($1,393) Movers From Memphis, TN to Des Moines, IA

What to know before moving from Memphis to Des Moines

Moving from Memphis to Des Moines comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Des Moines is generally more expensive than Memphis, it’s important to plan ahead and budget carefully for the change.

Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in Des Moines are 12% lower than in Memphis, which means you’ll have more money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Memphis.
  Home prices in Des Moines are 33.8% higher than in Memphis.
• Income in Des Moines is 21.6% higher than in Memphis, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in Des Moines include MercyOne, Principal Financial Group, and Ppw Holdings.
• Be sure to budget for higher bills in Des Moines, since the cost of living for a single person in Des Moines is 2.7% higher than in Memphis. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family is the same in Des Moines and Memphis.
• The unemployment rate in Des Moines is 26.25% lower than in Memphis.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Des Moines, since the city’s sales taxes in Des Moines are 28.21% lower than in Memphis.
• State income taxes in Des Moines are 4.40% higher than in Memphis.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,079.80 in Des Moines to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Memphis.

How life is different in Memphis vs. Des Moines

• Des Moines's population is about 10% greater than Memphis.
• Des Moines's public transportation has a score of 5 out of 10 versus Memphis's lower score of 4.
• Des Moines is more walkable than Memphis with a score of 45 out of 100 vs Memphis's 35 out of 100.
• Both Des Moines and Memphis have the same bike-friendliness score of 41 out of 100, meaning Des Moines is about as safe for cyclists as Memphis. Typically, cities that have scores of 20 or higher are seen as reasonably safe, though the higher the score, the more safely accessible a city is for bicycling.
• Des Moines's crime rate is lower than Memphis with a score of 5.0 compared to Memphis's 77.49. This means that Des Moines neighborhoods are safer than 5.0% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Memphis neighborhoods are safer than 77.49%.
• Des Moines is considered to be safer than Memphis with a safety index of 57.8 vs Memphis's 22.51.
• Air quality in Des Moines is good, and in Memphis it's good.

Other things to consider for your Memphis 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

With your sights set on "Hartford of the West", these are some of the most popular neighborhoods to consider in Des Moines.

Helpful moving resources