Things to know before moving from Oregon to Des Moines, IA

Cost of living: Oregon vs Des Moines, IA

Oregon Des Moines
Average rent cost $1,373 $1,150
Average home value $492,683 $192,347
Average income (per capita) $76,632 $58,492
Unemployment rate 4% 6%
State income tax 10% 4%
  • Rent is about 16% less expensive in Des Moines than in Oregon.
  • Home prices are about 61% lower in Des Moines than in Oregon.
  • The average income is about 24% lower in Des Moines than in Oregon.
  • Des Moines has a higher unemployment rate than Oregon by about 48%.
  • Income taxes are 56% lower in Des Moines than in Oregon.

How life is different in Des Moines from Oregon

Des Moines Oregon
Population 699,292 4,233,358
Political leaning Democratic 57-41 Democratic 56-44
Summer high 86ºF 82ºF
Winter low 13ºF 31ºF
Annual rain 36" 41"
Annual snow 33" 13"
Crime index 5.0 32.78
  • The population of Des Moines is approximately 83% lower than the population of Oregon.
  • In the last presidential election, Des Moines voted Democratic and Oregon voted Democratic.
  • The average high in the summertime in Des Moines is 86ºF and in Oregon, it’s 82ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Des Moines reaches the temperature of 13ºF and Oregon gets down to 31ºF.
  • You can expect about 36 inches of annual rainfall in Des Moines vs 41 inches of rainfall in Oregon.
  • In Des Moines, it snows about 33 inches annually vs 13 inches of snow in Oregon.
  • Des Moines has a lower crime rate than Oregon with a crime index of 32.78 vs 5.0.

Things to do in Des Moines

Whether you’re looking for parks, museums, sports, or even universities, you’ll be happy to find a plethora of these in Des Moines.

Museums in Des Moinestoggle

  • Des Moines Art Center
  • State Historical Museum
  • Science Center of Iowa
  • Salisbury House
  • World Food Prize Hall of Laureates
  • Wells Fargo Museum
  • Fort Des Moines Museum & Education Center
  • Polk County Heritage Gallery

Parks in Des Moinestoggle

  • Gray's Lake Park
  • Pappajohn Sculpture Park
  • Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
  • Robert D. Ray Asian Gardens
  • Clive Greenbelt Trail
  • Des Moines River Trail
  • Rotary Riverwalk Park

Sports Teams in Des Moinestoggle

  • Drake Bulldogs

Universities in Des Moinestoggle

  • AIB College of Business
  • Mercy College of Health Sciences
  • Drake University
  • Grand View University
  • Vatterott College Des Moines

Other considerations when moving to Des Moines, IA

  • Weather: September, June and May are the most pleasant months in Des Moines, while January and December are the least comfortable months.
  • HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
  • Elevator reservation: One common and important example of something that should be handled ahead of time is reserving the building's elevator and finding out their rules for using the elevator.
  • Parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles, find out ahead of time with your new local rules.
  • 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. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Iowa moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
  • Moving permits: Iowa does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
  • Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Iowa. Get started here.
  • Mover's insurance: Every state has their own requirements when it comes to insurance. Choose cost-free Released Value Protection from movers for basic coverage at 60 cents per pound.
  • Moving checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.

FAQ

How long does a move from Oregon to Des Moines take?

The time frame for a move from Oregon to Des Moines, IA, varies based on your moving method and starting location. The actual loading up of your items should not take more than a day, even with DIY moves.

Obviously, the further upstate you are in Oregon, the longer the drive time to Des Moines will be. If you’re driving a rental truck, the move could be completed in one or two days, on average, depending on your route and how often you stop.

With professional movers or moving containers, delivery times to Des Moines from Oregon can range from a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the company’s schedule and transit logistics. You can always ask for a general timeline before booking.

How far in advance should I book movers when moving from Oregon to Des Moines?

Because of the 1631-mile move, it’s best to book your move from Oregon to Des Moines as soon as you have your moving details. Ideally, you’d book your move two to three months ahead of time.

What time of year is the cheapest to move to Des Moines, IA?

With the summer highs of 86ºF and the winter lows of 13ºF, most people move to Des Moines from Oregon during the spring and fall months. To avoid competing during those busy moving seasons, you could save some money by booking your move to Des Moines during summer or winter.

Helpful moving resources