Des Moines, IA to Virginia Beach, VA Movers (NEW 2026 Costs)
Quick answer: Moving from Des Moines to Virginia Beach typically costs $3,100–$7,600 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home (about 1,218 miles). Use our moving cost calculator below to get an instant estimate.
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Cost to move from Des Moines to Virginia Beach
Moving from Des Moines, IA to Virginia Beach, VA typically costs $3,100–$7,600 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home.
The price ranges below are estimates for a 1,218-mile move from Des Moines to Virginia Beach, 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
- Mayflower Transit recently quoted $4,287 for a 2 bedroom using professional movers.
- North American Van Lines recently quoted $3,129 for a studio apartment using professional movers.
- AB Moving recently quoted $3,535 for a 1 bedroom (large) using professional movers.
2 Bedrooms
Feb 09, 2026
Studio apartment
Jan 20, 2026
1 Bedroom (large)
Jan 18, 2026
1 Bedroom (large)
Jan 05, 2026
2 Bedrooms
Dec 30, 2025
4 Bedrooms
Dec 15, 2025
4 Bedrooms
Dec 07, 2025
3 Bedrooms
Nov 30, 2025
Studio apartment
Nov 29, 2025
Studio apartment
Nov 26, 2025
Factors that impact moving costs from Des Moines to Virginia Beach
Your total cost will depend on:
- The size of your move: Costs rise with more belongings. A small one-bedroom move can start at $2,400, but larger homes can run up to $9,700.
- Seasonal timing: Demand peaks in summer — expect premium rates during moving season in Des Moines.
- Whether you hire pros or do it yourself: Choosing DIY with a truck ($800–$2,500) is cheaper, though tougher, than using movers.
Moving the opposite route? We got you covered with our moving from Virginia Beach, VA to Des Moines, IA guide.
Best Des Moines to Virginia Beach movers by type
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Labor Only
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Best professional movers from Des Moines to Virginia Beach
For a stress-free interstate move from Des Moines to Virginia Beach, selecting a full-service mover is a wise choice. These professionals cover all aspects of the move, freeing you to focus on the excitement of your new adventure.
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
Our team at moveBuddha evaluated moving rates from 37 Iowa moving companies, highlighting the top options based on client feedback, reviews, and pricing.
- Customer satisfaction (40%): Services are delivered promptly, with excellent communication, and at the cost initially quoted.
- Dispute resolution (20%): Problems sometimes come up during moves. We favor companies that admit faults and focus on making things right for the customer.
- Industry reputation (15%): Known for its positive standing, the company is respected in the moving industry and contributes through conferences and memberships.
- Online reputation (15%): The company maintains a professional website with accurate information and responds to online customer inquiries promptly and courteously.
- Service options (10%): Movers that offer a wide range of services — from packing and storage to specialty handling and fast delivery — rank higher in our evaluations.
Here is our full moving company rating methodology.
What to know before moving from Des Moines to Virginia Beach
Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move - Virginia Beach runs about 140% higher for singles and 35% higher for families than Des Moines.
Singles spend around $4,533 in Virginia Beach versus $1,891 in Des Moines; families pay $5,910 compared with $4,380.
Dig into the side-by-side details here:
| Des Moines | Virginia Beach | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $1,229 | $1,776 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $1,763 | $3,233 |
| Average home value | $192,347 | $402,391 |
| Average income (per capita) | $58,492 | $81,810 |
| Cost of living (single) | $1,891 | $4,533 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $4,380 | $5,910 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.9% | 4.8% |
| Sales tax | 7.0% | 6.0% |
| State income tax | 4.4% | 5.75% |
- As you consider relocating to Virginia Beach, note that rent can be roughly 70% more expensive than it is in Des Moines; adjust your financial plans to accommodate this change.
- Be sure to budget for a higher monthly mortgage payment, as home prices are about 109% higher in Virginia Beach than in Des Moines.
- Great news! You'll find the average income is about 40% higher in Virginia Beach compared to Des Moines, giving you some extra room for savings or investments.
- Plan for higher expenses in Virginia Beach, since the cost of living for a single person is 140% more than in Des Moines. This encompasses usual costs like utilities, groceries, apparel, and transit.
- If your journey leads to Virginia Beach, be prepared for higher living expenditures. The cost of living for a family in Virginia Beach is 35% more than it is in Des Moines.
- Virginia Beach experiences an unemployment rate that is about 19% lower than that of Des Moines. This is generally a positive sign for those considering a move here, as it reflects a healthy economy.
- Sales taxes are 14% lower in Virginia Beach than in Des Moines. If you have a larger family or higher consumption habits, the lower sales tax in Virginia Beach can reduce your overall living expenses.
