($1,203) Moving from Des Moines to Durham

Quick answer: A move from Des Moines to Durham costs $783 to $6,568 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 1,088-mile move yourself.

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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 Durham to Des Moines guide.

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The best Des Moines to Durham moving companies

Hiring an interstate moving company to go from Des Moines to Durham 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 Durham.

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  • Best overall value
  • Portion to charity
  • Veteran owned
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
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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 Durham?

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 $1,203 - $4,973 $908 - $2,194 $703 - $1,391
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,628 - $6,568 $1,564 - $3,091 $783 - $1,605
4+ bedrooms $4,590 - $8,206 $2,134 - $4,161 $1,022 - $1,934
*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 1,088 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 Durham

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 Durham can be as low as $1,203 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $6,929.
  • 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 $703 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 Durham?

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Des Moines to Durham will cost between $1,203 to $4,973. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $2,628 to $6,568, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from Des Moines to Durham will cost from $4,590 to $8,206.

How much are moving container companies from Des Moines to Durham?

Moving containers from Des Moines to Durham will cost you $908 to $2,194 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,564 to $3,091. A larger home will cost $2,134 to $4,161.

How much is a moving truck from Des Moines to Durham?

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 $703 to $1,391. A larger move will cost $783 to $1,605, and a four-bedroom move from Des Moines to Durham costs from $1,022 to $1,934. These estimates include the anticipated fuel cost.

Pros and cons of moving from Des Moines to Durham

Cost of living: Des Moines vs Durham

Des Moines Durham
Average rent cost $1,150 $1,794
Average home value $192,347 $391,719
Average income (per capita) $58,492 $65,621
Cost of Living (single person) $1,891 $928
Cost of Living (family of 4) $4,380 $3,372
Unemployment rate 5.9% 4.1%
Sales Tax 7.0% 7.5%
State Income Tax 4.4% 9.9%
  • Rent prices in Durham are 56% higher than in Des Moines.
  • Home prices in Durham are 103.7% higher than in Des Moines.
  • Income in Durham is 12.2% higher than in Des Moines.
  • The cost of living for a single person in Durham is 50.9% lower than in Des Moines.
  • The cost of living for a family in Durham is 23.0% lower than in Des Moines.
  • The unemployment rate in Durham is 30.51% lower than in Des Moines.
  • Sales taxes in Durham are 7.14% higher than in Des Moines.
  • State income taxes in Durham are 125.00% higher than in Des Moines.

To put this into perspective, you would need around $1,472.24 in Durham 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 Durham?

Durham Des Moines
Population 283,506 699,292
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 4 5
Walkability score 30 45
Bike friendliness score 38 39
Crime Index 47.6 5.0
Safety Index 45.44 57.8
Air Quality Good Good
  • Durham's population is about 59% less than Des Moines.
  • Durham's public transportation has a score of 4 out of 10 versus Des Moines's lower score of 5.
  • Durham is less walkable than Des Moines with a score of 30 out of 100 vs Des Moines's 45 out of 100.
  • Durham is less bike-friendly than Des Moines with a score of 38 out of 100 vs Des Moines's 39.
  • Durham's crime rate is higher than Des Moines with a score of 47.6 compared to Des Moines's 5.0. This means that Durham neighborhoods are safer than 47.6% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Des Moines neighborhoods are safer than 5.0%.
  • Durham is considered to be less safe than Des Moines with a score of 45.44 vs Des Moines's 57.8.
  • Air quality in Durham is good, and in Des Moines it's good.

Considerations for moving to Durham

  • Weather: The climate in Durham is unlikely to affect your move. However, some days in the winter, the roads may become icy which causes traffic issues.
  • 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 Durham. 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 Durham

Now that you've decided to make the move to "City of The Viper", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Durham.

Best neighborhoods for singles:

  • Golden Belt
  • Warehouse District
  • City Center
  • Research Triangle Park
  • Central Park
  • Chapel Hill
  • Northgate Park

Best neighborhoods for families:

  • Treyburn
  • American Village/Arrowhead
  • Willowhaven
  • Fieldstone by the Eno
  • Hope Valley Farms

What to do in Durham

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

  • Sarah P. Duke Gardens
  • Museum of Life + Science
  • Duke University
  • Duke University Chapel
  • Durham Bulls Athletic Park
  • Cameron Indoor Stadium
  • DPAC - Durham Performing Arts Center
  • Duke Lemur Center
  • Eno River State Park
  • American Tobacco Historic District
  • Bennett Place Historic Site
  • Streets at Southpoint
  • Carolina Theatre
  • Duke Homestead
  • Wallace Wade Stadium

Get your sports on!

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

  • Duke University (ACC)
  • Durham Bulls (Triple-A East baseball)

FAQ

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

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

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

The 1,088-mile move from Des Moines, IA, to Durham, 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 Durham.

Helpful moving resources