Des Moines, IA to Spokane, WA Movers (NEW 2026 Costs)

How we chose the best IA→WA movers

moveBuddha's expert team analyzed moving rates from 37 Iowa movers and listed the top movers based on customer satisfaction, reviews, and cost.

Customer satisfaction (40%): The organization reliably provides services punctually, maintains clear communication, and stays within the anticipated budget.
Dispute resolution (20%): Since mistakes are inevitable in moving, we value movers that accept responsibility and work hard to correct issues when they occur.
Industry reputation (15%): The organization is recognized in the industry and takes part in professional gatherings and associations.
Online reputation (15%): The company’s reputation online is supported by a well-maintained website and prompt, professional engagement with customer questions.
Service options (10%): We look for companies with a deep breadth of services including full packing, storage, specialty item handling, and expedited delivery.

Here is our full moving company rating methodology.

What to know before moving from Des Moines to Spokane

Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move - Spokane runs about 35% higher for singles and 43% higher for families than Des Moines.

Singles spend around $2,556 in Spokane versus $1,891 in Des Moines; families pay $6,270 compared with $4,380.

Dig into the side-by-side details here:

	Des Moines	Spokane
Average 1 BR rent	$1,229	$1,564
Average 3 BR rent	$1,763	$2,725
Average home value	$192,347	$375,614
Average income (per capita)	$58,492	$60,801
Cost of living (single)	$1,891	$2,556
Cost of living (family of four)	$4,380	$6,270
Unemployment rate	5.9%	6.6%
Sales tax	7.0%	9.0%
State income tax	4.4%	0.0%

source: World Population Review, Zillow, US Census Bureau, US BLS, Tax Foundation

Consider this before moving: Rent can be about 26% higher in Spokane than in Des Moines, which may impact your monthly finances.
A larger mortgage budget will be necessary since home prices are about 95% higher in Spokane than in Des Moines.
Luckily, the average income is within about 5% of the same in Spokane and Des Moines, so no need to worry about big financial changes.
Anticipate increased living expenses in Spokane, as the cost of living for a single person in Spokane is 35% greater than in Des Moines. This covers typical expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transport.
As you plan your move to Spokane, consider the possibility of increased living costs. The cost of living for a family there is 43% more than it is in Des Moines.
The unemployment rate in Spokane exceeds that of Des Moines by about 12%, resulting in a larger pool of potential workers and thus more hiring competition.
Sales taxes in Spokane exceed those in Des Moines by 29%, which can mean paying extra for usual purchases like clothes and electronics.
Washington has no income tax, meaning you keep more of your gross income, which can be a major advantage for salaried workers, freelancers, and retirees with taxable income.

Take a detailed look at how everyday expenses stack up between Des Moines and Spokane, from monthly bills to routine purchases:

Living Expense	Des Moines	Spokane
Basic utilities	$144.82	$153.98
Cell phone plan	$51.25	$65.11
Dozen eggs	$3.61	$4.50
Loaf of bread	$2.50	$2.91
Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal)	$16.00	$25.00
Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant)	$77.50	$75.00
Gym membership	$66.67	$44.25

Basic utilities cost less in Des Moines than in Spokane, helping trim your monthly bills.
Cell phone plans are cheaper in Des Moines than in Spokane.
Eggs are less expensive in Des Moines than in Spokane.
Bread costs less in Des Moines than in Spokane.
A quick meal is cheaper in Des Moines than in Spokane.
A mid-range dinner for two is pricier in Des Moines than in Spokane.
Gym memberships cost more in Des Moines than in Spokane.

How life is different in Des Moines vs. Spokane

	Des Moines	Spokane
Population	699,292	593,466
Transportation score	5	6
Walkability score	45	49
Bike friendliness score	39	52
Crime index	5.0	3.0
Safety index	57.8	44.94
Air quality	Good	Good

source: Wikipedia, AllTransit, Walk Score, NeighborhoodScout, AirNow

Spokane's population is about 15% less than Des Moines.
Spokane's public transportation score of 6 out of 10 is higher than Des Moines's score of 5.
Spokane is more walkable than Des Moines with a score of 49 out of 100 vs Des Moines's 45 out of 100.
With a score of 52 out of 100, Spokane 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.
Spokane's crime rate is lower than Des Moines with a score of 3.0 compared to Des Moines's 5.0. This means that Spokane neighborhoods are safer than 3.0% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Des Moines neighborhoods are safer than 5.0%.
Spokane is considered to be less safe than Des Moines with a score of 44.94 vs Des Moines's 57.8.
Air quality in Spokane is Good, and in Des Moines it's Good.

