10 Best Moving Companies in Iowa (2025 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.

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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.85 / 5
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  • Best overall value
  • Portion to charity
  • Veteran owned
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
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  • Family owned
  • East coast focus
  • Affordable pricing
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
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  • Certified crews
  • Flat-rate pricing
  • Family-owned
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.8 / 5
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  • Unlimited storage
  • 3 container sizes
  • 10% discount

Our track recordtoggle

Recommended by Time Magazine
Recommended by The New York Times
Recommended by Forbes
Recommended by Money.com
Recommended by Consumer Reports
Recommended by Time Magazine
Recommended by The New York Times
Recommended by Forbes
Recommended by Money.com
Recommended by Consumer Reports

Each year, 400,000+ people trust our moving recommendations. Here are a few reasons why:

  • Founded in 2015
  • 3,500+ moving companies analyzed
  • $50,000 in moving 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 Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, or another Iowa city — or relocating to a nearby town 50 miles away or less — a local SC mover may be your best choice.

After reviewing 24 local Iowa movers, here are our top five recommendations:

  1. TWO MEN AND A TRUCK: 4.8 out of 5 stars
  2. White Glove Movers: 4.62 out of 5 stars
  3. College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving: 4.58 out of 5 stars
  4. Claeys Brothers Moving & Storage Inc: 4.58 out of 5 stars
  5. Black Belt Movers: 4.58 out of 5 stars
Customer Praise
  • Efficient service (34%)
  • Professional and polite staff (31%)
  • Careful handling (28%)
Customer Complaints
  • Damage to items (25%)
  • Delayed arrival or delivery (20%)
  • Unexpected charges (18%)
Review Analysis
Two Men and a Truck has 232 customer reviews, with 84% of them being positive. Customers frequently praised the company for its efficient service, professional and polite staff, and careful handling of belongings. On the downside, some feedback pointed out issues like damage to items, delayed arrival or delivery, and unexpected charges. While many appreciated the overall service, some customers expressed disappointment with the handling of their items and the costs incurred during the move.
Get a Quote (515) 216-3654

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
Customer Praise
  • Efficient service (30%)
  • Professional and polite staff (25%)
  • Careful handling (22%)
Customer Complaints
  • Damage to items (27%)
  • Lack of communication (20%)
  • Unexpected charges (18%)
Review Analysis
White Glove Movers has 223 customer reviews, with 80% of them being positive. Many customers praised the company for their efficient service, friendly staff, and careful handling of belongings. Clients appreciated how quickly the movers worked and their professionalism. However, some negative feedback highlighted issues such as damage to items during the move, poor communication, and unexpected charges. While most experiences were favorable, these concerns indicate that potential customers should consider the importance of thorough communication and attention to detail before choosing this company.
Get a Quote (319) 393-3000

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
Customer Praise
  • Professional and polite staff (37%)
  • Efficient service (32%)
  • Careful handling (30%)
Customer Complaints
  • Damage to items (20%)
  • Delayed arrival or delivery (15%)
  • Unexpected charges (12%)
Review Analysis
College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving has 231 customer reviews, with 82% being positive. Many customers praised the company for its friendly and professional staff, efficient service, and careful handling of belongings. However, some feedback highlighted issues like damage to items during moves, delayed arrival times, and unexpected charges. Overall, College Hunks is recognized for its quality service, but some customers experienced problems that could affect their recommendations.
Get a Quote (336) 810-1801

Company Info

Years in Business: 7

DOT #: 2378173


College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving, serving Clive, IA since 2018, specializes in local residential moves and stands out from other nearby movers with their comprehensive packing, unpacking, and labor-only services. They also cater to office moving needs, making them a versatile choice. While their Yelp reviews average 3.2 from 14 ratings, their astounding 4.8 out of 1452 Google reviews suggest a generally positive customer experience. Additionally, they accept credit cards and do not require a deposit, offering convenience and flexibility. Despite their F rating from the BBB, their extensive positive feedback on Google indicates a largely satisfactory service.

