Des Moines, IA to Chesapeake, VA Movers (NEW 2026 Costs)
Quick answer: Moving from Des Moines to Chesapeake typically costs $3,200–$6,900 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home (about 1,214 miles). Use our moving cost calculator below to get an instant estimate.
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Cost to move from Des Moines to Chesapeake
Moving from Des Moines, IA to Chesapeake, VA typically costs $3,200–$6,900 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home.
The price ranges below are estimates for a 1,214-mile move from Des Moines to Chesapeake, 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 $4,460 for a 2 bedroom using professional movers.
- Budget Truck Rental recently quoted $867 for a studio apartment using a rental truck.
- Allied Van Lines recently quoted $5,270 for a 2 bedroom using professional movers.
2 Bedrooms
Jan 31, 2026
Studio apartment
Jan 19, 2026
2 Bedrooms
Jan 15, 2026
Studio apartment
Jan 12, 2026
4 Bedrooms
Jan 08, 2026
5+ Bedrooms
Jan 06, 2026
Studio apartment
Dec 23, 2025
Studio apartment
Dec 13, 2025
Studio apartment
Dec 12, 2025
1 Bedroom (small)
Nov 25, 2025
Factors that affect moving costs from Des Moines to Chesapeake
Your total cost will depend on:
- How much stuff you have: A one-bedroom move from Des Moines to Chesapeake may only cost $2,300, whereas a full four-bedroom relocation can approach $9,300.
- 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–$2,300), but expect more hassle than hiring pros.
Moving the opposite route? We got you covered with our moving from Chesapeake, VA to Des Moines, IA guide.
Best Des Moines to Chesapeake movers by type
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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 Chesapeake
Choosing a full-service mover is ideal when you prefer experts to oversee your interstate move from Des Moines to Chesapeake. 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→VA 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 Chesapeake
Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move - Chesapeake runs about 0% higher for singles and -17% higher for families than Des Moines.
Singles spend around $1,882 in Chesapeake versus $1,891 in Des Moines; families pay $3,656 compared with $4,380.
Dig into the side-by-side details here:
| Des Moines | Chesapeake | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $1,229 | $1,775 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $1,763 | $2,250 |
| Average home value | $192,347 | $375,209 |
| Average income (per capita) | $58,492 | $63,484 |
| Cost of living (single) | $1,891 | $1,882 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $4,380 | $3,656 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.9% | 5.0% |
| Sales tax | 7.0% | 6.0% |
| State income tax | 4.4% | 5.75% |
- Rent is about 57% more expensive in Chesapeake 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 95% steeper in Chesapeake compared to Des Moines.
- Here's some fantastic news, the average income is approximately 9% greater in Chesapeake than in Des Moines, offering more potential for savings or investments each month.
- As the cost of living for a single person differs by around 5% between Chesapeake and Des Moines, you likely won't feel a significant change.
- A move to Chesapeake can offer your family a more affordable lifestyle, with savings on everyday costs such as utilities, groceries, and transport. The cost of living for a family is 17% lower compared to Des Moines.
- Chesapeake has a lower unemployment rate than Des Moines by about 15%. This signals a stronger job market and healthier local economy, both promising indicators for someone relocating.
- Sales taxes are 14% cheaper in Chesapeake compared to Des Moines. This could significantly slash costs for families or individuals with higher spending on taxable necessities.
- Income taxes are 31% more in Virginia 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 Chesapeake:
| Living Expense | Des Moines | Chesapeake |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $144.82 | $302.50 |
| Cell phone plan | $51.25 | $53.67 |
| Dozen eggs | $3.61 | $3.36 |
| Loaf of bread | $2.50 | $4.17 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $16.00 | $13.00 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $77.50 | $70.00 |
| Gym membership | $66.67 | $43.00 |
- Basic utilities cost less in Des Moines than in Chesapeake, helping trim your monthly bills.
- Cell phone plans are cheaper in Des Moines than in Chesapeake.
- Eggs cost more in Des Moines than in Chesapeake.
- Bread costs less in Des Moines than in Chesapeake.
- A quick meal tends to cost more in Des Moines than in Chesapeake.
- A mid-range dinner for two is pricier in Des Moines than in Chesapeake.
- Gym memberships cost more in Des Moines than in Chesapeake.
How life is different in Des Moines vs. Chesapeake
| Des Moines | Chesapeake | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 699,292 | 249,422 |
| Transportation score | 5 | 2 |
| Walkability score | 45 | 21 |
| Bike friendliness score | 39 | 35 |
| Crime index | 5.0 | 25.0 |
| Safety index | 57.8 | 70.88 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
- Chesapeake's population is about 64% less than Des Moines.
- Chesapeake's public transportation score of 2 out of 10 is lower than Des Moines's score of 5.
- Chesapeake is less walkable than Des Moines with a score of 21 out of 100 vs Des Moines's 45 out of 100.
- Chesapeake 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.
- Chesapeake's crime rate is higher than Des Moines with a score of 25.0 compared to Des Moines's 5.0. This means that Chesapeake neighborhoods are safer than 25.0% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Des Moines neighborhoods are safer than 5.0%.
- Chesapeake is considered to be safer than Des Moines with a safety index of 70.88 vs Des Moines's 57.8.
- Air quality in Chesapeake is Good, and in Des Moines it's Good.
Other things to consider for your Des Moines to Chesapeake 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 addition to filing tariffs and complying with insurance, bond, and highway safety requirements, all intrastate moving companies in Virginia must have a certificate from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (VaDMV). Ensure the company you choose is licensed to handle your move.
- State regulator: To confirm a moving company's license in Virginia, visit the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: Moving permits aren’t typically required in Virginia, 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 Chesapeake. Get started here.
- Moving company insurance: Each state has its own requirements for the level of insurance moving companies must carry. In Virginia, movers commonly offer Released Value Protection at no additional cost, providing coverage at 60 cents per pound. For increased protection, consider discussing Full Value Protection options with the moving company. Alternatively, explore third-party insurance providers for personalized plans. It's essential to understand coverage limits, potential additional costs, and read reviews to make an informed decision about your moving insurance in Virginia.
- Moving checklist: Let our moving checklist guide you through the process and help ensure nothing slips through the cracks.
Where to live in Chesapeake
With your sights set on Chesapeake, these are some of the most popular neighborhoods to consider in Chesapeake.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Capital District
- Central Office
- East Ghent
- Radnor/Fort Myer Heights
- Colonial Village
- North Ghent
- North Highland
- Ghent
- North Rosslyn
- City Center
Best neighborhoods for families
- Greenbrier
- Great Bridge
- Hickory
Things to do in Chesapeake
With your move to Virginia complete, you can dive right into experiencing Chesapeake. From cultural attractions to outdoor adventures, you'll never run out of things to do:
- Arts and culture: Chesapeake is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the Great Bridge Battlefield & Waterways Museum, AR Workshop Chesapeake, and Portlock Galleries at SoNo.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Oak Grove Lake Park, Dismal Swamp Canal Trail, Northwest River Park, and Chesapeake Arboretum — 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 Southern Chesapeake Athletic Association (youth baseball and softball)Oscar Smith Tigers (high school sports) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Des Moines to Chesapeake?
If you're flexible with timing, spring and fall are great seasons to move from Des Moines to Chesapeake. 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 Chesapeake?
Want to save on your move from Des Moines to Chesapeake? 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 Chesapeake take?
The 1,214-mile move from Des Moines, IA, to Chesapeake, VA, takes two 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 Chesapeake.
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.
