Movers in Des Moines, IA
Des Moines is a steady Midwest market driven by insurance and ag hiring. Downtown revitalization (East Village, Sherman Hill) adds COI rules; family suburbs (West Des Moines, Ankeny) dominate volume.
Average Des Moines Moving Costs (2026)
- Studio: $350 – $750
- 1-bedroom: $600 – $1,300
- 2-bedroom: $1,000 – $2,200
- 3-bedroom: $1,700 – $3,500
See the full breakdown on our Des Moines moving cost guide.
Des Moines to Kansas City, Omaha, or Minneapolis: $1,200 – $2,800. To Chicago, St. Louis, or Denver: $1,800 – $3,800. Cross-country: $4,500 – $9,000.
Neighborhoods we cover
- Downtown, East Village & Sherman Hill: condos + historic
- Beaverdale & Drake: bungalows
- South Side & Highland Park: walkups
- Suburbs: West Des Moines, Ankeny, Urbandale, Waukee
- Greater area: Johnston, Clive, Altoona
Local quirks every Des Moines mover knows
- Insurance and ag hiring (Principal, Wells Fargo, Nationwide) drives steady relocation.
- Downtown lofts require COI 48 hours in advance.
- Winter ice (Dec–Feb) — movers track forecasts.
- Iowa caucus season drives short-term housing demand.
Best time to move in Des Moines
Peak: May through September. Cheapest: November through February.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do movers cost in Des Moines?
A typical 1-bedroom local move in Des Moines, IA costs $600 – $1,300. 2-bedroom homes run $1,000 – $2,200, and 3-bedroom+ moves land between $1,700 – $3,500. What moves the number most here: insurance and ag hiring (Principal, Wells Fargo, Nationwide) drives steady relocation. Bids on Scan To Move are built from your measured inventory, so they're binding.
When is the cheapest time to move in Des Moines?
Peak: May through September. Cheapest: November through February. If your dates are flexible, scanning early and collecting bids across two or three candidate weeks is the single biggest lever on price in Des Moines.
Which Des Moines neighborhoods do your movers cover?
All of them, including Downtown, East Village & Sherman Hill, Beaverdale & Drake, South Side & Highland Park, plus Suburbs, Greater area. Access notes from your scan (stairs, elevator reservations, long carries) go to every mover before they bid.
What should I know before moving out of Des Moines?
Des Moines to Kansas City, Omaha, or Minneapolis: $1,200 – $2,800. To Chicago, St. Louis, or Denver: $1,800 – $3,800. Cross-country: $4,500 – $9,000. Long-haul crews serving Des Moines need active USDOT/MC authority, which we verify before a mover can bid on an interstate job.
Are the Des Moines movers on Scan To Move licensed?
Yes. Every mover bidding on a Des Moines job is verified for active Iowa licensing, USDOT/MC credentials for interstate work, and current insurance. We don't list lead-broker middlemen — only the company that will actually load your truck.
How fast can I get bids in Des Moines?
Most Des Moines customers see their first bid within 10–30 minutes of finishing the scan, and 3–6 competing offers within a few hours. Because the inventory is measured, the price you accept is the price you pay.