Local moving companies in Des Moines

  1. TWO MEN AND A TRUCK: 4.66 out of 5 stars
  2. Bellhop Moving: 4.62 out of 5 stars
  3. All Mighty Movers LLC: 4.48 out of 5 stars
  4. Adamantine Spine Moving: 4.42 out of 5 stars
  5. Select Van & Storage Co.: 4.34 out of 5 stars

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar4.66 / 5

DOT #: 2527384

Years in Business: 27

2601 104th St #400, Urbandale, IA 50322 US

Two Men and a Truck earns its reputation for being fast, careful, and professional, with 92% of customer feedback praising efficient service, attention to detail, and courteous movers. Most people said the crews worked quickly, handled belongings with care, communicated well, and made moving less stressful. Many customers noted the movers were polite, helpful, and followed directions accurately, setting them apart from less organized competitors. Some even reported coming in under budget due to team efficiency, and highlighted transparent pricing and great office support. Negative feedback primarily cited issues with item damage, inexperienced movers, and unexpected costs. A small number of reviewers mentioned poor packing, lack of effort to resolve damages, and occasional rude remarks, especially in more complex moves. While damage to belongings arose more often than other negatives, the vast majority of feedback still positions this company as one of the most reliably consistent options for moving services in the region.

Get a Quote (515) 216-3654

Review Profiles

Services Offered

Move Distances

  • Local moves
  • Interstate moves

Available services

  • Packing
  • Unpacking
  • Pianos
  • Storage
  • Safes

Additional Information

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Bellhop Moving

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar4.62 / 5

DOT #: 2878240

Years in Business: 12

5545 Lydia Avenue, Kansas City, MO 64110 US

Bellhop Moving earns high marks for professionalism, speed, and friendly movers, with 56% positive input from 45 customers. Clients frequently mention efficient service, affordability, and clear communication. Customers appreciate quick booking, polite staff, and that jobs are often completed faster than anticipated. On the other hand, 40% report problems like property damage, delays, and movers arriving late or not at all. Feedback about broken items, missed appointments, and inexperienced crews stands out among the complaints. Bellhop's value and reliability outpace some competitors, but inconsistencies in service delivery remain a risk for potential customers.

Get a Quote (816) 656-3399

Review Profiles

Services Offered

Move Distances

  • Local moves
  • Interstate moves

Available services

  • Packing
  • Unpacking
  • Storage

Additional Information

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All Mighty Movers LLC

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar4.48 / 5

DOT #: 2468266

Pricing: $130/hr

Years in Business: 10

59 Clark St., Des Moines, IA 50314 US

Fast, affordable, and carefulโ€”most customer feedback praises All Mighty Movers LLC for their quick moving process, professional crews, and attentive handling of belongings. Out of 25 reviews analyzed, 64% are positive, often highlighting low rates, polite staff, and efficient service. Clients commonly appreciate how speedily and safely items were moved, noting that furniture and fragile goods arrived undamaged. Many mention the company beats local competitors in both price and quality, thanks to thoughtful movers who keep an upbeat attitude even with challenging jobs. On the downside, 36% of feedback centers on inaccurate estimates, unexpected charges, and unclear communication, especially regarding additional fees and scheduling. Some customers feel misled when final costs exceeded quoted amounts. Compared to many moving companies, All Mighty Movers earns high marks for efficiency and pricing but leaves room to improve transparency and customer relations, especially for billing and communication during more complex moves.

Get a Quote (515) 313-1395

Review Profiles

Services Offered

Move Distances

  • Local moves
  • Interstate moves

Available services

  • Offices
  • Pianos
  • Hot Tubs
  • Pool Tables
  • Safes

Additional Information

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Adamantine Spine Moving

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar4.42 / 5

DOT #: 1471037

Pricing: $100/hr

Years in Business: 25

4701 NW Urbandale Dr., Des Moines, IA 50322 US

Rave reviews consistently place Adamantine Spine Moving at the top of moving services in Iowa and beyond. Analyzing 223 customer reviews, 99.6% of feedback highlights professionalism, efficient service, excellent communication, careful handling, and quick moving crews. Customers repeatedly mention that staff are polite, approachable, and make stressful moves easy with precise organization and prompt responses. Quotes tend to be accurate, crews are well-trained, and moves large or small are handled with care. Compared to larger moving firms, Adamantine stands out for its hard-working teams and reliable pricing, with many clients calling the experience the best they've had. The only significant complaint noted involves a billing discrepancy where the final charge was much higher than the initial estimate, and the situation wasn't resolved effectively. This single negative input strongly contrasts the otherwise outstanding reputation. Adamantineโ€™s client input sets it apart from typical moving companies and makes it a top recommendation for anyone looking for trusted moving professionals.

Get a Quote (319) 519-0154

Review Profiles

Services Offered

Move Distances

  • Local moves
  • Interstate moves
  • International moves

Available services

  • Packing
  • Unpacking
  • Offices
  • Pianos
  • Art
  • Antiques
  • Grandfather clocks
  • Crating
  • Full-valuation coverage
  • Storage
  • Safes

Additional Information

  • Pay by money order
  • Pay by cash
  • Pay by credit card
  • Deposit Required
  • DOT #: 1471037
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Select Van & Storage Co.

