Best overall value
Local moving companies in Wichita
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK: 4.66 out of 5 stars
- American Movers: 4.62 out of 5 stars
- Bellhop Moving: 4.52 out of 5 stars
- Titan Moving: 4.38 out of 5 stars
- Mighty Movers: 4.28 out of 5 stars
- Efficient service
- Careful handling
- Professional and polite staff
- Quick moving process
- Helpful movers
- Damage to items
- Lack of communication
- Unexpected charges
Company Info
State license #: 2277955
Years in Business: 21
DOT #: 2527384
Alternate Names: Moving OZ, LLC
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Pianos
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
- Efficient service
- Careful handling
- Professional and polite staff
- Quick moving process
- Helpful movers
- Damage to items
- Unexpected charges
- Unprofessional behavior
Company Info
Years in Business: 20
DOT #: 1698749
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- Professional and polite staff
- Efficient service
- Quick moving process
- Affordable rates
- Good communication
- Damage to items
- Delayed arrival or delivery
- Unreliable timing
Company Info
Years in Business: 14
DOT #: 2878240
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- Professional and polite staff
- Efficient service
- Careful handling
- Quick moving process
- Affordable rates
- Delayed arrival or delivery
- Damage to items
- Lack of communication
Company Info
State license #: 2727872
Years in Business: 10
DOT #: 2727872
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Crating
- Crane vans
- Shipment tracking
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- DOD certified
- Efficient service
- Careful handling
- Professional and polite staff
- Quick moving process
- Friendly and approachable staff
- Unexpected charges
- Lack of communication
- Damage to items
Company Info
Years in Business: 25
DOT #: 1066399
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Safes
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
Factors that influence moving costs from Wichita to Des Moines
What to know before moving from Wichita to Des Moines
Moving from Wichita to Des Moines means adjusting to a different pace of life — and a different price tag. On average, it costs significantly more to live in Wichita than in Des Moines, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.
Check out how Wichita compares to Des Moines so you know what to expect before you relocate:
| Wichita | Des Moines | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $930 | $1,150 |
| Average home value | $190,905 | $192,347 |
| Average income (per capita) | $60,712 | $58,492 |
| Cost of living (single person) | $2,107 | $1,891 |
| Cost of living (family of 4) | $5,818 | $4,380 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.9% | 5.9% |
| Sales tax | 7.5% | 7.0% |
| State income tax | 5.7% | 4.4% |
- You may want to budget more for rent in Des Moines, since prices are typically 24% higher than in Wichita.
- Home prices are the same in Des Moines and Wichita.
- Income in Des Moines is 3.7% lower than in Wichita, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in Des Moines — including MercyOne, Principal Financial Group, and Ppw Holdings — may pay more.
- Get ready to save some money on recurring expenses like food, gas, and utility bills in Des Moines. On average, the cost of living for a single person there is 10.3% lower than in Wichita.
- A move to Des Moines can help cut down on a family’s routine expenses, including utilities, transportation, and groceries. The cost of living for a family of four is 24.7% less than what it costs in Wichita.
- The unemployment rate in Des Moines and Wichita.
- You'll spend less on retail and restaurants in Des Moines, since the city's sales taxes in Des Moines are 6.67% lower than in Wichita.
- One perk of moving to Des Moines is paying less in state income taxes, which are 22.81% lower than in Wichita.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,692.45 in Des Moines to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Wichita.
How life is different in Wichita vs. Des Moines
| Des Moines | Wichita | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 699,292 | 397,532 |
| AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 5 | 3 |
| Walkability score | 45 | 35 |
| Bike friendliness score | 39 | 44 |
| Crime Index | 5.0 | 49.19 |
| Safety Index | 57.8 | 50.81 |
| Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
- Des Moines's population is about 76% greater than Wichita.
- Des Moines's public transportation has a score of 5 out of 10 versus Wichita's lower score of 3.
- Des Moines is more walkable than Wichita with a score of 45 out of 100 vs Wichita's 35 out of 100.
- Des Moines has a bike-friendliness score 39 out of 100, which means it isn't as accessible to and safe for cyclists as Wichita, which has a score of 44 out of 100.
- Des Moines's crime rate is lower than Wichita with a score of 5.0 compared to Wichita's 49.19. This means that Des Moines neighborhoods are safer than 5.0% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Wichita neighborhoods are safer than 49.19%.
- Des Moines is considered to be safer than Wichita with a safety index of 57.8 vs Wichita's 50.81.
- Air quality in Des Moines is good, and in Wichita it's moderate.
Other things to consider for your Wichita vs. Des Moines move
- Weather: September, June and May are the most pleasant months in Des Moines, while January and December are the least comfortable months.
- 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: Make sure to arrange elevator access in advance if your building requires reservations for moving.
- Truck parking permits: Make sure to look into local parking regulations—some areas require permits for large moving trucks.
- State licensing: When moving within Iowa, make sure to hire a company that is licensed by the Iowa Department of Transportation. Each household goods mover in the state should have an Iowa Motor Carrier (IOWAMC) Number, which means they’ve met minimum insurance and highway safety requirements. Ensure the company you choose is licensed to handle your move.
- State regulator: You can verify a Iowa moving company's license by visiting the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: You won't need a moving permit in Iowa, though it's smart to double-check any local parking restrictions ahead of your move.
- Change of address: To avoid missing any mail, we recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least a week before your move. You can choose your official move date to make sure everything gets forwarded properly to Des Moines Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: The amount and type of insurance movers must have depends on state regulations. Choose cost-free Released Value Protection from movers for basic coverage at 60 cents per pound.
- Moving checklist: Let our moving checklist guide you through the process and help ensure nothing slips through the cracks.
Where to live in Des Moines
With your sights set on Hartford of the West, these are some of the most popular neighborhoods to consider in Des Moines.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Sherman Hill
- Downtown
- Woodland Heights
- Arbor Peaks
- Beaverdale
Best neighborhoods for families
- Linden Heights
- Waveland Park
- Westwood
- Meredith
- Beaverdale
Things to do in Des Moines
After settling into your new Iowa home, you'll want to branch out and explore your new city. Luckily, Des Moines has lots to offer, no matter what you're interested in:
- Arts and culture: Cultural attractions in Des Moines include museums and art centers like the Des Moines Art Center, State Historical Museum, Science Center of Iowa, Salisbury House, and World Food Prize Hall of Laureates.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Gray's Lake Park, Pappajohn Sculpture Park, Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, and Robert D. Ray Asian Gardens — and more, offering great opportunities to hike, bike, or relax in nature.
- Sports: Nothing beats the thrill of cheering on the home team at an Drake Bulldogs game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Wichita to Des Moines?
If you're flexible with timing, spring and fall are great seasons to move from Wichita to Des Moines. You'll dodge the heat, the crowds, and the higher moving costs typical of peak season in Wichita.
When is the cheapest time to move from Wichita to Des Moines?
Since spring and fall are the most popular times to move from Wichita to Des Moines moving in the winter could help you save money. Check out our guide on moving discounts for more tips.
How long does a move from Wichita to Des Moines take?
Covering 391 miles, the move from Wichita, KS to Des Moines, IA typically takes one to four days. Some Wichita movers may offer faster options, and if your timing is flexible, storage services in Des Moines can help bridge the gap.
