Quick answer: For a 1,107-mile move from New York City to Des Moines, expect to spend around $943–$7,032 and two to eight days in transit. Cost and time vary by move size, date, and whether you're going DIY or using a moving company.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Des Moines to New York City guide.
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Best Movers By Type
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Best Professional Movers from New York City to Des Moines
Picking a long-distance moving company for your journey from New York City to Des Moines isn't always easy. With so many choices out there, figuring out who you can really rely on can feel overwhelming.
No need to waste hours comparing moving companies — we've done the work for you. Our top picks stand out for their glowing reviews, affordable rates, and wide range of services to fit any move.
Safeway Moving
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American Van Lines
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Allied Van Lines
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Mayzlin Relocation
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North American Van Lines
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How we chose the best moving companies for your NY to IA move
The top local movers servicing New York City to Des Moines moves
It's not always easy to find a reliable local moving company in New York City that also handles long-distance moves to Des Moines. With so many options, figuring out which ones you can trust takes time.
Luckily, we've done the research for you. We evaluated the top local movers in New York City who offer long-distance services, looking at cost, service quality, and customer reviews.
These are the best local movers for your long-distance move from New York City to Des Moines.
- Piece of Cake Moving & Storage: 4.86 out of 5 stars
- Great Movers: 4.86 out of 5 stars
- Roadway Moving : 4.86 out of 5 stars
- Dumbo Moving and Storage: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- Gentle Giant Moving Company: 4.8 out of 5 stars
Company Info
State license #: 40244
Years in Business: 6
DOT #: 3066988
Alternate Names: Piece of Cake Moving & Storage LLC
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
Company Info
State license #: 39493
Years in Business: 13
DOT #: 2180117
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
Company Info
State license #: 38589
Years in Business: 16
DOT #: 1854436
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 36990
Years in Business: 18
DOT #: 1543241
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
Company Info
State license #: 36518
Years in Business: 43
DOT #: 373544
Alternate Names: Gentle Giant Moving & Storage
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Crane vans
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
How much does it cost to move from New York City to Des Moines?
New York City movers charge $110 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 | $1,375 - $5,137 | $1,052 - $2,781 | $934 - $1,726 |
2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,822 - $7,032 | $2,021 - $3,767 | $943 - $2,032 |
4+ bedrooms | $5,000 - $8,639 | $2,757 - $4,871 | $1,269 - $2,572 |
Cost to hire movers from New York to Iowa
If you're moving a studio or one-bedroom home from New York to Iowa, you can expect to spend between $1,375 and $5,137. For a two- or three-bedroom place, prices usually range from $2,822 to $7,032 on the same route (NY to IA). Got a larger household? Moving a four- or five-bedroom home from New York to Iowa typically runs between $5,000 and $8,639.
Cost of moving containers from New York to Iowa
Moving containers from New York to Iowa will cost you $1,052 to $2,781 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $2,021 to $3,767. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $2,757 to $4,871. Learn more about PODS cost.
Here are the cheapest moving container companies when moving out of New York.
Cost of moving truck rentals from New York 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 $934 and $1,726. For two- or three-bedroom moves, prices typically land between $943 and $2,032. Dealing with a four-bedroom-plus home? Expect rental truck costs to be somewhere between $1,269 and $2,572.
These cost ranges already include estimated fuel costs.
Factors influencing moving costs from New York City to Des Moines
What to know before moving from New York City to Des Moines
Moving from New York City 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 New York City than in Des Moines, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.
Check out how New York City compares to Des Moines so you know what to expect before you relocate:
New York City | Des Moines | |
---|---|---|
Average rent cost | $4,340 | $1,150 |
Average home value | $752,778 | $192,347 |
Average income (per capita) | $78,058 | $58,492 |
Cost of living (single person) | $5,683 | $1,891 |
Cost of living (family of 4) | $15,081 | $4,380 |
Unemployment rate | 11.2% | 5.9% |
Sales tax | 8.0% | 7.0% |
State income tax | 10.9% | 4.4% |
- Rent prices in Des Moines are 74% lower than in New York City, which means you'll have more money in your pocket each month.
