The best local movers for Des Moines to Oklahoma City moves
It’s not always easy to find a reliable local moving company in Des Moines that also handles long-distance moves to Oklahoma City. Luckily, we’ve done the research for you. We evaluated 13 local movers in Des Moines who offer long-distance services, looking at cost, service quality, and customer reviews.
Below are the top local moving companies for long-distance moves from Des Moines to Oklahoma City.
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK: 4.48 out of 5 stars
- All Mighty Movers LLC: 4.38 out of 5 stars
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving: 4.38 out of 5 stars
- Black Belt Movers: 4.38 out of 5 stars
- Adamantine Spine Moving: 4.36 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
Years in Business: 7
DOT #: 2378173
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
Pricing: $150/hr
Years in Business: 17
DOT #: 3527158
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- 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
How much does it cost to move from Des Moines to Oklahoma City?
The average hourly rate for movers in Iowa is $128. Here are some general cost estimates for a full-service moving company, a moving container, or a rental truck:
| Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,129 – $3,073 | $652 – $1,636 | $434 – $776 |
| 2 – 3 bedrooms | $2,149 – $5,415 | $1,263 – $2,398 | $441 – $882 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,661 – $7,945 | $1,585 – $2,997 | $590 – $1,075 |
Cost to hire movers from Des Moines to Oklahoma City
Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Des Moines to Oklahoma City will cost between $1,129 and $3,073. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from Des Moines to Des Moines will range from $2,149 to $5,415, and a large move from Des Moines to Oklahoma City will cost from $3,661 to $7,945.
Cost of moving containers from Des Moines to Oklahoma City
If you’re moving from Des Moines to Oklahoma City, expect to pay between $652 and $1,636 for a small load. For a home with two or three bedrooms, prices typically range from $1,263 up to $2,398. Larger moves of four bedrooms or more can run between $1,585 and $2,997. Check out our guide on PODS cost for more details.
Check out the most affordable moving container companies for your move from Iowa.
Cost of moving truck rentals from Des Moines to Oklahoma City
Renting a moving truck from Des Moines to Oklahoma City is usually your cheapest option, but keep in mind you’ll be handling all the loading, unloading, and driving yourself.
If you’re moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment with a rental truck, expect to spend between $434 and $776. For two to three bedrooms, rates typically fall between $441 and $882. Relocating a four-bedroom (or bigger) home? You’re likely looking at anywhere from $590 up to $1,075 for your rental truck.
These quotes include estimated fuel costs.
Key factors that influence moving costs from Des Moines to Oklahoma City
The cost of Des Moines movers will depend on:
- The size of your home: Smaller moves (like one-bedrooms) cost less, sometimes just $1,557, while larger moves (four-bedrooms) can hit $6,323.
- Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in Des Moines, which means higher prices.
- The type of mover you choose: Renting a truck ($434–$1,050) saves money but adds work compared to hiring pros.
What to know before moving from Des Moines to Oklahoma City
Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move – Oklahoma City runs about 14% higher for singles and 49% higher for families than Des Moines.
Singles spend around $2,150 in Des Moines versus $1,891 in Des Moines; families pay $6,520 compared with $4,380.
Dig into the side-by-side details here:
| Des Moines | Oklahoma City | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $1,229 | $1,010 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $1,763 | $2,509 |
| Average home value | $192,347 | $195,949 |
| Average income (per capita) | $58,492 | $64,251 |
| Cost of living (single) | $1,891 | $2,150 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $4,380 | $6,520 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.9% | 4.4% |
| Sales tax | 7.0% | 8.63% |
| State income tax | 4.4% | 4.75% |
- Rent is estimated to be 9% higher in Oklahoma City compared to Des Moines; it’s essential to account for this in your budget planning.
- Given that home prices are within a 5% margin between Oklahoma City and Des Moines, sticking to your current mortgage strategy is sensible unless you’re planning for a bigger home.
- Here’s some promising news: the average income is around 10% higher in Oklahoma City than in Des Moines, which could mean added opportunities to save or invest each month.
- Be sure to budget for higher bills in Oklahoma City, since the cost of living for a single person in Oklahoma City is 14% higher than in Des Moines. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
- When relocating to Oklahoma City, it’s important to be aware that living expenses may rise. The cost of living for a family in Oklahoma City is 49% greater than in Des Moines.
- Oklahoma City enjoys an unemployment rate that’s roughly 25% lower compared to Des Moines, suggesting better job prospects and a dynamic economy—an appealing prospect for new residents.
- Sales taxes rise by 23% in Oklahoma City over Des Moines, leading to heightened expenses for everyday essentials.
- Income taxes are 8% higher in Oklahoma than in Iowa, meaning that a larger fraction of your income will be spent on state taxes, potentially reducing your savings.
Here’s a closer snapshot of how common everyday costs and monthly bills compare between Des Moines and Oklahoma City:
| Living Expense | Des Moines | Oklahoma City |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $144.82 | $232.79 |
| Cell phone plan | $51.25 | $69.27 |
| Dozen eggs | $3.61 | $5.06 |
| Loaf of bread | $2.50 | $2.78 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $16.00 | $15.00 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $77.50 | $80.00 |
| Gym membership | $66.67 | $31.40 |
- Basic utilities cost less in Des Moines than in Oklahoma City, helping trim your monthly bills.
