($1,190) Movers From Des Moines, IA to Lexington, KY

Quick answer: A move from Des Moines to Lexington costs $534–$5,691 and takes one to six 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 662-mile move yourself.

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Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Lexington to Des Moines guide.

The best Des Moines to Lexington full-service moving companies

Choosing a long-distance moving company in Des Moines to go to Lexington 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 Lexington.

Best Overall Value
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.85 / 5
(855) 650-0657
At A Glance
  • GPS tracking en route
  • Veteran-owned
  • Dedicated move coordinator
  • Flat-rate pricing
  • Donates a portion of moves to charity
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(855) 650-0657
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
(980) 217-6841
At A Glance
  • 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
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(980) 217-6841
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(866) 825-0554
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  • Experienced & fully trained moving crews
  • Specializes in moving art & antiques
  • Competitive pricing
  • Can handle last-minute moves
  • Climate-controlled storage
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(855) 929-4120
At A Glance
  • 10% discount for veterans and seniors
  • Very competitive rates due to their national coverage
  • Services local, long-distance, and international moves
  • Can service most domestic moves within 48 hours
  • 24/7 customer service
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(855) 929-4120
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(844) 950-2963
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  • Custom crates for electronics & art
  • Satellite shipment tracking
  • 1,500 local agents covering all 50 states
  • Self-packing option
  • No deposit required
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(844) 950-2963

How much are professional moving companies when moving from Des Moines to Lexington?toggle

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Des Moines to Lexington will cost between $1,190 to $3,669. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $2,125 to $5,691, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from Des Moines to Lexington will cost from $3,734 to $8,313.

The best moving containers for your Des Moines to Lexington move

Moving containers can be a cost-effective option for moving from Des Moines to Lexington. 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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  • Affordable pricing
  • Offers car shipping
  • No hidden fees

How much are moving container companies from Des Moines to Lexington?toggle

Moving containers from Des Moines to Lexington will cost you $716 to $1,765 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,276 to $2,542. A larger home will cost $1,847 to $3,462.

The best moving truck rentals for your Des Moines to Lexington move

If you want to save even more money on your Des Moines to Lexington 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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  • Affordable pricing
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  • Several discounts
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How much is a moving truck from Des Moines to Lexington?toggle

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 $475 to $935. A larger move will cost $534 to $1,121, and a four-bedroom move from Des Moines to Lexington costs from $693 to $1,329. These estimates include the anticipated fuel cost.

The best labor-only movers for your Des Moines to Lexington 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 Lexington:

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

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 $1,190 - $3,669 $716 - $1,765 $475 - $935
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,125 - $5,691 $1,276 - $2,542 $534 - $1,121
4+ bedrooms $3,734 - $8,313 $1,847 - $3,462 $693 - $1,329
*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 662 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 Lexingtontoggle

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 Lexington can be as low as $1,190 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $6,911.
  • 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 $475 to $1,160. However, these options require more work and effort compared to hiring professional movers.

What to know before moving from Des Moines to Lexington

Des Moines Lexington
Average rent cost $1,150 $1,345
Average home value $192,347 $309,021
Average income (per capita) $58,492 $61,526
Cost of living (single person) $1,891 $3,100
Cost of living (family of 4) $4,380 $4,170
Unemployment rate 5.9% 4.3%
Sales tax 7.0% 6.0%
State income tax 4.4% 4.0%
  • Rent prices in Lexington are 17% higher than in Des Moines.
  • Home prices in Lexington are 60.7% higher than in Des Moines.
  • Income in Lexington is 5.2% higher than in Des Moines.
  • The cost of living for a single person in Lexington is 63.9% higher than in Des Moines.
  • The cost of living for a family in Lexington is 4.8% lower than in Des Moines.
  • The unemployment rate in Lexington is 27.12% lower than in Des Moines.
  • Sales taxes in Lexington are 14.29% lower than in Des Moines.
  • State income taxes in Lexington are 9.09% lower than in Des Moines.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $4,918.03 in Lexington 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. Lexington

Lexington Des Moines
Population 320,347 699,292
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 4 5
Walkability score 90 45
Bike friendliness score 85 39
Crime Index 50.88 5.0
Safety Index 49.12 57.8
Air Quality Good Good
  • Lexington's population is about 54% less than Des Moines.
  • Lexington's public transportation has a score of 4 out of 10 versus Des Moines's lower score of 5.
  • Lexington is more walkable than Des Moines with a score of 90 out of 100 vs Des Moines's 45 out of 100.
  • Lexington is more bike-friendly than Des Moines with a score of 85 out of 100 vs Des Moines's 39.
  • Lexington's crime rate is higher than Des Moines with a score of 50.88 compared to Des Moines's 5.0. This means that Lexington neighborhoods are safer than 50.88% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Des Moines neighborhoods are safer than 5.0%.
  • Lexington is considered to be less safe than Des Moines with a score of 49.12 vs Des Moines's 57.8.
  • Air quality in Lexington is good, and in Des Moines it's good.

Other things to consider for your Des Moines vs. Lexington move

  • Weather: Lexington has hot, humid summers and moderately cold winters with occasional mild periods
  • 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 in Kentucky are licensed and regulated by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) – Division of Motor Carriers. Moving companies that operate within the state must carry adequate cargo insurance and file public tariffs detailing the services they offer and the cost for each. The KYTC can assist consumers with resolving disputes with movers, but only after a customer makes a formal written complaint. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Kentucky moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
  • Moving permits: Kentucky 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 Lexington. Get started here.
  • Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. Choose Released Value Protection for free, basic coverage from movers at 60 cents per pound. For comprehensive protection matching your items' full value, consult your moving company for alternative options or consider a third-party insurance provider.
  • Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Things to do in Lexingtontoggle

After settling into your new Kentucky home, you’ll want to branch out and explore your new city. Luckily, Lexington has lots to offer, no matter what you’re interested in:

  • Arts and culture: Lexington is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the Kentucky Horse Park, Mary Todd Lincoln House, Ashland: The Henry Clay Estate, The Aviation Museum of Kentucky, and Explorium of Lexington.
  • Outdoor recreation: The city’s The Arboretum, Thoroughbred Park, Jacobson Park, and Masterson Station Park — among other sites — are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.
  • Sports: Catch a live game and cheer on the home team at an Lexington Legends (ALPB) and Lexington SC (USL League One) game.

FAQ

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

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

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

The 662-mile move from Des Moines, IA, to Lexington, KY, takes one to six 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 Lexington.

Helpful moving resources