($708+) Jersey City, NJ to Des Moines, IA Movers

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Background image of a moving truck moving from Jersey City, NJ to Des Moines, IA

Moving from Jersey City, NJ, to Des Moines, IA, runs anywhere from $730 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,447 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,105 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 2 to 8 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.

  • Full-service moves for smaller spaces (studio apartments and 1-bedrooms) start around $2,017, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,447 or more.
  • Moving containers run $1,277 - $4,211, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $730 - $2,053.
  • Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Jersey City, NJ, to Des Moines, IA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,598 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.

Compare moving options from Jersey City, NJ to Des Moines, IA

There are 3 main ways to move from Jersey City to Des Moines: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service handles labor and transportation for you, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route costing $2,598 - $6,101. Moving containers run about 30% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 60% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 2 to 8 days for this 1,105-mile route, depending on which option you go with.

Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,105-mile route from Jersey City to Des Moines, broken down by home size:

Home size Full-service movers Moving container Rental truck Freight trailer
Studio / 1 bedroom $2,017 - $4,726 $1,277 - $2,221 $730 - $1,348 $1,138 - $2,188
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,598 - $6,101 $1,678 - $3,320 $766 - $1,770 $1,328 - $2,682
4+ bedrooms $4,126 - $8,447 $2,179 - $4,211 $1,064 - $2,053 $1,673 - $3,541

Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.

Professional
Safeway Moving
star star star star star 4.9 / 5
Read our full Safeway review
Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran-owned
Container
Unlimited storage
3 container sizes
10% discount
Rental Truck
Budget Truck Rental
star star star star star 4.3 / 5
Read our full Budget review
Affordable pricing
Online estimates
Several discounts
Freight
MovingYourself
star star star star star 4.5 / 5
Read our full MovingYourself review
Fast delivery
Nationwide
100+ miles moves

Full-service moving costs from Jersey City, NJ to Des Moines, IA

Full-service movers for the 1,105-mile relocation from Jersey City, New Jersey, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $2,017 and $8,447. With a long-distance moving company, loading, transportation, and unloading are all taken care of. If you want to skip packing boxes, too, that can be added for $356 - $2,376, depending on your home size. What you pay in the end is mainly a function of how much your shipment weighs and how far it's traveling. As a point of reference, local movers in Jersey City typically charge a base rate around $256 plus $139 per hour, per mover.

Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Jersey City to Des Moines:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,017 - $4,726
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,598 - $6,101
  • 4+ bedrooms: $4,126 - $8,447

Packing, storage, shuttle fees, and added coverage can stack on top of the base price. See the full add-ons and specialty services table below for what each runs from Jersey City to Des Moines.

The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from New Jersey to Iowa. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.

Pro tip: Avoiding peak moving season dates (May - September) is one of the easiest ways to reduce costs. Off-season moves typically come with lower pricing and more room to negotiate since movers have fewer bookings.

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Specialty moving services from Jersey City, NJ to Des Moines, IA

Specialty needs vary by market — 93% of Jersey City movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Des Moines, 58% of movers offer the same service.

Service When you need it Typical cost
Full packingFull crew packing98% of local movers$594 - $5,940
Storage in transitNew place not ready93% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Roadway Moving $238 - $1,426/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$356 - $2,851
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage54% of local movers$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs37% of local movers$1,188 - $3,564
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$2,970 - $11,880
Car shippingSecond vehicle$890 - $1,691
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items71% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Great Movers$1,188 - $2,970
PianoAny piano type88% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Roadway Moving $950 - $4,158
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling43% of local movers$356 - $1,782
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect30% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Zeromax Moving and Storage$772 - $2,376
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$356 - $17,820+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$356 - $4,158+

What are the best full-service movers from Jersey City to Des Moines?

All three below meet the standards set by the Iowa Motor Truck Association, the group most Iowa movers are affiliated with.

  1. Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list, with flat-rate pricing that holds firm on moving day and a customer support team available around the clock.
  2. American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here. With 30+ years of interstate moves behind them, AVL uses full-time in-house crews instead of the contracted labor most national carriers rely on.
  3. Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan available on every long-distance move.

Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Jersey City, NJ. At that distance, local movers often charge 30% - 40% more because they don't spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments the way national carriers do. If a direct route and faster delivery (averaging 2 days) are priorities, a local mover may be worth considering, but that service comes at a higher price.

Moving container costs from Jersey City, NJ to Des Moines, IA

Moving containers from Jersey City, New Jersey, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $1,277 and $4,211. A container is delivered to your home and you load it on your own time. Loading windows vary by company: U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30. From there, the company takes over and transports it to Des Moines. If you go over that window, storage in Jersey City adds around $130/month.

Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Jersey City to Des Moines:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,277 - $2,221
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,678 - $3,320
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,179 - $4,211

What other costs come with moving containers?

  • Moving labor: Because loading is on you with a container move, hourly labor help is a popular add-on. In Jersey City, NJ, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $832, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
  • Storage: After the first month, ongoing rental fees kick in. A small container (7 - 8 feet) averages about $89 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $178 per month.
  • Access: Most major container companies serve both Jersey City, NJ, and Des Moines, IA, but confirm a facility is within reasonable distance if you need to retrieve items while in storage.
  • Added contents protection: Full-value protection provides broader coverage than the standard liability in your contract. It typically costs 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on $50,000 worth of belongings.

Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a New Jersey to Iowa move in the past 90 days. Our pricing data is drawn from 1,500+ monthly data points across our vetted mover network and refreshed every month.

Pro tip: Before ordering moving containers, take a careful inventory of everything you're moving. A typical 1-bedroom home weighs around 3,000 pounds and fits in a single container starting at $1,277. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,678 - $3,320, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.

What are the best moving containers Jersey City to Des Moines?

  1. Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
  2. U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
  3. MovingYourself (5.0/5 stars)

Want a hand without paying for full service? A container or truck move does not mean doing all the heavy lifting yourself. You can hire a labor-only crew in Jersey City to load and unload while you handle the drive, then book full help later if you change your mind. Three top-rated local crews for labor-only help in Jersey City:

  • Roadway Moving (4.9/5), 18 years in business
  • Ample Moving (4.8/5), 8 years in business
  • Dumbo Moving and Storage (4.5/5), 19 years in business

Moving truck rental costs from Jersey City, NJ to Des Moines, IA

Truck rentals from Jersey City, New Jersey, to Des Moines, Iowa, range from $730 - $2,053 for the 1,105-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:

  • Fuel for the drive: $418 - $477
  • Daily insurance: $36/day
  • Equipment rentals: $8 - $24
  • Jersey City daily rental rate: $19 - $39
  • Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.99 - $0.99
Home sizeTypical truck size
Studio / 1 bedroom10 - 12 ft
2 - 3 bedrooms15 - 17 ft
4+ bedrooms20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel)

These are typical moving truck rental costs from Jersey City to Des Moines based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $730 - $1,348
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $766 - $1,770
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,064 - $2,053

Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Jersey City to Des Moines starts at $730 - $2,053, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($418 - $477) , overnight lodging ($178/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for an additional $600 - $1,200 on top of your base rate to cover those costs.

What other costs come with rental trucks?

  • Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $178 per night. Most long-distance moves with rental trucks require 1 - 3 overnight stops.
  • Equipment: Tow dollies, auto trailers, and specialty moving equipment can add between $77 and $386 to your total.
  • Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
  • Gas: Plan on spending $418 - $477 in fuel for the 1,105-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
  • Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $832 in Jersey City, New Jersey, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Jersey City to Des Moines?

  1. Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
  2. Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
  3. U-Haul Truck Rental (4.2/5 stars)

The best truck rental companies for this route, based on moveBuddha's ratings.

Freight trailer costs from Jersey City, NJ to Des Moines, IA

If you're moving a larger household from Jersey City, New Jersey, and want to stay in control of the loading process, freight trailers offer a practical middle ground between hiring movers and renting a truck yourself. A 28-foot trailer is delivered to your door, you load what you need, and the carrier handles the drive to Des Moines, Iowa.

Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. Most moves on this route fall between $1,328 and $2,682.

Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Jersey City to Des Moines:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,138 - $2,188
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,328 - $2,682
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,673 - $3,541

Pro tip: Freight pricing rewards efficient packing. Trailers are 8 feet tall and accessed via a 4-foot ramp, so technique matters, especially for heavy pieces. Since each additional linear foot adds to your quote, packing strategically is one of the easiest ways to control costs.

What other costs come with freight trailers?

  • Seasonal demand: Pricing tends to rise during peak moving season, particularly between mid-May and mid-September.
  • Moving labor: Most customers hire loading help since freight is self-loaded. Two movers in Jersey City, New Jersey, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $832.
  • More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $89 and $178 per foot.

What are the best freight companies from Jersey City to Des Moines?

  1. MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the best for large moves pick. While it's a top moving container option for the DIY hybrid setup (you handle the loading, they handle the driving), the same approach makes it a strong freight choice for 3 to 5+ bedroom homes that need 53 feet of trailer capacity with pay-as-you-go pricing.
  2. U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer here. In addition to their popular container service, U-Pack delivers a top-tier freight trailer option that uses the same pay-by-the-foot pricing model and skips deposits and upfront fees entirely.
  3. Freehold Cartage, Inc. (4.84/5 stars): Freehold Cartage, Inc. is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Local ownership translates to accessible support staff and facilities based in the communities they serve, giving customers more direct communication than they'd typically get from a national-only freight network.

Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Jersey City to Des Moines. If you have a hard move-in date and want your stuff there as soon as possible, freight is hard to beat. It's worth noting that freight works best when you're ready to receive your delivery, so if your move-in date is still up in the air or you'll need short-term storage, a moving container is likely the more practical choice.

Cost of living: Jersey City, NJ vs Des Moines, IA

The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Des Moines, side by side with Jersey City on housing, income, and taxes.

Measure Jersey City, NJ Des Moines, IA
Cost of living index14087
Average rent$2,975/mo$1,150/mo
Median home value$538,163$183,553
Average income$94,813/yr$63,966/yr
Unemployment rate8.3%5.9%
State income taxUp to 10.7%Up to 4.4%
Walkability score87/10045/100
Safety index56.79/10057.8/100
Air qualityModerateGood

Cost of living index is relative to the U.S. average of 100. Figures reflect the latest available city and state data.

Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Des Moines, IA to Jersey City, NJ guide.

Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:

In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from New Jersey to Iowa, so our pricing data stays current. Use our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and spot bad actors early. We track 89 movers licensed in New Jersey, useful context for sizing up this 1,105-mile move.

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Our take

How you handle your interstate move from Jersey City, NJ, to Des Moines, IA, comes down to your budget and how much time and work you're able to put into it. Hands-off relocations handled by full-service movers range from $2,017 - $8,447 on the 1,105-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,277 - $4,211 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $730 - $2,053 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $2,598 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and 24/7 live support.

Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include MercyOne and Principal Financial Group.

FAQs: Moving from Jersey City, NJ, to Des Moines, IA

What are some tips for saving money on a move from Jersey City, NJ to Des Moines, IA?

Cutting 500 pounds from your shipment, roughly one bedroom's worth of items, saves approximately $200 - $400 on a full-service move on this route. Beyond that, staying organized matters just as much. A solid moving checklist keeps you on schedule and helps you avoid costly last-minute mistakes.

Is Des Moines a safe place to live?

Des Moines has a safety index of 57.8 out of 100 and a crime index of 5.0, compared to 56.79 and 43.21 in Jersey City. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.

How walkable is Des Moines?

Des Moines has a walkability score of 45 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 39, compared to 87 and 64 in Jersey City. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.

What are the best neighborhoods in Des Moines?

For families, Linden Heights, Waterbury, and Waveland Park are worth a look in Des Moines. If you're moving solo or without kids, Sherman Hill, Downtown, and East Village tend to be popular picks instead.

How do I know a mover is licensed in Iowa?

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.

What percentage of Jersey City movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?

About 88% of movers in Jersey City handle piano moves, and 71% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.