($1,252) Moving from Des Moines to Chapel Hill

Quick answer: A move from Des Moines to Chapel Hill costs $752 to $6,632 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 1,076-mile move yourself.

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  • Unlimited storage
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  • 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 Chapel Hill to Des Moines guide.

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The best Des Moines to Chapel Hill moving companies

Hiring an interstate moving company to go from Des Moines to Chapel Hill 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 Chapel Hill.

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
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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 Chapel Hill?

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 $1,252 - $5,224 $916 - $2,065 $696 - $1,336
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,681 - $6,632 $1,643 - $3,249 $752 - $1,605
4+ bedrooms $4,635 - $8,375 $2,028 - $4,327 $1,003 - $1,973
*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 1,076 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 Chapel Hill

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 Chapel Hill can be as low as $1,252 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $7,002.
  • 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 $696 to $1,878. 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 Chapel Hill?

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Des Moines to Chapel Hill will cost between $1,252 to $5,224. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $2,681 to $6,632, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from Des Moines to Chapel Hill will cost from $4,635 to $8,375.

How much are moving container companies from Des Moines to Chapel Hill?

Moving containers from Des Moines to Chapel Hill will cost you $916 to $2,065 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,643 to $3,249. A larger home will cost $2,028 to $4,327.

How much is a moving truck from Des Moines to Chapel Hill?

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 $696 to $1,336. A larger move will cost $752 to $1,605, and a four-bedroom move from Des Moines to Chapel Hill costs from $1,003 to $1,973. These estimates include the anticipated fuel cost.

Pros and cons of moving from Des Moines to Chapel Hill

Cost of living: Des Moines vs Chapel Hill

Des Moines Chapel Hill
Average rent cost $1,150 $1,950
Average home value $192,347 $592,460
Average income (per capita) $58,492 $65,621
Cost of Living (single person) $1,891 $2,248
Cost of Living (family of 4) $4,380 $4,790
Unemployment rate 5.9% 3.2%
Sales Tax 7.0% 7.5%
State Income Tax 4.4% 9.9%
  • Rent prices in Chapel Hill are 70% higher than in Des Moines.
  • Home prices in Chapel Hill are 208.0% higher than in Des Moines.
  • Income in Chapel Hill is 12.2% higher than in Des Moines.
  • The cost of living for a single person in Chapel Hill is 18.9% higher than in Des Moines.
  • The cost of living for a family in Chapel Hill is 9.4% higher than in Des Moines.
  • The unemployment rate in Chapel Hill is 45.76% lower than in Des Moines.
  • Sales taxes in Chapel Hill are 7.14% higher than in Des Moines.
  • State income taxes in Chapel Hill are 125.00% higher than in Des Moines.

To put this into perspective, you would need around $3,566.37 in Chapel Hill 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 Chapel Hill?

Chapel Hill Des Moines
Population 61,960 699,292
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 6 5
Walkability score 34 45
Bike friendliness score 50 39
Crime Index 25.0 5.0
Safety Index 75.14 57.8
Air Quality Moderate Good
  • Chapel Hill's population is about 91% less than Des Moines.
  • Chapel Hill's public transportation has a score of 6 out of 10 versus Des Moines's higher score of 5.
  • Chapel Hill is less walkable than Des Moines with a score of 34 out of 100 vs Des Moines's 45 out of 100.
  • Chapel Hill is more bike-friendly than Des Moines with a score of 50 out of 100 vs Des Moines's 39.
  • Chapel Hill's crime rate is higher than Des Moines with a score of 25.0 compared to Des Moines's 5.0. This means that Chapel Hill neighborhoods are safer than 25.0% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Des Moines neighborhoods are safer than 5.0%.
  • Chapel Hill is considered to be safer than Des Moines with a safety index of 75.14 vs Des Moines's 57.8.
  • Air quality in Chapel Hill is moderate, and in Des Moines it's good.

Considerations for moving to Chapel Hill

  • Weather: May, September and October are the most pleasant months for moving as these are the driest month in Chapel Hill in a yearl, while January and July are the months you need to watch out as there might be some weather-related delays.
  • 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: For-profit household goods carriers in the state fall under the jurisdiction of the North Carolina Utilities Commission, Transportation Division. All legitimate movers should have a “C Number” issued by the commission, signifying that they’ve met minimum insurance requirements and adhere to the provisions outlined in the state’s Maximum Rate Tariff (MRT). Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a North Carolina moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
  • Moving permits: North Carolina 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 Chapel Hill. Get started here.
  • Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. Choose Released Value Protection for no-cost, minimal coverage from movers, with responsibility limited to 60 cents per pound per article. For comprehensive coverage, explore alternatives 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
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 Chapel Hill

Now that you've decided to make the move to "Southern Part of Heaven", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Chapel Hill.

Best neighborhoods for families:

  • Meadowmont
  • The Oaks
  • Winmore
  • The Preserve at Jordan Lake
  • Southern Village
  • Briar Chapel
  • Dunhill
  • Governor's Club
  • Westfall
  • Claremont/Claremont South

What to do in Chapel Hill

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

  • The Carolina Basketball Museum
  • North Carolina Botanical Garden
  • Downtown Chapel Hill
  • Dean E. Smith Center
  • Ackland Art Museum
  • Morehead Planetarium and Science Center
  • Gimghoul Castle
  • Top of the Hill Distillery (TOPO)
  • 1870 Farm
  • Forest Theater
  • Chapel Hill Public Library
  • PlayMakers Repertory Company
  • Carolina Performing Arts
  • The Chapel of the Cross

Get your sports on!

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

FAQ

When is the best time to move from Des Moines to Chapel Hill?

The best time to move from Des Moines to Chapel Hill 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 Chapel Hill?

Because most people are moving from Des Moines to Chapel Hill 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 Chapel Hill take?

The 1,076-mile move from Des Moines, IA, to Chapel Hill, NC, 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 Chapel Hill.

Helpful moving resources