Factors influencing moving costs from Des Moines to Eugenetoggle

The cost of Des Moines movers will depend on:

  • Move size: The cost of your move will depend on the amount of items you have in your home. For example, moving a one-bedroom apartment from Des Moines to Eugene can be as low as $1,514 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $11,904.
  • Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in Des Moines, so moving companies will likely charge more.
  • Do-it-yourself vs professional mover: Renting a truck or using a moving container can be cheaper options, with prices for a rental truck ranging from $1,260 to $3,095. However, these options require more work and effort compared to hiring professional movers.

What to know before moving from Des Moines to Eugene

Des Moines Eugene
Average rent cost $1,150 $1,596
Average home value $192,347 $459,782
Average income (per capita) $58,492 $62,442
Cost of living (single person) $1,891 $1,814
Cost of living (family of 4) $4,380 $4,379
Unemployment rate 5.9% 6.3%
Sales tax 7.0% 0.0%
State income tax 4.4% 9.9%
  • Rent prices in Eugene are 39% higher than in Des Moines.
  • Home prices in Eugene are 139.0% higher than in Des Moines.
  • Income in Eugene is 6.8% higher than in Des Moines.
  • The cost of living for a single person in Eugene is 4.1% lower than in Des Moines.
  • The cost of living for a family is the same in Eugene and Des Moines.
  • The unemployment rate in Eugene is 6.78% higher than in Des Moines.
  • Sales taxes in Eugene are 100.00% lower than in Des Moines.
  • State income taxes in Eugene are 125.00% higher than in Des Moines.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,877.84 in Eugene 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. Eugene

Eugene Des Moines
Population 176,654 699,292
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 5 5
Walkability score 46 45
Bike friendliness score 72 39
Crime Index 6.0 5.0
Safety Index 54.24 57.8
Air Quality Good Good
  • Eugene's population is about 75% less than Des Moines.
  • Eugene's public transportation has a similar score to Des Moines.
  • Eugene is more walkable than Des Moines with a score of 46 out of 100 vs Des Moines's 45 out of 100.
  • With a score of 72 out of 100, Eugene 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 they are to safely accommodating cyclists.
  • Eugene's crime rate is higher than Des Moines with a score of 6.0 compared to Des Moines's 5.0. This means that Eugene neighborhoods are safer than 6.0% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Des Moines neighborhoods are safer than 5.0%.
  • Eugene is considered to be less safe than Des Moines with a score of 54.24 vs Des Moines's 57.8.
  • Air quality in Eugene is good, and in Des Moines it's good.

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

  • Weather: July, August and September are the most pleasant months in Eugene. So consider these months when you're planning to move to this city.
  • 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: Moving companies headquartered in Oregon must possess an up-to-date USDOT Number as well as a license issued by the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT). Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Oregon moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
  • Moving permits: Oregon 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 Eugene. Get started here.
  • Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. Released Value Protection is a cost-effective choice as it comes at no extra cost. 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.
  • Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Where to live in Eugene

Now that you've decided to make the move to "Emerald Valley", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Eugene.

Best neighborhoods for singlestoggle

  • West University
  • Whiteaker
  • Downtown

Best neighborhoods for familiestoggle

  • Jefferson Westside
  • West Eugene
  • Santa Clara
  • College Hill
  • Southeast Eugene

Things to do in Eugenetoggle

After settling into your new Oregon home, youโ€™ll want to branch out and explore your new city. Luckily, Eugene has lots to offer, no matter what youโ€™re interested in:

  • Arts and culture: Eugene is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art, Oregon Air and Space Museum, and Lane County History Museum.
  • Outdoor recreation: The cityโ€™s Hendricks Park, Skinner Butte Park, Pre's Trail, and Alton Baker Park โ€” among other sites โ€” are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.
  • Sports: Catch a live game and cheer on the home team at an Eugene Emeralds (Baseball-Northwest League) and Oregon Ducks (Pac-12) game.

FAQ

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

The best time to move from Des Moines to Eugene 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 Eugene?

Because most people are moving from Des Moines to Eugene 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 Eugene take?

The 1,803-mile move from Des Moines, IA, to Eugene, OR, takes five to 16 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 Eugene.

Helpful moving resources