($724+) New York City, NY to Des Moines, IA Movers
Moving from NYC, to Des Moines, IA, runs anywhere from $724 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,116 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,107 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 $1,821, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,116 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,193 - $4,012, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $724 - $2,033.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from NYC, to Des Moines, IA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,208 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
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Compare moving options from NYC to Des Moines, IA
Moving options from NYC to Des Moines fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $2,208 - $5,613 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 27% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 66% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 1,107 miles, this route usually takes 2 to 8 days from pickup to delivery.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,107-mile route from NYC to Des Moines, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $1,821 - $4,265, container $1,193 - $2,271, rental truck $724 - $1,298, freight trailer $1,127 - $1,905.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $2,208 - $5,613, container $1,613 - $2,917, rental truck $745 - $1,606, freight trailer $1,216 - $2,456.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $3,725 - $7,116, container $1,972 - $4,012, rental truck $994 - $2,033, freight trailer $1,578 - $3,373.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated November 2, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from NYC to Des Moines, IA
Hiring full-service movers from NYC, New York, to Des Moines, Iowa, costs between $1,821 and $7,116. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 1,107-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $414 - $2,760, depending on the size of your home. Your final cost comes down to two things: the total weight of your shipment and the distance between NYC and Des Moines. For a rough baseline, movers based in NYC tend to start around $239 plus $110/hour per mover on local jobs, before long-distance pricing takes over for a move this size.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from NYC to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,821 - $4,265
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,208 - $5,613
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,725 - $7,116
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 NYC to Des Moines.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from New York to Iowa. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Demand for full-service movers surges during peak moving season from May - September, pushing prices higher. Shifting your move to a cooler month could save you a meaningful amount on your total bill.
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Specialty moving services from NYC to Des Moines, IA
Specialty needs vary by market: 62% of New York City movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Des Moines, 60% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing71% of local movers | $690 - $6,900 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready62% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Great Movers | $276 - $1,656/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $414 - $3,312 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage12% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs46% of local movers | $1,380 - $4,140 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,450 - $13,800 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,034 - $1,964 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items31% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: White Glove Moving & Storage | $1,380 - $3,450 |
| Piano | Any piano type38% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Great Movers | $1,104 - $4,830 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling9% of local movers | $414 - $2,070 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect3% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (NY) | $897 - $2,760 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $414 - $20,700+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $414 - $4,830+ |
What are the best full-service movers from NYC to Des Moines?
Look for Iowa Motor Truck Association membership as a baseline when comparing movers in Iowa beyond this list.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is our pick for best overall value. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 support, and 30 days of free storage make Safeway the clearest value on this list.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. AVL has been moving customers since 1995 and uses full-time in-house crews trained on high-value items like art and antiques.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. One of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, 24/7 monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan against damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in NYC, often charge 30% - 40% more at that distance because their operations aren't built for long-haul logistics. The exception is if you want a dedicated point-to-point truck with an average 2-day delivery, though that level of service generally increases your total cost.
Moving container costs from NYC to Des Moines, IA
Moving containers from NYC, New York, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $1,193 and $4,012. The container gets dropped at your door and you load it at your own pace. U-Haul gives you 3 days to load and PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're done, the company handles all the transportation. If you need extra time, storage in NYC runs about $190/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from NYC to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,193 - $2,271
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,613 - $2,917
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,972 - $4,012
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 NYC, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $966, 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 $104 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $207 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both NYC, 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 York 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 $1,193. Underestimating how much you have and needing an extra container means paying for another one, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise. For reference, a 2 - 3 bedroom home typically runs $1,613 - $2,917.
What are the best moving containers NYC to Des Moines?
- Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
- U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
- 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 NYC 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 NYC:
- Zip to Zip Moving Inc (5.0/5), 9 years in business
- Piece of Cake Moving & Storage (4.8/5), 8 years in business
- Moishe's Moving Systems (4.5/5), 33 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from NYC to Des Moines, IA
A rental truck for this 1,107-mile move from NYC, New York, to Des Moines, Iowa, costs between $724 and $2,033. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $486 - $556
- Daily insurance: $41/day
- Equipment rentals: $10 - $28
- NYC daily rental rate: $19 - $50
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $1.99 - $2.29
| Home size | Typical truck size |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | 10 - 12 ft |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | 15 - 17 ft |
| 4+ bedrooms | 20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel) |
These are typical moving truck rental costs from NYC to Des Moines based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $724 - $1,298
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $745 - $1,606
- 4+ bedrooms: $994 - $2,033
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $724 - $2,033 when pricing out a rental truck from NYC to Des Moines. Fuel alone runs $486 - $556, and overnight lodging ($207/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging by the time the move is done.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Gas: Fuel adds $486 - $556 for the 1,107-mile drive, depending on whether your rental truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: You'll handle the heavy lifting unless you bring in help. Two movers in NYC, New York, for about 5 hours typically costs around $966.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 1,107-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $207 per night, adding $414 - $621 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $69 and $414.
What are the best moving truck rentals from NYC to Des Moines?
- Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
- Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
- 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 NYC to Des Moines, IA
If you're moving a larger household from NYC, New York, 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. A 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route typically falls between $1,216 and $2,456.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from NYC to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,127 - $1,905
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,216 - $2,456
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,578 - $3,373
Pro tip: Freight trailers come with a 4-foot loading ramp, which can be a challenge with bulky furniture. With 8 feet of vertical space available, stacking efficiently often requires a ladder and a plan. Since you're billed per linear foot, packing tight can make a real difference in your final cost.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- More space: Freight trailers are billed by the section you fill. If you misjudge your shipment size, each extra foot of trailer space adds around $104 - $207 to your final bill.
- Peak season pricing: Expect higher rates during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) when trailer availability tightens across the country.
- Moving labor: Loading is on you unless you hire outside help. A half-day crew of two movers in NYC, New York, typically costs $966.
What are the best freight companies from NYC to Des Moines?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Best known as a top moving container option thanks to its DIY hybrid model (you load, they drive), MovingYourself also doubles as a strong freight choice with their 53-foot trucks and pay-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. In addition to their well-known container service, U-Pack offers freight trailers that follow the same pay-by-the-foot model with no deposits or upfront fees, making them one of the most flexible freight options for budget-conscious moves.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Des Moines fast. For interstate moves, freight is one of the quickest delivery methods out there. Just keep in mind that freight carriers expect you to be available to receive your shipment, so it works best when your move-in is locked in and you don't need temporary storage on either end.
Cost of living: NYC 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 NYC on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | NYC | Des Moines, IA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 172 | 87 |
| Average rent | $4,340/mo | $1,150/mo |
| Median home value | $732,100 | $183,553 |
| Average income | $127,894/yr | $63,966/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 11.2% | 5.9% |
| State income tax | Up to 10.9% | Up to 4.4% |
| Walkability score | 88/100 | 45/100 |
| Safety index | 49.17/100 | 57.8/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
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 New York City, NY guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from New York 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 520 movers licensed in New York, useful context for sizing up this 1,107-mile move.
Our take
For a move from NYC, to Des Moines, IA, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $1,821 for a studio to $7,116 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 1,107-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,193 - $4,012. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $724 - $2,033, though you'll be handling the driving and loading yourself. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with quotes starting around $2,208 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include MercyOne and Principal Financial Group.
FAQs: Moving from NYC, NY, to Des Moines, IA
What is the best time of year to move from NYC to Des Moines, IA?
Aim for a move between October and March, when demand drops and rates tend to be lower across all service types. Peak season runs mid-May through mid-September, and weekends and month-end dates are pricier regardless of season. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.
What size moving truck do I need for this route?
Rental trucks generally range from 10 to 26 feet. A 15- to 17-foot truck covers most 2-bedroom moves, while a smaller 10- to 12-foot truck works for a studio or 1-bedroom. Homes with 4 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
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 49.17 and 50.83 in NYC. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What is the cheapest way to move from NYC to Des Moines, IA?
Renting a moving truck is almost always the most affordable option, since you handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself. A 2-bedroom rental truck move on this route averages $745 - $1,606. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
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.
What percentage of NYC movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 38% of movers in New York City handle piano moves, and 31% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.