Fact Checked by: Quick answer: The cost to move from Amarillo to Des Moines ranges from $752 to $7,399 and the journey will take approximately two to seven days. Key factors influencing these estimates include your moving volume, chosen moving date, and whether you opt for professional movers or handle the 802-mile move on your own.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Des Moines to Amarillo guide.
Our track record
Best Movers By Type
Professional
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Container
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Rental Truck
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Labor Only
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Best Professional Movers from Amarillo to Des Moines
Choosing a long-distance mover for your move from Amarillo to Des Moines can be tough. With so many options, it's hard to know which companies you can actually trust.
Skip the hassle of endless research — we've narrowed down the top choices for you. We picked these movers based on real reviews, competitive pricing, and the variety of services they offer.
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Safeway Moving
 Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran ownedBest overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran ownedBest overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran ownedBest overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran owned |
American Van Lines
Certified crews
Flat-rate pricing
Family-ownedCertified crews
Flat-rate pricing
Family-ownedCertified crews
Flat-rate pricing
Family-ownedCertified crews
Flat-rate pricing
Family-owned |
Allied Van Lines
Specialty packing services
White-glove reputation
80+ years' experienceSpecialty packing services
White-glove reputation
80+ years' experienceSpecialty packing services
White-glove reputation
80+ years' experienceSpecialty packing services
White-glove reputation
80+ years' experience |
Mayzlin Relocation
Family owned
East coast focus
Affordable pricingFamily owned
East coast focus
Affordable pricingFamily owned
East coast focus
Affordable pricingFamily owned
East coast focus
Affordable pricing |
North American Van Lines
1,800 trucks
Storage available
Customized moving plans1,800 trucks
Storage available
Customized moving plans1,800 trucks
Storage available
Customized moving plans1,800 trucks
Storage available
Customized moving plans |
How we chose the best moving companies for your TX to IA move
Local moving companies in Amarillo
- Gray Glove Delivery, LLC: 4.2 out of 5 stars
- Rescue 1 Movers: 3.96 out of 5 stars
Company Info
State license #: 006900484C
Years in Business: 10
DOT #: 2608066
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
How much does it cost to move from Amarillo to Des Moines?
Amarillo movers charge $224 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 | $1,441 - $5,369 | $916 - $2,405 | $732 - $1,340 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,974 - $7,399 | $1,664 - $3,242 | $752 - $1,623 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $5,014 - $9,309 | $2,209 - $4,187 | $942 - $1,836 |
Cost to hire movers from Texas to Iowa
Planning a move from Texas to Iowa? For a studio or one-bedroom, you’ll likely pay between $1,441 and $5,369. If you have a two- or three-bedroom home, expect costs to fall somewhere between $2,974 and $7,399 for the same journey (TX to IA). Moving four or five bedrooms? Typical prices range from $5,014 to $9,309.
Cost of moving containers from Texas to Iowa
If you’re relocating from Texas to Iowa, you’ll typically spend between $916 and $2,405 for a small move. Have a two or three-bedroom home? Plan for costs to range from $1,664 up to $3,242. If you’re moving a larger home—four bedrooms or more—expect to pay anywhere between $2,209 and $4,187. For a full breakdown, check out our complete PODS cost guide.
Exploree our top budget-friendly moving container companies for your move from Texas.
Cost of moving truck rentals from Texas to Iowa
Renting a moving truck is usually your cheapest option, but keep in mind you’ll be handling all the loading, unloading, and driving yourself.
If you’re moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment with a rental truck, expect to spend between $732 and $1,340. For two to three bedrooms, rates typically fall between $752 and $1,623. Relocating a four-bedroom (or bigger) home? You’re likely looking at anywhere from $942 up to $1,836 for your rental truck.
These quotes include estimated fuel costs.
Key factors that influence moving costs from Amarillo to Des Moines
What to know before moving from Amarillo to Des Moines
Moving from Amarillo 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 Amarillo than in Des Moines, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.
