($1,010) Moving from Des Moines to Wichita

Quick answer: A move from Des Moines to Wichita costs $373 to $5,280 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 390-mile move yourself.

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  • East coast focus
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 5
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.8 / 5
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  • Unlimited storage
  • 3 container sizes
  • 10% discount
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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 Wichita to Des Moines guide.

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The best Des Moines to Wichita moving companies

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

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.85 / 5
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  • 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 Wichita?

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 $1,010 - $3,074 $674 - $1,569 $361 - $643
2 - 3 bedrooms $1,833 - $5,280 $1,162 - $2,223 $373 - $809
4+ bedrooms $3,057 - $7,386 $1,524 - $2,720 $473 - $979
*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 390 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 Wichita

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 Wichita can be as low as $1,010 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $5,910.
  • 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 $361 to $824. 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 Wichita?

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Des Moines to Wichita will cost between $1,010 to $3,074. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $1,833 to $5,280, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from Des Moines to Wichita will cost from $3,057 to $7,386.

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

Moving containers from Des Moines to Wichita will cost you $674 to $1,569 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,162 to $2,223. A larger home will cost $1,524 to $2,720.

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

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 $361 to $643. A larger move will cost $373 to $809, and a four-bedroom move from Des Moines to Wichita costs from $473 to $979. These estimates include the anticipated fuel cost.

Pros and cons of moving from Des Moines to Wichita

Cost of living: Des Moines vs Wichita

Des Moines Wichita
Average rent cost $1,150 $1,011
Average home value $192,347 $183,131
Average income (per capita) $58,492 $56,374
Cost of Living (single person) $1,891 $763
Cost of Living (family of 4) $4,380 $2,637
Unemployment rate 5.9% 6.0%
Sales Tax 7.0% 7.5%
State Income Tax 4.4% 5.7%
  • Rent prices in Wichita are 12% lower than in Des Moines.
  • Home prices in Wichita are 4.8% lower than in Des Moines.
  • Income in Wichita is 3.6% lower than in Des Moines.
  • The cost of living for a single person in Wichita is 59.7% lower than in Des Moines.
  • The cost of living for a family in Wichita is 39.8% lower than in Des Moines.
  • The unemployment rate in Wichita is 1.69% higher than in Des Moines.
  • Sales taxes in Wichita are 7.14% higher than in Des Moines.
  • State income taxes in Wichita are 29.55% higher than in Des Moines.

To put this into perspective, you would need around $1,210.47 in Wichita 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 Wichita?

Wichita Des Moines
Population 397,532 699,292
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 3 5
Walkability score 35 45
Bike friendliness score 44 39
Crime Index 62.48 5.0
Safety Index 49.36 57.8
Air Quality Moderate Good
  • Wichita's population is about 43% less than Des Moines.
  • Wichita's public transportation has a score of 3 out of 10 versus Des Moines's lower score of 5.
  • Wichita is less walkable than Des Moines with a score of 35 out of 100 vs Des Moines's 45 out of 100.
  • Wichita is more bike-friendly than Des Moines with a score of 44 out of 100 vs Des Moines's 39.
  • Wichita's crime rate is higher than Des Moines with a score of 62.48 compared to Des Moines's 5.0. This means that Wichita neighborhoods are safer than 62.48% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Des Moines neighborhoods are safer than 5.0%.
  • Wichita is considered to be less safe than Des Moines with a score of 49.36 vs Des Moines's 57.8.
  • Air quality in Wichita is moderate, and in Des Moines it's good.

Considerations for moving to Wichita

  • Weather: Wichita experiences hot, humid summers and cold, dry winters. Wichita often experiences severe weather with thunderstorms occurring frequently during the spring and summer. These occasionally bring large hail and frequent lightning. Be sure to check your weather app to avoid hail and lightning.
  • 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: In Kansas, the Transportation Division of the Kansas Corporation Commission monitors, licenses, and regulates intrastate motor carriers like movers. The state’s Corporation Commission issues moving companies operating authority in the form of KCC Numbers, which customers can verify online here before hiring a mover. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Kansas moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
  • Moving permits: Kansas 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 Wichita. Get started here.
  • Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. Released Value Protection is the most economical option because it doesn’t cost anything. It is offered by movers at no additional charge, but the protection is minimal. Under this option, the mover is responsible for no more than 60 cents per pound per article. For example, if your mover lost or damaged a 50 inch TV weighing 25 pounds, you would only receive $15 (60 cents x 25 pounds). If you need for the full value of your items to be covered, please consult with the moving company you're hiring for other options or a third-party insurance provider.
  • 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 Wichita

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

Best neighborhoods for singles:

  • Sleepy Hollow
  • Riverside
  • Cottonwood Village
  • Delano
  • College Hill
  • Uptown

Best neighborhoods for families:

  • College Hill
  • Courtland
  • Village
  • Crown Heights
  • Sleepy Hollow
  • Uptown

What to do in Wichita

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

  • Old Cowtown Museum
  • Botanica – The Wichita Gardens
  • Sedgwick County Zoo
  • Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center
  • Exploration Place
  • All Star Adventures
  • Museum of World Treasures
  • Kansas Aviation Museum
  • Orpheum Theater
  • Coutts Museum of Art

Get your sports on!

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

  • Wichita Thunder (ECHL)
  • Wichita Wind Surge (Double-A Central)
  • Wichita Wings (MASL 2)
  • Wichita State University Shockers (NCAA)

FAQ

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

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

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

The 390-mile move from Des Moines, IA, to Wichita, KS, 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 Wichita.

Helpful moving resources