Des Moines, IA to Chattanooga, TN Movers (NEW 2026 Costs)
Quick answer: Moving from Des Moines to Chattanooga typically costs $2,600–$6,400 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home (about 776 miles). Use our moving cost calculator below to get an instant estimate.
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Cost to move from Des Moines to Chattanooga
Moving from Des Moines, IA to Chattanooga, TN typically costs $2,600–$6,400 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home.
The price ranges below are estimates for a 776-mile move from Des Moines to Chattanooga, based on moveBuddha pricing data as of Mar 16, 2026. Pricing is updated monthly to reflect seasonality and market changes.
Studio / 1 bedroom
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2-3 bedrooms
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4+ bedrooms
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Recent moving quotes for similar moves
- BLVD Moving recently quoted $5,260 for a 4 bedroom using professional movers.
- Colonial Van Lines recently quoted $2,872 for a 2 bedroom using professional movers.
- AB Moving recently quoted $4,286 for a 3 bedroom using professional movers.
4 Bedrooms
Feb 16, 2026
2 Bedrooms
Jan 21, 2026
3 Bedrooms
Jan 19, 2026
2 Bedrooms
Jan 13, 2026
Studio apartment
Dec 30, 2025
3 Bedrooms
Dec 28, 2025
2 Bedrooms
Dec 20, 2025
1 Bedroom (large)
Dec 18, 2025
3 Bedrooms
Dec 14, 2025
2 Bedrooms
Dec 03, 2025
Key factors that influence moving costs from Des Moines to Chattanooga
Your total cost will depend on:
- The size of your home: Smaller moves (like one-bedrooms) cost less, sometimes just $2,000, while larger moves (four-bedrooms) can hit $8,600.
- Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in Des Moines, which means higher prices.
- The type of mover you choose: Renting a truck ($600–$1,800) saves money but adds work compared to hiring pros.
Moving the opposite route? We got you covered with our moving from Chattanooga, TN to Des Moines, IA guide.
Best Des Moines to Chattanooga movers by type
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Best professional movers from Des Moines to Chattanooga
If you want to simplify your interstate move from Des Moines to Chattanooga, consider hiring a full-service mover. These professionals will take care of everything, so you can prioritize settling into your new environment without the extra hassle.
Want a deeper breakdown of the top long-distance movers? See our best interstate movers guide.
- Safeway Moving: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- American Van Lines: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- Allied Van Lines: 4.2 out of 5 stars
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- North American Van Lines: 4.8 out of 5 stars
Best overall value
How we chose the best IA→TN movers
At moveBuddha, our specialists conducted a thorough evaluation of 37 Iowa moving companies, identifying the leading ones by examining client satisfaction, reviews, and value.
- Customer satisfaction (40%): The company consistently delivers services in a timely matter with good communication and within the estimated cost.
- Dispute resolution (20%): Errors happen in moving. The best companies acknowledge them quickly and take real steps to resolve any problems for their customers.
- Industry reputation (15%): Within the moving field, the company has earned respect and regularly engages in conferences and trade groups.
- Online reputation (15%): The organization ensures its website is reliable and actively addresses online customer inquiries in a professional manner.
- Service options (10%): Top movers provide versatile offerings including packing, storage, special-item handling, and the option for faster delivery when needed.
Here is our full moving company rating methodology.
What to know before moving from Des Moines to Chattanooga
Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move - Chattanooga runs about 75% higher for singles and -1% higher for families than Des Moines.
Singles spend around $3,300 in Chattanooga versus $1,891 in Des Moines; families pay $4,350 compared with $4,380.
Dig into the side-by-side details here:
| Des Moines | Chattanooga | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $1,229 | $1,517 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $1,763 | $3,138 |
| Average home value | $192,347 | $302,565 |
| Average income (per capita) | $58,492 | $60,164 |
| Cost of living (single) | $1,891 | $3,300 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $4,380 | $4,350 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.9% | 5.6% |
| Sales tax | 7.0% | 9.25% |
| State income tax | 4.4% | 0.0% |
- Rent is estimated to be 28% higher in Chattanooga compared to Des Moines; it's essential to account for this in your budget planning.
- Prepare for increased mortgage costs as home prices are roughly 57% greater in Chattanooga than in Des Moines.
- Fortunately, the average income in Chattanooga and Des Moines is quite close, within a 5% range, so financial stability is likely.
- Be sure to budget for higher bills in Chattanooga, since the cost of living for a single person in Chattanooga is 75% higher than in Des Moines. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
- The cost of living for a family remains quite similar between Chattanooga and Des Moines, with only a marginal difference of 5% or less, so your expenses should remain steady.
