($1,250) Moving from Des Moines to Wilmington

Quick answer: A move from Des Moines to Wilmington costs $746 to $6,596 and takes two-eight 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 1,069-mile move yourself.

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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
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  • Family owned
  • East coast focus
  • Affordable pricing
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 5
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  • Family owned & operated
  • Affordable pricing
  • Same-day estimates
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.8 / 5
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  • Unlimited storage
  • 3 container sizes
  • 10% discount
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
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  • Certified crews
  • Flat-rate pricing
  • Family-owned

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 Wilmington to Des Moines guide.

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The best Des Moines to Wilmington moving companies

Hiring an interstate moving company to go from Des Moines to Wilmington 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 Wilmington.

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.85 / 5
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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 4.9 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Family owned
  • East coast focus
  • Affordable pricing
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Family owned & operated
  • Affordable pricing
  • Same-day estimates

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

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 $1,250 - $5,022 $881 - $2,237 $705 - $1,352
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,739 - $6,596 $1,549 - $3,028 $746 - $1,655
4+ bedrooms $4,179 - $8,044 $2,029 - $4,155 $994 - $1,879
*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 1,069 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 Wilmington

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 Wilmington can be as low as $1,250 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $7,486.
  • 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 $705 to $1,772. 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 Wilmington?

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Des Moines to Wilmington will cost between $1,250 to $5,022. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $2,739 to $6,596, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from Des Moines to Wilmington will cost from $4,179 to $8,044.

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

Moving containers from Des Moines to Wilmington will cost you $881 to $2,237 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,549 to $3,028. A larger home will cost $2,029 to $4,155.

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

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 $705 to $1,352. A larger move will cost $746 to $1,655, and a four-bedroom move from Des Moines to Wilmington costs from $994 to $1,879. These estimates include the anticipated fuel cost.

Pros and cons of moving from Des Moines to Wilmington

Cost of living: Des Moines vs Wilmington

Des Moines Wilmington
Average rent cost $1,150 $1,710
Average home value $192,347 $301,985
Average income (per capita) $58,492 $49,354
Cost of Living (single person) $1,891 $1,703
Cost of Living (family of 4) $4,380 $3,556
Unemployment rate 5.9% 10.0%
Sales Tax 7.0% 0.0%
State Income Tax 4.4% 6.6%
  • Rent prices in Wilmington are 49% higher than in Des Moines.
  • Home prices in Wilmington are 57.0% higher than in Des Moines.
  • Income in Wilmington is 15.6% lower than in Des Moines.
  • The cost of living for a single person in Wilmington is 9.9% lower than in Des Moines.
  • The cost of living for a family in Wilmington is 18.8% lower than in Des Moines.
  • The unemployment rate in Wilmington is 69.49% higher than in Des Moines.
  • Sales taxes in Wilmington are 100.00% lower than in Des Moines.
  • State income taxes in Wilmington are 50.00% higher than in Des Moines.

To put this into perspective, you would need around $2,701.75 in Wilmington 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 Wilmington?

Wilmington Des Moines
Population 70,898 699,292
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 6 5
Walkability score 74 45
Bike friendliness score 52 39
Crime Index 59.58 5.0
Safety Index 30.16 57.8
Air Quality Good Good
  • Wilmington's population is about 90% less than Des Moines.
  • Wilmington's public transportation has a score of 6 out of 10 versus Des Moines's higher score of 5.
  • Wilmington is more walkable than Des Moines with a score of 74 out of 100 vs Des Moines's 45 out of 100.
  • Wilmington is more bike-friendly than Des Moines with a score of 52 out of 100 vs Des Moines's 39.
  • Wilmington's crime rate is higher than Des Moines with a score of 59.58 compared to Des Moines's 5.0. This means that Wilmington neighborhoods are safer than 59.58% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Des Moines neighborhoods are safer than 5.0%.
  • Wilmington is considered to be less safe than Des Moines with a score of 30.16 vs Des Moines's 57.8.
  • Air quality in Wilmington is good, and in Des Moines it's good.

Considerations for moving to Wilmington

  • Weather: Wilmington has with hot and humid summers, cool to cold winters, and precipitation evenly spread throughout the year.
  • 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: Movers headquartered in Delaware that offer local and intrastate moving services don’t need to be licensed. Still, they must comply with Delaware Department of Transportation (DDOT) regulations on insurance and commercial vehicle safety. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Delaware moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
  • Moving permits: Delaware 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 Wilmington. Get started here.
  • Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. Selecting Released Value Protection is a cost-effective choice, provided at no extra charge by movers, even though it offers limited coverage. Within this option, the mover's responsibility is capped at 60 cents per pound per article. If you're concerned about the value of your possessions and require more extensive coverage, consider discussing alternative options with the moving company you've chosen or explore third-party insurance providers. Ensure comprehensive protection for your belongings during the move by exploring these additional coverage choices.
  • 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
Adamantine Spine Moving Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.66 overall rating
4701 NW Urbandale Dr., Des Moines, IA, 50322
(319) 519-0154
All Mighty Movers LLC Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.52 overall rating
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 Wilmington

Now that you've decided to make the move to "Chemical Capital of the World", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Wilmington.

Best neighborhoods for singles:

  • Trolley Square
  • Happy Valley
  • Midtown Brandywine
  • Delaware Avenue
  • Trinity Vicinity

Best neighborhoods for families:

  • Forty Acres
  • Happy Valley
  • Trolley Square
  • Lower Highlands
  • Wawaset Park/Wawaset Heghts

What to do in Wilmington

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

  • Nemours Estate
  • Hagley Museum And Library
  • Wilmington Riverwalk
  • Wilmington and Western Railroad
  • Grand Opera House
  • Delaware Children's Museum
  • Delaware Art Museum
  • Frawley Stadium
  • Bellevue State Park
  • The Queen

Get your sports on!

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

  • Delaware Blue Coats (NBA G League)
  • Wilmington Blue Rocks (MiLB)
  • Delaware Black Foxes (USARL)
  • Bearfight FC of Wilmington (USASA)

FAQ

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

The best time to move from Des Moines to Wilmington 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 Wilmington?

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

The 1,069-mile move from Des Moines, IA, to Wilmington, DE, takes two-eight 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 Wilmington.

Helpful moving resources