Highly rated local moving companies for Omaha to Des Moines moves
Organizing a move from Omaha to Des Moines can be daunting, particularly when trying to identify a reliable mover that offers long-distance services. We’ve done the groundwork for you, evaluating 13 local movers in Omaha known for their long-distance moving capabilities, assessing them on pricing, customer experiences, and reliability.
Here are the best local movers for long-distance moves from Omaha to Des Moines.
- Select Van & Storage Co.: 4.62 out of 5 stars
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK: 4.44 out of 5 stars
- Jim’s Moving & Delivery Co Inc: 4.44 out of 5 stars
- King’s Moving: 4.38 out of 5 stars
- Bellhop Moving: 4.34 out of 5 stars
Company Info
Years in Business: 79
DOT #: 1098759
Alternate Names: Mayflower Movers , Mayflower Transit , Select Van & Storage Co.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Crane vans
- Shipment tracking
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Pay by credit card
- DOD certified
Company Info
State license #: 2590545
Years in Business: 30
DOT #: 2527384
Alternate Names: JTW Omaha Movers, Inc.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Pianos
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 732686
Years in Business: 43
DOT #: 732686
Alternate Names: Live Grow Move, LLC
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Antiques
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
Years in Business: 11
DOT #: 960979
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Safes
Company Info
State license #: 2878240
Years in Business: 13
DOT #: 2878240
Alternate Names: Bellhops Moving Services
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
How much does it cost to move from Omaha to Des Moines?
On average, moving companies in Nebraska charge about $131 per hour. Consider these typical rates for a full-service moving company, moving container, or rental truck:
| Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $592 – $2,502 | $504 – $1,112 | $147 – $217 |
| 2 – 3 bedrooms | $1,183 – $3,384 | $866 – $1,649 | $141 – $277 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $1,599 – $4,154 | $1,217 – $1,939 | $180 – $292 |
Cost to hire movers from Omaha to Des Moines
When planning a move to Des Moines from Omaha, for a studio or one-bedroom, you’ll likely pay between $592 and $2,502. If you have a two- or three-bedroom home, expect costs to fall somewhere between $1,183 and $3,384 for the same journey. Moving four or five bedrooms? Typical prices range from $1,599 to $4,154.
Cost of moving containers from Omaha to Des Moines
When you’re heading from Omaha to Des Moines, and you’re only moving a few items, you can expect to spend between $504 and $1,112. For a two- or three-bedroom place, prices usually fall between $866 and $1,649. If you’re packing up a large home with four or more bedrooms, the cost can range from $1,217 to $1,939. Want more details? Check out our complete PODS cost guide.
Explore the top budget-friendly moving container companies to make your move from Nebraska easier and more affordable.
Cost of moving truck rentals from Omaha to Des Moines
A moving rental truck from Omaha to Des Moines is generally 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 $147 to $217. A two to three-bedroom move will cost $141 to $277, and moving a home with four or more bedrooms from Omaha to Des Moines costs around $180 to $292.
These quotes include the estimated fuel cost.
Factors that affect moving costs from Omaha to Des Moines

What to know before moving from Omaha to Des Moines
Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move – Des Moines runs about -40% higher for singles and 9% higher for families than Omaha.
Singles spend around $1,891 in Omaha versus $3,133 in Omaha; families pay $4,380 compared with $4,020.
Dig into the side-by-side details here:
| Omaha | Des Moines | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $1,458 | $1,229 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $3,284 | $1,763 |
| Average home value | $275,214 | $192,347 |
| Average income (per capita) | $65,359 | $58,492 |
| Cost of living (single) | $3,133 | $1,891 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $4,020 | $4,380 |
| Unemployment rate | 3.4% | 5.9% |
| Sales tax | 7.0% | 7.0% |
| State income tax | 6.64% | 4.4% |
- Rent is about 11% less expensive in Des Moines than in Omaha, so you will have more cash on hand each month.
- Expect your mortgage payments to be easier on the wallet, as home prices are around 30% cheaper in Des Moines than in Omaha.
- You might want to reassess your budget before relocating. The average income is roughly 11% less in Des Moines than in Omaha.
- Expect to spend less on everyday needs such as food, fuel, and utilities in Des Moines. The cost of living for a single person there is 40% below that of Omaha.
- When considering a family move to Des Moines, prepare for a potential rise in household expenses. The cost of living for a family here is 9% higher than in Omaha.
- Des Moines has a higher unemployment rate than Omaha by about 74%. This means that more people are out of work, so employers may have a larger pool of candidates to choose from, which can lead to a more competitive hiring process.
- Sales taxes are nearly equal in both Des Moines and Omaha (within a 5% range), so budgeting should not be affected by this change.
- Income taxes are 34% less in Iowa compared to Nebraska, offering a relief on your paycheck, which can enhance your budgeting options.
Here’s the side-by-side view of common monthly bills and day-to-day expenses in Omaha versus Des Moines:
| Living Expense | Omaha | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $328.13 | $144.82 |
| Cell phone plan | $52.85 | $51.25 |
| Dozen eggs | $3.37 | $3.61 |
| Loaf of bread | $3.17 | $2.50 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $20.00 | $16.00 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $75.00 | $77.50 |
| Gym membership | $49.44 | $66.67 |
- Basic utilities tend to be more expensive in Omaha than in Des Moines.
- Cell phone plans typically cost more in Omaha than in Des Moines.
- Eggs are less expensive in Omaha than in Des Moines.
- Bread is more expensive in Omaha than in Des Moines.
- A quick meal tends to cost more in Omaha than in Des Moines.
- A mid-range dinner for two costs less in Omaha than in Des Moines.
- Gym memberships are more affordable in Omaha than in Des Moines.
How life is different in Omaha vs. Des Moines
| Omaha | Des Moines | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 483,335 | 699,292 |
| Transportation score | 5 | 5 |
| Walkability score | 48 | 45 |
| Bike friendliness score | 42 | 39 |
| Crime index | 45.72 | 5.0 |
| Safety index | 54.28 | 57.8 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
- Des Moines’s population is about 45% greater than Omaha.
- Des Moines’s public transportation score is within about 5% of Omaha, making them very similar.
- Des Moines is less walkable than Omaha with a score of 45 out of 100 vs Omaha’s 48 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 Omaha, which has a score of 42.
- Des Moines’s crime rate is lower than Omaha with a score of 5.0 compared to Omaha’s 45.72. This means that Des Moines neighborhoods are safer than 5.0% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Omaha neighborhoods are safer than 45.72%.
- Des Moines is considered to be safer than Omaha with a safety index of 57.8 vs Omaha’s 54.28.
- Air quality in Des Moines is Good, and in Omaha it’s Good.
Other things to consider for your Omaha to Des Moines move
- HOA rules: Costs across Omaha and Des Moines are largely aligned, so your monthly budget shouldn’t shift much after the 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: Many cities require special permits for parking large moving trucks. Check in advance to see if one is needed for your move.
- 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: To confirm a moving company’s license in Iowa, visit the state’s public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: Moving permits aren’t typically required in Iowa, but always confirm with local authorities to avoid surprises.
- Change of address: You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Des Moines. Get started here.
- Moving company insurance: Each state has its own requirements for the level of insurance moving companies must carry. 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
- 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
With your move to Iowa complete, you can dive right into experiencing Des Moines. From cultural attractions to outdoor adventures, you’ll never run out of things to do:
- Arts and culture: Des Moines is home to museums and cultural arts centers 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 spots — perfect for hiking, biking, or simply soaking up the outdoors.
- Sports: Experience the energy of a live game and back the home team at an Drake Bulldogs game.
FAQ
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