Des Moines, IA to Salt Lake City, UT Movers (NEW 2026 Costs)
Quick answer: Moving from Des Moines to Salt Lake City typically costs $2,800–$6,600 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home (about 1,065 miles). Use our moving cost calculator below to get an instant estimate.
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Cost to move from Des Moines to Salt Lake City
Moving from Des Moines, IA to Salt Lake City, UT typically costs $2,800–$6,600 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home.
The price ranges below are estimates for a 1,065-mile move from Des Moines to Salt Lake City, 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
- Safeway Moving recently quoted $3,589 for a 2 bedroom using professional movers.
- Allied Van Lines recently quoted $2,886 for a studio apartment using professional movers.
- North American Van Lines recently quoted $4,173 for a 1 bedroom (small) using professional movers.
2 Bedrooms
Feb 11, 2026
Studio apartment
Feb 02, 2026
1 Bedroom (small)
Jan 28, 2026
3 Bedrooms
Jan 10, 2026
3 Bedrooms
Dec 26, 2025
2 Bedrooms
Dec 20, 2025
1 Bedroom (small)
Dec 18, 2025
4 Bedrooms
Dec 16, 2025
1 Bedroom (small)
Dec 10, 2025
3 Bedrooms
Dec 01, 2025
Key factors that influence moving costs from Des Moines to Salt Lake City
Your total cost will depend on:
- The size of your home: Smaller moves (like one-bedrooms) cost less, sometimes just $2,300, while larger moves (four-bedrooms) can hit $9,200.
- Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in Des Moines, which means higher prices.
- The type of mover you choose: Renting a truck ($800–$2,100) saves money but adds work compared to hiring pros.
Moving the opposite route? We got you covered with our moving from Salt Lake City, UT to Des Moines, IA guide.
Best Des Moines to Salt Lake City movers by type
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Best professional movers from Des Moines to Salt Lake City
If you want to simplify your interstate move from Des Moines to Salt Lake City, 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→UT 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 Salt Lake City
Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move - Salt Lake City runs about 15% higher for singles and 10% higher for families than Des Moines.
Singles spend around $2,172 in Salt Lake City versus $1,891 in Des Moines; families pay $4,827 compared with $4,380.
Dig into the side-by-side details here:
| Des Moines | Salt Lake City | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $1,229 | $1,618 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $1,763 | $2,727 |
| Average home value | $192,347 | $549,528 |
| Average income (per capita) | $58,492 | $63,975 |
| Cost of living (single) | $1,891 | $2,172 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $4,380 | $4,827 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.9% | 3.0% |
| Sales tax | 7.0% | 7.75% |
| State income tax | 4.4% | 4.95% |
- Rent is estimated to be 30% higher in Salt Lake City 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 186% greater in Salt Lake City than in Des Moines.
- Here's some promising news: the average income is around 9% higher in Salt Lake City than in Des Moines, which could mean added opportunities to save or invest each month.
- Be sure to budget for higher bills in Salt Lake City, since the cost of living for a single person in Salt Lake City is 15% higher than in Des Moines. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
- When relocating to Salt Lake City, it's important to be aware that living expenses may rise. The cost of living for a family in Salt Lake City is 10% greater than in Des Moines.
- Salt Lake City enjoys an unemployment rate that's roughly 49% lower compared to Des Moines, suggesting better job prospects and a dynamic economy—an appealing prospect for new residents.
- Sales taxes rise by 11% in Salt Lake City over Des Moines, leading to heightened expenses for everyday essentials.
- Income taxes are 12% higher in Utah than in Iowa, meaning that a larger fraction of your income will be spent on state taxes, potentially reducing your savings.
Here’s a closer snapshot of how common everyday costs and monthly bills compare between Des Moines and Salt Lake City:
| Living Expense | Des Moines | Salt Lake City |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $144.82 | $183.16 |
| Cell phone plan | $51.25 | $67.42 |
| Dozen eggs | $3.61 | $4.28 |
| Loaf of bread | $2.50 | $3.36 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $16.00 | $19.00 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $77.50 | $82.50 |
| Gym membership | $66.67 | $27.89 |
- Basic utilities cost less in Des Moines than in Salt Lake City, helping trim your monthly bills.
- Cell phone plans are cheaper in Des Moines than in Salt Lake City.
- Eggs are less expensive in Des Moines than in Salt Lake City.
- Bread costs less in Des Moines than in Salt Lake City.
- A quick meal is cheaper in Des Moines than in Salt Lake City.
- A mid-range dinner for two costs less in Des Moines than in Salt Lake City.
- Gym memberships cost more in Des Moines than in Salt Lake City.
How life is different in Des Moines vs. Salt Lake City
| Des Moines | Salt Lake City | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 699,292 | 200,133 |
| Transportation score | 5 | 8 |
| Walkability score | 45 | 59 |
| Bike friendliness score | 39 | 74 |
| Crime index | 5.0 | 34.64 |
| Safety index | 57.8 | 65.36 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
- Salt Lake City's population is about 71% less than Des Moines.
- Salt Lake City's public transportation score of 8 out of 10 is higher than Des Moines's score of 5.
- Salt Lake City is more walkable than Des Moines with a score of 59 out of 100 vs Des Moines's 45 out of 100.
- With a score of 74 out of 100, Salt Lake City 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 it is to safely accommodating cyclists.
- Salt Lake City's crime rate is higher than Des Moines with a score of 34.64 compared to Des Moines's 5.0. This means that Salt Lake City neighborhoods are safer than 34.64% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Des Moines neighborhoods are safer than 5.0%.
- Salt Lake City is considered to be safer than Des Moines with a safety index of 65.36 vs Des Moines's 57.8.
- Air quality in Salt Lake City is Good, and in Des Moines it's Good.
Other things to consider for your Des Moines to Salt Lake City 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 Utah, 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 Utah moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: Utah 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 Salt Lake City. Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state sets its own rules for what insurance moving companies need to maintain. In Utah, movers commonly offer Released Value Protection at no extra cost, providing coverage at 60 cents per pound. To increase protection, consider discussing Full Value Protection options with the moving company.
- Moving checklist: Follow our moving checklist to keep your move organized and stress-free.
Where to live in Salt Lake City
Now that you've decided to make the move to The Crossroads of the West, these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Salt Lake City.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Capitol Hill
- Central City
- East Bench
- Greater Avenues
- Sugar House
- Wasatch Hollow
- Yalecrest
Best neighborhoods for families
- East Bench
- Greater Avenues
- Liberty Wells
- Sugar House
- Yalecrest
Things to do in Salt Lake City
Once you're settled into your new home in Utah, it's time to get out and discover what Salt Lake City has to offer. No matter your interests, there's something for everyone here:
- Arts and culture: You'll find museums and cultural hubs throughout Salt Lake City, such as the Natural History Museum of Utah, Clark Planetarium, Wheeler Historic Farm, and Joseph Smith Memorial Building.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Big Cottonwood Canyon, Red Butte Garden, Temple Square, and Liberty Park — 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 Salt Lake Bees (Pacific Coast League)Utah Jazz (NBA)Utah Utes (Pac-12)Westminster Griffins (RMAC) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Des Moines to Salt Lake City?
The best time to move from Des Moines to Salt Lake City 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 Salt Lake City?
Since spring and fall are the most popular times to move from Des Moines to Salt Lake City, 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 Salt Lake City take?
Moving from Des Moines, IA to Salt Lake City, UT covers 1,065 miles and usually takes two to eight 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 Salt Lake City.
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.
