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Highly rated local moving companies for Dayton to Des Moines moves
Organizing a move from Dayton 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 14 local movers in Dayton 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 Dayton to Des Moines.
- American Way Van & Storage: 4.56 out of 5 stars
- Mayberry’s Van & Storage, Inc.: 4.38 out of 5 stars
- Lewis & Michael Moving & Storage, Inc.: 4.36 out of 5 stars
- Lincoln Storage & Moving Inc: 4.26 out of 5 stars
- Greater Dayton Moving & Storage: 4.26 out of 5 stars
Company Info
State license #: 00139517
Years in Business: 35
DOT #: 76628
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- DOD certified
Company Info
Years in Business: 80
DOT #: 81407
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Crating
- Shipment tracking
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- DOD certified
Company Info
Years in Business: 75
DOT #: 728239
Alternate Names: Lewis & Michael, Inc.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Crating
- Shipment tracking
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- DOD certified
Company Info
State license #: 00606034
Years in Business: 108
DOT #: 1008646
Alternate Names: Lincoln Storage and Moving
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Crating
- Shipment tracking
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- DOD certified
Company Info
State license #: 00136483
Years in Business: 42
DOT #: 938251
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Art
- Antiques
- Storage
How much does it cost to move from Dayton to Des Moines?
On average, moving companies in Ohio charge about $153 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 | $1,203 – $3,574 | $716 – $1,661 | $423 – $872 |
| 2 – 3 bedrooms | $2,047 – $5,326 | $1,292 – $2,533 | $476 – $947 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,696 – $8,106 | $1,575 – $2,991 | $612 – $1,143 |
Cost to hire movers from Dayton to Des Moines
When planning a move to Des Moines from Dayton, for a studio or one-bedroom, you’ll likely pay between $1,203 and $3,574. If you have a two- or three-bedroom home, expect costs to fall somewhere between $2,047 and $5,326 for the same journey. Moving four or five bedrooms? Typical prices range from $3,696 to $8,106.
Cost of moving containers from Dayton to Des Moines
When you’re heading from Dayton to Des Moines, and you’re only moving a few items, you can expect to spend between $716 and $1,661. For a two- or three-bedroom place, prices usually fall between $1,292 and $2,533. If you’re packing up a large home with four or more bedrooms, the cost can range from $1,575 to $2,991. Want more details? Check out our complete PODS cost guide.
Explore the top budget-friendly moving container companies to make your move from Ohio easier and more affordable.
Cost of moving truck rentals from Dayton to Des Moines
A moving rental truck from Dayton 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 $423 to $872. A two to three-bedroom move will cost $476 to $947, and moving a home with four or more bedrooms from Dayton to Des Moines costs around $612 to $1,143.
These quotes include the estimated fuel cost.
Factors that affect moving costs from Dayton to Des Moines
The cost of Dayton movers will depend on:
- How much stuff you have: A one-bedroom move from Dayton to Des Moines may only cost $1,798, whereas a full four-bedroom relocation can approach $6,660.
- The season you’re moving in: Movers charge more in summer, the busiest months in Dayton.
- Which type of mover you use: Save with a truck rental ($423–$1,094), but expect more hassle than hiring pros.
What to know before moving from Dayton to Des Moines
Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move – Des Moines runs about 19% higher for singles and 16% higher for families than Dayton.
Singles spend around $1,891 in Dayton versus $1,593 in Dayton; families pay $4,380 compared with $3,788.
Dig into the side-by-side details here:
| Dayton | Des Moines | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $1,192 | $1,229 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $1,683 | $1,763 |
| Average home value | $135,815 | $192,347 |
| Average income (per capita) | $62,673 | $58,492 |
| Cost of living (single) | $1,593 | $1,891 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $3,788 | $4,380 |
| Unemployment rate | 6.8% | 5.9% |
| Sales tax | 7.5% | 7.0% |
| State income tax | 3.5% | 4.4% |
- Rent is about 24% more expensive in Des Moines than in Dayton. Make sure to include this increase in your monthly budget.
- Plan for a heftier mortgage payment since home prices are approximately 42% steeper in Des Moines compared to Dayton.
