($1,395) Movers From Charleston, WV to Des Moines, IA

What to know before moving from Charleston to Des Moines

Moving from Charleston to Des Moines comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Des Moines is generally more expensive than Charleston, 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 31% higher than in Charleston, which means you’ll have less money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Charleston.
  Home prices in Des Moines are 25.2% higher than in Charleston.
• Income in Des Moines is 1.5% lower than in Charleston, so you could earn less 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 22.1% higher than in Charleston. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• If you’re moving your family to Des Moines, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Des Moines is 13.4% higher than in Charleston.
• The unemployment rate in Des Moines is 4.84% lower than in Charleston.
• Sales taxes are the same in Des Moines and Charleston.
• One perk of moving to Des Moines is paying less in state income taxes, which are 32.31% lower than in Charleston.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,662.36 in Des Moines to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Charleston.

How life is different in Charleston vs. Des Moines

• Des Moines's population is about 1,356% greater than Charleston.
• Des Moines's public transportation has a score of 5 out of 10 versus Charleston's lower score of 2.
• Des Moines is more walkable than Charleston with a score of 45 out of 100 vs Charleston's 33 out of 100.
• With a score of 39 out of 100, Des Moines is more bike-friendly than Charleston, which has a score of 28 out of 100. The higher a city's score, the more suited they are to safely accommodating cyclists.
• Des Moines's crime rate is lower than Charleston with a score of 5.0 compared to Charleston's 53.94. This means that Des Moines neighborhoods are safer than 5.0% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Charleston neighborhoods are safer than 53.94%.
• Des Moines is considered to be safer than Charleston with a safety index of 57.8 vs Charleston's 46.06.
• Air quality in Des Moines is good, and in Charleston it's good.

Other things to consider for your Charleston 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