Lexington, KY to Des Moines, IA Movers (NEW 2026 Costs)

How we chose the best KY→IA movers

Our team at moveBuddha evaluated moving rates from 29 Kentucky 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 Lexington to Des Moines

Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move - Des Moines runs about -39% higher for singles and 5% higher for families than Lexington.

Singles spend around $1,891 in Des Moines versus $3,100 in Lexington; families pay $4,380 compared with $4,170.

Dig into the side-by-side details here:

	Lexington	Des Moines
Average 1 BR rent	$1,175	$1,229
Average 3 BR rent	$2,110	$1,763
Average home value	$309,021	$192,347
Average income (per capita)	$61,526	$58,492
Cost of living (single)	$3,100	$1,891
Cost of living (family of four)	$4,170	$4,380
Unemployment rate	4.3%	5.9%
Sales tax	6.0%	7.0%
State income tax	4.0%	4.4%

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

Experience a potentially easier financial adjustment with rent being about 14% lower in Des Moines than in Lexington, giving you more disposable income monthly.
Your monthly mortgage budget shouldn’t take a hit, with home prices being about 38% lower in Des Moines than in Lexington.
The average income in Des Moines and Lexington is quite similar, within about 5%, so your finances should remain fairly stable.
Anticipate lower daily expenses, including food, gas, and utilities in Des Moines, where the cost of living for a single person is 39% less than in Lexington.
You’ll find the cost of living for a family to be nearly equivalent in Des Moines and Lexington, with only a minor variance of about 5%, so you'll likely see minimal difference in daily expenses.
The unemployment rate in Des Moines is 37% higher compared to Lexington, translating to more job seekers for available positions, which might elevate competition.
Sales taxes are 17% higher in Des Moines than in Lexington. This means you'll likely pay more out-of-pocket for everyday purchases on taxable goods like clothing, electronics, dining out, and household items.
Income taxes are 10% higher in Iowa compared to Kentucky. 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 Lexington with Des Moines:

Living Expense	Lexington	Des Moines
Basic utilities	$206.92	$144.82
Cell phone plan	$71.33	$51.25
Dozen eggs	$2.98	$3.61
Loaf of bread	$2.90	$2.50
Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal)	$14.25	$16.00
Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant)	$75.00	$77.50
Gym membership	$37.50	$66.67

Basic utilities tend to be more expensive in Lexington than in Des Moines.
Cell phone plans typically cost more in Lexington than in Des Moines.
Eggs are less expensive in Lexington than in Des Moines.
Bread is more expensive in Lexington than in Des Moines.
A quick meal is cheaper in Lexington than in Des Moines.
A mid-range dinner for two costs less in Lexington than in Des Moines.
Gym memberships are more affordable in Lexington than in Des Moines.

How life is different in Lexington vs. Des Moines

	Lexington	Des Moines
Population	320,347	699,292
Transportation score	4	5
Walkability score	90	45
Bike friendliness score	85	39
Crime index	50.88	5.0
Safety index	49.12	57.8
Air quality	Good	Good

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

Des Moines's population is about 118% greater than Lexington.
Des Moines's public transportation score of 5 out of 10 is higher than Lexington's score of 4.
Des Moines is less walkable than Lexington with a score of 45 out of 100 vs Lexington's 90 out of 100.
Des Moines has a bike-friendliness score of 39 out of 100, which means it isn't as accessible or safe for cyclists as Lexington, which has a score of 85.
Des Moines's crime rate is lower than Lexington with a score of 5.0 compared to Lexington's 50.88. This means that Des Moines neighborhoods are safer than 5.0% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Lexington neighborhoods are safer than 50.88%.
Des Moines is considered to be safer than Lexington with a safety index of 57.8 vs Lexington's 49.12.
Air quality in Des Moines is Good, and in Lexington it's Good.

Other things to consider for your Lexington to Des Moines 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: 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. Double-check that the moving company is properly licensed before you hire them.
State regulator: You can verify a Iowa moving company's license by visiting the state's public utilities commission.
Moving Permits: While Iowa 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 Des Moines smoothly. Start the process here.
Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. Choose cost-free Released Value Protection from movers for basic coverage at 60 cents per pound.
Moving checklist: Use our moving checklist to stay on top of every detail and reduce last-minute stress.

Where to live in Des Moines

Now that you've chosen Hartford of the West as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in Des Moines to check out.

Best neighborhoods for singles

Sherman Hill
Downtown
East Village
North of Grand
Woodland Heights
Arbor Peaks
Chautauqua Park
Beaverdale
Westwood

Best neighborhoods for families

Linden Heights
Waterbury
Waveland Park
Westwood
Salisbury Oaks
Meredith
Beaverdale

Things to do in Des Moines

After getting comfortable in your new Iowa home, it's time to see what Des Moines 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, Des Moines offers cultural landmarks like the Des Moines Art Center, State Historical Museum, Science Center of Iowa, and Salisbury House.
Outdoor recreation: The city's Gray's Lake Park, Pappajohn Sculpture Park, Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, and Robert D. Ray Asian Gardens — 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 Drake Bulldogs game.

source: AttractionsofAmerica

FAQ

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

The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from Lexington to Des Moines are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in Lexington are lower.

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

Because spring and fall moves from Lexington to Des Moines 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 Lexington to Des Moines take?

A move of 659 miles from Lexington, KY to Des Moines, IA generally takes one to six days. Movers in Lexington sometimes provide expedited service, while storage in Des Moines is a good fallback if you need extra time.

Which movers in Lexington offer piano or antique moving?

Some moving jobs call for extra care and expertise. 6 movers in Lexington have the skills and equipment for piano transport. 4 specialize in safely moving antiques. Across KY, there are 21 piano movers and 14 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.