($1,270) Movers From Des Moines, IA to San Diego, CA
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: A move from Des Moines to San Diego costs $1,076–$6,853 and takes four to 15 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 1,750-mile move yourself.
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Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from San Diego to Des Moines guide.
The best Des Moines to San Diego full-service moving companies
Choosing a long-distance moving company in Des Moines to go to San Diego can be overwhelming. With so many options, it’s hard to know which movers to trust… and which ones to avoid.
Don't worry — you won't have to sort through all of them. We've done the research for you and narrowed down the list based on customer satisfaction, cost, and services.
Here are the best long-distance moving companies serving Des Moines to San Diego.
- Safeway Moving: 4.85 out of 5 stars
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5 stars
- JK Moving Services: 4.6 out of 5 stars
- North American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5 stars
- 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
- Experienced & fully trained moving crews
- Specializes in moving art & antiques
- Competitive pricing
- Can handle last-minute moves
- Climate-controlled storage
- White-glove handling of fragile & high-end items
- Guaranteed pickup & delivery
- $250 deposit for interstate moves
- Mobile app with 24/7 customer service
- Financing available
- Custom crates for electronics & art
- Satellite shipment tracking
- 1,500 local agents covering all 50 states
- Self-packing option
- No deposit required
How much are professional moving companies when moving from Des Moines to San Diego?
The best moving containers for your Des Moines to San Diego move
Moving containers can be a cost-effective option for moving from Des Moines to San Diego. You’ll save a little money by opting to pack and load everything yourself, but the container company will take care of the transportation for you.
We recommend these moving container companies:
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How much are moving container companies from Des Moines to San Diego?
The best moving truck rentals for your Des Moines to San Diego move
If you want to save even more money on your Des Moines to San Diego move, renting a moving truck is your cheapest option. Keep in mind that you’ll be handling all the work — packing, loading, and driving. But that extra work will pay off in terms of keeping costs low.
These top moving truck rentals are a great place to start:
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How much is a moving truck from Des Moines to San Diego?
The best labor-only movers for your Des Moines to San Diego move
If you need some extra hands to help you with your move, you’ll want to hire labor-only movers with reasonable hourly rates and professional crews. Labor-only companies that offer add-on options like packing and cleaning allow you to more fully tailor services to your needs and budget.
Consider these highly rated labor-only movers to help you move from Des Moines to San Diego:
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How much does it cost to move from Des Moines to San Diego?
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 | $1,270 - $4,953 | $1,101 - $2,719 | $1,066 - $2,031 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,186 - $6,853 | $1,886 - $3,817 | $1,076 - $2,394 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $6,235 - $10,478 | $2,603 - $5,606 | $1,470 - $2,900 |
Factors influencing moving costs from Des Moines to San Diego
What to know before moving from Des Moines to San Diego
| Des Moines | San Diego | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,150 | $2,881 |
| Average home value | $192,347 | $1,003,444 |
| Average income (per capita) | $58,492 | $72,963 |
| Cost of living (single person) | $1,891 | $3,346 |
| Cost of living (family of 4) | $4,380 | $7,719 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.9% | 6.6% |
| Sales tax | 7.0% | 7.75% |
| State income tax | 4.4% | 13.3% |
- Rent prices in San Diego are 151% higher than in Des Moines.
- Home prices in San Diego are 421.7% higher than in Des Moines.
- Income in San Diego is 24.7% higher than in Des Moines.
- The cost of living for a single person in San Diego is 76.9% higher than in Des Moines.
- The cost of living for a family in San Diego is 76.2% higher than in Des Moines.
- The unemployment rate in San Diego is 11.86% higher than in Des Moines.
- Sales taxes in San Diego are 10.71% higher than in Des Moines.
- State income taxes in San Diego are 202.27% higher than in Des Moines.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $5,308.30 in San Diego to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Des Moines.
How life is different in Des Moines vs. San Diego
| San Diego | Des Moines | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,386,932 | 699,292 |
| AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 6 | 5 |
| Walkability score | 53 | 45 |
| Bike friendliness score | 43 | 39 |
| Crime Index | 39.83 | 5.0 |
| Safety Index | 60.17 | 57.8 |
| Air Quality | Moderate | Good |
- San Diego's population is about 98% greater than Des Moines.
- San Diego's public transportation has a score of 6 out of 10 versus Des Moines's higher score of 5.
- San Diego is more walkable than Des Moines with a score of 53 out of 100 vs Des Moines's 45 out of 100.
- San Diego is more bike-friendly than Des Moines with a score of 43 out of 100 vs Des Moines's 39.
- San Diego's crime rate is higher than Des Moines with a score of 39.83 compared to Des Moines's 5.0. This means that San Diego neighborhoods are safer than 39.83% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Des Moines neighborhoods are safer than 5.0%.
- San Diego is considered to be safer than Des Moines with a safety index of 60.17 vs Des Moines's 57.8.
- Air quality in San Diego is moderate, and in Des Moines it's good.
Other things to consider for your Des Moines vs. San Diego move
- Weather: San Diego's climate is characterized by warm, dry summers and mild winters, with most of the annual precipitation falling between December and March. The city has a mild climate year-round.
- 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 San Diego. 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.
Where to live in San Diego
Now that you've decided to make the move to "America's Finest City", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in San Diego.
Best neighborhoods for singles
Best neighborhoods for families
Things to do in San Diego
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Des Moines to San Diego?
The best time to move from Des Moines to San Diego 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 San Diego?
Because most people are moving from Des Moines to San Diego 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 San Diego take?
The 1,750-mile move from Des Moines, IA, to San Diego, CA, takes four to 15 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 San Diego.