- The unemployment rates of Chattanooga and Des Moines are very similar, with less than a 5% difference, thus maintaining a consistent employment landscape.
- Sales taxes rise by 32% in Chattanooga over Des Moines, leading to heightened expenses for everyday essentials.
- Tennessee has no income tax, meaning you keep more of your gross income, which can be a major advantage for salaried workers, freelancers, and retirees with taxable income.
Here’s a closer snapshot of how common everyday costs and monthly bills compare between Des Moines and Chattanooga:
| Living Expense | Des Moines | Chattanooga |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $144.82 | $160.78 |
| Cell phone plan | $51.25 | $56.00 |
| Dozen eggs | $3.61 | $3.92 |
| Loaf of bread | $2.50 | $3.58 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $16.00 | $16.50 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $77.50 | $80.00 |
| Gym membership | $66.67 | $40.00 |
- Basic utilities cost less in Des Moines than in Chattanooga, helping trim your monthly bills.
- Cell phone plans are cheaper in Des Moines than in Chattanooga.
- Eggs are less expensive in Des Moines than in Chattanooga.
- Bread costs less in Des Moines than in Chattanooga.
- A quick meal is cheaper in Des Moines than in Chattanooga.
- A mid-range dinner for two costs less in Des Moines than in Chattanooga.
- Gym memberships cost more in Des Moines than in Chattanooga.
How life is different in Des Moines vs. Chattanooga
| Des Moines | Chattanooga | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 699,292 | 181,099 |
| Transportation score | 5 | 3 |
| Walkability score | 45 | 29 |
| Bike friendliness score | 39 | 35 |
| Crime index | 5.0 | 53.89 |
| Safety index | 57.8 | 46.11 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
- Chattanooga's population is about 74% less than Des Moines.
- Chattanooga's public transportation score of 3 out of 10 is lower than Des Moines's score of 5.
- Chattanooga is less walkable than Des Moines with a score of 29 out of 100 vs Des Moines's 45 out of 100.
- Chattanooga has a bike-friendliness score of 35 out of 100, which means it isn't as accessible or safe for cyclists as Des Moines, which has a score of 39.
- Chattanooga's crime rate is higher than Des Moines with a score of 53.89 compared to Des Moines's 5.0. This means that Chattanooga neighborhoods are safer than 53.89% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Des Moines neighborhoods are safer than 5.0%.
- Chattanooga is considered to be less safe than Des Moines with a score of 46.11 vs Des Moines's 57.8.
- Air quality in Chattanooga is Good, and in Des Moines it's Good.
Other things to consider for your Des Moines to Chattanooga 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: Although a local license is not required in Tennessee, 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. Always verify licensing details before committing to a mover.
- State regulator: You can verify a Tennessee moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: Tennessee 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 Chattanooga. Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state sets its own rules for what insurance moving companies need to maintain. When it comes to movers' insurance in Tennessee, most moving companies offer Released Value Protection at no extra charge. This basic coverage extends to 60 cents per pound per item. For increased protection, consider discussing Full Value Protection options with the moving company. Additionally, exploring third-party insurance providers is a viable choice for tailored plans. Prioritize understanding coverage limits, potential extra costs, and read reviews to make an informed decision about your moving insurance in Tennessee.
- Moving checklist: Follow our moving checklist to keep your move organized and stress-free.
Where to live in Chattanooga
Now that you've decided to make the move to Scenic City, these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Chattanooga.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Southside
- Martin Luther King
- Fort Wood
- Lookout Mountain
- West Village
Best neighborhoods for families
- North Shore
- St. Elmo
- Lookout Mountain
- Highland Park
- Orchard Knob
Things to do in Chattanooga
Once you're settled into your new home in Tennessee, it's time to get out and discover what Chattanooga has to offer. No matter your interests, there's something for everyone here:
- Arts and culture: You'll find museums and cultural hubs throughout Chattanooga, such as the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, Creative Discovery Museum, Coker Museum - Honest Charley, and Hunter Museum of American Art.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Coolidge Park Tennessee, Riverpark Ross's Landing Park, Enterprise South Nature Park, and Chickamauga Dam — 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 Chattanooga Lookouts (Southern League)Chattanooga Red Wolves SC (USL League One) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Des Moines to Chattanooga?
The best time to move from Des Moines to Chattanooga 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 Chattanooga?
Since spring and fall are the most popular times to move from Des Moines to Chattanooga, 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 Chattanooga take?
Moving from Des Moines, IA to Chattanooga, TN covers 776 miles and usually takes two to seven 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 Chattanooga.
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 2,296 and 1,463.
Book early if you need these services — demand can outpace supply during busy moving seasons.
