($635+) Austin, TX to Des Moines, IA Movers
Moving from Austin, TX, to Des Moines, IA, runs anywhere from $642 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,973 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 928 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 2 to 7 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
- Full-service moves for smaller spaces (studio apartments and 1-bedrooms) start around $2,048, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $7,973 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,138 - $4,045, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $642 - $1,826.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Austin, TX, to Des Moines, IA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,595 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Fact Checked by:
Compare moving options from Austin, TX to Des Moines, IA
There are 3 main ways to move from Austin to Des Moines: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service handles labor and transportation for you, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route costing $2,595 - $6,285. Moving containers run about 30% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 60% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 2 to 7 days for this 928-mile route, depending on which option you go with.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 928-mile route from Austin to Des Moines, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $2,048 - $4,667 with full-service movers, $1,138 - $2,089 with a container, $642 - $1,189 with a rental truck, or $1,057 - $1,958 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $2,595 - $6,285 full-service, $1,510 - $3,174 by container, $700 - $1,547 by rental truck, or $1,159 - $2,468 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $4,225 - $7,973 full-service, $2,135 - $4,045 by container, $860 - $1,826 by rental truck, or $1,691 - $3,332 by freight.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Austin, TX to Des Moines, IA
Full-service movers for the 928-mile relocation from Austin, Texas, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $2,048 and $7,973. With a long-distance moving company, loading, transportation, and unloading are all taken care of. If you want to skip packing boxes, too, that can be added for $337 - $2,244, depending on your home size. What you pay in the end is mainly a function of how much your shipment weighs and how far it's traveling. As a point of reference, local movers in Austin typically charge a base rate around $191 plus $90 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Austin to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,048 - $4,667
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,595 - $6,285
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,225 - $7,973
Packing, storage, shuttle fees, and added coverage can stack on top of the base price. See the full add-ons and specialty services table below for what each runs from Austin to Des Moines.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Texas to Iowa. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Avoiding peak moving season dates (May - September) is one of the easiest ways to reduce costs. Off-season moves typically come with lower pricing and more room to negotiate since movers have fewer bookings.
Don't see your company listed?
Reach customers actively searching for trusted movers in your area. Tell us about your company and services to get your business listed on moveBuddha.
Specialty moving services from Austin, TX to Des Moines, IA
Specialty needs vary by market — 81% of Austin movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Des Moines, 58% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $561 - $5,610 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready81% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Black Tie Moving | $224 - $1,346/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $337 - $2,693 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage26% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs55% of local movers | $1,122 - $3,366 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,805 - $11,220 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $840 - $1,597 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items42% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Berger Allied Moving & Storage | $1,122 - $2,805 |
| Piano | Any piano type55% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: 3 Men Movers | $898 - $3,927 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling26% of local movers | $337 - $1,683 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect26% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Berger Allied Moving & Storage | $729 - $2,244 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $337 - $16,830+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $337 - $3,927+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Austin to Des Moines?
All three below meet the standards set by the Iowa Motor Truck Association, the group most Iowa movers are affiliated with.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list, with flat-rate pricing that holds firm on moving day and a customer support team available around the clock.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here. With 30+ years of interstate moves behind them, AVL uses full-time in-house crews instead of the contracted labor most national carriers rely on.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan available on every long-distance move.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Austin, TX. At that distance, local movers often charge 30% - 40% more because they don't spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments the way national carriers do. If a direct route and faster delivery (averaging 2 days) are priorities, a local mover may be worth considering, but that service comes at a higher price.
Moving container costs from Austin, TX to Des Moines, IA
Moving containers from Austin, Texas, to Des Moines, Iowa, cost between $1,138 and $4,045. A container is delivered to your home and you load it on your own time. Loading windows vary by company: U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30. From there, the company takes over and transports it to Des Moines. If you go over that window, storage in Austin adds around $80/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Austin to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,138 - $2,089
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,510 - $3,174
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,135 - $4,045
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both Austin, TX and Des Moines, IA. Still, double-check that a nearby facility is available if you need to access your belongings before delivery.
- Moving labor: Because containers are self-loaded, many customers hire hourly help. Two movers for about 5 hours typically cost around $785 in Austin, TX, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $84 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $168 for larger ones (12 - 16 feet).
- Added contents protection: For more coverage beyond the standard minimum, full-value protection is the typical upgrade, generally 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value. On a $50,000 household, that's roughly $500 - $1,000 as a one-time fee.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Texas to Iowa move in the past 90 days. Our pricing data is drawn from 1,500+ monthly data points across our vetted mover network and refreshed every month.
Pro tip: Before ordering moving containers, take a careful inventory of everything you're moving. A typical 1-bedroom home weighs around 3,000 pounds and fits in a single container starting at $1,138. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,510 - $3,174, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Austin to Des Moines?
- Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
- U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
- MovingYourself (5.0/5 stars)
Want a hand without paying for full service? A container or truck move does not mean doing all the heavy lifting yourself. You can hire a labor-only crew in Austin to load and unload while you handle the drive, then book full help later if you change your mind. Three top-rated local crews for labor-only help in Austin:
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.8/5), 7 years in business
- Bellhop Moving (4.7/5), 14 years in business
- 3 Men Movers (4.9/5), 41 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Austin, TX to Des Moines, IA
A rental truck for this 928-mile move from Austin, Texas, to Des Moines, Iowa, costs between $642 and $1,826. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $331 - $379
- Daily insurance: $34/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $22
- Austin daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.99
| Home size | Typical truck size |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | 10 - 12 ft |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | 15 - 17 ft |
| 4+ bedrooms | 20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel) |
These are typical moving truck rental costs from Austin to Des Moines based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $642 - $1,189
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $700 - $1,547
- 4+ bedrooms: $860 - $1,826
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Austin to Des Moines starts at $642 - $1,826, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($331 - $379) , overnight lodging ($168/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for an additional $600 - $1,200 on top of your base rate to cover those costs.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Equipment: Tow dollies, appliance dollies, and moving pads are not included in the base rate. These extras often total between $84 and $393.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $168.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $331 and $379 for the 928-mile drive, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: If you'd rather not do all the heavy lifting, budget around $785 for 2 movers in Austin, Texas, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Austin to Des Moines?
- Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
- Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
- U-Haul Truck Rental (4.2/5 stars)
The best truck rental companies for this route, based on moveBuddha's ratings.
Freight trailer costs from Austin, TX to Des Moines, IA
For larger DIY moves from Austin, Texas, freight trailers give you plenty of room without putting you behind the wheel. Standard trailers are 28 feet long. You load the section you need, and the carrier transports everything to Des Moines, Iowa.
Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For most medium-to-large moves on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,159 and $2,468.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Austin to Des Moines:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,057 - $1,958
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,159 - $2,468
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,691 - $3,332
Pro tip: Freight trailers come with a 4-foot loading ramp, which can be a challenge with bulky furniture. With 8 feet of vertical space available, stacking efficiently often requires a ladder and a plan. Since you're billed per linear foot, packing tight can make a real difference in your final cost.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Seasonal demand: Pricing tends to rise during peak moving season, particularly between mid-May and mid-September.
- Moving labor: Most customers hire loading help since freight is self-loaded. Two movers in Austin, Texas, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $785.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $84 and $168 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Austin to Des Moines?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the best for large moves pick. While it's a top moving container option for the DIY hybrid setup (you handle the loading, they handle the driving), the same approach makes it a strong freight choice for 3 to 5+ bedroom homes that need 53 feet of trailer capacity with pay-as-you-go pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer here. In addition to their popular container service, U-Pack delivers a top-tier freight trailer option that uses the same pay-by-the-foot pricing model and skips deposits and upfront fees entirely.
- Molina Trucking (4.26/5 stars): Molina Trucking is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Local ownership translates to accessible support staff and facilities based in the communities they serve, giving customers more direct communication than they'd typically get from a national-only freight network.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Austin to Des Moines, freight trailers are one of the fastest interstate options available, second only to renting a truck and driving it yourself. The tradeoff is that freight works best when you're ready to receive your belongings on the other end. If your timeline is tight on the receiving side or you need a short storage buffer, a moving container might be a better fit.
Cost of living: Austin, TX vs Des Moines, IA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Des Moines, side by side with Austin on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Austin, TX | Des Moines, IA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 129 | 87 |
| Average rent | $1,765/mo | $1,150/mo |
| Median home value | $512,969 | $183,553 |
| Average income | $91,461/yr | $63,966/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 3.5% | 5.9% |
| State income tax | None | Up to 4.4% |
| Walkability score | 42/100 | 45/100 |
| Safety index | 59.87/100 | 57.8/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
Cost of living index is relative to the U.S. average of 100. Figures reflect the latest available city and state data.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Des Moines, IA to Austin, TX guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Texas to Iowa over the past 3 months, giving us some of the most up-to-date pricing data around. Running your move through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. There are 289 movers in our Texas network to compare for this 928-mile move.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Austin, TX, to Des Moines, IA, comes down to your budget and how much time and work you're able to put into it. Hands-off relocations handled by full-service movers range from $2,048 - $7,973 on the 928-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,138 - $4,045 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $642 - $1,826 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $2,595 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and 24/7 live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include MercyOne and Principal Financial Group.
FAQs: Moving from Austin, TX, to Des Moines, IA
How long does a move from Austin, TX to Des Moines, IA take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 5 - 7 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are usually the fastest option outside of driving yourself, with deliveries in 3 - 5 days, though you'll need to be ready to receive your shipment on arrival. Driving a rental truck yourself puts the schedule entirely in your hands.
What are the best neighborhoods in Des Moines?
For families, Linden Heights, Waterbury, and Waveland Park are worth a look in Des Moines. If you're moving solo or without kids, Sherman Hill, Downtown, and East Village tend to be popular picks instead.
What is the cheapest way to move from Austin, TX to Des Moines, IA?
Renting a moving truck is almost always the most affordable option, since you handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself. A 2-bedroom rental truck move on this route averages $700 - $1,547. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
Is Des Moines a safe place to live?
Des Moines has a safety index of 57.8 out of 100 and a crime index of 5.0, compared to 59.87 and 42.91 in Austin. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What size moving truck do I need for this route?
Rental trucks generally range from 10 to 26 feet. A 15- to 17-foot truck covers most 2-bedroom moves, while a smaller 10- to 12-foot truck works for a studio or 1-bedroom. Homes with 3 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
What percentage of Austin movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 55% of movers in Austin handle piano moves, and 42% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