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar4.34 / 5

DOT #: 1098759

Years in Business: 79

523 S 18th St, West Des Moines, IA 50265 US

Moving with Select Van & Storage Co. comes with strong benefits, as most customer feedback praises their professional and polite staff, quick moving process, and efficient service. Out of 34 reviews, over two-thirds are positive, highlighting helpful movers who keep pricing transparent, and jobs often completed faster or under budget compared to competitors. Customers frequently describe interactions as courteous, emphasize smooth experiences, and value responsive communication. Some reviewers appreciated a detailed and upfront estimate process as well as careful handling of items. On the downside, many negative reports focus on late or unreliable deliveries, occasional damage or loss of items, and frustrating lapses in communication. Delayed pickups, items left behind, and slow claim responses stand out as key drawbacks when compared to top moving services. Input shows Select Van & Storage excels with professionalism and efficient handling, but clients looking for guaranteed timeliness and consistent communication may want to confirm all details before booking.

Get a Quote (515) 223-8329

Review Profiles

Services Offered

Move Distances

  • Local moves
  • Interstate moves

Available services

  • Packing
  • Unpacking
  • Offices
  • Pianos
  • Art
  • Antiques
  • Crating
  • Crane vans
  • Shipment tracking
  • Full-valuation coverage
  • Storage
  • Fragile-only packing

Additional Information

Alternative Business Names

  • Mayflower
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Factors influencing moving costs from Des Moines to Charlestontoggle

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 Charleston can be as low as $1,481 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $ 9,015.
  • 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 $878 to $2,429. However, these options require more work and effort compared to hiring professional movers.

What to know before moving from Des Moines to Charleston

Moving from Des Moines to Charleston comes with exciting new opportunities โ€” but also higher living costs. Since Charleston is generally more expensive than Des Moines, itโ€™s important to plan ahead and budget carefully for the change.

Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:

Des Moines Charleston
Average rent cost $1,150 $2,500
Average home value $192,347 $559,231
Average income (per capita) $58,492 $62,294
Cost of living (single person) $1,891 $5,300
Cost of living (family of 4) $4,380 $7,890
Unemployment rate 5.9% 4.0%
Sales tax 7.0% 9.0%
State income tax 4.4% 7.0%
  • Rent prices in Charleston are 117% higher than in Des Moines, which means youโ€™ll have less money in your pocket each month.
  • In terms of homeownership, youโ€™ll be able to get more for your money in Des Moines.
    Home prices in Charleston are 190.7% higher than in Des Moines.
  • Income in Charleston is 6.5% higher than in Des Moines, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in Charleston include Joint Base Charleston, Medical University of South Carolina, and The Boeing Company.
  • Be sure to budget for higher bills in Charleston, since the cost of living for a single person in Charleston is 180.3% higher than in Des Moines. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
  • If youโ€™re moving your family to Charleston, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Charleston is 80.1% higher than in Des Moines.
  • The unemployment rate in Charleston is 32.20% lower than in Des Moines.
  • Youโ€™ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Charleston, since the cityโ€™s sales taxes in Charleston are 28.57% higher than in Des Moines.
  • State income taxes in Charleston are 59.09% higher than in Des Moines.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $8,408.25 in Charleston 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. Charleston

Charleston Des Moines
Population 150,277 699,292
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 3 5
Walkability score 40 45
Bike friendliness score 50 39
Crime Index 44.97 5.0
Safety Index 55.03 57.8
Air Quality Good Good
  • Charleston's population is about 79% less than Des Moines.
  • Charleston's public transportation has a score of 3 out of 10 versus Des Moines's higher score of 5.
  • Charleston is less walkable than Des Moines with a score of 40 out of 100 vs Des Moines's 45 out of 100.
  • With a score of 50 out of 100, Charleston 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.
  • Charleston's crime rate is higher than Des Moines with a score of 44.97 compared to Des Moines's 5.0. This means that Charleston neighborhoods are safer than 44.97% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Des Moines neighborhoods are safer than 5.0%.
  • Charleston and Des Moines are considered to be equally safe.
  • Air quality in Charleston is good, and in Des Moines it's good.

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

  • Weather: Consider moving to Charleston around October, April and May as these are the most pleasant months, while July and August are the least comfortable ones due to thunderstorms which can cause delays in your moving plans.
  • 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: To promote safety, economic development, and ethical business practices, the South Carolina Office of Regulatory Staff (ORS) oversees movers in the state. They are responsible for inspecting, examining, and auditing public utility providers like movers. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a South Carolina moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
  • Moving permits: South Carolina 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 Charleston. Get started here.
  • Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance.When moving in South Carolina, explore movers' insurance options. Many offer Released Value Protection at no extra cost, covering items at 60 cents per pound. For enhanced protection, discuss Full Value Protection with the moving company or consider third-party insurance providers. Prioritize understanding coverage limits and potential extra costs. Read reviews to make an informed decision on the best insurance for your South Carolina move.
  • Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Where to live in Charleston

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

Best neighborhoods for singles

  • Harleston Village
  • James Island
  • North Charleston
  • South of Broad West Ashley

Best neighborhoods for families

  • Mount Pleasant
  • Park Circle
  • Stiles Point
  • Summerville
  • Wagener Terrace

Things to do in Charleston

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

  • Arts and culture: Charleston is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the Fort Sumter National Monument, Nathaniel Russell House, Old Slave Mart Museum, The Charleston Museum, and Gibbes Museum of Art.
  • Outdoor recreation: The cityโ€™s Middleton Place, Battery & White Point Gardens, Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, and Joseph P. Riley, Jr. 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 Charleston RiverDogs (Carolina League) game.

FAQ

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

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

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

The 1,200-mile move from Des Moines, IA, to Charleston, SC, takes two to eight 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 Charleston.

Helpful moving resources