Top Memphis, TN to Des Moines, IA Movers

Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Des Moines to Memphis guide.

1. TWO MEN AND A TRUCK: 4.72 out of 5 stars
2. Guardian Moving Systems: 4.76 out of 5 stars
3. Cord Moving and Storage: 4.52 out of 5 stars
4. Spyder Moving and Storage: 4.42 out of 5 stars
5. Bellhop Moving: 4.66 out of 5 stars

Cost to hire movers from Tennessee to Iowa

Planning a move from Tennessee to Iowa? For a studio or one-bedroom, you'll likely pay between $1,284 and $4,272. If you have a two- or three-bedroom home, expect costs to fall somewhere between $2,419 and $6,582 for the same journey (TN to IA). Moving four or five bedrooms? Typical prices range from $4,342 to $9,648.

Cost of moving containers from Tennessee to Iowa

If you're moving from Tennessee to Iowa, expect to pay between $757 and $1,944 for a small load. For a home with two or three bedrooms, prices typically range from $1,438 up to $2,798. Larger moves of four bedrooms or more can run between $1,997 and $3,544. Check out our guide on PODS cost for more details.

Check out the most affordable moving container companies for your move from Tennessee.

Cost of moving truck rentals from Tennessee to Iowa

A moving rental truck 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 $503 to $960. A two to three-bedroom move will cost $572 to $1,140, and moving a home with four or more bedrooms or from Tennessee to Iowa costs around $686 to $1,334.

These quotes include the estimated fuel cost.

• Rent prices in Des Moines are 12% lower than in Memphis, which means you'll have more money in your pocket each month.
• The home prices in Des Moines are 33.8% higher than in Memphis, which could mean saving up before buying a home, taking on a bigger mortgage, or downsizing.
• You're likely to make a higher income living in Des Moines, where incomes are, on average, 21.6% higher than in Memphis. Major 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.

• The population of Des Moines is about 10% greater than Memphis, so you may find more to see and do in your new surroundings. Of course, with more people can also come increased competition for jobs and housing.
• Des Moines offers better access to buses and trains than Memphis, based on public transportation ratings. Des Moines has a transit score of 5 out of 10 compared to 4 in Memphis. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
• Living in Des Moines means you'll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Memphis. Des Moines is considered more walkable than Memphis, with a score of 45 out of 100 versus 35 out of 100 in Memphis. A city's walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
• Des Moines and Memphis are similarly bike-friendly based on their comparable ratings of 39 and 41 respectively. Bike-friendliness scores between 50 and 100 indicate varying levels of infrastructure to support cyclists, including bike lanes and roadway connectivity. Cities with scores under 50 are considered more car-dependent.
• Des Moines has a lower crime rate than Memphis based on scores of 5.0 and Memphis's 77.49, 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 Memphis, based on Des Moines's safety index of 57.8 versus 22.51 for Memphis. 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 Memphis 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.

• 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.

Best neighborhoods for singles

• Sherman Hill
• Downtown
• East Village
• Arbor Peaks
• Beaverdale

Best neighborhoods for families

• Waterbury
• Waveland Park
• Westwood
• Salisbury Oaks
• Meredith

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: Cultural attractions in Des Moines include museums and art centers like 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 — and more, offering great opportunities to hike, bike, or relax in nature.
• Sports: Nothing beats the thrill of cheering on the home team at an Drake Bulldogs game.