($1,277) Moving from Des Moines to San Francisco
Quick answer: A move from Des Moines to San Francisco costs $1,114 to $6,978 and takes five-sixteen 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 1,798-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 San Francisco to Des Moines guide.
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The best Des Moines to San Francisco moving companies
Hiring an interstate moving company to go from Des Moines to San Francisco 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 San Francisco.
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- 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
How much does it cost to move from Des Moines to San Francisco?
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 | $1,277 - $5,123 | $1,158 - $2,804 | $1,030 - $2,167 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,251 - $6,978 | $1,966 - $3,900 | $1,114 - $2,554 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $6,380 - $10,380 | $2,713 - $5,404 | $1,478 - $3,036 |
Factors influencing moving costs from Des Moines to San Francisco
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 San Francisco can be as low as $1,277 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $10,456.
- 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 $1,030 to $2,799. 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 San Francisco?
Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Des Moines to San Francisco will cost between $1,277 to $5,123. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $3,251 to $6,978, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from Des Moines to San Francisco will cost from $6,380 to $10,380.
How much are moving container companies from Des Moines to San Francisco?
Moving containers from Des Moines to San Francisco will cost you $1,158 to $2,804 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,966 to $3,900. A larger home will cost $2,713 to $5,404.
How much is a moving truck from Des Moines to San Francisco?
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 $1,030 to $2,167. A larger move will cost $1,114 to $2,554, and a four-bedroom move from Des Moines to San Francisco costs from $1,478 to $3,036. These estimates include the anticipated fuel cost.
Pros and cons of moving from Des Moines to San Francisco
Cost of living: Des Moines vs San Francisco
| Des Moines | San Francisco | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,150 | $3,220 |
| Average home value | $192,347 | $1,234,246 |
| Average income (per capita) | $58,492 | $126,187 |
| Cost of Living (single person) | $1,891 | $3,840 |
| Cost of Living (family of 4) | $4,380 | $8,998 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.9% | 5.4% |
| Sales Tax | 7.0% | 8.63% |
| State Income Tax | 4.4% | 13.3% |
- Rent prices in San Francisco are 180% higher than in Des Moines.
- Home prices in San Francisco are 541.7% higher than in Des Moines.
- Income in San Francisco is 115.7% higher than in Des Moines.
- The cost of living for a single person in San Francisco is 103.1% higher than in Des Moines.
- The cost of living for a family in San Francisco is 105.4% higher than in Des Moines.
- The unemployment rate in San Francisco is 8.47% lower than in Des Moines.
- Sales taxes in San Francisco are 23.29% higher than in Des Moines.
- State income taxes in San Francisco are 202.27% higher than in Des Moines.
To put this into perspective, you would need around $6,092.01 in San Francisco 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 San Francisco?
| San Francisco | Des Moines | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 808,437 | 699,292 |
| AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 10 | 5 |
| Walkability score | 99 | 45 |
| Bike friendliness score | 99 | 39 |
| Crime Index | 54.33 | 5.0 |
| Safety Index | 37.9 | 57.8 |
| Air Quality | Moderate | Good |
- San Francisco's population is about 16% greater than Des Moines.
- San Francisco's public transportation has a score of 10 out of 10 versus Des Moines's higher score of 5.
- San Francisco is more walkable than Des Moines with a score of 99 out of 100 vs Des Moines's 45 out of 100.
- San Francisco is more bike-friendly than Des Moines with a score of 99 out of 100 vs Des Moines's 39.
- San Francisco's crime rate is higher than Des Moines with a score of 54.33 compared to Des Moines's 5.0. This means that San Francisco neighborhoods are safer than 54.33% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Des Moines neighborhoods are safer than 5.0%.
- San Francisco is considered to be less safe than Des Moines with a score of 37.9 vs Des Moines's 57.8.
- Air quality in San Francisco is moderate, and in Des Moines it's good.
Considerations for moving to San Francisco
- Weather: San Francisco's weather is strongly influenced by the cool currents of the Pacific Ocean on the west side of the city, and the water of San Francisco Bay to the north and east. This moderates temperature swings and produces a remarkably mild year-round climate with little seasonal temperature variation.
- 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 Francisco. 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 |
| Adamantine Spine Moving | Get A Quote |
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4701 NW Urbandale Dr., Des Moines, IA, 50322 (319) 519-0154 |
| All Mighty Movers LLC | Get A Quote |
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59 Clark St., Des Moines, IA, 50314 (515) 313-1395 |
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 San Francisco
Now that you've decided to make the move to "Golden Gate City", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in San Francisco.
Best neighborhoods for singles:
- Marina District
- Mission Bay
- Mission District
- Noe Valley
Best neighborhoods for families:
- Bernal Heights
- Inner Sunset
- Noe Valley
- North Beach
- Presidio Heights
What to do in San Francisco
These are some of the best things to do in your new California home.
- Golden Gate Bridge
- Fisherman's Wharf
- Alcatraz Island
- San Francisco Cable Cars
- Golden Gate Park
- San Francisco's Chinatown
- San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
- The Exploratorium
- California Academy of Science
- Twin Peaks
- Yerba Buena Gardens
- Legion of Honor Museum
- Palace of Fine Arts
- Ferry Building Marketplace
- Mission District
- Union Square
- City Lights Booksellers and Publishers
- Asian Art Museum
- Presidio of San Francisco
- Lands End
Get your sports on!
San Francisco is a great sports town, these are the local teams to support:
- San Francisco 49ers (NFL)
- San Francisco Giants (MLB)
- Golden State Warriors (NBA)
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Des Moines to San Francisco?
The best time to move from Des Moines to San Francisco 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 Francisco?
Because most people are moving from Des Moines to San Francisco 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 Francisco take?
The 1,798-mile move from Des Moines, IA, to San Francisco, CA, takes five-sixteen 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 Francisco.
