($1,269) Moving from Des Moines to Portland
Quick answer: A move from Des Moines to Portland costs $915 to $6,871 and takes three-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 1,399-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 Portland to Des Moines guide.
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The best Des Moines to Portland moving companies
Hiring an interstate moving company to go from Des Moines to Portland 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 Portland.
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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 Portland?
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 | $1,269 - $4,665 | $926 - $2,342 | $837 - $1,603 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,846 - $6,871 | $1,690 - $3,550 | $915 - $2,002 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,863 - $8,985 | $2,341 - $4,453 | $1,152 - $2,258 |
Factors influencing moving costs from Des Moines to Portland
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 Portland can be as low as $1,269 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $7,802.
- 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 $837 to $2,085. 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 Portland?
Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Des Moines to Portland will cost between $1,269 to $4,665. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $2,846 to $6,871, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from Des Moines to Portland will cost from $4,863 to $8,985.
How much are moving container companies from Des Moines to Portland?
Moving containers from Des Moines to Portland will cost you $926 to $2,342 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,690 to $3,550. A larger home will cost $2,341 to $4,453.
How much is a moving truck from Des Moines to Portland?
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 $837 to $1,603. A larger move will cost $915 to $2,002, and a four-bedroom move from Des Moines to Portland costs from $1,152 to $2,258. These estimates include the anticipated fuel cost.
Pros and cons of moving from Des Moines to Portland
Cost of living: Des Moines vs Portland
| Des Moines | Portland | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,150 | $2,190 |
| Average home value | $192,347 | $522,252 |
| Average income (per capita) | $58,492 | $62,646 |
| Cost of Living (single person) | $1,891 | $2,430 |
| Cost of Living (family of 4) | $4,380 | $6,125 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.9% | 5.2% |
| Sales Tax | 7.0% | 5.5% |
| State Income Tax | 4.4% | 5.8% |
- Rent prices in Portland are 90% higher than in Des Moines.
- Home prices in Portland are 171.5% higher than in Des Moines.
- Income in Portland is 7.1% higher than in Des Moines.
- The cost of living for a single person in Portland is 28.5% higher than in Des Moines.
- The cost of living for a family in Portland is 39.8% higher than in Des Moines.
- The unemployment rate in Portland is 11.86% lower than in Des Moines.
- Sales taxes in Portland are 21.43% lower than in Des Moines.
- State income taxes in Portland are 31.82% higher than in Des Moines.
To put this into perspective, you would need around $3,855.10 in Portland 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 Portland?
| Portland | Des Moines | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 68,408 | 699,292 |
| AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 6 | 5 |
| Walkability score | 62 | 45 |
| Bike friendliness score | 68 | 39 |
| Crime Index | 19.79 | 5.0 |
| Safety Index | 67.22 | 57.8 |
| Air Quality | Good | Good |
- Portland's population is about 90% less than Des Moines.
- Portland's public transportation has a score of 6 out of 10 versus Des Moines's higher score of 5.
- Portland is more walkable than Des Moines with a score of 62 out of 100 vs Des Moines's 45 out of 100.
- Portland is more bike-friendly than Des Moines with a score of 68 out of 100 vs Des Moines's 39.
- Portland's crime rate is higher than Des Moines with a score of 19.79 compared to Des Moines's 5.0. This means that Portland neighborhoods are safer than 19.79% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Des Moines neighborhoods are safer than 5.0%.
- Portland is considered to be safer than Des Moines with a safety index of 67.22 vs Des Moines's 57.8.
- Air quality in Portland is good, and in Des Moines it's good.
Considerations for moving to Portland
- Weather: August, July and June are the most pleasant months in Portland, while January and February are the least comfortable months.
- 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 Maine, 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 Maine moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving permits: Maine 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 Portland. Get started here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. Consider cost-free Released Value Protection from movers in Maine, offering basic coverage at 60 cents per pound. If you seek full-value protection, discuss alternative options with your chosen moving company 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.
Local Des Moines movers
| Company | Quote | Rating | Contact |
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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 Portland
Now that you've decided to make the move to "Forest City", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Portland.
Best neighborhoods for singles:
- East End
- West End
- West Bayside
- Parkside
- Downtown
- Oakdale
- Back Cove
- Valley Street
Best neighborhoods for families:
- Deering Center
- East End
- Rosemont
- West End
- Valley Street
- North Deering
- Back Cove
- East Deering
- Oakdale
What to do in Portland
These are some of the best things to do in your new Maine home.
- Portland's Old Port District & Commercial Street
- Casco Bay and the Calendar Islands
- Victoria Mansion
- Eastern Promenade
- Portland Museum of Art
- Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine
- Crescent Beach
- Portland Observatory
- Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Co and Museum
- Portland Head Light & Fort Williams Park
- Wadsworth Longfellow House
Get your sports on!
Portland is a great sports town, these are the local teams to support:
- Maine Celtics (G League)
- Maine Mariners (ECHL)
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Des Moines to Portland?
The best time to move from Des Moines to Portland 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 Portland?
Because most people are moving from Des Moines to Portland 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 Portland take?
The 1,399-mile move from Des Moines, IA, to Portland, ME, takes three-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 Portland.
