($1,452) Movers From Des Moines, IA to Burlington, VT

What to know before moving from Des Moines to Burlington

Moving from Des Moines to Burlington comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Burlington is generally more expensive than Des Moines, it’s important to plan ahead and budget carefully for the change.

Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in Burlington are 91% higher than in Des Moines, which means you’ll have less money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Des Moines.
  Home prices in Burlington are 157.7% higher than in Des Moines.
• Income in Burlington is 13.8% higher than in Des Moines, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in Burlington include The University of Vermont Health Network, University of Vermont, and Champlain College.
• Be sure to budget for higher bills in Burlington, since the cost of living for a single person in Burlington is 42.4% higher than in Des Moines. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• If you’re moving your family to Burlington, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Burlington is 26.4% higher than in Des Moines.
• The unemployment rate in Burlington is 45.76% lower than in Des Moines.
• Sales taxes are the same in Burlington and Des Moines.
• State income taxes in Burlington are 98.86% higher than in Des Moines.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $4,272.34 in Burlington to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Des Moines.

How life is different in Des Moines vs. Burlington

• Burlington's population is about 94% less than Des Moines.
• Burlington's public transportation has a similar score to Des Moines.
• Burlington 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 81 out of 100, Burlington 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 they are to safely accommodating cyclists.
• Burlington's crime rate is higher than Des Moines with a score of 43.33 compared to Des Moines's 5.0. This means that Burlington neighborhoods are safer than 43.33% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Des Moines neighborhoods are safer than 5.0%.
• Burlington and Des Moines are considered to be equally safe.
• Air quality in Burlington is good, and in Des Moines it's good.

Other things to consider for your Des Moines vs. Burlington move

• Weather: August, July and June are the most pleasant months in Burlington, while January and February are the least comfortable months.
• HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator you'll want to check on how to reserve it for move 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: Although a local license is not required in Vermont, 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. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
• State regulator: You can verify a Vermont moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
• Moving permits: Vermont does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
• Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Burlington. Get started here.
• Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance.When it comes to movers' insurance in Vermont, many moving companies provide Released Value Protection at no extra charge, covering items at 60 cents per pound. For heightened protection, consider discussing Full Value Protection options with the moving company. Exploring third-party insurance providers for personalized plans is also an option. It's essential to understand coverage limits, potential additional costs, and read reviews to make an informed decision about your moving insurance in Vermont.
• Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Where to live in Burlington

Now that you've decided to make the move to "BTV", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Burlington.

Helpful moving resources