10 Best Moving Companies in Iowa (2024 Reviews)
Quick answer: We recommend Two Men and a Truck for local moves in Iowa based on their professionalism and transparent pricing. If you’re leaving Iowa, Safeway Moving is our pick for best interstate moving company, thanks to their balance of affordability and quality service.
- Best IA-based mover: Two Men and a Truck
- Best interstate mover: Safeway Moving
- Best moving container: PODS
- Best labor-only mover: HireAHelper
- Best rental truck: U-Haul Truck Rental
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4.25 / 5
Licensed
 Insured
Price
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Our track record
Each year, 400,000+ people trust our moving recommendations. Here are a few reasons why:
- Founded in 2015
- 2,500+ moving companies analyzed
- $50,000 in moving & auto transport grants delivered
- Up-to-date pricing info & industry data
- Fact-checked for accuracy
Best movers for those moving locally in Iowa
If you are moving within Altoona, Ames, or another Iowa city — or relocating to a nearby town 50 miles away or less — check out these top local companies:
- Two Men and a Truck: 4.72 out of 5 stars
- Claeys Brothers Moving & Storage Inc: 4.72 out of 5 stars
- Action Moving & Storage, Inc.: 4.52 out of 5 stars
- Black Belt Movers: 4.52 out of 5 stars
- White Glove Movers: 4.48 out of 5 stars
- Efficient service (34%)
- Professional and polite staff (31%)
- Careful handling (28%)
- Damage to items (25%)
- Delayed arrival or delivery (20%)
- Unexpected charges (18%)
Company Info
Years in Business: 27
DOT #: 2527384
Two Men and a Truck, a reputable moving company in Urbandale, IA, has been providing local residential moving services since 1998. Renowned for their packing, unpacking, and labor-only services, they stand out by requiring no deposit and accepting credit cards, adding convenience for their clients. With an impressive average rating of 4.6 on Google from over 500 reviews and a BBB rating of A+, they excel in customer satisfaction compared to other nearby movers. Their proven track record makes them a trusted choice for local moves.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Pianos
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
- Professional and polite staff (37%)
- Efficient service (33%)
- Good communication (30%)
- Damage to items (37%)
- Delayed arrival or delivery (26%)
- Lack of communication (19%)
Company Info
Years in Business: 69
DOT #: 70719
Claeys Brothers Moving & Storage Inc, a staple in Sioux City, IA since 1955, offers comprehensive local residential moving services. With a strong reputation reflected in their 4.2 average rating on Google and an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, they are a trusted choice among local movers. Unlike many nearby moving companies, Claeys Brothers also offer packing and unpacking services, as well as the capability to move pianos, art, and antiques. The firm accepts both cash and credit cards, and no deposit is required, making them a flexible and customer-friendly option for local moves.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Professional and polite staff (30%)
- Efficient service (28%)
- Good communication (26%)
- Damage to items (22%)
- Misplaced or lost items (19%)
- Unexpected charges (17%)
Company Info
Years in Business: 41
DOT #: 299154
Action Moving & Storage, Inc. has been reliably serving the Sioux City, IA area since 1983, specializing in local residential moves. They stand out among local movers with their extensive experience and a stellar reputation, evidenced by an impressive average rating of 4.7 from 161 Google reviews and an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. Unlike many competitors, they offer comprehensive services including packing, unpacking, and specialized moving for art and antiques. Action Moving & Storage also accepts both cash and credit cards and requires no deposit, making them a convenient and trustworthy option for local relocations.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Efficient service (30%)
- Professional and polite staff (25%)
- Careful handling (22%)
- Damage to items (27%)
- Lack of communication (20%)
- Unexpected charges (18%)
Company Info
Years in Business: 19
DOT #: 2991947
White Glove Movers, a local moving company based in Marion, IA, has been providing reliable residential moving services since 2005. Compared to other nearby movers, White Glove stands out with its comprehensive packing and unpacking services, as well as specialized capabilities to handle delicate items like pianos and art. Renowned for their exceptional service, they hold an average Google rating of 4.9 from 234 reviews and an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. Their excellent consumer feedback and array of services make them a top choice for local moves, offering peace of mind and quality assurance.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Best movers for those moving out of Iowa
If you’re leaving the Hawkeye State altogether for a different state, we recommend these top-rated interstate moving companies:
- Safeway Moving: 4.85 out of 5 stars
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- BLVD Moving: 4.25 out of 5 stars
- PODS: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5 stars
- GPS tracking en route
- Veteran-owned
- Dedicated move coordinator
- Flat-rate pricing
- Donates a portion of moves to charity
- Family-owned, with locations covering the East Coast
- Full refund if you cancel within 7 days of your move
- Hands-on customer service
- 24/7 support
- Price-matching policy
- Family owned & operated
- Affordable pricing
- Binding estimates
- 30 days storage included
- Local and long distance moving options
- Unlimited loading/unloading time
- Store on property or at a facility
- Experienced & fully trained moving crews
- Specializes in moving art & antiques
- Competitive pricing
- Can handle last-minute moves
- Climate-controlled storage
Best moving containers in Iowa
If you want to save some money, need storage, or just prefer to move at your own pace, moving containers can be an ideal alternative to full-service movers. You’ll have to load your moving container yourself — but you’ll have multiple days to do so. When you’re ready, the container company will pick up your container and transport it to your new home.
