($1,185) Movers From Des Moines, IA to Charleston, WV
Quick answer: A move from Des Moines to Charleston costs $544–$5,380 and takes two to seven days. The main factors that determine the cost and time are how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the 786-mile move yourself.

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Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Charleston to Des Moines guide.
The best Des Moines to Charleston full-service moving companies
Choosing a long-distance moving company in Des Moines to go to Charleston can be overwhelming. With so many options, it’s hard to know which movers to trust… and which ones to avoid.
Don't worry — you won't have to sort through all of them. We've done the research for you and narrowed down the list based on customer satisfaction, cost, and services.
Here are the best long-distance moving companies serving Des Moines to Charleston.
- Safeway Moving: 4.85 out of 5 stars
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- North American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5 stars
- PODS: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5 stars
- GPS tracking en route
- Veteran-owned
- Dedicated move coordinator
- Flat-rate pricing
- Donates a portion of moves to charity
- Family-owned, with locations covering the East Coast
- Full refund if you cancel within 7 days of your move
- Hands-on customer service
- 24/7 support
- Price-matching policy
- Custom crates for electronics & art
- Satellite shipment tracking
- 1,500 local agents covering all 50 states
- Self-packing option
- No deposit required
- 30 days storage included
- Local and long distance moving options
- Unlimited loading/unloading time
- Store on property or at a facility
- Experienced & fully trained moving crews
- Specializes in moving art & antiques
- Competitive pricing
- Can handle last-minute moves
- Climate-controlled storage
How much are professional moving companies when moving from Des Moines to Charleston?
Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Des Moines to Charleston will cost between $1,185 to $3,930. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $2,110 to $5,380, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from Des Moines to Charleston will cost from $3,685 to $7,913.
The best moving containers for your Des Moines to Charleston move
Moving containers can be a cost-effective option for moving from Des Moines to Charleston. You’ll save a little money by opting to pack and load everything yourself, but the container company will take care of the transportation for you.
We recommend these moving container companies:
- 30 days storage included
- Local and long distance moving options
- Unlimited loading/unloading time
- Store on property or at a facility
- Long distance moves only
- Only pay for the space you use
- No deposit or initial fees
- Fast delivery time frames
- Combines affordability of DIY moving with convenience of a truck and driver
- Only pay for the truck space you use
- Offers vehicle shipping
How much are moving container companies from Des Moines to Charleston?
Moving containers from Des Moines to Charleston will cost you $726 to $1,795 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,266 to $2,567. A larger home will cost $1,769 to $3,481.
The best moving truck rentals for your Des Moines to Charleston move
If you want to save even more money on your Des Moines to Charleston move, renting a moving truck is your cheapest option. Keep in mind that you’ll be handling all the work — packing, loading, and driving. But that extra work will pay off in terms of keeping costs low.
These top moving truck rentals are a great place to start:
- More than 20,000 locations with prominent pricing
- Rental options include everything from pick-up trucks to 26-foot moving trucks
- Gentle-Ride Suspension add protection to avoid damaging your items during transit
- U-Box moving containers available if you don't want to drive
- Competitive base prices with specialized discounts
- Round-trip and one-way moves available
- User-friendly website makes it easy to book the right truck
How much is a moving truck from Des Moines to Charleston?
Renting a moving truck is usually the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor.
Moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $514 to $987. A larger move will cost $544 to $1,149, and a four-bedroom move from Des Moines to Charleston costs from $680 to $1,478. These estimates include the anticipated fuel cost.
The best labor-only movers for your Des Moines to Charleston move
If you need some extra hands to help you with your move, you’ll want to hire labor-only movers with reasonable hourly rates and professional crews. Labor-only companies that offer add-on options like packing and cleaning allow you to more fully tailor services to your needs and budget.
Consider these highly rated labor-only movers to help you move from Des Moines to Charleston:
- First call quoting, get a quote in just a couple of minutes
- Rates are typically 20-40% lower than the industry averages
- $1,000 money-back service guarantee
- Fast and accurate delivery times
- Free damage coverage with additional coverage options
- Quick and easy booking process
- National 4.75/5 star rating (these guys are good at what they do)
- Dedicated move concierge specialist
- Pay as you go service. 2-hour minimum and then prorated down to the minute
- The time clock starts when the movers arrive and ends when you tell them
How much does it cost to move from Des Moines to Charleston?
Des Moines movers charge $142 per hour on average. Here are average prices for a full-service moving company, moving container, or truck:
Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
---|---|---|---|
Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,185 - $3,930 | $726 - $1,795 | $514 - $987 |
2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,110 - $5,380 | $1,266 - $2,567 | $544 - $1,149 |
4+ bedrooms | $3,685 - $7,913 | $1,769 - $3,481 | $680 - $1,478 |
Factors influencing moving costs from Des Moines to Charleston
The cost of Des Moines movers will depend on:
- Move size: The cost of your move will depend on the amount of items you have in your home. For example, moving a one-bedroom apartment from Des Moines to Charleston can be as low as $1,185 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $6,787.
- Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in Des Moines, so moving companies will likely charge more.
- Do-it-yourself vs professional mover: Renting a truck or using a moving container can be cheaper options, with prices for a rental truck ranging from $514 to $1,265. However, these options require more work and effort compared to hiring professional movers.
What to know before moving from Des Moines to Charleston
Des Moines | Charleston | |
---|---|---|
Average rent cost | $1,150 | $962 |
Average home value | $192,347 | $146,899 |
Average income (per capita) | $58,492 | $58,251 |
Cost of living (single person) | $1,891 | $1,866 |
Cost of living (family of 4) | $4,380 | $4,269 |
Unemployment rate | 5.9% | 6.2% |
Sales tax | 7.0% | 7.0% |
State income tax | 4.4% | 6.5% |
- Rent prices in Charleston are 16% lower than in Des Moines.
- Home prices in Charleston are 23.6% lower than in Des Moines.
- Income is the same in Charleston and Des Moines.
- The cost of living for a single person in Charleston is 1.3% lower than in Des Moines.
- The cost of living for a family in Charleston is 2.5% lower than in Des Moines.
- The unemployment rate in Charleston is 5.08% higher than in Des Moines.
- Sales taxes are the same in Charleston and Des Moines.
- State income taxes in Charleston are 47.73% higher than in Des Moines.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,960.34 in Charleston 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. Charleston
Charleston | Des Moines | |
---|---|---|
Population | 48,018 | 699,292 |
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 2 | 5 |
Walkability score | 33 | 45 |
Bike friendliness score | 28 | 39 |
Crime Index | 3.0 | 5.0 |
Safety Index | 46.06 | 57.8 |
Air Quality | Good | Good |
- Charleston's population is about 93% less than Des Moines.
- Charleston's public transportation has a score of 2 out of 10 versus Des Moines's lower score of 5.
- Charleston is less walkable than Des Moines with a score of 33 out of 100 vs Des Moines's 45 out of 100.
- Charleston is less bike-friendly than Des Moines with a score of 28 out of 100 vs Des Moines's 39.
- Charleston's crime rate is lower than Des Moines with a score of 3.0 compared to Des Moines's 5.0. This means that Charleston neighborhoods are safer than 3.0% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Des Moines neighborhoods are safer than 5.0%.
- Charleston is considered to be less safe than Des Moines with a score of 46.06 vs Des Moines's 57.8.
- Air quality in Charleston is good, and in Des Moines it's good.
Other things to consider for your Des Moines vs. Charleston move
- Weather: September, June and May are the most pleasant months in Charleston, 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: In the Mountaineer State, the state’s Public Service Commission oversees local and intrastate movers. The commission strives to support and promote the interests of both businesses and consumers, and those interested in hiring an in-state mover can browse the Commission’s Regulated Motor Carrier Database to verify that they’re reputable businesses in good standing. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
- State regulator: You can verify a West Virginia moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving permits: West Virginia 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 Charleston. Get started here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. When relocating in West Virginia, prioritize movers' insurance for comprehensive coverage. Many movers provide Released Value Protection at no additional cost, covering items at 60 cents per pound. Elevate your protection by exploring Full Value Protection options with the moving company or considering tailored plans from third-party insurance providers. Understand coverage limits, potential extra costs, and read reviews to make an informed decision on your West Virginia state moving insurance, ensuring a secure and stress-free relocation experience.
- Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.
Things to do in Charleston
After settling into your new West Virginia home, you’ll want to branch out and explore your new city. Luckily, Charleston has lots to offer, no matter what you’re interested in:
- Arts and culture: Charleston is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the Clay Center, West Virginia State Museum, Avampato Discovery Museum, and The Art Emporium.
- Outdoor recreation: The city’s Haddad Riverfront Park, Wallace Hartman Nature Preserve, and Cato Park — among other sites — are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.
- Sports: Catch a live game and cheer on the home team at an Charleston Golden Eagles (Mountain East) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Des Moines to Charleston?
The best time to move from Des Moines to Charleston is during the spring or fall. These seasons offer milder weather and avoid higher moving costs during the peak moving season in Des Moines.
When is the cheapest time to move from Des Moines to Charleston?
Because most people are moving from Des Moines to Charleston in the spring or fall, you can often catch discounts by moving in the winter. Read our guide on moving discounts to learn more.
How long does a move from Des Moines to Charleston take?
The 786-mile move from Des Moines, IA, to Charleston, WV, takes two to seven 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 Charleston.