Des Moines, IA to Richmond, VA Movers (NEW 2026 Costs)
Quick answer: Moving from Des Moines to Richmond typically costs $3,000–$7,200 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home (about 1,111 miles). Use our moving cost calculator below to get an instant estimate.
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Cost to move from Des Moines to Richmond
Moving from Des Moines, IA to Richmond, VA typically costs $3,000–$7,200 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home.
The price ranges below are estimates for a 1,111-mile move from Des Moines to Richmond, 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 $2,768 for a 1 bedroom (large) using professional movers.
- United Van Lines recently quoted $7,114 for a 4 bedroom using professional movers.
- American Van Lines recently quoted $2,923 for a 1 bedroom (small) using professional movers.
1 Bedroom (large)
Feb 16, 2026
4 Bedrooms
Feb 15, 2026
1 Bedroom (small)
Feb 03, 2026
1 Bedroom (large)
Jan 07, 2026
5+ Bedrooms
Jan 07, 2026
Studio apartment
Dec 23, 2025
4 Bedrooms
Dec 23, 2025
5+ Bedrooms
Dec 21, 2025
5+ Bedrooms
Dec 06, 2025
4 Bedrooms
Nov 30, 2025
Factors that affect moving costs from Des Moines to Richmond
Your total cost will depend on:
- How much stuff you have: A one-bedroom move from Des Moines to Richmond may only cost $2,600, whereas a full four-bedroom relocation can approach $9,900.
- 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 ($800–$2,300), but expect more hassle than hiring pros.
Moving the opposite route? We got you covered with our moving from Richmond, VA to Des Moines, IA guide.
Best Des Moines to Richmond movers by type
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Local
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Rental Truck
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Labor Only
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Best professional movers from Des Moines to Richmond
Choosing a full-service mover is ideal when you prefer experts to oversee your interstate move from Des Moines to Richmond. 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 Richmond
Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move - Richmond runs about 20% higher for singles and 22% higher for families than Des Moines.
Singles spend around $2,270 in Richmond versus $1,891 in Des Moines; families pay $5,336 compared with $4,380.
Dig into the side-by-side details here:
| Des Moines | Richmond | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $1,229 | $1,537 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $1,763 | $2,539 |
| Average home value | $192,347 | $350,897 |
| Average income (per capita) | $58,492 | $59,606 |
| Cost of living (single) | $1,891 | $2,270 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $4,380 | $5,336 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.9% | 7.1% |
| Sales tax | 7.0% | 6.0% |
| State income tax | 4.4% | 5.75% |
- Rent is about 39% more expensive in Richmond 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 82% steeper in Richmond compared to Des Moines.
- There's good news: the average income differences between Richmond and Des Moines are within a modest 5%, minimizing financial adjustments.
- Prepare for elevated costs in Richmond, with the cost of living for a single person being 20% more than in Des Moines. This includes routine costs such as utilities, groceries, clothes, and transportation.
- When considering a family move to Richmond, prepare for a potential rise in household expenses. The cost of living for a family here is 22% higher than in Des Moines.
- Richmond has a higher unemployment rate than Des Moines by about 20%. This means that more people are out of work, so employers may have a larger pool of candidates to choose from, which can lead to a more competitive hiring process.
- Sales taxes are 14% cheaper in Richmond 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 Richmond:
| Living Expense | Des Moines | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $144.82 | $148.21 |
| Cell phone plan | $51.25 | $51.67 |
| Dozen eggs | $3.61 | $4.95 |
| Loaf of bread | $2.50 | $3.66 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $16.00 | $20.00 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $77.50 | $100.00 |
| Gym membership | $66.67 | $59.72 |
- Basic utilities cost less in Des Moines than in Richmond, helping trim your monthly bills.
- Cell phone plans are cheaper in Des Moines than in Richmond.
- Eggs are less expensive in Des Moines than in Richmond.
- Bread costs less in Des Moines than in Richmond.
- A quick meal is cheaper in Des Moines than in Richmond.
- A mid-range dinner for two costs less in Des Moines than in Richmond.
- Gym memberships cost more in Des Moines than in Richmond.
How life is different in Des Moines vs. Richmond
| Des Moines | Richmond | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 699,292 | 226,610 |
| Transportation score | 5 | 7 |
| Walkability score | 45 | 51 |
| Bike friendliness score | 39 | 51 |
| Crime index | 5.0 | 48.45 |
| Safety index | 57.8 | 51.55 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
- Richmond's population is about 68% less than Des Moines.
- Richmond's public transportation score of 7 out of 10 is higher than Des Moines's score of 5.
- Richmond is more walkable than Des Moines with a score of 51 out of 100 vs Des Moines's 45 out of 100.
- With a score of 51 out of 100, Richmond 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.
- Richmond's crime rate is higher than Des Moines with a score of 48.45 compared to Des Moines's 5.0. This means that Richmond neighborhoods are safer than 48.45% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Des Moines neighborhoods are safer than 5.0%.
- Richmond is considered to be less safe than Des Moines with a score of 51.55 vs Des Moines's 57.8.
- Air quality in Richmond is Good, and in Des Moines it's Good.
Other things to consider for your Des Moines to Richmond 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 Richmond. 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 Richmond
With your sights set on Capital of the South, these are some of the most popular neighborhoods to consider in Richmond.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Monroe Ward
- The Fan District
- The Museum District
- Woodland Heights
Best neighborhoods for families
- Bellevue
- Byrd Park
- Museum District
- Three Chopt
- Westover Hills
Things to do in Richmond
With your move to Virginia complete, you can dive right into experiencing Richmond. From cultural attractions to outdoor adventures, you'll never run out of things to do:
- Arts and culture: Richmond is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, White House of the Confederacy, Science Museum of Virginia, and Edgar Allan Poe Museum.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Belle Isle, Libby Hill Park, Pony Pasture Park (James River Park System), and Capitol Square 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 Richmond Kickers (USL League One)Richmond Flying Squirrels (Double-A East) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Des Moines to Richmond?
If you're flexible with timing, spring and fall are great seasons to move from Des Moines to Richmond. 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 Richmond?
Want to save on your move from Des Moines to Richmond? 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 Richmond take?
The 1,111-mile move from Des Moines, IA, to Richmond, 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 Richmond.
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.
