10 Best Moving Companies in Iowa (2024 Reviews)
Whether you’re relocating within the Hawkeye State or moving from Altoona to another state, finding the best movers in Iowa is a crucial first step. The best way to find reliable IA movers is to compare quotes from multiple companies.
Our top pick if you are moving locally in Iowa is Two Men and a Truck. We rated them a 4.96 out of 5 stars. On average, local movers in the Hawkeye State cost about $199 per hour. If you’re moving out of Iowa, Safeway Moving is the best interstate moving company when it comes to quality and overall value.
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Keep reading to learn more about each of the best moving companies in Iowa so you can pick the mover best suited for your unique needs.
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
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.
Best movers for those moving locally in Iowa
- Two Men and a Truck: 4.96 out of 5
- Adamantine Spine Moving: 4.66 out of 5
- White Glove Movers: 4.66 out of 5
- Claeys Brothers Moving & Storage Inc: 4.58 out of 5
- Maher Bros. Transfer and Storage: 4.52 out of 5
- Friendly Staff
- Efficient Service
- Careful Handling of Items
- Potential for Damaged Goods
- Issues with Price Estimates
- Inadequate Customer Support
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
- Excellent Customer Service
- Professional and Efficient Crew
- Careful Handling of Fragile Items
- Unexpected Charges
- Minor Billing Issues
- Occasional Schedule Changes
Company Info
Pricing: $100/hr
Years in Business: 25
DOT #: 1471037
Adamantine Spine Moving, a trusted local moving company serving Des Moines, IA, has been a reliable choice for residential moves since 2000. With a remarkable average rating of 4.6 on Yelp and a perfect 5.0 on Google, it consistently outshines other nearby movers. Renowned for its A+ BBB rating, the company offers comprehensive services including packing, crating, and the careful handling of pianos, art, and antiques. Charging $100 per hour for local moves, Adamantine Spine Moving accepts cash, credit cards, and money orders, ensuring flexible payment options for their clients.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- Professional and Friendly Staff
- Careful Handling of Items
- Efficient Service
- Poor Packing Practices
- Communication Issues
- Occasional Damage to Items
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
- Professional Service
- Efficient Work
- Friendly Staff
- Damaged Belongings
- Denied Claims
- Need for Better Communication on Issues
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
- Exceptional Professionalism
- Friendly and Efficient Service
- Careful Handling of Belongings
- High Pricing
- Delivery Delays
- Significant Damages Reported
Company Info
Years in Business: 35
DOT #: 087390
Alternate Names: Maher Bros Transfer & Storage
Maher Bros. Transfer and Storage has been a trusted name in local residential moving services in Cedar Rapids, IA since 1990. Unlike some other nearby movers, Maher Bros. also offers comprehensive packing and unpacking services, as well as specialized care for moving art and antiques. Although Yelp reviews are mixed, their Google My Business profile shows strong positive feedback, and they boast an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. Customers can expect reliable service with no deposit required and the convenience of shipment tracking.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Shipment tracking
- Storage
Best movers for those moving out of Iowa
- Safeway Moving: 4.85 out of 5
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.9 out of 5
- BLVD Moving: 4.25 out of 5
- PODS: 4.8 out of 5
- American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5
- 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
Alternative Iowa moving options
Moving Containers
- Long distance moves only
- Only pay for the space you use
- No deposit or initial fees
- Fast delivery time frames
- 30 days storage included
- Local and long distance moving options
- Unlimited loading/unloading time
- Store on property or at a facility
Labor Only
- HireAHelper: 4.5 out of 5
- Bellhop: 4.3 out of 5
- 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
Full DIY
- U-Haul Truck Rental: 4.15 out of 5
- Penske Truck Rental: 4 out of 5
- 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
Average cost of moving companies in Iowa
The pricing table below shows ballpark moving costs for local moves within Iowa. Or check out our post on the cost to move in Iowa for more pricing info.
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 moving cost calculator for more accurate moving cost estimates.
| Home size | Avg. total cost | Cost/hour | # of movers | # hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $778 | $278 | 2 movers | 3 hours |
| 1 bedroom | $1,057 | $278 | 2 movers | 4 hours |
| 2 bedroom | $1,670 | $390 | 3 movers | 5 hours |
| 3 bedroom | $3,774 | $546 | 4 movers | 8 hours |
| 4 bedroom | $4,320 | $546 | 4 movers | 9 hours |
| 5+ bedroom | $6,615 | $764 | 5 movers | 10 hours |
- Iowa moving companies will cost about $778 to move a studio locally.
- If you're moving one bedroom, a moving company in Iowa will charge about $1,057.
- A two-bedroom move in Iowa will cost about $1,670.
- A three-bedroom move costs $3,774 on average in Iowa.
- To move a four-bedroom house in Iowa, you should expect to pay $4,320.
- For a house that's five bedrooms or larger, your move will cost $6,615 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.
Considerations for moving to Iowa
Iowa is a state with low cost of living, ample economic opportunity, high quality of education, no traffic, and beautiful outdoors so it makes sense to want to move there.
These are some of the things to keep in mind to help your move to the Hawkeye State go smoothly:
- 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: Many neighborhoods and communities have rules about moving, have a smooth transition to your new home by checking ahead of time.
- Elevator Reservation: If you're moving to a building with an elevator, there may be things you need to know ahead of time such as using a service elevator, time restrictions, or reservations.
- Parking Permits: Some cities have rules about parking large vehicles. Check with your new city ahead of time to ensure you have everything in order.
- 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. All of the movers on our list are fully licensed.
- State Regulator: You can verify a Iowa moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
- Change of Address: You should submit your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forward to Iowa.
- Mover's Insurance: Every state has its own requirements when it comes to insurance. Released Value Protection is the most economical option because it doesn't cost anything. It is offered by movers at no additional charge, but the protection is minimal. Under this option, the mover is responsible for no more than 60 cents per pound per article. For example, if your mover lost or damaged a 50 inch TV weighing 25 pounds, you would only receive $15 (60 cents x 25 pounds). If you need for the full value of your items to be covered, please consult with the moving company you're hiring for other options or a third-party insurance provider.
Iowa Movers FAQs
What should I look for when choosing a moving company in Iowa?
You can find the best moving companies in Iowa by reading moveBuddha's top picks. When rating and reviewing moving companies in Iowa, we considered their reputation, pricing, services, and insurance options. We recommend obtaining quotes — including flat-rate pricing, where available – from several moving companies in Iowa to compare prices and services.
You can also use our guide for finding the best flat-rate moving companies.
Do Iowa moving companies offer services for long-distance or interstate moves?
Many moving companies in Iowa provide 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 find all moving companies in Iowa by clicking here.
Top-rated movers in nearby cities
Helpful Iowa resources
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