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In terms of homeownership, you'll be able to get more for your money in Des Moines.
Home prices in Des Moines are 74.4% lower than in New York City. - Income in Des Moines is 25.1% lower than in New York City, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in Des Moines — including MercyOne, Principal Financial Group, and Ppw Holdings — may pay more.
- 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 66.7% lower than in New York City.
- 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 71.0% less than what it costs in New York City.
- The unemployment rate in Des Moines is 47.32% lower than in New York City.
- 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 New York City.
- One perk of moving to Des Moines is paying less in state income taxes, which are 59.63% lower than in New York City.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $998.24 in Des Moines to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in New York City.
How life is different in New York City vs. Des Moines
Des Moines | New York City | |
---|---|---|
Population | 699,292 | 8,258,035 |
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 5 | 10 |
Walkability score | 45 | 88 |
Bike friendliness score | 39 | 69 |
Crime Index | 5.0 | 50.83 |
Safety Index | 57.8 | 49.17 |
Air Quality | Good | Good |
- Des Moines might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 92% less than New York City.
- Getting around Des Moines without a car might be more difficult than in New York City. Des Moines has a public transportation score of 5 out of 10, whereas New York City is ranked 10. Ratings are based on a city's transit connectivity, service frequency, and accessibility to key destinations like jobs and grocery stores.
- Des Moines neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as New York City. Based on its score of 45 out of 100, Des Moines isn't as walkable as New York City, which has a score of 88 out of 100. The higher the walkability score a city has, the easier it is to access amenities. The most walkable cities also tend to be more densely populated and have shorter block lengths.
- You probably won't see as many cycling lanes or off-road trails in Des Moines, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than New York City. While New York City has a bike-friendliness score of 69 out of 100, Des Moines earned a 39. Scores are based on factors like whether a city accommodates cyclists on major roadways, how often people bike to work, and how many steep hills it has.
- Des Moines has a lower crime rate than New York City based on scores of 5.0 and New York City's 50.83, 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 New York City, based on Des Moines's safety index of 57.8 versus 49.17 for New York City. 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 New York City 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 New York City 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: It's a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
- Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, it's a good idea to secure a reservation before your moving day.
- Truck parking permits: To avoid fines or delays, check whether a parking permit is needed for your moving truck.
- 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. Before booking, ensure the moving company is officially 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: While Iowa doesn't mandate moving permits, checking local parking guidelines before your move-in day is still a good idea.
- Change of address: We recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move to ensure your mail gets forwarded to Des Moines without delay. You can select your official move date when completing the form. Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state sets its own rules for what insurance moving companies need to maintain. Choose cost-free Released Value Protection from movers for basic coverage at 60 cents per pound.
- Moving checklist: Our moving checklist gives you the peace of mind that comes with being fully prepared.
Where to live in Des Moines
Ready to relocate to Hartford of the West? Here are some of the top neighborhoods to consider in Des Moines.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Sherman Hill
- East Village
- North of Grand
- Arbor Peaks
- Chautauqua Park
Best neighborhoods for families
- Waterbury
- Waveland Park
- 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: Des Moines features a variety of museums and cultural arts centers, including 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 — among other spots — perfect for hiking, biking, or simply soaking up the outdoors.
- Sports: Grab a seat and root for the home team during an Drake Bulldogs game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from New York City to Des Moines?
The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from New York City to Des Moines are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in New York City. are lower.
When is the cheapest time to move from New York City to Des Moines?
Because most people are moving from New York City to Des Moines in the spring or fall, you can often catch discounts by moving in the winter. Read our guide on moving discounts to learn more.
How long does a move from New York City to Des Moines take?
Moving from New York City, NY to Des Moines, IA covers 1,107 miles and usually takes two to eight days Need to move faster? Some New York City movers offer expedited options. If you're not ready to receive your items, look into storage solutions in Des Moines.