Fact Checked by: Quick answer: Expect to pay $782–$7,246 for a move from Jackson to Des Moines, with most moves taking two to seven days. Your cost depends on load size, timing, and whether you move yourself or hire help for the 816 miles.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Des Moines to Jackson guide.
Our track record
Best Movers By Type
Professional
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Container
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Rental Truck
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Labor Only
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Best Professional Movers from Jackson to Des Moines
Picking a long-distance moving company for your move from Jackson to Des Moines isn't easy — there are tons of options out there, and figuring out who's reliable (and who's not) can feel like a real challenge.
No need to stress about sifting through endless options — we've already done the homework for you. Our picks are based on real reviews, pricing, and the range of services offered.
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Safeway Moving
 Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran ownedBest overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran ownedBest overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran ownedBest overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran owned |
American Van Lines
Certified crews
Flat-rate pricing
Family-ownedCertified crews
Flat-rate pricing
Family-ownedCertified crews
Flat-rate pricing
Family-ownedCertified crews
Flat-rate pricing
Family-owned |
Allied Van Lines
Specialty packing services
White-glove reputation
80+ years' experienceSpecialty packing services
White-glove reputation
80+ years' experienceSpecialty packing services
White-glove reputation
80+ years' experienceSpecialty packing services
White-glove reputation
80+ years' experience |
Mayzlin Relocation
Family owned
East coast focus
Affordable pricingFamily owned
East coast focus
Affordable pricingFamily owned
East coast focus
Affordable pricingFamily owned
East coast focus
Affordable pricing |
North American Van Lines
1,800 trucks
Storage available
Customized moving plans1,800 trucks
Storage available
Customized moving plans1,800 trucks
Storage available
Customized moving plans1,800 trucks
Storage available
Customized moving plans |
How we chose the best moving companies for your MS to IA move
Local moving companies in Jackson
- Bellhop Moving: 4.58 out of 5 stars
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK: 4.72 out of 5 stars
- The Armstrong Company: 4.38 out of 5 stars
- My Two Movers: 4.28 out of 5 stars
- McCorquodale Transfer: 3.72 out of 5 stars
Company Info
State license #: 2878240
Years in Business: 14
DOT #: 2878240
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
Company Info
State license #: 913816
Years in Business: 25
DOT #: 2527384
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Pianos
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 1925341
Years in Business: 38
DOT #: 1170867
Alternate Names: Armstrong Transfer & Storage Co., Inc., Armstrong Relocation & Commercial Services, The Armstrong Company
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
Years in Business: 18
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Crating
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
Company Info
State license #: 713589
DOT #: 713589
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Offices
- Pianos
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Crane vans
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Pay by money order
- Pay by credit card
How much does it cost to move from Jackson to Des Moines?
Jackson movers charge $127 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 | $1,482 - $5,204 | $963 - $2,382 | $662 - $1,314 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,881 - $7,246 | $1,629 - $3,309 | $782 - $1,483 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $5,211 - $10,590 | $2,371 - $4,496 | $933 - $1,893 |
Cost to hire movers from Mississippi to Iowa
Planning a move from Mississippi to Iowa? For a studio or one-bedroom, you’ll likely pay between $1,482 and $5,204. If you have a two- or three-bedroom home, expect costs to fall somewhere between $2,881 and $7,246 for the same journey (MS to IA). Moving four or five bedrooms? Typical prices range from $5,211 to $10,590.
Cost of moving containers from Mississippi to Iowa
If you’re relocating from Mississippi to Iowa, you’ll typically spend between $963 and $2,382 for a small move. Have a two or three-bedroom home? Plan for costs to range from $1,629 up to $3,309. If you’re moving a larger home—four bedrooms or more—expect to pay anywhere between $2,371 and $4,496. For a full breakdown, check out our complete PODS cost guide.
Exploree our top budget-friendly moving container companies for your move from Mississippi.
Cost of moving truck rentals from Mississippi to Iowa
Looking to save money? Renting a moving truck is usually your cheapest option. Just keep in mind that you’ll handle all the lifting, packing, and driving yourself.
If you’re moving out of a studio or one-bedroom and renting a truck, plan to spend between $662 and $1,314. For two- or three-bedroom moves, prices typically land between $782 and $1,483. Dealing with a four-bedroom-plus home? Expect rental truck costs to be somewhere between $933 and $1,893.
These cost ranges already include estimated fuel costs.
