Des Moines, IA to Fort Worth, TX Movers (NEW 2026 Costs)
Quick answer: Moving from Des Moines to Fort Worth typically costs $2,700–$6,600 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home (about 738 miles). Use our moving cost calculator below to get an instant estimate.
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Cost to move from Des Moines to Fort Worth
Moving from Des Moines, IA to Fort Worth, TX typically costs $2,700–$6,600 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home.
The price ranges below are estimates for a 738-mile move from Des Moines to Fort Worth, 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
- American Van Lines recently quoted $4,444 for a 4 bedroom using professional movers.
- North American Van Lines recently quoted $2,260 for a studio apartment using professional movers.
- 1-800-Pack-Rat recently quoted $1,886 for a 4 bedroom using a moving container.
4 Bedrooms
Jan 31, 2026
Studio apartment
Jan 30, 2026
4 Bedrooms
Jan 22, 2026
1 Bedroom (small)
Jan 19, 2026
5+ Bedrooms
Jan 08, 2026
3 Bedrooms
Jan 06, 2026
5+ Bedrooms
Dec 31, 2025
1 Bedroom (large)
Dec 22, 2025
4 Bedrooms
Dec 09, 2025
4 Bedrooms
Nov 30, 2025
Factors that affect moving costs from Des Moines to Fort Worth
Your total cost will depend on:
- How much stuff you have: A one-bedroom move from Des Moines to Fort Worth may only cost $1,900, whereas a full four-bedroom relocation can approach $8,700.
- The season you're moving in: Movers charge more in summer, the busiest months in Des Moines.
- Which type of mover you use: Save with a truck rental ($600–$1,600), but expect more hassle than hiring pros.
Moving the opposite route? We got you covered with our moving from Fort Worth, TX to Des Moines, IA guide.
Best Des Moines to Fort Worth movers by type
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Local
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Container
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Rental Truck
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Labor Only
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Best professional movers from Des Moines to Fort Worth
Choosing a full-service mover is ideal when you prefer experts to oversee your interstate move from Des Moines to Fort Worth. These companies handle all the details, allowing you to dedicate your energy to your next steps.
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→TX movers
moveBuddha's dedicated analysts have scrutinized moving rates across 37 Iowa moving firms, selecting the top providers by assessing customer approval, reviews, and affordability.
- Customer satisfaction (40%): The team ensures timely service delivery, engages in effective communication, and adheres to the projected costs.
- Dispute resolution (20%): Moving isn’t perfect, and mistakes will happen. We highlight movers that handle those situations honestly and put effort into resolving them fairly.
- Industry reputation (15%): The company is well-regarded within the moving industry and participates in industry conferences and organizations.
- Online reputation (15%): This mover keeps its website up to date and provides timely, professional replies to questions or concerns raised online.
- Service options (10%): Companies stand out when they provide comprehensive options such as full-service packing, safe storage, handling of specialty items, and expedited shipping.
Here is our full moving company rating methodology.
What to know before moving from Des Moines to Fort Worth
Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move - Fort Worth runs about 47% higher for singles and 56% higher for families than Des Moines.
Singles spend around $2,784 in Fort Worth versus $1,891 in Des Moines; families pay $6,842 compared with $4,380.
Dig into the side-by-side details here:
| Des Moines | Fort Worth | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $1,229 | $1,610 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $1,763 | $2,682 |
| Average home value | $192,347 | $298,372 |
| Average income (per capita) | $58,492 | $65,237 |
| Cost of living (single) | $1,891 | $2,784 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $4,380 | $6,842 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.9% | 3.6% |
| Sales tax | 7.0% | 8.25% |
| State income tax | 4.4% | 0.0% |
- Rent is about 54% more expensive in Fort Worth than in Des Moines. Make sure to include this increase in your monthly budget.
- Plan for a heftier mortgage payment since home prices are approximately 55% steeper in Fort Worth compared to Des Moines.
- Here's some fantastic news, the average income is approximately 12% greater in Fort Worth than in Des Moines, offering more potential for savings or investments each month.
- Prepare for elevated costs in Fort Worth, with the cost of living for a single person being 47% more than in Des Moines. This includes routine costs such as utilities, groceries, clothes, and transportation.
- When considering a family move to Fort Worth, prepare for a potential rise in household expenses. The cost of living for a family here is 56% higher than in Des Moines.
- Fort Worth has a lower unemployment rate than Des Moines by about 39%. This signals a stronger job market and healthier local economy, both promising indicators for someone relocating.
- Sales taxes in Fort Worth surpass those in Des Moines by 18%. This means everyday items like clothing, dining, and electronics may cost more at checkout.
- Texas 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 the side-by-side view of common monthly bills and day-to-day expenses in Des Moines versus Fort Worth:
| Living Expense | Des Moines | Fort Worth |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $144.82 | $230.48 |
| Cell phone plan | $51.25 | $75.75 |
| Dozen eggs | $3.61 | $3.43 |
| Loaf of bread | $2.50 | $3.21 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $16.00 | $20.00 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $77.50 | $60.00 |
| Gym membership | $66.67 | $35.88 |
- Basic utilities cost less in Des Moines than in Fort Worth, helping trim your monthly bills.