- Income taxes are 31% higher in Virginia compared to Iowa. As a result, you might notice a larger bite taken out of your salary by the state's tax system, which could affect your net income.
The breakdown below shows how typical living costs and monthly expenses line up when comparing Des Moines with Virginia Beach:
| Living Expense | Des Moines | Virginia Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $144.82 | $173.67 |
| Cell phone plan | $51.25 | $48.33 |
| Dozen eggs | $3.61 | $3.66 |
| Loaf of bread | $2.50 | $2.93 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $16.00 | $18.00 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $77.50 | $90.00 |
| Gym membership | $66.67 | $50.00 |
- Basic utilities cost less in Des Moines than in Virginia Beach, helping trim your monthly bills.
- Cell phone plans typically cost more in Des Moines than in Virginia Beach.
- Eggs are less expensive in Des Moines than in Virginia Beach.
- Bread costs less in Des Moines than in Virginia Beach.
- A quick meal is cheaper in Des Moines than in Virginia Beach.
- A mid-range dinner for two costs less in Des Moines than in Virginia Beach.
- Gym memberships cost more in Des Moines than in Virginia Beach.
How life is different in Des Moines vs. Virginia Beach
| Des Moines | Virginia Beach | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 699,292 | 457,672 |
| Transportation score | 5 | 3 |
| Walkability score | 45 | 33 |
| Bike friendliness score | 39 | 42 |
| Crime index | 5.0 | 42.0 |
| Safety index | 57.8 | 58.0 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
- Virginia Beach's population is about 35% less than Des Moines.
- Virginia Beach's public transportation score of 3 out of 10 is lower than Des Moines's score of 5.
- Virginia Beach is less walkable than Des Moines with a score of 33 out of 100 vs Des Moines's 45 out of 100.
- With a score of 42 out of 100, Virginia Beach 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.
- Virginia Beach's crime rate is higher than Des Moines with a score of 42.0 compared to Des Moines's 5.0. This means that Virginia Beach neighborhoods are safer than 42.0% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Des Moines neighborhoods are safer than 5.0%.
- Virginia Beach and Des Moines have a similar safety level, with scores of 58.0 and 57.8.
- Air quality in Virginia Beach is Good, and in Des Moines it's Good.
Other things to consider for your Des Moines to Virginia Beach move
- HOA rules: It's a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
- Elevator reservation: Reserve elevator access early if your building requires it, to avoid delays on moving 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 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). Double-check that the moving company is properly licensed before you hire them.
- State regulator: You can verify a Virginia moving company's license by visiting the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: While Virginia doesn't mandate moving permits, checking local parking guidelines before your move-in day is still a good idea.
- Change of address: File your USPS change of address about a week before moving so mail reaches Virginia Beach smoothly. Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. 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: Use our moving checklist to stay on top of every detail and reduce last-minute stress.
Where to live in Virginia Beach
Now that you've chosen Neptune City as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in Virginia Beach to check out.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Hilltop
- Alanton
- Great Neck
- Kempsville
- Bayside
Best neighborhoods for families
- Great Neck
- Red Mill
- Kempsville
- Ocean Lakes
- Alanton
Things to do in Virginia Beach
After getting comfortable in your new Virginia home, it's time to see what Virginia Beach is all about. Whether you're into food, art, nature, or nightlife — there's plenty to check out:
- Arts and culture: From historic museums to vibrant art centers, Virginia Beach offers cultural landmarks like the Military Aviation Museum, Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art, and Ferry Plantation House.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Neptune's Park, Mount Trashmore Park, Bayville Farms Park, and Great Neck Park — among other sites — are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.
- Sports: Grab a seat and root for the home team during an Virginia Beach United FC (USL League Two) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Des Moines to Virginia Beach?
The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from Des Moines to Virginia Beach are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in Des Moines are lower.
When is the cheapest time to move from Des Moines to Virginia Beach?
Because spring and fall moves from Des Moines to Virginia Beach are so common, winter can be a great time to move if you're looking for lower prices. Read our moving discounts guide to see how.
How long does a move from Des Moines to Virginia Beach take?
A move of 1,218 miles from Des Moines, IA to Virginia Beach, VA generally takes two to eight days. Movers in Des Moines sometimes provide expedited service, while storage in Virginia Beach is a good fallback if you need extra time.
Which movers in Des Moines offer piano or antique moving?
Some moving jobs call for extra care and expertise. 10 movers in Des Moines have the skills and equipment for piano transport. 6 specialize in safely moving antiques. Across IA, there are 24 piano movers and 15 antique movers, while nationwide the numbers reach 2,296 and 1,463.
Because not every mover offers these services, ask about specialty experience and insurance coverage when you request quotes.
