($1,221) Moving from Des Moines to Washington DC
Quick answer: A move from Des Moines to Washington DC costs $755 to $6,147 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 1,012-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 Washington DC to Des Moines guide.
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The best Des Moines to Washington DC moving companies
Hiring an interstate moving company to go from Des Moines to Washington DC 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 Washington DC.
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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 Washington DC?
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 | $1,221 - $4,968 | $847 - $2,046 | $706 - $1,340 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,717 - $6,147 | $1,582 - $3,210 | $755 - $1,516 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,497 - $8,302 | $2,134 - $4,183 | $902 - $1,789 |
Factors influencing moving costs from Des Moines to Washington DC
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 Washington DC can be as low as $1,221 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $7,218.
- 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 $706 to $1,705. 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 Washington DC?
Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Des Moines to Washington DC will cost between $1,221 to $4,968. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $2,717 to $6,147, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from Des Moines to Washington DC will cost from $4,497 to $8,302.
How much are moving container companies from Des Moines to Washington DC?
Moving containers from Des Moines to Washington DC will cost you $847 to $2,046 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,582 to $3,210. A larger home will cost $2,134 to $4,183.
How much is a moving truck from Des Moines to Washington DC?
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 $706 to $1,340. A larger move will cost $755 to $1,516, and a four-bedroom move from Des Moines to Washington DC costs from $902 to $1,789. These estimates include the anticipated fuel cost.
Pros and cons of moving from Des Moines to Washington DC
Cost of living: Des Moines vs Washington DC
| Des Moines | Washington DC | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,150 | $2,450 |
| Average home value | $192,347 | $609,175 |
| Average income (per capita) | $58,492 | $635,900 |
| Cost of Living (single person) | $1,891 | $1,211 |
| Cost of Living (family of 4) | $4,380 | $4,423 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.9% | 7.0% |
| Sales Tax | 7.0% | 6.0% |
| State Income Tax | 4.4% | 5.75% |
- Rent prices in Washington DC are 113% higher than in Des Moines.
- Home prices in Washington DC are 216.7% higher than in Des Moines.
- Income in Washington DC is 987.2% higher than in Des Moines.
- The cost of living for a single person in Washington DC is 36.0% lower than in Des Moines.
- The cost of living for a family is the same in Washington DC and Des Moines.
- The unemployment rate in Washington DC is 18.64% higher than in Des Moines.
- Sales taxes in Washington DC are 14.29% lower than in Des Moines.
- State income taxes in Washington DC are 30.68% higher than in Des Moines.
To put this into perspective, you would need around $1,921.21 in Washington DC 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 Washington DC?
| Washington DC | Des Moines | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 689,545 | 699,292 |
| AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 9 | 5 |
| Walkability score | 77 | 45 |
| Bike friendliness score | 70 | 39 |
| Crime Index | 46.45 | 5.0 |
| Safety Index | 41.16 | 57.8 |
| Air Quality | Moderate | Good |
- Washington DC's population is about 1% less than Des Moines.
- Washington DC's public transportation has a score of 9 out of 10 versus Des Moines's higher score of 5.
- Washington DC is more walkable than Des Moines with a score of 77 out of 100 vs Des Moines's 45 out of 100.
- Washington DC is more bike-friendly than Des Moines with a score of 70 out of 100 vs Des Moines's 39.
- Washington DC's crime rate is higher than Des Moines with a score of 46.45 compared to Des Moines's 5.0. This means that Washington DC neighborhoods are safer than 46.45% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Des Moines neighborhoods are safer than 5.0%.
- Washington DC is considered to be less safe than Des Moines with a score of 41.16 vs Des Moines's 57.8.
- Air quality in Washington DC is moderate, and in Des Moines it's good.
Considerations for moving to Washington DC
- Weather: Winters are cool to cold with light snow more common but heavy snow not uncommon, and summers are hot and humid. Spring and fall are mild to warm. Be sure to check your weather app to avoid heavy snowfall or high heat.
- 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: Although a local license is not required in Maryland, make sure the moving company you’ll be hiring is registered with U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). To verify if you’re dealing with a legal and licensed mover, you may ask them their USDOT registration number. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
- State regulator: You can verify a Maryland moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving permits: Maryland 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 Washington DC. Get started here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. In Alabama, Released Value Protection stands out as the most economical option, incurring no additional costs. Provided by movers at no extra charge, it offers minimal coverage at 60 cents per pound per article. For those seeking comprehensive coverage, it is advisable to consult with your chosen moving company for alternative options or explore 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 |
| All Mighty Movers LLC | Get A Quote |
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59 Clark St., Des Moines, IA, 50314 (515) 313-1395 |
| Adamantine Spine Moving | Get A Quote |
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4701 NW Urbandale Dr., Des Moines, IA, 50322 (319) 519-0154 |
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 Washington DC
Now that you've decided to make the move to "DC", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Washington DC.
Best neighborhoods for singles:
- Adams Morgan
- Capitol Hill
- Cleveland Park
- Foggy Bottom
- Logan Circle
Best neighborhoods for families:
- AU-Tenleytown
- Chevy Chase
- Cleveland Park
- Georgetown
- The Palisades
What to do in Washington DC
These are some of the best things to do in your new Maryland home.
- Washington Monument
- White House
- Lincoln Memorial
- Vietnam Veterans and Korean War Veterans Memorials
- National Mall
- Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
- John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
- Smithsonian National Zoo
- The Pentagon
- Library Of Congress
- Capitol Hill
- Smithsonian Institution Building
- National Gallery of Art & the Sculpture Garden
- International Spy Museum
- National Museum of African American History and Culture
- National Museum of the American Indian & the Mitsitam Café
- National Postal Museum
- Penn Quarter
- National Geographic Museum
- National Archives Museum
- National Museum of Health and Medicine
- Hillwood Estate Museum and Garden
- Arlington National Cemetery
- Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens
Get your sports on!
Washington DC is a great sports town, these are the local teams to support:
- Washington Wizards (NBA)
- Washington Capitals (NHL)
- Washington Mystics (WNBA)
- D.C. Untied (MLS)
- Washington Commanders (NFL)
- DC Defenders (XFL)
- Old Glory DC (MLR)
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Des Moines to Washington DC?
The best time to move from Des Moines to Washington DC 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 Washington DC?
Because most people are moving from Des Moines to Washington DC 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 Washington DC take?
The 1,012-mile move from Des Moines, IA, to Washington DC, MD, 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 Washington DC.