- You might want to reassess your budget before relocating. The average income is roughly 7% less in Des Moines than in Dayton.
- Prepare for elevated costs in Des Moines, with the cost of living for a single person being 19% more than in Dayton. This includes routine costs such as utilities, groceries, clothes, and transportation.
- 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 16% higher than in Dayton.
- Des Moines has a lower unemployment rate than Dayton by about 13%. This signals a stronger job market and healthier local economy, both promising indicators for someone relocating.
- Sales taxes are 7% cheaper in Des Moines compared to Dayton. This could significantly slash costs for families or individuals with higher spending on taxable necessities.
- Income taxes are 26% more in Iowa than in Ohio. This increase in state taxes means you will retain less of your earnings, impacting your disposable income.
Here’s the side-by-side view of common monthly bills and day-to-day expenses in Dayton versus Des Moines:
| Living Expense | Dayton | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $200.37 | $144.82 |
| Cell phone plan | $44.17 | $51.25 |
| Dozen eggs | $3.02 | $3.61 |
| Loaf of bread | $2.61 | $2.50 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $15.00 | $16.00 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $57.50 | $77.50 |
| Gym membership | $33.34 | $66.67 |
- Basic utilities tend to be more expensive in Dayton than in Des Moines.
- Cell phone plans are cheaper in Dayton than in Des Moines.
- Eggs are less expensive in Dayton than in Des Moines.
- Bread is more expensive in Dayton than in Des Moines.
- A quick meal is cheaper in Dayton than in Des Moines.
- A mid-range dinner for two costs less in Dayton than in Des Moines.
- Gym memberships are more affordable in Dayton than in Des Moines.
How life is different in Dayton vs. Des Moines
| Dayton | Des Moines | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 137,644 | 699,292 |
| Transportation score | 6 | 5 |
| Walkability score | 45 | 45 |
| Bike friendliness score | 47 | 39 |
| Crime index | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| Safety index | 40.68 | 57.8 |
| Air quality | Moderate | Good |
- Des Moines’s population is about 408% greater than Dayton.
- Des Moines’s public transportation score of 5 out of 10 is lower than Dayton’s score of 6.
- Des Moines and Dayton are similarly walkable.
- Des Moines has a bike-friendliness score of 39 out of 100, which means it isn’t as accessible or safe for cyclists as Dayton, which has a score of 47.
- Des Moines’s crime rate is higher than Dayton with a score of 5.0 compared to Dayton’s 4.0. This means that Des Moines neighborhoods are safer than 5.0% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Dayton neighborhoods are safer than 4.0%.
- Des Moines is considered to be safer than Dayton with a safety index of 57.8 vs Dayton’s 40.68.
- Air quality in Des Moines is Good, and in Dayton it’s Moderate.
Other things to consider for your Dayton to Des Moines move
- HOA rules: Costs across Dayton 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
When is the best time to move from Dayton to Des Moines?
If you’re flexible with timing, spring and fall are great seasons to move from Dayton to Des Moines. You’ll dodge the heat, the crowds, and the higher moving costs typical of peak season in Dayton.
When is the cheapest time to move from Dayton to Des Moines?
Want to save on your move from Dayton to Des Moines? Consider scheduling it in winter, when demand is lower and rates are often cheaper. Our moving discounts guide shows you how.
How long does a move from Dayton to Des Moines take?
The 593-mile move from Dayton, OH, to Des Moines, , takes one to six days. Some Dayton movers may offer expedited moving if you need it faster. If you need more time, ask your mover about storage options in Des Moines.
What kinds of discounts do Dayton movers offer?
Many local moving companies provide ways to save, from ongoing deals to seasonal offers. In Dayton, 1 movers provide AAA member discounts.
Check with each mover to confirm discount availability, eligibility requirements, and how much you can save.
Need help moving a piano or antiques in Dayton?
These delicate items require movers with specialized training. Currently, 7 movers in Dayton provide piano moving services. 3 can transport antiques with care. Statewide, there are 59 piano movers and 37 antique movers, with nationwide counts at 2,303 and 1,466.
Demand for these services can be high, so schedule your specialty move as far ahead as possible.
Helpful moving resources
Dayton moving services
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