($1,477) Moving from Des Moines to Los Angeles
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: A move from Des Moines to Los Angeles costs $1,288 to $8,314 and takes four-fifteen 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 1,682-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 Los Angeles to Des Moines guide.
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The best Des Moines to Los Angeles moving companies
Hiring an interstate moving company to go from Des Moines to Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles.
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- Safeway Moving: 4.85 out of 5
- American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.9 out of 5
- North American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5
- JK Moving Services: 4.6 out of 5
How much does it cost to move from Des Moines to Los Angeles?
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 | $1,477 - $5,728 | $1,186 - $2,923 | $1,133 - $2,288 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,722 - $8,314 | $2,267 - $4,314 | $1,288 - $2,564 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $6,875 - $11,270 | $3,123 - $6,202 | $1,639 - $3,264 |
Factors influencing moving costs from Des Moines to Los Angeles
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 Los Angeles can be as low as $1,477 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $10,724.
- 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 $1,133 to $2,923. 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 Los Angeles?
Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Des Moines to Los Angeles will cost between $1,477 to $5,728. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $3,722 to $8,314, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from Des Moines to Los Angeles will cost from $6,875 to $11,270.
How much are moving container companies from Des Moines to Los Angeles?
Moving containers from Des Moines to Los Angeles will cost you $1,186 to $2,923 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $2,267 to $4,314. A larger home will cost $3,123 to $6,202.
How much is a moving truck from Des Moines to Los Angeles?
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 $1,133 to $2,288. A larger move will cost $1,288 to $2,564, and a four-bedroom move from Des Moines to Los Angeles costs from $1,639 to $3,264. These estimates include the anticipated fuel cost.
Pros and cons of moving from Des Moines to Los Angeles
Cost of living: Des Moines vs Los Angeles
| Des Moines | Los Angeles | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,150 | $2,850 |
| Average home value | $192,347 | $2,245,337 |
| Average income (per capita) | $58,492 | $73,027 |
| Cost of Living (single person) | $1,891 | $6,742 |
| Cost of Living (family of 4) | $4,380 | $5,567 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.9% | 10.6% |
| Sales Tax | 7.0% | 9.5% |
| State Income Tax | 4.4% | 13.3% |
- Rent prices in Los Angeles are 148% higher than in Des Moines.
- Home prices in Los Angeles are 1,067.3% higher than in Des Moines.
- Income in Los Angeles is 24.8% higher than in Des Moines.
- The cost of living for a single person in Los Angeles is 256.5% higher than in Des Moines.
- The cost of living for a family in Los Angeles is 27.1% higher than in Des Moines.
- The unemployment rate in Los Angeles is 79.66% higher than in Des Moines.
- Sales taxes in Los Angeles are 35.71% higher than in Des Moines.
- State income taxes in Los Angeles are 202.27% higher than in Des Moines.
To put this into perspective, you would need around $10,695.93 in Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles?
| Los Angeles | Des Moines | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 9,787,747 | 699,292 |
| AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 8 | 5 |
| Walkability score | 69 | 45 |
| Bike friendliness score | 59 | 39 |
| Crime Index | 52.86 | 5.0 |
| Safety Index | 47.14 | 57.8 |
| Air Quality | Moderate | Good |
- Los Angeles's population is about 1,300% greater than Des Moines.
- Los Angeles's public transportation has a score of 8 out of 10 versus Des Moines's higher score of 5.
- Los Angeles is more walkable than Des Moines with a score of 69 out of 100 vs Des Moines's 45 out of 100.
- Los Angeles is more bike-friendly than Des Moines with a score of 59 out of 100 vs Des Moines's 39.
- Los Angeles's crime rate is higher than Des Moines with a score of 52.86 compared to Des Moines's 5.0. This means that Los Angeles neighborhoods are safer than 52.86% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Des Moines neighborhoods are safer than 5.0%.
- Los Angeles is considered to be less safe than Des Moines with a score of 47.14 vs Des Moines's 57.8.
- Air quality in Los Angeles is moderate, and in Des Moines it's good.
Considerations for moving to Los Angeles
- Weather: The temperature in Los Angeles is known to be very comfortable. Los Angeles is subject to a phenomenon typical of a microclimate, causing variations in temperature. So be sure to check your weather report before your move.
- 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 contacting a local moving company for an estimate in California, make sure each has a “T Number” issued by the California Public Utilities Commission (CAPUC). Moving companies with valid T Numbers have met state requirements for insurance, safety, and financial stability and have passed criminal clearance checks conducted by the California Department of Justice. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
- State regulator: You can verify a California moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving permits: California 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 Los Angeles. Get started here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. Opt for Released Value Protection – a cost-free choice provided by movers with minimal coverage. The liability is capped at 60 cents per pound per article. For instance, if a 50-inch TV weighing 25 pounds is lost or damaged, your reimbursement is only $15 (60 cents x 25 pounds). To ensure comprehensive coverage for your items' full value, consult with your chosen moving company or consider third-party insurance options.
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
most popular
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Get A Quote |
 
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2601 104th St #400, Urbandale, IA, 50322 (515) 216-3654 |
| All Mighty Movers LLC | Get A Quote |
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59 Clark St., Des Moines, IA, 50314 (515) 313-1395 |
| Adamantine Spine Moving | Get A Quote |
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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 Los Angeles
Now that you've decided to make the move to "City of Angels", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Los Angeles.
Best neighborhoods for singles:
- Echo Park
- Los Feliz
- Playa Del Rey
- Silver Lake
- Westwood
Best neighborhoods for families:
- Brentwood
- Eagle Rock
- Mar Vista
- Playa Vista
- Studio City
What to do in Los Angeles
These are some of the best things to do in your new California home.
- Hollywood Walk of Fame
- Rodeo Drive
- Universal Studios Hollywood
- Santa Monica Pier
- Olvera Street
- Getty Center
- Griffith Park and Observatory
- Dodger Stadium
- Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
- Museum of Death
- Venice Beach
- Greystone Mansion
- California Science Center
- Angeles National Forest
- La Brea Tar Pits
- Paramount Pictures Studios
- Koreatown
- Los Angeles County Museum of Art: LACMA
- LA Arts District
- Disneyland
- Grand Central Market
- The Broad
- Warner Bros. Studio Tour
- The Original Farmers Market
- Thai Town
- TCL Chinese Theater
- Runyon Canyon
- Battleship USS Iowa Museum
- Hollywood Forever Cemetery
- Malibu
- Abbot Kinney Boulevard
- Fisherman’s Village
- Descanso Gardens
- Huntington Library
- Petersen Automotive Museum
- Little Tokyo
- Sunset Strip
Get your sports on!
Los Angeles is a great sports town, these are the local teams to support:
- Los Angeles Clippers (NBA)
- Los Angeles Dodgers (MLB)
- Los Angeles FC (MLS)
- Los Angeles Kings (NHL)
- Los Angeles Lakers (NBA)
- Los Angeles Rams (NFL)
- Los Angeles Sparks (WNBA)
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Des Moines to Los Angeles?
The best time to move from Des Moines to Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles?
Because most people are moving from Des Moines to Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles take?
The 1,682-mile move from Des Moines, IA, to Los Angeles, CA, takes four-fifteen 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 Los Angeles.
