($1,155) Moving from Des Moines to Indianapolis
Quick answer: A move from Des Moines to Indianapolis costs $427 to $5,113 and takes one-four 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 479-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 Indianapolis to Des Moines guide.
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The best Des Moines to Indianapolis moving companies
Hiring an interstate moving company to go from Des Moines to Indianapolis 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 Indianapolis.
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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 Indianapolis?
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 | $1,155 - $3,348 | $696 - $1,688 | $433 - $786 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,149 - $5,113 | $1,170 - $2,447 | $427 - $859 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,721 - $8,031 | $1,572 - $2,958 | $558 - $1,144 |
Factors influencing moving costs from Des Moines to Indianapolis
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 Indianapolis can be as low as $1,155 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $6,730.
- 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 $433 to $1,031. 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 Indianapolis?
Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Des Moines to Indianapolis will cost between $1,155 to $3,348. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $2,149 to $5,113, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from Des Moines to Indianapolis will cost from $3,721 to $8,031.
How much are moving container companies from Des Moines to Indianapolis?
Moving containers from Des Moines to Indianapolis will cost you $696 to $1,688 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,170 to $2,447. A larger home will cost $1,572 to $2,958.
How much is a moving truck from Des Moines to Indianapolis?
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 $433 to $786. A larger move will cost $427 to $859, and a four-bedroom move from Des Moines to Indianapolis costs from $558 to $1,144. These estimates include the anticipated fuel cost.
Pros and cons of moving from Des Moines to Indianapolis
Cost of living: Des Moines vs Indianapolis
| Des Moines | Indianapolis | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,150 | $1,295 |
| Average home value | $192,347 | $217,513 |
| Average income (per capita) | $58,492 | $54,321 |
| Cost of Living (single person) | $1,891 | $892 |
| Cost of Living (family of 4) | $4,380 | $3,139 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.9% | 5.6% |
| Sales Tax | 7.0% | 7.0% |
| State Income Tax | 4.4% | 3.15% |
- Rent prices in Indianapolis are 13% higher than in Des Moines.
- Home prices in Indianapolis are 13.1% higher than in Des Moines.
- Income in Indianapolis is 7.1% lower than in Des Moines.
- The cost of living for a single person in Indianapolis is 52.8% lower than in Des Moines.
- The cost of living for a family in Indianapolis is 28.3% lower than in Des Moines.
- The unemployment rate in Indianapolis is 5.08% lower than in Des Moines.
- Sales taxes are the same in Indianapolis and Des Moines.
- State income taxes in Indianapolis are 28.41% lower than in Des Moines.
To put this into perspective, you would need around $1,415.12 in Indianapolis 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 Indianapolis?
| Indianapolis | Des Moines | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 887,642 | 699,292 |
| AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 5 | 5 |
| Walkability score | 31 | 45 |
| Bike friendliness score | 43 | 39 |
| Crime Index | 59.06 | 5.0 |
| Safety Index | 40.94 | 57.8 |
| Air Quality | Good | Good |
- Indianapolis's population is about 27% greater than Des Moines.
- Indianapolis's public transportation has a similar score to Des Moines.
- Indianapolis is less walkable than Des Moines with a score of 31 out of 100 vs Des Moines's 45 out of 100.
- Indianapolis is more bike-friendly than Des Moines with a score of 43 out of 100 vs Des Moines's 39.
- Indianapolis's crime rate is higher than Des Moines with a score of 59.06 compared to Des Moines's 5.0. This means that Indianapolis neighborhoods are safer than 59.06% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Des Moines neighborhoods are safer than 5.0%.
- Indianapolis is considered to be less safe than Des Moines with a score of 40.94 vs Des Moines's 57.8.
- Air quality in Indianapolis is good, and in Des Moines it's good.
Considerations for moving to Indianapolis
- Weather: Indianapolis summers are hot, humid, and wet. Winters are generally cold with moderate snowfall. The rainiest months occur in the spring and summer, with slightly higher averages during May, June, and July. May is typically the wettest.
- 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: The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) regulate movers operating within Indiana and issue moving companies Indiana Households Goods Carriers Numbers. Check to make sure prospective movers have one and that it’s up to date. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
- State regulator: You can verify a Indiana moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving permits: Indiana 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 Indianapolis. Get started here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. Opt for Released Value Protection – a budget-friendly choice with no extra cost from movers, though coverage is limited to 60 cents per pound. For instance, if a 50-inch TV weighing 25 pounds is lost or damaged, reimbursement is just $15. To ensure coverage for your items' full value, discuss alternative options with your chosen moving company or consider third-party insurance providers.
- 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 Indianapolis
Now that you've decided to make the move to "Amateur Sports Capital of the World", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Indianapolis.
Best neighborhoods for singles:
- Broad Ripple Village
- Fountain Square
- Mile Square
- Meridian-Kessler
- Old Northside
Best neighborhoods for families:
- Avon
- Brownsburg
- Carmel
- Fishers
- Westfield
What to do in Indianapolis
These are some of the best things to do in your new Indiana home.
- Children's Museum of Indianapolis
- Indianapolis Zoo
- Freedom Springs Aquatic Park
- Conner Prairie Interactive History Park
- Go Ape Treetop Adventure
- Indianapolis Museum of Art
- Garfield Park Conservatory and Gardens
- The Hall of Fame Museum at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
- Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians & Western Art
- Indiana Medical History Museum
- Indiana State Police Museum
- Canal Walk
- Soldiers and Sailors Monument
- Indiana War Memorial
- Indiana State Museum
- Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library
- Beer Mile Tour
- Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park
- White River State Park
- Oldfields-Lilly House and Gardens
Get your sports on!
Indianapolis is a great sports town, these are the local teams to support:
- Indianapolis Colts (NFL)
- Indianapolis Pacers (NBA)
- Indianapolis Fever (WNBA)
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Des Moines to Indianapolis?
The best time to move from Des Moines to Indianapolis 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 Indianapolis?
Because most people are moving from Des Moines to Indianapolis 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 Indianapolis take?
The 479-mile move from Des Moines, IA, to Indianapolis, IN, takes one-four 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 Indianapolis.