Services Offered

  • Local moves
  • Packing
  • Unpacking
  • Offices
  • Storage
  • Pay by credit card
Customer Praise
  • Professional and polite staff (37%)
  • Efficient service (33%)
  • Good communication (30%)
Customer Complaints
  • Damage to items (37%)
  • Delayed arrival or delivery (26%)
  • Lack of communication (19%)
Review Analysis
Claeys Brothers Moving & Storage Inc has 27 customer reviews, with 74% being positive. Many customers praised the company's efficiency, professionalism, and friendly staff, noting that their belongings were handled with care. However, some feedback highlighted issues like damage to items and delayed arrivals. Despite these concerns, the majority of customers felt satisfied with their overall experience and would recommend the company to others.
Get a Quote (712) 252-1335

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

Best movers for those moving out of Iowa

If you’re leaving the Hawkeye State altogether, we recommend these top-rated interstate moving companies:

  1. Safeway Moving: 4.85 out of 5 stars
  2. Mayzlin Relocation: 4.9 out of 5 stars
  3. American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  4. PODS: 4.8 out of 5 stars
  5. International Van Lines: 4.45 out of 5 stars
Best Overall Value
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.85 / 5
(855) 650-0657
At A Glance
  • GPS tracking en route
  • Veteran-owned
  • Dedicated move coordinator
  • Flat-rate pricing
  • Donates a portion of moves to charity
read our full review
(855) 650-0657
Best for personalized service
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
(980) 217-6841
At A Glance
  • 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
read our full review
(980) 217-6841
Most Experienced Mover
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
(866) 835-2392
At A Glance
  • Experienced & fully trained moving crews
  • Specializes in moving art & antiques
  • Competitive pricing
  • Can handle last-minute moves
  • Climate-controlled storage
read our full review
(866) 835-2392
Best Nationwide Coverage
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.8 / 5
At A Glance
  • 30 days storage included
  • Local and long distance moving options
  • Unlimited loading/unloading time
  • Store on property or at a facility
read our full review
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Best customer service
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.45 / 5
(855) 929-4120
At A Glance
  • 10% discount for veterans and seniors
  • Very competitive rates due to their national coverage
  • Services local, long-distance, and international moves
  • Can service most domestic moves within 48 hours
  • 24/7 customer service
read our full review
(855) 929-4120

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:

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.8 / 5
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  • Unlimited storage
  • 3 container sizes
  • 10% discount
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 5 / 5
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  • Fast delivery
  • Nationwide
  • 100+ miles moves
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
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  • Affordable pricing
  • Offers car shipping
  • No hidden fees

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:

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.3 / 5
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  • Affordable pricing
  • Online pricing
  • Several discounts
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4 / 5
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  • Most expensive
  • 4 truck sizes
  • Unlimited mileage
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.15 / 5
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  • Greatest coverage
  • 7 truck sizes
  • One way rentals

Labor-only hourly 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:

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
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  • Hire moving labor
  • Online quotes
  • Nationwide
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.3 / 5
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  • Online booking
  • Move Concierge
  • Affordable
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.15 / 5
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  • Get multiple labor quotes
  • Online booking system
  • Available nationwide

Top-rated movers in nearby cities

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How we chose the best moving companies in Iowatoggle

moveBuddha’s expert team analyzed moving rates from 24 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 $773 $278 2 movers 3 hours
1 bedroom $1,051 $278 2 movers 4 hours
2 bedroom $1,665 $390 3 movers 5 hours
3 bedroom $3,769 $546 4 movers 8 hours
4 bedroom $4,314 $546 4 movers 9 hours
5+ bedroom $6,609 $764 5 movers 10 hours

Read more about the average cost of IA movers:toggle

  • Iowa moving companies will cost about $773 to move a studio locally.
  • If you're moving one bedroom, a moving company in Iowa will charge about $1,051.
  • A two-bedroom move in Iowa will cost about $1,665.
  • A three-bedroom move costs $3,769 on average in Iowa.
  • To move a four-bedroom house in Iowa, you should expect to pay $4,314.
  • For a house that's five bedrooms or larger, your move will cost $6,609 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

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 Iowa 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?toggle

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?toggle

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?toggle

You can see all moving companies in Iowa in our comprehensive list of Iowa movers.

Helpful Iowa resources

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