Here are our favorite moving containers in Iowa:
- 30 days storage included
- Local and long distance moving options
- Unlimited loading/unloading time
- Store on property or at a facility
- Long distance moves only
- Only pay for the space you use
- No deposit or initial fees
- Fast delivery time frames
Best rental trucks for your Iowa move
Rental trucks are the most cost-effective method of moving… and the most labor-intensive. You’ll need to do the packing, loading, driving, unloading, and unpacking, but doing it all yourself means you’ll be paying significantly less, particularly on local moves.
While moving trucks are certainly a thrifty option for long-distance moves, keep in mind that related expenses like mileage fees and gas can add up quickly the further you have to go. Be sure to factor in these often overlooked charges to see if this really is your cheapest option.
These are our picks for best rental moving trucks in Iowa:
- More than 20,000 locations with prominent pricing
- Rental options include everything from pick-up trucks to 26-foot moving trucks
- Gentle-Ride Suspension add protection to avoid damaging your items during transit
- U-Box moving containers available if you don't want to drive
- Limits environmental impact as part of the EPA's SmartWay Program
- Non-slip flooring makes loading and unloading easier
- Easily choose truck size with their Truck Wizard Tool
Labor-only movers in Iowa
Want a hand with the heavy lifting without having to hire a full-service mover? Labor-only companies can send crews to help you with loading, packing, and even disassembly and reassembly of furniture and electronics. However, you’ll still need to rent a moving truck and handle the driving.
Take a look at these highly rated labor-only movers for your Iowa move:
- First call quoting, get a quote in just a couple of minutes
- Rates are typically 20-40% lower than the industry averages
- $1,000 money-back service guarantee
- Fast and accurate delivery times
- Free damage coverage with additional coverage options
- Quick and easy booking process
- National 4.75/5 star rating (these guys are good at what they do)
- Dedicated move concierge specialist
- Pay as you go service. 2-hour minimum and then prorated down to the minute
- The time clock starts when the movers arrive and ends when you tell them
Top-rated movers in nearby cities
How we chose the best moving companies in Iowa
moveBuddha’s expert team analyzed moving rates from 26 Iowa movers and listed the top movers based on customer satisfaction, reviews, and cost.
Customer satisfaction (40%): The company consistently delivers services in a timely matter with good communication and within the estimated cost.
Dispute resolution (20%): Mistakes cannot be avoided in the moving industry. We look for companies that own their mistakes and make genuine efforts to fix any issues that arise during a move.
Industry reputation (15%): The company is well-regarded within the moving industry and participates in industry conferences and organizations.
Online reputation (15%): The company maintains a professional website with accurate information. The company promptly and professionally responds to online customer inquiries.
Service options (10%): We look for companies with a deep breadth of services including full packing, storage, specialty item handling, and expedited delivery.
Here is our full moving company rating methodology.
Average cost of moving companies in Iowa
The pricing table below shows ballpark moving costs for local moves within Iowa. For more pricing information, check out our post on the cost to move in Iowa.
Keep in mind the price ranges listed are only averages. Actual moving costs can vary greatly depending on the specific requirements of your move and whether the moving company offers flat-rate pricing.