Other things to consider for your Des Moines to Spokane move

HOA rules: To keep things running smoothly, make sure you're familiar with any HOA or community moving policies before the big day.
Elevator reservation: If there is an elevator in your building, it's a good idea to secure a reservation before your moving day.
Truck parking permits: Research parking requirements in your destination city to ensure your truck won’t run into restrictions.
State licensing: Movers operating within Washington DC city limits are subject to regulation by the Utilities and Transportation Commission, which issues operating permits to household goods moving companies. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
State regulator: You can check the status of a Washington moving license through the state's public utilities commission.
Moving Permits: You won't need a moving permit in Washington, though it's smart to double-check any local parking restrictions ahead of your move.
Change of address: We recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move to ensure your mail gets forwarded to Spokane without delay. You can select your official move date when completing the form. Start the process here.
Moving company insurance: State laws differ on mover insurance. When planning a move in Washington state, explore movers' insurance options for added peace of mind. Many moving companies offer Released Value Protection at no extra cost, covering items at 60 cents per pound. Enhance your protection by discussing Full Value Protection with the moving company or exploring personalized plans with third-party insurance providers. Understand coverage limits, potential extra costs, and read reviews to make an informed decision on your Washington state moving insurance.
Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Where to live in Spokane

Ready to relocate to Hooptown USA? Here are some of the top neighborhoods to consider in Spokane.

Best neighborhoods for singles

Coeur d'Alene
Spokane Valley
Airway Heights
Millwood
Liberty Lake
Cheney
Medical Lake
Country Homes
Fairwood

Best neighborhoods for families

Liberty Lake
Mead
Country Homes
Town and Country
Medical Lake
Spokane
Millwood
Cheney
Spokane Valley

Things to do in Spokane

Now that you've made the move to Washington, it's the perfect time to explore Spokane. From local hotspots to hidden gems, there's something to enjoy for every lifestyle:

Arts and culture: Cultural attractions in Spokane include museums and art centers like the Campbell House, Mobius Discovery Center, Jundt Art Gallery, and Avenue West Gallery.
Outdoor recreation: Outdoor lovers will appreciate Manito Park, Spokane Falls, Riverfront Park, and Centennial Trail, along with many other spots perfect for walking, cycling, and fresh air adventures.
Sports: Catch a live game and cheer on the home team at an Spokane Chiefs (Ice hockey)Spokane Indians (Baseball)USL1 Spokane (Soccer) USL League One (men) USL W League (women)Spokane Shadow (Soccer)Spokane SC Shadow (Soccer) game.

source: AttractionsofAmerica

FAQ

When is the best time to move from Des Moines to Spokane?

Spring and fall are the ideal times to move from Des Moines to Spokane. You'll benefit from more comfortable weather and avoid the higher prices that come with peak moving season in Des Moines.

When is the cheapest time to move from Des Moines to Spokane?

With many people choosing to move from Des Moines to Spokane in spring or fall, winter moves often come with better rates. Take a look at our moving discounts guide to find out how to save.

How long does a move from Des Moines to Spokane take?

Covering 1,478 miles, the move from Des Moines, IA to Spokane, WA typically takes three to eight days. Some Des Moines movers may offer faster options, and if your timing is flexible, storage services in Spokane can help bridge the gap.

How many movers in Des Moines can handle specialty items for my move to Spokane?

Specialty moving services aren’t offered by every company. In Des Moines, 10 movers can handle pianos. 6 offer antique moving services. Compared to the rest of IA, there are 24 piano movers and 15 antique movers, while nationwide the numbers are 2,296 and 1,463 respectively.

If you need these services, it’s best to book early — availability can be limited, especially during peak moving months.