Des Moines, IA to St. George, UT Movers (NEW 2026 Costs)
Quick answer: Moving from Des Moines to St. George typically costs $3,200–$7,100 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home (about 1,296 miles). Use our moving cost calculator below to get an instant estimate.
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Cost to move from Des Moines to St. George
Moving from Des Moines, IA to St. George, UT typically costs $3,200–$7,100 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home.
The price ranges below are estimates for a 1,296-mile move from Des Moines to St. George, 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
- Budget Truck Rental recently quoted $1,421 for a 3 bedroom using a rental truck.
- Allied Van Lines recently quoted $4,359 for a 2 bedroom using professional movers.
- AB Moving recently quoted $5,455 for a 4 bedroom using professional movers.
3 Bedrooms
Feb 17, 2026
2 Bedrooms
Feb 10, 2026
4 Bedrooms
Feb 02, 2026
5+ Bedrooms
Jan 18, 2026
3 Bedrooms
Jan 03, 2026
1 Bedroom (small)
Jan 01, 2026
Studio apartment
Dec 30, 2025
1 Bedroom (large)
Dec 27, 2025
1 Bedroom (small)
Dec 08, 2025
2 Bedrooms
Nov 26, 2025
Factors that affect moving costs from Des Moines to St. George
Your total cost will depend on:
- How much stuff you have: A one-bedroom move from Des Moines to St. George may only cost $2,600, whereas a full four-bedroom relocation can approach $10,400.
- 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 ($900–$2,600), but expect more hassle than hiring pros.
Moving the opposite route? We got you covered with our moving from St. George, UT to Des Moines, IA guide.
Best Des Moines to St. George movers by type
Professional
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Local
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Labor Only
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Best professional movers from Des Moines to St. George
Choosing a full-service mover is ideal when you prefer experts to oversee your interstate move from Des Moines to St. George. 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→UT 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 St. George
Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move - St. George runs about 14% higher for singles and 4% higher for families than Des Moines.
Singles spend around $2,152 in St. George versus $1,891 in Des Moines; families pay $4,577 compared with $4,380.
Dig into the side-by-side details here:
| Des Moines | St. George | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $1,229 | |
| Average 3 BR rent | $1,763 | |
| Average home value | $192,347 | $501,557 |
| Average income (per capita) | $58,492 | $58,508 |
| Cost of living (single) | $1,891 | $2,152 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $4,380 | $4,577 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.9% | 2.9% |
| Sales tax | 7.0% | 6.75% |
| State income tax | 4.4% | 4.95% |
- Rent is about 54% more expensive in St. George 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 161% steeper in St. George compared to Des Moines.
- There's good news: the average income differences between St. George and Des Moines are within a modest 5%, minimizing financial adjustments.
- Prepare for elevated costs in St. George, with the cost of living for a single person being 14% more than in Des Moines. This includes routine costs such as utilities, groceries, clothes, and transportation.
- The cost of living for a family between St. George and Des Moines remains comparable, differing by roughly 5%, so your overall expenses won't dramatically change.
- St. George has a lower unemployment rate than Des Moines by about 51%. This signals a stronger job market and healthier local economy, both promising indicators for someone relocating.
- Sales taxes are nearly equal in both St. George and Des Moines (within a 5% range), so budgeting should not be affected by this change.
- Income taxes are 12% more in Utah than in Iowa. This increase in state taxes means you will retain less of your earnings, impacting your disposable income.
Here’s the side-by-side view of common monthly bills and day-to-day expenses in Des Moines versus St. George:
| Living Expense | Des Moines | St. George |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $144.82 | |
| Cell phone plan | $51.25 | |
| Dozen eggs | $3.61 | |
| Loaf of bread | $2.50 | |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $16.00 | |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $77.50 | |
| Gym membership | $66.67 |
How life is different in Des Moines vs. St. George
| Des Moines | St. George | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 699,292 | 180,279 |
| Transportation score | 5 | 2 |
| Walkability score | 45 | 27 |
| Bike friendliness score | 39 | 45 |
| Crime index | 5.0 | 29.02 |
| Safety index | 57.8 | 70.98 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
- St. George's population is about 74% less than Des Moines.
- St. George's public transportation score of 2 out of 10 is lower than Des Moines's score of 5.
- St. George is less walkable than Des Moines with a score of 27 out of 100 vs Des Moines's 45 out of 100.
- With a score of 45 out of 100, St. George 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.
- St. George's crime rate is higher than Des Moines with a score of 29.02 compared to Des Moines's 5.0. This means that St. George neighborhoods are safer than 29.02% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Des Moines neighborhoods are safer than 5.0%.
- St. George is considered to be safer than Des Moines with a safety index of 70.98 vs Des Moines's 57.8.
- Air quality in St. George is Good, and in Des Moines it's Good.
Other things to consider for your Des Moines to St. George 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: 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. Ensure the company you choose is licensed to handle your move.
- State regulator: To confirm a moving company's license in Utah, visit the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: Moving permits aren’t typically required in Utah, 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 St. George. Get started here.
- Moving company insurance: Each state has its own requirements for the level of insurance moving companies must carry. 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: Let our moving checklist guide you through the process and help ensure nothing slips through the cracks.
Where to live in St. George
With your sights set on Dixie, these are some of the most popular neighborhoods to consider in St. George.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Bloomington
- Entrada
- Green Valley
- Ivins
- Santa Clara
Best neighborhoods for families
- Little Valley
- Washington Field
- Desert Canyons
- Desert Color
- Bloomington Hills
- Crimson Cliffs
- Fieldstone
Things to do in St. George
With your move to Utah complete, you can dive right into experiencing St. George. From cultural attractions to outdoor adventures, you'll never run out of things to do:
- Arts and culture: St. George is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the St. George Dinosaur Discovery Site at Johnson Farm, St. George Children's Museum, Daughters of Utah Pioneers Museum, and Rosenbruch Wildlife Museum.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Red Hills Desert Garden, Pioneer Park, Red Cliffs National Conservation Area, and Thunder Junction — 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 game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Des Moines to St. George?
If you're flexible with timing, spring and fall are great seasons to move from Des Moines to St. George. 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 St. George?
Want to save on your move from Des Moines to St. George? 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 St. George take?
The 1,296-mile move from Des Moines, IA, to St. George, UT, takes three 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 St. George.
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.