You can also check out our free moving cost calculator for more accurate moving cost estimates.
| Home size | Avg. total cost | Cost/hour | # of movers | # hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $768 | $278 | 2 movers | 3 hours |
| 1 bedroom | $1,046 | $278 | 2 movers | 4 hours |
| 2 bedroom | $1,660 | $390 | 3 movers | 5 hours |
| 3 bedroom | $3,764 | $546 | 4 movers | 8 hours |
| 4 bedroom | $4,309 | $546 | 4 movers | 9 hours |
| 5+ bedroom | $6,604 | $764 | 5 movers | 10 hours |
- Iowa moving companies will cost about $768 to move a studio locally.
- If you're moving one bedroom, a moving company in Iowa will charge about $1,046.
- A two-bedroom move in Iowa will cost about $1,660.
- A three-bedroom move costs $3,764 on average in Iowa.
- To move a four-bedroom house in Iowa, you should expect to pay $4,309.
- For a house that's five bedrooms or larger, your move will cost $6,604 in Iowa.
Factors that affect moving costs in Iowa
Getting an online moving quote can lead to confusion, but these factors will affect the cost of your Iowa move.
- Distance: The time and fuel can affect local moves, but if you’re moving out of Iowa you may see additional fees
- Size: Larger homes with more belongings require more labor and larger trucks, resulting in higher costs
- Time of year: Peak moving seasons in Iowa, like summer or around holidays, often come with higher rates due to increased demand
- Additional services: Services like packing, unpacking, or assembly/disassembly of furniture will add to the total cost
If you’re moving from Iowa to a different state, make sure your mover is equipped and licensed to handle your move.
If you’re not sure, check out our list of the
best long distance moving companies.
Things to keep in mind when moving
Whether you are moving one town over in Iowa or are making a big cross-country relocation, here are some common considerations:
- Weather: Iowa has a humid continental climate throughout the state. Snowfall is common in Iowa. Spring brings in severe weather season. Iowa has about 50 thunderstorm days per year and has a tornado season. Iowa is known for hot and humid summers. Be sure to check the weather before your move, especially during the springtime.
- HOA rules: If you are moving to or from a neighborhood that has an HOA, it’s a good idea to brush up on the handbook. Many HOAs have established restrictions on which days and/or times moving is allowed, as well as guidelines on permissible truck sizes, parking, and notifying residents about when your move will occur. Checking the rules before moving day will ensure you won’t get hit with fines — or end up with angry neighbors!
- Elevator reservation: If you're moving to or from a multi-level building with an elevator, property management may require you to you a service elevator or reserve an elevator ahead of time. You may also have some restrictions on when you can move, so be sure to check on the guidelines ahead of time.
- Parking permits: Iowa does not require special permits for moving rental trucks and vans or moving containers, but your destination state and/or city might. You can visit the municipal website for your new location for a list of parking rules and restrictions, or a contact number to call for additional help.
- Licensing and compliance: All the movers on our list are verified as licensed and insured, but you can check licensing, USDOT status, and safety violations for a mover in Arizona or any other U.S. state, by searching by their name in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration database.
- Change of address: You should submit your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. This will notify the postal service of your official moving date and help ensure all of your mail is forwarded to your new Iowa or out-of-state residence. .
- Moving insurance: Federal law mandates that movers provide basic coverage — known as released value protection — at no charge to customers. While it is free, this insurance offers very minimal coverage, however — just $0.60 per pound per item. So, if a 25-pound TV valued at $2,000 is lost or damaged, your compensation would only be $15 ($0.60 x 25 pounds). For high-value items, you may want to consider purchasing more comprehensive protection directly through your moving company or with a third-party insurance provider.
FAQs
What should I look for when choosing a moving company in Iowa?
When choosing a moving company in Iowa, you should look for a solid reputation, fair and transparent pricing, a variety of services, and multiple insurance options. We consider those key factors, among others, in our analysis and rating of moving companies, so you can find the best moving companies in Iowa by reading our top picks.
We recommend obtaining quotes from at least three moving companies — including a top flat-rate mover — in Iowa to compare prices and services.
Do Iowa moving companies offer services for long-distance or interstate moves?
Yes, many moving companies in Iowa offer long-distance or interstate moving services. These companies should have a USDOT number from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration for interstate moves.
For more information, check out our guide on the best long-distance movers in Iowa.
How can I see all moving companies in Iowa?
You can see all moving companies in Iowa in our comprehensive list of Iowa movers.
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