($1,323) Moving from Des Moines to Mobile

Quick answer: A move from Des Moines to Mobile costs $822 to $7,402 and takes 2-7 days. The main factors that determine the cost and time are how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the 980-mile move yourself.

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Hiring a long-distance moving company from Des Moines will be more expensive, while renting a truck or using a moving container is usually cheaper but requires more work.

Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Mobile to Des Moines guide.

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The best Des Moines to Mobile moving companies

Hiring an interstate moving company to go from Des Moines to Mobile is a big deal. There are more than 8,000 moving companies in the U.S. But don't worry, you won't have to filter through all of them. We've done the research for you and narrowed the list based on customer satisfaction, cost, and services.

Here are the best long-distance moving companies serving Des Moines to Mobile.

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.85 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Best overall value
  • Portion to charity
  • Veteran owned
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Certified crews
  • Flat-rate pricing
  • Family-owned
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Family owned
  • East coast focus
  • Affordable pricing

How much does it cost to move from Des Moines to Mobile?

Des Moines movers charge $142 per hour on average. Here are average prices for a full-service moving company, moving container, or truck:

Move size Moving company Moving container Rental truck
Studio / 1 bedroom $1,323 - $5,632 $978 - $2,313 $776 - $1,372
2 - 3 bedrooms $3,016 - $7,402 $1,721 - $3,488 $822 - $1,665
4+ bedrooms $4,964 - $8,921 $2,227 - $4,316 $1,072 - $2,065
*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 980 miles and historical averages. The actual size of your move, additional services required, truck parking access, market conditions, and availability can greatly affect the final cost of your move.

Factors influencing moving costs from Des Moines to Mobile

The cost of Des Moines 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 Des Moines to Mobile can be as low as $1,323 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $7,841.
  • Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in Des Moines, 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 $776 to $1,966. However, these options require more work and effort compared to hiring professional movers.

How much are professional moving companies when moving from Des Moines to Mobile?

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Des Moines to Mobile will cost between $1,323 to $5,632. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $3,016 to $7,402, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from Des Moines to Mobile will cost from $4,964 to $8,921.

How much are moving container companies from Des Moines to Mobile?

Moving containers from Des Moines to Mobile will cost you $978 to $2,313 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,721 to $3,488. A larger home will cost $2,227 to $4,316.

How much is a moving truck from Des Moines to Mobile?

Renting a moving truck is usually the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor.

Moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $776 to $1,372. A larger move will cost $822 to $1,665, and a four-bedroom move from Des Moines to Mobile costs from $1,072 to $2,065. These estimates include the anticipated fuel cost.

Pros and cons of moving from Des Moines to Mobile

Cost of living: Des Moines vs Mobile

Des Moines Mobile
Average rent cost $1,150 $1,250
Average home value $192,347 $182,146
Average income (per capita) $58,492 $60,493
Cost of Living (single person) $1,891 $1,623
Cost of Living (family of 4) $4,380 $4,060
Unemployment rate 5.9% 6.2%
Sales Tax 7.0% 10.0%
State Income Tax 4.4% 5.0%
  • Rent prices in Mobile are 9% higher than in Des Moines.
  • Home prices in Mobile are 5.3% lower than in Des Moines.
  • Income in Mobile is 3.4% higher than in Des Moines.
  • The cost of living for a single person in Mobile is 14.2% lower than in Des Moines.
  • The cost of living for a family in Mobile is 7.3% lower than in Des Moines.
  • The unemployment rate in Mobile is 5.08% higher than in Des Moines.
  • Sales taxes in Mobile are 42.86% higher than in Des Moines.
  • State income taxes in Mobile are 13.64% higher than in Des Moines.

To put this into perspective, you would need around $2,574.83 in Mobile to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Des Moines.

How is life different in Des Moines compared to Mobile?

Mobile Des Moines
Population 187,041 699,292
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 3 5
Walkability score 32 45
Bike friendliness score 34 39
Crime Index 65.31 5.0
Safety Index 34.69 57.8
Air Quality Good Good
  • Mobile's population is about 73% less than Des Moines.
  • Mobile's public transportation has a score of 3 out of 10 versus Des Moines's lower score of 5.
  • Mobile is less walkable than Des Moines with a score of 32 out of 100 vs Des Moines's 45 out of 100.
  • Mobile is less bike-friendly than Des Moines with a score of 34 out of 100 vs Des Moines's 39.
  • Mobile's crime rate is higher than Des Moines with a score of 65.31 compared to Des Moines's 5.0. This means that Mobile neighborhoods are safer than 65.31% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Des Moines neighborhoods are safer than 5.0%.
  • Mobile is considered to be less safe than Des Moines with a score of 34.69 vs Des Moines's 57.8.
  • Air quality in Mobile is good, and in Des Moines it's good.

Considerations for moving to Mobile

  • Weather: October, April and November are the most pleasant months in Mobile, so consider this in your plans in moving to Mobile City. Mobile City experiences extreme heat on summer and rainy days on winter.
  • 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: To guarantee the safety and reliability of local moving services in Alabama, it is essential for moving companies to possess a registration number issued by the Alabama Public Service Commission (APSC). Trust your move to registered professionals for a secure and dependable experience. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Alabama moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
  • Moving permits: Alabama 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 Mobile. Get started here.
  • Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. Moving companies typically take responsibility for your belongings at a rate of 60 cents per pound (or even less) per item. This means that for a lightweight item weighing five pounds and valued at $500, the reimbursement would be only $3 in the event of loss or damage. To enhance your coverage, certain movers provide additional valuation options, such as declared value or lump sum value protection, which offer better protection compared to the basic released value protection. To better understand and explore these options, consider discussing them with your chosen moving company.
  • Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Local Des Moines movers

Company Quote Rating Contact
All Mighty Movers LLC Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.62 overall rating
59 Clark St., Des Moines, IA, 50314
(515) 313-1395
Adamantine Spine Moving Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.58 overall rating
4701 NW Urbandale Dr., Des Moines, IA, 50322
(319) 519-0154

Visit our best long distance movers in Des Moines page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.

Where to live in Mobile

Now that you've decided to make the move to "Port City", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Mobile.

Best neighborhoods for singles:

  • Spanish Fort
  • Point Clear
  • Tillmans Corner
  • Theodore
  • Chickasaw

Best neighborhoods for families:

  • Point Clear
  • Saraland
  • Loxley
  • Satsuma
  • Semmes

What to do in Mobile

These are some of the best things to do in your new Alabama home.

  • Fort Conde
  • Richards- DAR House
  • USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park
  • Mobile Museum of Art
  • Mobile Bay
  • Bellingrath Museum Home
  • Mobile Opera
  • Mobile Mardi Gras
  • The Gulf Coast Explorium Science Center
  • History Museum of Mobile

Get your sports on!

Mobile is a great sports town, these are the local teams to support:

  • South Alabama Jaguars (Sun Belt)
  • Spring Hill Badgers (SIAC)

FAQ

When is the best time to move from Des Moines to Mobile?

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

When is the cheapest time to move from Des Moines to Mobile?

Because most people are moving from Des Moines to Mobile 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 Des Moines to Mobile take?

The 980-mile move from Des Moines, IA, to Mobile, AL, takes 2-7 days. Some Des Moines movers may offer expedited moving if you need it faster. If you need more time, ask your mover about storage options in Mobile.

Helpful moving resources