Key factors that influence moving costs from Jackson to Des Moines
What to know before moving from Jackson to Des Moines
Moving from Jackson 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 Jackson than in Des Moines, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.
Check out how Jackson compares to Des Moines so you know what to expect before you relocate:
| Jackson | Des Moines | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,170 | $1,150 |
| Average home value | $68,872 | $192,347 |
| Average income (per capita) | $57,848 | $58,492 |
| Cost of living (single person) | $1,969 | $1,891 |
| Cost of living (family of 4) | $4,990 | $4,380 |
| Unemployment rate | 7.7% | 5.9% |
| Sales tax | 8.0% | 7.0% |
| State income tax | 4.7% | 4.4% |
- Rent prices in Des Moines are 2% lower than in Jackson, which means you'll have more money in your pocket each month.
- The home prices in Des Moines are 179.3% higher than in Jackson, which could mean saving up before buying a home, taking on a bigger mortgage, or downsizing.
- You’re likely to make a higher income living in Des Moines, where incomes are, on average, 1.1% higher than in Jackson. Major employers in Des Moines include MercyOne, Principal Financial Group, and Ppw Holdings.
- 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 4.0% lower than in Jackson.
- 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 12.2% less than what it costs in Jackson.
- The unemployment rate in Des Moines is 23.38% lower than in Jackson.
- You'll spend less on retail and restaurants in Des Moines, since the city's sales taxes in Des Moines are 12.50% lower than in Jackson.
- One perk of moving to Des Moines is paying less in state income taxes, which are 6.38% lower than in Jackson.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,881.16 in Des Moines to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Jackson.
How life is different in Jackson vs. Des Moines
| Des Moines | Jackson | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 699,292 | 153,701 |
| AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 5 | 2 |
| Walkability score | 45 | 26 |
| Bike friendliness score | 39 | 33 |
| Crime Index | 5.0 | 82.38 |
| Safety Index | 57.8 | 17.62 |
| Air Quality | Good | Good |
- The population of Des Moines is about 355% greater than Jackson, so you may find more to see and do in your new surroundings. Of course, with more people can also come increased competition for jobs and housing.
- Des Moines offers better access to buses and trains than Jackson, based on public transportation ratings. Des Moines has a transit score of 5 out of 10 compared to 2 in Jackson. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
- Living in Des Moines means you'll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Jackson. Des Moines is considered more walkable than Jackson, with a score of 45 out of 100 versus 26 out of 100 in Jackson. A city's walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
- If cycling is your thing, Des Moines is considered more bike-friendly than Jackson in terms of designated lanes and connectivity and how many residents opt to commute on two wheels rather than by car. Des Moines has a bike-friendliness score of 39 out of 100, while Jackson is rated as 33 out of 100.
- Des Moines has a lower crime rate than Jackson based on scores of 5.0 and Jackson's 82.38, respectively. The crime index shows how safe a city is perceived to be. So, a lower score generally means less crime.
- You might find more confidence in your overall safety in Des Moines than in Jackson, based on Des Moines's safety index of 57.8 versus 17.62 for Jackson. With this index, higher scores indicate more safety, particularly around how comfortable residents feel walking alone during the day and at night.
- The air quality in Des Moines and Jackson is generally the same (Good). Cities with good to moderate ratings have clean or acceptable air quality, with the possibility of small pollutants affecting people with certain health conditions like asthma. Anything beyond the moderate rate means increased impact on residents.
Other things to consider for your Jackson 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
Now that you've decided to make the move to Hartford of the West, these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Des Moines.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Sherman Hill
- Downtown
- North of Grand
- Woodland Heights
- Beaverdale
Best neighborhoods for families
- Waterbury
- Waveland Park
- Westwood
- Salisbury Oaks
- Meredith
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: You'll find museums and cultural hubs throughout Des Moines, such as 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 — along with other locations, ideal for trails, cycling, or enjoying the fresh air.
- Sports: Experience the energy of a live game and back the home team at an Drake Bulldogs game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Jackson to Des Moines?
Spring and fall are the ideal times to move from Jackson to Des Moines You'll benefit from more comfortable weather and avoid the higher prices that come with peak moving season in Jackson.
When is the cheapest time to move from Jackson to Des Moines?
Because spring and fall moves from Jackson 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 Jackson to Des Moines take?
The 816-mile journey from Jackson, MS to Des Moines, IA, typically takes two to seven days. Some movers in Jackson offer expedited services if you're on a tight schedule, and if you need extra time, be sure to ask about storage options in Des Moines.