Check out how Amarillo compares to Des Moines so you know what to expect before you relocate:
| Amarillo | Des Moines | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,200 | $1,150 |
| Average home value | $193,956 | $192,347 |
| Average income (per capita) | $61,333 | $58,492 |
| Cost of living (single person) | $1,911 | $1,891 |
| Cost of living (family of 4) | $4,721 | $4,380 |
| Unemployment rate | 4.9% | 5.9% |
| Sales tax | 8.25% | 7.0% |
| State income tax | 0.0% | 4.4% |
- Rent prices in Des Moines are 4% lower than in Amarillo, which means you'll have more money in your pocket each month.
- Home prices are the same in Des Moines and Amarillo.
- Income in Des Moines is 4.6% lower than in Amarillo, 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 1.0% lower than in Amarillo.
- 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 7.2% less than what it costs in Amarillo.
- The unemployment rate in Des Moines is 20.41% higher than in Amarillo.
- You'll spend less on retail and restaurants in Des Moines, since the city's sales taxes in Des Moines are 15.15% lower than in Amarillo.
- State income taxes in Des Moines are 4.40% higher than in Amarillo.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,968.60 in Des Moines to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Amarillo.
How life is different in Amarillo vs. Des Moines
| Des Moines | Amarillo | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 699,292 | 308,297 |
| AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 5 | 2 |
| Walkability score | 45 | 40 |
| Bike friendliness score | 39 | 42 |
| Crime Index | 5.0 | 25.31 |
| Safety Index | 57.8 | 74.69 |
| Air Quality | Good | Good |
- The population of Des Moines is about 127% greater than Amarillo, 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 Amarillo, based on public transportation ratings. Des Moines has a transit score of 5 out of 10 compared to 2 in Amarillo. 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 Amarillo. Des Moines is considered more walkable than Amarillo, with a score of 45 out of 100 versus 40 out of 100 in Amarillo. A city's walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
- Des Moines and Amarillo are similarly bike-friendly based on their comparable ratings of 39 and 42 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 Amarillo based on scores of 5.0 and Amarillo's 25.31, respectively. The crime index shows how safe a city is perceived to be. So, a lower score generally means less crime.
- You may want to exercise more caution as you're getting used to your new surroundings in Des Moines. With a crime index of 57.8, Des Moines ranks lower in overall safety than Amarillo, whose index is 74.69. The safety index measures how safe people in a city feel about walking alone, both during the day and at night, as well as data on muggings, theft, vandalism, and other instances of petty crime.
- The air quality in Des Moines and Amarillo 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 Amarillo 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: To keep things running smoothly, make sure you're familiar with any HOA or community moving policies before the big day.
- Elevator reservation: Make sure to arrange elevator access in advance if your building requires reservations for moving.
- Truck parking permits: Make sure to look into local parking regulations—some areas require permits for large moving trucks.
- 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: You can verify a Iowa moving company's license by visiting the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: You won't need a moving permit in Iowa, though it's smart to double-check any local parking restrictions ahead of your move.
- Change of address: To avoid missing any mail, we recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least a week before your move. You can choose your official move date to make sure everything gets forwarded properly to Des Moines Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: The amount and type of insurance movers must have depends on state regulations. 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
Now that you've decided to make the move to Hartford of the West, these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Des Moines.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Sherman Hill
- East Village
- North of Grand
- Chautauqua Park
- Westwood
Best neighborhoods for families
- Linden Heights
- Waterbury
- Waveland Park
- Westwood
- Salisbury Oaks
Things to do in Des Moines
Now that you've made the move to Iowa it's the perfect time to explore Des Moines From local hotspots to hidden gems, there's something to enjoy for every lifestyle:
- 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, 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 sites — are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.'
- Sports: Catch a live game and cheer on the home team at an Drake Bulldogs game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Amarillo to Des Moines?
If you're flexible with timing, spring and fall are great seasons to move from Amarillo to Des Moines. You'll dodge the heat, the crowds, and the higher moving costs typical of peak season in Amarillo.
When is the cheapest time to move from Amarillo to Des Moines?
Since spring and fall are the most popular times to move from Amarillo to Des Moines moving in the winter could help you save money. Check out our guide on moving discounts for more tips.
How long does a move from Amarillo to Des Moines take?
Covering 802 miles, the move from Amarillo, TX to Des Moines, IA typically takes two to seven days. Some Amarillo movers may offer faster options, and if your timing is flexible, storage services in Des Moines can help bridge the gap.
