Best overall value
Local moving companies in Charleston
- Bellhop Moving: 4.62 out of 5 stars
- Flex Moving & Storage: 4.42 out of 5 stars
- Central Van & Storage, Inc.: 4.76 out of 5 stars
- Watts Brothers Moving and Storage Systems: 4.2 out of 5 stars
- Dunbar Transfer: 3.9 out of 5 stars
- Professional and polite staff
- Efficient service
- Careful handling
- Friendly and approachable staff
- Quick moving process
- Damage to items
- Delayed arrival or delivery
- Unexpected charges
Company Info
Years in Business: 13
DOT #: 2878240
Alternate Names: Bellhop Moving, Bellhops, Inc., Bellhops
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- Efficient service
- Careful handling
- Good communication
- Professional and polite staff
- Highly recommended
- Unexpected charges
- Delayed arrival or delivery
- Lack of communication
Company Info
Years in Business: 3
DOT #: 3610638
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Storage
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Professional and polite staff
- Careful handling
- Good communication
- Efficient service
- Helpful movers
- Damage to home
- Misplaced or lost items
- Higher-than-expected costs
Company Info
Years in Business: 28
DOT #: 076235
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Professional and polite staff
- Careful handling
- Efficient service
- Affordable rates
- Good communication
- Misplaced or lost items
- Damage to items
- Unreliable timing
Company Info
Years in Business: 35
DOT #: 587135
Alternate Names: Future Enterprises Corporation
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Factors influencing moving costs from Charleston to Des Moines
What to know before moving from Charleston to Des Moines
Moving from Charleston to Des Moines comes with exciting new opportunities โ 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:
| Charleston | Des Moines | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $875 | $1,150 |
| Average home value | $153,672 | $192,347 |
| Average income (per capita) | $59,354 | $58,492 |
| Cost of living (single person) | $1,549 | $1,891 |
| Cost of living (family of 4) | $3,862 | $4,380 |
| Unemployment rate | 6.2% | 5.9% |
| Sales tax | 7.0% | 7.0% |
| State income tax | 6.5% | 4.4% |
- You may want to budget more for rent in Des Moines, since prices are typically 31% higher than in Charleston.
- The home prices in Des Moines are 25.2% higher than in Charleston, which could mean saving up before buying a home, taking on a bigger mortgage, or downsizing.
- 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 โ including MercyOne, Principal Financial Group, and Ppw Holdings โ may pay more.
- 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 | Charleston | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 699,292 | 48,018 |
| AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 5 | 2 |
| Walkability score | 45 | 33 |
| Bike friendliness score | 39 | 28 |
| Crime Index | 5.0 | 53.94 |
| Safety Index | 57.8 | 46.06 |
| Air Quality | Good | Good |
- The population of Des Moines is about 1,356% greater than Charleston, 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 Charleston, based on public transportation ratings. Des Moines has a transit score of 5 out of 10 compared to 2 in Charleston. 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 Charleston. Des Moines is considered more walkable than Charleston, with a score of 45 out of 100 versus 33 out of 100 in Charleston. A city's walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
- If cycling is your thing, Des Moines is considered more bike-friendly than Charleston in terms of designated lanes and connectivity and how many residents opt to commute on two wheels rather than by car. Des Moines has a bike-friendliness score of 39 out of 100, while Charleston is rated as 28 out of 100.
- Des Moines has a lower crime rate than Charleston based on scores of 5.0 and Charleston's 53.94, 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 Charleston, based on Des Moines's safety index of 57.8 versus 46.06 for Charleston. 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 Charleston 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 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 theyโve 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
Now that you've chosen Hartford of the West as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in Des Moines to check out.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Sherman Hill
- East Village
- Woodland Heights
- Chautauqua Park
- Westwood
Best neighborhoods for families
- Linden Heights
- Waterbury
- Salisbury Oaks
- Meredith
- Beaverdale
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: You'll find museums and cultural hubs throughout Des Moines, such as 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 โ along with other locations, ideal for trails, cycling, or enjoying the fresh air.
- Sports: Experience the energy of a live game and back the home team at an Drake Bulldogs game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Charleston to Des Moines?
The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from Charleston to Des Moines are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in Charleston. are lower.
When is the cheapest time to move from Charleston to Des Moines?
Because most people are moving from Charleston to Des Moines in the spring or fall, you can often catch discounts by moving in the winter. Read our guide on moving discounts to learn more.
How long does a move from Charleston to Des Moines take?
Moving from Charleston, WV to Des Moines, IA covers 784 miles and usually takes two to seven days Need to move faster? Some Charleston movers offer expedited options. If you're not ready to receive your items, look into storage solutions in Des Moines.
