($1,486) Movers From Des Moines, IA to Harrisburg, PA

What to know before moving from Des Moines to Harrisburg

Moving from Des Moines to Harrisburg 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 Harrisburg, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.

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

• Rent prices in Harrisburg are 4% 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 Harrisburg are 19.6% higher than in Des Moines.
• Income in Harrisburg is 25.2% higher than in Des Moines, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in Harrisburg include Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Valenti Mid-Atlantic Management LLC, and AmeriHealth Caritas PA.
• The cost of living for a single person in Harrisburg is 2.2% lower than in Des Moines. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family in Harrisburg is 17.5% lower than in Des Moines.
• The unemployment rate in Harrisburg is 127.12% higher than in Des Moines.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Harrisburg, since the city’s sales taxes in Harrisburg are 14.29% lower than in Des Moines.
• One perk of moving to Harrisburg is paying less in state income taxes, which are 30.23% lower than in Des Moines.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,933.37 in Harrisburg 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. Harrisburg

• Harrisburg's population is about 93% less than Des Moines.
• Harrisburg's public transportation has a score of 6 out of 10 versus Des Moines's lower score of 5.
• Harrisburg is more walkable than Des Moines with a score of 68 out of 100 vs Des Moines's 45 out of 100.
• With a score of 57 out of 100, Harrisburg 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.
• Harrisburg's crime rate is higher than Des Moines with a score of 64.18 compared to Des Moines's 5.0. This means that Harrisburg neighborhoods are safer than 64.18% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Des Moines neighborhoods are safer than 5.0%.
• Harrisburg is considered to be less safe than Des Moines with a score of 35.82 vs Des Moines's 57.8.
• Air quality in Harrisburg is moderate, and in Des Moines it's good.

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

• Weather: June, September and August are the most pleasant months in Harrisburg, while January and February are the least comfortable months. Consider these months in your plans in moving to Harrisburg.
• 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: For decades movers In Pennsylvania were regulated by the Public Utility Commission (PUC). Each company was issued a PUC Number and was required to abide by a universal publicly published tariff that established the rates movers could charge for various services. Now, some sources claim that the PUC no longer regulates in-state movers, and it appears as though the PUC’s website is no longer functioning. So if you’re moving within Pennsylvania, you’ll want to address these issues with your moving company representative and if possible, contact the state directly. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
• State regulator: You can verify a Pennsylvania moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
• Moving permits: Pennsylvania 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 Harrisburg. Get started here.
• Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance.In Pennsylvania, movers typically offer Released Value Protection at no extra cost, covering items at 60 cents per pound. For more comprehensive coverage, inquire about Full Value Protection with the moving company, or explore third-party insurance options for tailored plans. Consider coverage limits, additional costs, and reviews before making a decision.
• Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Where to live in Harrisburg

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

Helpful moving resources