Burlington, VT to Des Moines, IA Movers (NEW 2026 Costs)

How we chose the best VT→IA movers

At moveBuddha, our specialists conducted a thorough evaluation of 5 Vermont moving companies, identifying the leading ones by examining client satisfaction, reviews, and value.

Customer satisfaction (40%): The company consistently delivers services in a timely matter with good communication and within the estimated cost.
Dispute resolution (20%): Errors happen in moving. The best companies acknowledge them quickly and take real steps to resolve any problems for their customers.
Industry reputation (15%): Within the moving field, the company has earned respect and regularly engages in conferences and trade groups.
Online reputation (15%): The organization ensures its website is reliable and actively addresses online customer inquiries in a professional manner.
Service options (10%): Top movers provide versatile offerings including packing, storage, special-item handling, and the option for faster delivery when needed.

Here is our full moving company rating methodology.

What to know before moving from Burlington to Des Moines

Many movers find Des Moines easier on the wallet than Burlington - roughly 30% less for singles and 21% less for families.

Monthly basics average $1,891 for one person in Des Moines versus $2,693 in Burlington. For a family of four, it's $4,380 compared with $5,537.

See the cost breakdown below to pinpoint where the savings add up:

	Burlington	Des Moines
Average 1 BR rent	$1,800	$1,229
Average 3 BR rent	$3,000	$1,763
Average home value	$495,758	$192,347
Average income (per capita)	$66,546	$58,492
Cost of living (single)	$2,693	$1,891
Cost of living (family of four)	$5,537	$4,380
Unemployment rate	3.2%	5.9%
Sales tax	7.0%	7.0%
State income tax	8.75%	4.4%

source: World Population Review, Zillow, US Census Bureau, US BLS, Tax Foundation

If you're heading to Des Moines from Burlington, you'll find that rent is roughly 48% cheaper, potentially boosting your monthly savings.
Your budget can breathe easier with home prices being close to 61% less in Des Moines than in Burlington.
Consider checking your finances before the transition. The average income is approximately 12% lower in Des Moines compared to Burlington.
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 30% lower than in Burlington.
Choosing to move to Des Moines can significantly lower your family's regular expenses, such as utilities, transport, and groceries. The cost of living for a family of four is 21% less than in Burlington.
In Des Moines, the unemployment rate is approximately 84% higher than in Burlington, indicating a larger group of job seekers. This can lead to increased competition for positions.
Sales taxes show little difference between Des Moines and Burlington (around 5%), making it one less financial concern for your move.
Income taxes are 50% less in Iowa than in Vermont. With these lower tax rates, you can enjoy more take-home pay, simplifying your financial management.

Here’s a closer snapshot of how common everyday costs and monthly bills compare between Burlington and Des Moines:

Living Expense	Burlington	Des Moines
Basic utilities	$192.91	$144.82
Cell phone plan	$57.53	$51.25
Dozen eggs	$4.43	$3.61
Loaf of bread	$4.07	$2.50
Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal)	$21.00	$16.00
Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant)	$80.00	$77.50
Gym membership	$75.00	$66.67

Basic utilities tend to be more expensive in Burlington than in Des Moines.
Cell phone plans typically cost more in Burlington than in Des Moines.
Eggs cost more in Burlington than in Des Moines.
Bread is more expensive in Burlington than in Des Moines.
A quick meal tends to cost more in Burlington than in Des Moines.
A mid-range dinner for two is pricier in Burlington than in Des Moines.
Gym memberships cost more in Burlington than in Des Moines.

How life is different in Burlington vs. Des Moines

	Burlington	Des Moines
Population	44,743	699,292
Transportation score	5	5
Walkability score	59	45
Bike friendliness score	81	39
Crime index	43.33	5.0
Safety index	56.67	57.8
Air quality	Good	Good

source: Wikipedia, AllTransit, Walk Score, NeighborhoodScout, AirNow

Des Moines's population is about 1463% greater than Burlington.
Des Moines's public transportation score is within about 5% of Burlington, making them very similar.
Des Moines is less walkable than Burlington with a score of 45 out of 100 vs Burlington's 59 out of 100.
Des Moines has a bike-friendliness score of 39 out of 100, which means it isn't as accessible or safe for cyclists as Burlington, which has a score of 81.
Des Moines's crime rate is lower than Burlington with a score of 5.0 compared to Burlington's 43.33. This means that Des Moines neighborhoods are safer than 5.0% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Burlington neighborhoods are safer than 43.33%.
Des Moines and Burlington have a similar safety level, with scores of 57.8 and 56.67.
Air quality in Des Moines is Good, and in Burlington it's Good.

Other things to consider for your Burlington to Des Moines move

HOA rules: Be sure to review your community or HOA guidelines before moving day to avoid any surprises or delays.
Elevator reservation: Make sure to arrange elevator access in advance if your building requires reservations for moving.
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. Always verify licensing details before committing to a mover.
State regulator: You can verify a Iowa moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
Moving Permits: Iowa doesn't require moving permits, but it's still a good idea to check local parking rules before your move-in day.
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: 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: Follow our moving checklist to keep your move organized and stress-free.

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
Downtown
East Village
North of Grand
Woodland Heights
Arbor Peaks
Chautauqua Park
Beaverdale
Westwood

Best neighborhoods for families

Linden Heights
Waterbury
Waveland Park
Westwood
Salisbury Oaks
Meredith
Beaverdale

Things to do in Des Moines

Once you're settled into your new home in Iowa, it's time to get out and discover what Des Moines has to offer. No matter your interests, there's something for everyone here:

Arts and culture: You'll find museums and cultural hubs throughout Des Moines, such as the Des Moines Art Center, State Historical Museum, Science Center of Iowa, and Salisbury House.
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: Sports fans can join the excitement by supporting local favorites at an Drake Bulldogs game.

source: AttractionsofAmerica

FAQ

When is the best time to move from Burlington to Des Moines?

The best time to move from Burlington to Des Moines is during the spring or fall. These seasons offer milder weather and avoid higher moving costs during the peak moving season in Burlington.

When is the cheapest time to move from Burlington to Des Moines?

Since spring and fall are the most popular times to move from Burlington 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 Burlington to Des Moines take?

Moving from Burlington, VT to Des Moines, IA covers 1,216 miles and usually takes two to eight days. Need to move faster? Some Burlington movers offer expedited options. If you're not ready to receive your items, look into storage solutions in Des Moines.

Who can move pianos or antiques in Burlington?

Specialty items need extra care and the right equipment. 5 movers in Burlington advertise piano moving expertise. 2 movers in Burlington provide antique moving services. State totals show 5 piano movers and 2 antique movers, with nationwide availability at 2,296 and 1,463.

Book early if you need these services — demand can outpace supply during busy moving seasons.