- Cell phone plans are cheaper in Des Moines than in Fort Worth.
- Eggs cost more in Des Moines than in Fort Worth.
- Bread costs less in Des Moines than in Fort Worth.
- A quick meal is cheaper in Des Moines than in Fort Worth.
- A mid-range dinner for two is pricier in Des Moines than in Fort Worth.
- Gym memberships cost more in Des Moines than in Fort Worth.
How life is different in Des Moines vs. Fort Worth
| Des Moines | Fort Worth | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 699,292 | 918,915 |
| Transportation score | 5 | 3 |
| Walkability score | 45 | 35 |
| Bike friendliness score | 39 | 39 |
| Crime index | 5.0 | 43.19 |
| Safety index | 57.8 | 56.81 |
| Air quality | Good | Moderate |
- Fort Worth's population is about 31% greater than Des Moines.
- Fort Worth's public transportation score of 3 out of 10 is lower than Des Moines's score of 5.
- Fort Worth is less walkable than Des Moines with a score of 35 out of 100 vs Des Moines's 45 out of 100.
- Both Fort Worth and Des Moines have similar bike-friendliness scores (39 vs 39), meaning Fort Worth is about as safe for cyclists as Des Moines. Typically, cities with scores of 20 or higher are seen as reasonably safe, though higher scores mean better cycling accessibility.
- Fort Worth's crime rate is higher than Des Moines with a score of 43.19 compared to Des Moines's 5.0. This means that Fort Worth neighborhoods are safer than 43.19% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Des Moines neighborhoods are safer than 5.0%.
- Fort Worth and Des Moines have a similar safety level, with scores of 56.81 and 57.8.
- Air quality in Fort Worth is Moderate, and in Des Moines it's Good.
Other things to consider for your Des Moines to Fort Worth move
- HOA rules: Plan time to look into your HOA or community rules and regulations before moving day arrives, to avoid any delays.
- Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator you'll want to check on how to reserve it for move day.
- Truck parking permits: Many cities require special permits for parking large moving trucks. Check in advance to see if one is needed for your move.
- State licensing: In-state movers operating in the Lone Star State are legally required to be licensed by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TXDMV), which issues 10-digit TXDMV numbers to commercial carriers. Ensure the company you choose is licensed to handle your move.
- State regulator: To confirm a moving company's license in Texas, visit the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: Moving permits aren’t typically required in Texas, but always confirm with local authorities to avoid surprises.
- Change of address: You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Fort Worth. Get started here.
- Moving company insurance: Each state has its own requirements for the level of insurance moving companies must carry. In Texas, movers typically provide Released Value Protection at no additional cost, covering items at 60 cents per pound. For enhanced protection, consider discussing Full Value Protection options with the moving company. Alternatively, explore third-party insurance providers for customized plans. It's crucial to understand coverage limits, potential additional costs, and read reviews to make an informed decision about your moving insurance in Texas.
- Moving checklist: Let our moving checklist guide you through the process and help ensure nothing slips through the cracks.
Where to live in Fort Worth
With your sights set on Cowtown, these are some of the most popular neighborhoods to consider in Fort Worth.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Arlington Heights
- Fairmount
- Mistletoe Heights
- Sundance Square
- White Settlement
Best neighborhoods for families
- Benbrook
- North Richland Hills
- TCU-Westcliff
- Wedgwood
- Westworth Village
Things to do in Fort Worth
With your move to Texas complete, you can dive right into experiencing Fort Worth. From cultural attractions to outdoor adventures, you'll never run out of things to do:
- Arts and culture: Fort Worth is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the Kimbell Art Museum, Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, Amon Carter Museum of American Art, and Log Cabin Village.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Trinity Park, Dreampark, Candleridge Park, and Adventure World Park — among other spots — perfect for hiking, biking, or simply soaking up the outdoors.
- Sports: Experience the energy of a live game and back the home team at an Panther City Lacrosse Club (NLL)Fort Worth Vaqueros FC (NPSL)Inocentes FC (UPSL)North Texas Fresh (UBA)Azul City Premier FC (UPSL)TCU Horned Frogs (NCAA) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Des Moines to Fort Worth?
If you're flexible with timing, spring and fall are great seasons to move from Des Moines to Fort Worth. You'll dodge the heat, the crowds, and the higher moving costs typical of peak season in Des Moines.
When is the cheapest time to move from Des Moines to Fort Worth?
Want to save on your move from Des Moines to Fort Worth? Consider scheduling it in winter, when demand is lower and rates are often cheaper. Our moving discounts guide shows you how.
How long does a move from Des Moines to Fort Worth take?
The 738-mile move from Des Moines, IA, to Fort Worth, TX, takes one to six 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 Fort Worth.
Need help moving a piano or antiques in Des Moines?
These delicate items require movers with specialized training. Currently, 10 movers in Des Moines provide piano moving services. 6 can transport antiques with care. Statewide, there are 24 piano movers and 15 antique movers, with nationwide counts at 2,296 and 1,463.
Demand for these services can be high, so schedule your specialty move as far ahead as possible.
