($1,347) Movers From Des Moines, IA to Ann Arbor, MI
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: A move from Des Moines to Ann Arbor costs $552–$5,877 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 557-mile move yourself.
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Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Ann Arbor to Des Moines guide.
The best Des Moines to Ann Arbor full-service moving companies
Choosing a long-distance moving company in Des Moines to go to Ann Arbor 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 Ann Arbor.
- Safeway Moving: 4.85 out of 5 stars
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5 stars
- International Van Lines: 4.45 out of 5 stars
- North American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5 stars
- GPS tracking en route
- Veteran-owned
- Dedicated move coordinator
- Flat-rate pricing
- Donates a portion of moves to charity
- 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
- Experienced & fully trained moving crews
- Specializes in moving art & antiques
- Competitive pricing
- Can handle last-minute moves
- Climate-controlled storage
- 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
- Custom crates for electronics & art
- Satellite shipment tracking
- 1,500 local agents covering all 50 states
- Self-packing option
- No deposit required
How much are professional moving companies when moving from Des Moines to Ann Arbor?
The best moving containers for your Des Moines to Ann Arbor move
Moving containers can be a cost-effective option for moving from Des Moines to Ann Arbor. 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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How much are moving container companies from Des Moines to Ann Arbor?
The best moving truck rentals for your Des Moines to Ann Arbor move
If you want to save even more money on your Des Moines to Ann Arbor 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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How much is a moving truck from Des Moines to Ann Arbor?
The best labor-only movers for your Des Moines to Ann Arbor 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 Ann Arbor:
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How much does it cost to move from Des Moines to Ann Arbor?
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 | $1,347 - $3,647 | $810 - $1,877 | $487 - $923 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,439 - $5,877 | $1,434 - $2,863 | $552 - $1,107 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,084 - $9,008 | $1,818 - $3,620 | $654 - $1,362 |
Factors influencing moving costs from Des Moines to Ann Arbor
What to know before moving from Des Moines to Ann Arbor
| Des Moines | Ann Arbor | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,150 | $2,260 |
| Average home value | $192,347 | $474,909 |
| Average income (per capita) | $58,492 | $66,964 |
| Cost of living (single person) | $1,891 | $2,176 |
| Cost of living (family of 4) | $4,380 | $5,344 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.9% | 3.5% |
| Sales tax | 7.0% | 6.0% |
| State income tax | 4.4% | 4.25% |
- Rent prices in Ann Arbor are 97% higher than in Des Moines.
- Home prices in Ann Arbor are 146.9% higher than in Des Moines.
- Income in Ann Arbor is 14.5% higher than in Des Moines.
- The cost of living for a single person in Ann Arbor is 15.1% higher than in Des Moines.
- The cost of living for a family in Ann Arbor is 22.0% higher than in Des Moines.
- The unemployment rate in Ann Arbor is 40.68% lower than in Des Moines.
- Sales taxes in Ann Arbor are 14.29% lower than in Des Moines.
- State income taxes in Ann Arbor are 3.41% lower than in Des Moines.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,452.14 in Ann Arbor 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. Ann Arbor
| Ann Arbor | Des Moines | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 123,851 | 699,292 |
| AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 7 | 5 |
| Walkability score | 52 | 45 |
| Bike friendliness score | 71 | 39 |
| Crime Index | 31.0 | 5.0 |
| Safety Index | 79.18 | 57.8 |
| Air Quality | Moderate | Good |
- Ann Arbor's population is about 82% less than Des Moines.
- Ann Arbor's public transportation has a score of 7 out of 10 versus Des Moines's higher score of 5.
- Ann Arbor is more walkable than Des Moines with a score of 52 out of 100 vs Des Moines's 45 out of 100.
- Ann Arbor is more bike-friendly than Des Moines with a score of 71 out of 100 vs Des Moines's 39.
- Ann Arbor's crime rate is higher than Des Moines with a score of 31.0 compared to Des Moines's 5.0. This means that Ann Arbor neighborhoods are safer than 31.0% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Des Moines neighborhoods are safer than 5.0%.
- Ann Arbor is considered to be safer than Des Moines with a safety index of 79.18 vs Des Moines's 57.8.
- Air quality in Ann Arbor is moderate, and in Des Moines it's good.
Other things to consider for your Des Moines vs. Ann Arbor move
- Weather: August, July and June are the most pleasant months in Ann Arbor for moving.
- 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 agency regulating local and intrastate household goods movers in Michigan is the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC). State regulation and oversight activities include commercial vehicle registration and safety compliance, review of published tariff rates, licensing, and consumer protection efforts. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
- State regulator: You can verify a Michigan moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving permits: Michigan 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 Ann Arbor. Get started here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. In Alabama, Massachusetts, and Michigan, choose the economical option of Released Value Protection, provided by movers at no extra cost. However, it offers minimal coverage at 60 cents per pound per article. For comprehensive coverage of your items' full value, consult with your moving company for alternatives 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.
Where to live in Ann Arbor
Now that you've decided to make the move to "Tree Town", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Ann Arbor.
Best neighborhoods for singles
Best neighborhoods for families
Things to do in Ann Arbor
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Des Moines to Ann Arbor?
The best time to move from Des Moines to Ann Arbor 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 Ann Arbor?
Because most people are moving from Des Moines to Ann Arbor 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 Ann Arbor take?
The 557-mile move from Des Moines, IA, to Ann Arbor, MI, 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 Ann Arbor.
