$1,417 Movers From Des Moines to McAllen

Quick Answer: The cost to move from Des Moines, IA to McAllen, TX averages from $970 to $7,521 depending on how much you're moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the move yourself.

Hiring a full-service Des Moines moving company will be on the more expensive side, while renting a truck or moving container is usually cheaper but requires more work.

Here's everything you need to know about your upcoming move to McAllen, TX.

Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from McAllen to Des Moines guide.

Moving from Des Moines to McAllen resources

Moving 1,240 miles is no joke. Here's what you need to know.

How much does it cost to move from Des Moines to McAllen?

Des Moines movers charge $142 per hour on average. Here are average prices for a full-service moving company, moving container, or truck:

Move Size Moving Company Moving Container Rental Truck
Studio / 1 bedroom $1,417 - $5,579 $1,095 - $2,527 $906 - $1,678
2 - 3 bedrooms $3,282 - $7,521 $1,922 - $3,750 $970 - $2,036
4+ bedrooms $5,704 - $10,313 $2,630 - $5,271 $1,195 - $2,482
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*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 1,240 miles and historical averages. The actual size of your move, additional services required, truck parking access, market conditions, and availability can greatly affect the final cost of your move.

The cost to move from Des Moines to McAllen will depend on:

  • Move size: The amount of items you have — as well as your home size and layout — will impact the total cost of your relocation.
  • Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in Des Moines, so moving companies will likely charge more.
  • Do-it-yourself vs Professional Mover: DIY moving services are usually cheaper but involve more work and stress compared to letting the pros handle your move.

How much are professional moving companies when moving from Des Moines to McAllen?

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Des Moines to McAllen will cost between $1,417 to $5,579. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $3,282 to $7,521, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from Des Moines to McAllen will cost from $5,704 to $10,313.

How much are moving container companies from Des Moines to McAllen?

Moving containers from Des Moines to McAllen will cost you $1,095 to $2,527 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,922 to $3,750. A larger home will cost $2,630 to $5,271.

How much is a moving truck from Des Moines to McAllen?

Renting a moving truck is usually the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor.

Moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $906 to $1,678. A larger move will cost $970 to $2,036, and a four-bedroom move from Des Moines to McAllen costs from $1,195 to $2,482. These estimates include the anticipated fuel cost.

The best Des Moines to McAllen moving companies

Hiring an interstate moving company to go from Des Moines to McAllen is a big deal.

There are more than 8,000 moving companies in the U.S. But don't worry, you won't have to filter through all of them. We've done the research for you and narrowed the list based on customer satisfaction, cost, and services. Here are the best long-distance moving companies serving Des Moines to McAllen.

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Best overall value
  • Portion to charity
  • Veteran owned
Get A Quote
(855) 650-0657

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • 20 yrs experience
  • Flat rate pricing
  • Family owned
Get A Quote
(866) 835-2392

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.45 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Family owned
  • East coast focus
  • Affordable pricing
Get A Quote
(980) 217-6841

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • 74 years in biz
  • 1,800 trucks
  • Storage available
Get A Quote
(844) 950-2963

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • White glove
  • Expensive items
  • Guaranteed delivery
Get A Quote
(703) 972-1772

% of users select this mover

If you're just trying to ship a few items, here are our picks for the best small load moving companies.

Pros and cons of moving from Des Moines to McAllen

Cost of living: Des Moines vs McAllen

Des Moines McAllen
Average rent cost $1,150 $1,325
Average home value $192,347 $216,840
Average income (per capita) $58,492 $56,358
Cost of Living (single person) $1,891 $1,472
Cost of Living (family of 4) $4,380 $3,325
Unemployment rate 5.9% 7.9%
Sales Tax 7.0% 8.25%
State Income Tax 4.4% 0.0%
  • Rent prices in McAllen are 15% higher than in Des Moines.
  • Home prices in McAllen are 12.7% higher than in Des Moines.
  • Income in McAllen is 3.6% lower than in Des Moines.
  • The cost of living for a single person in McAllen is 22.2% lower than in Des Moines.
  • The cost of living for a family in McAllen is 24.1% lower than in Des Moines.
  • The unemployment rate in McAllen is 33.90% higher than in Des Moines.
  • Sales taxes in McAllen are 17.86% higher than in Des Moines.
  • State income taxes in McAllen are 100.00% lower than in Des Moines.

To put this into perspective, you would need around $2,335.27 in McAllen to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Des Moines.

How is life different in Des Moines compared to McAllen?

McAllen Des Moines
Population 142,210 699,292
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 3 5
Walkability score 41 45
Bike friendliness score 46 39
Crime Index 40.9 5.0
Safety Index 59.1 57.8
Air Quality Moderate Good
  • McAllen's population is about 80% less than Des Moines.
  • McAllen's public transportation has a score of 3 out of 10 versus Des Moines's lower score of 5.
  • McAllen is less walkable than Des Moines with a score of 41 out of 100 vs Des Moines's 45 out of 100.
  • McAllen is more bike-friendly than Des Moines with a score of 46 out of 100 vs Des Moines's 39.
  • McAllen's crime rate is higher than Des Moines with a score of 40.9 compared to Des Moines's 5.0. This means that McAllen neighborhoods are safer than 40.9% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Des Moines neighborhoods are safer than 5.0%.
  • McAllen is considered to be safer than Des Moines with a safety index of 59.1 vs Des Moines's 57.8.
  • Air quality in McAllen is moderate, and in Des Moines it's good.

Considerations for moving to McAllen

  • Weather: Consider moving to McAllen city on November, March and February. The city has two distinct seasons; a wet season from May to October and a dry season from November to April. .
  • 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: 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. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Texas moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
  • Moving permits: Texas 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 McAllen. Get started here.
  • Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. 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: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Local Des Moines movers

Company Quote Rating Contact
All Mighty Movers LLC Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.58 overall rating
59 Clark St., Des Moines, IA, 50314
(515) 313-1395
Adamantine Spine Moving Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.48 overall rating
4701 NW Urbandale Dr., Des Moines, IA, 50322
(319) 519-0154

Visit our best long distance movers in Des Moines page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.

What to do in McAllen

These are some of the best things to do in your new Texas home.

  • Quinta Mazatlan
  • La Plaza Mall
  • International Museum of Art & Science (IMAS)
  • McAllen Convention Center
  • McAllen Public Library

Get your sports on!

McAllen is a great sports town, these are the local teams to support:

FAQs about moving from Des Moines to McAllen

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

The best time to move from Des Moines to McAllen is during the transitional seasons of spring or fall, considering the summer highs of 96ºF and the winter lows of 49ºF in McAllen.

When is the cheapest time to move from Des Moines to McAllen?

Because most people are moving from Des Moines to McAllen in the spring or fall, you can often catch discounts by moving in the summer or winter. Read our guide on moving discounts to learn more.

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