- Cell phone plans are cheaper in Des Moines than in Oklahoma City.
- Eggs are less expensive in Des Moines than in Oklahoma City.
- Bread costs less in Des Moines than in Oklahoma City.
- A quick meal tends to cost more in Des Moines than in Oklahoma City.
- A mid-range dinner for two costs less in Des Moines than in Oklahoma City.
- Gym memberships cost more in Des Moines than in Oklahoma City.
How life is different in Des Moines vs. Oklahoma City
| Des Moines | Oklahoma City | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 699,292 | 681,054 |
| Transportation score | 5 | 3 |
| Walkability score | 45 | 73 |
| Bike friendliness score | 39 | 74 |
| Crime index | 5.0 | 49.37 |
| Safety index | 57.8 | 50.63 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
- Oklahoma City’s population is within about 5% of Des Moines, so they’re very similar in size.
- Oklahoma City’s public transportation score of 3 out of 10 is lower than Des Moines’s score of 5.
- Oklahoma City is more walkable than Des Moines with a score of 73 out of 100 vs Des Moines’s 45 out of 100.
- With a score of 74 out of 100, Oklahoma City 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.
- Oklahoma City’s crime rate is higher than Des Moines with a score of 49.37 compared to Des Moines’s 5.0. This means that Oklahoma City neighborhoods are safer than 49.37% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Des Moines neighborhoods are safer than 5.0%.
- Oklahoma City is considered to be less safe than Des Moines with a score of 50.63 vs Des Moines’s 57.8.
- Air quality in Oklahoma City is Good, and in Des Moines it’s Good.
Other things to consider for your Des Moines to Oklahoma City move
- HOA rules: Be sure to review your community or HOA guidelines before moving day to avoid any surprises or delays.
- Elevator reservation: Make sure to arrange elevator access in advance if your building requires reservations for moving.
- Truck parking permits: To avoid fines or delays, check whether a parking permit is needed for your moving truck.
- State licensing: In Oklahoma, in-state household goods movers are certified and licensed by the Oklahoma Corporation Commission (OCC). Always verify licensing details before committing to a mover.
- State regulator: You can verify a Oklahoma moving license and its status through the state’s public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: Oklahoma 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: To avoid missing any mail, we recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least a week before your move. You can choose your official move date to make sure everything gets forwarded properly to Oklahoma City. Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state sets its own rules for what insurance moving companies need to maintain. Opting for Released Value Protection is the most cost-effective choice since it comes at no extra expense. Movers provide this option without additional charges, but the coverage it offers is minimal. With Released Value Protection, the mover’s liability is limited to 60 cents per pound per article. For example, if your mover were to lose or damage a set of fine china weighing 15 pounds, you would only be compensated $9 (60 cents x 15 pounds). If you require coverage for the full value of your items, it is advisable to discuss alternative options with the moving company or explore third-party insurance providers.
- Moving checklist: Follow our moving checklist to keep your move organized and stress-free.
Where to live in Oklahoma City
Now that you’ve decided to make the move to OKC, these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Oklahoma City.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Downtown
- Bricktown
- Automobile Alley
- Deep Deuce
- The Arts District
Best neighborhoods for families
- Bethany
- Crown Heights/Edgemere Heights
- Edmond
- Mustang
- Nichols Hills
Things to do in Oklahoma City
Once you’re settled into your new home in Oklahoma, it’s time to get out and discover what Oklahoma City has to offer. No matter your interests, there’s something for everyone here:
- Arts and culture: You’ll find museums and cultural hubs throughout Oklahoma City, such as the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum, National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, Science Museum Oklahoma, and SKELETONS: Museum of Osteology.
- Outdoor recreation: The city’s Hefner Lake & Park, Wheeler Ferris Wheel, Will Rogers Park, and Martin Park Nature Center — and more — offering great opportunities to hike, bike, or relax in nature.
- Sports: Sports fans can join the excitement by supporting local favorites at an Oklahoma City Thunder (NBA)Oklahoma City Blue (NBA G League)Oklahoma City Football Club (Women’s Premier Soccer League) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Des Moines to Oklahoma City?
The best time to move from Des Moines to Oklahoma City is during the spring or fall. These seasons offer milder weather and avoid higher moving costs during the peak moving season in Des Moines.
When is the cheapest time to move from Des Moines to Oklahoma City?
Since spring and fall are the most popular times to move from Des Moines to Oklahoma City, moving in the winter could help you save money. Check out our guide on moving discounts for more tips.
How long does a move from Des Moines to Oklahoma City take?
Moving from Des Moines, IA to Oklahoma City, covers 545 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 Oklahoma City.
Who can move pianos or antiques in Des Moines?
Specialty items need extra care and the right equipment. 10 movers in Des Moines advertise piano moving expertise. 6 movers in Des Moines provide antique moving services. State totals show 24 piano movers and 15 antique movers, with nationwide availability at 2,303 and 1,466.
Book early if you need these services — demand can outpace supply during busy moving seasons.
Helpful moving resources
Des Moines moving services
Popular Iowa routes
Not what you were looking for?
Check out other categories that can help you find the information you need!