Factors influencing moving costs from San Francisco to Des Moinestoggle

The cost of San Francisco movers will depend on:

  • Move size: The cost of your move will depend on the amount of items you have in your home. For example, moving a one-bedroom apartment from San Francisco to Des Moines can be as low as $1,437 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $11,677.
  • Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in San Francisco, so moving companies will likely charge more.
  • Do-it-yourself vs professional mover: Renting a truck or using a moving container can be cheaper options, with prices for a rental truck ranging from $1,308 to $3,249. However, these options require more work and effort compared to hiring professional movers.

What to know before moving from San Francisco to Des Moines

San Francisco Des Moines
Average rent cost $3,250 $1,150
Average home value $1,241,003 $192,347
Average income (per capita) $136,689 $58,492
Cost of living (single person) $3,781 $1,891
Cost of living (family of 4) $8,717 $4,380
Unemployment rate 5.4% 5.9%
Sales tax 8.63% 7.0%
State income tax 13.3% 4.4%
source: Zumper, Zillow, Numbeo
  • Rent prices in Des Moines are 65% lower than in San Francisco.
  • Home prices in Des Moines are 84.5% lower than in San Francisco.
  • Income in Des Moines is 57.2% lower than in San Francisco.
  • The cost of living for a single person in Des Moines is 50.0% lower than in San Francisco.
  • The cost of living for a family in Des Moines is 49.8% lower than in San Francisco.
  • The unemployment rate in Des Moines is 9.26% higher than in San Francisco.
  • Sales taxes in Des Moines are 18.89% lower than in San Francisco.
  • State income taxes in Des Moines are 66.92% lower than in San Francisco.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $1,500.40 in Des Moines to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in San Francisco.

How life is different in San Francisco vs. Des Moines

Des Moines San Francisco
Population 699,292 808,988
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 5 10
Walkability score 45 99
Bike friendliness score 39 99
Crime Index 5.0 61.41
Safety Index 57.8 38.59
Air Quality Good Moderate
source: Wikipedia, AllTransit, Walk Score, NeighborhoodScout, AirNow
  • Des Moines's population is about 14% less than San Francisco.
  • Des Moines's public transportation has a score of 5 out of 10 versus San Francisco's lower score of 10.
  • Des Moines is less walkable than San Francisco with a score of 45 out of 100 vs San Francisco's 99 out of 100.
  • Des Moines has a bike-friendliness score 39 out of 100, which means it isn't as accessible to and safe for cyclists as San Francisco, which has a score of 99 out of 100.
  • Des Moines's crime rate is lower than San Francisco with a score of 5.0 compared to San Francisco's 61.41. This means that Des Moines neighborhoods are safer than 5.0% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and San Francisco neighborhoods are safer than 61.41%.
  • Des Moines is considered to be safer than San Francisco with a safety index of 57.8 vs San Francisco's 38.59.
  • Air quality in Des Moines is good, and in San Francisco it's moderate.

Other things to consider for your San Francisco 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: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
  • Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator you'll want to check on how to reserve it for move day.
  • Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
  • 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 theyโ€™ve met minimum insurance and highway safety requirements. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Iowa moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
  • Moving permits: Iowa does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
  • Change of address: We recommend submitting 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 forwarded to Des Moines. Get started here.
  • Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. Choose cost-free Released Value Protection from movers for basic coverage at 60 cents per pound.
  • Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Where to live in Des Moines

Now that you've decided to make the move to "Hartford of the West", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Des Moines.

Best neighborhoods for singlestoggle

  • Sherman Hill
  • Downtown
  • East Village
  • North of Grand
  • Woodland Heights
  • Arbor Peaks
  • Chautauqua Park
  • Beaverdale
  • Westwood

Best neighborhoods for familiestoggle

  • Linden Heights
  • Waterbury
  • Waveland Park
  • Westwood
  • Salisbury Oaks
  • Meredith
  • Beaverdale

Things to do in Des Moinestoggle

After settling into your new Iowa home, youโ€™ll want to branch out and explore your new city. Luckily, Des Moines has lots to offer, no matter what youโ€™re interested in:

  • Arts and culture: Des Moines is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the Des Moines Art Center, State Historical Museum, Science Center of Iowa, Salisbury House, and World Food Prize Hall of Laureates.
  • Outdoor recreation: The cityโ€™s Gray's Lake Park, Pappajohn Sculpture Park, Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, and Robert D. Ray Asian Gardens โ€” among other sites โ€” are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.
  • Sports: Catch a live game and cheer on the home team at an Drake Bulldogs game.
source: AttractionsofAmerica

FAQ

When is the best time to move from San Francisco to Des Moines?

The best time to move from San Francisco to Des Moines is during the spring or fall. These seasons offer milder weather and avoid higher moving costs during the peak moving season in San Francisco.

When is the cheapest time to move from San Francisco to Des Moines?

Because most people are moving from San Francisco 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 San Francisco to Des Moines take?

The 1,795-mile move from San Francisco, CA, to Des Moines, IA, takes five to 16 days. Some San Francisco movers may offer expedited moving if you need it faster. If you need more time, ask your mover about storage options in Des Moines.

Helpful moving resources

San Francisco moving services

Popular California routes

Popular moving resources