines movers may offer faster options, and if your timing is flexible, storage services inToledo can help bridge the gap.

Helpful moving resources