($1,244) Moving from Des Moines to Raleigh

Quick answer: A move from Des Moines to Raleigh costs $775 to $6,238 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 1,102-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 Raleigh to Des Moines guide.

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The best Des Moines to Raleigh moving companies

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

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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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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 Raleigh?

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 $1,244 - $4,938 $849 - $2,114 $703 - $1,271
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,579 - $6,238 $1,613 - $3,009 $775 - $1,574
4+ bedrooms $4,350 - $8,227 $2,055 - $3,891 $955 - $1,917
*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 1,102 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 Raleigh

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 Raleigh can be as low as $1,244 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $7,404.
  • 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 $1,737. 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 Raleigh?

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Des Moines to Raleigh will cost between $1,244 to $4,938. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $2,579 to $6,238, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from Des Moines to Raleigh will cost from $4,350 to $8,227.

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

Moving containers from Des Moines to Raleigh will cost you $849 to $2,114 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,613 to $3,009. A larger home will cost $2,055 to $3,891.

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

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 $1,271. A larger move will cost $775 to $1,574, and a four-bedroom move from Des Moines to Raleigh costs from $955 to $1,917. These estimates include the anticipated fuel cost.

Pros and cons of moving from Des Moines to Raleigh

Cost of living: Des Moines vs Raleigh

Des Moines Raleigh
Average rent cost $1,150 $1,695
Average home value $192,347 $429,266
Average income (per capita) $58,492 $63,654
Cost of Living (single person) $1,891 $2,606
Cost of Living (family of 4) $4,380 $6,274
Unemployment rate 5.9% 4.3%
Sales Tax 7.0% 7.25%
State Income Tax 4.4% 4.5%
  • Rent prices in Raleigh are 47% higher than in Des Moines.
  • Home prices in Raleigh are 123.2% higher than in Des Moines.
  • Income in Raleigh is 8.8% higher than in Des Moines.
  • The cost of living for a single person in Raleigh is 37.8% higher than in Des Moines.
  • The cost of living for a family in Raleigh is 43.2% higher than in Des Moines.
  • The unemployment rate in Raleigh is 27.12% lower than in Des Moines.
  • Sales taxes in Raleigh are 3.57% higher than in Des Moines.
  • State income taxes in Raleigh are 2.27% higher than in Des Moines.

To put this into perspective, you would need around $4,134.32 in Raleigh 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 Raleigh?

Raleigh Des Moines
Population 467,665 699,292
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 4 5
Walkability score 31 45
Bike friendliness score 39 39
Crime Index 27.14 5.0
Safety Index 61.79 57.8
Air Quality Moderate Good
  • Raleigh's population is about 33% less than Des Moines.
  • Raleigh's public transportation has a score of 4 out of 10 versus Des Moines's lower score of 5.
  • Raleigh is less walkable than Des Moines with a score of 31 out of 100 vs Des Moines's 45 out of 100.
  • Raleigh and Des Moines are similarily bike-friendly.
  • Raleigh's crime rate is higher than Des Moines with a score of 27.14 compared to Des Moines's 5.0. This means that Raleigh neighborhoods are safer than 27.14% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Des Moines neighborhoods are safer than 5.0%.
  • Raleigh is considered to be safer than Des Moines with a safety index of 61.79 vs Des Moines's 57.8.
  • Air quality in Raleigh is moderate, and in Des Moines it's good.

Considerations for moving to Raleigh

  • Weather: The climate in Raleigh 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 Raleigh. 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
4.38 overall rating
4701 NW Urbandale Dr., Des Moines, IA, 50322
(319) 519-0154
All Mighty Movers LLC Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.38 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 Raleigh

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

Best neighborhoods for singles:

  • Central Raleigh
  • Five Points
  • North Raleigh
  • Northwest Raleigh
  • West Raleigh

Best neighborhoods for families:

  • Oakwood
  • Cameron Village
  • Boylan Heights
  • Hayes Barton
  • North Hills
  • Mordecai
  • South Park
  • Brier Creek
  • Stonehenge
  • Six Forks

What to do in Raleigh

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

  • North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
  • North Carolina Museum of Art
  • Pullen Park
  • Marbles Kids Museum
  • North Carolina Museum of History
  • Umstead State Park
  • Historic Yates Mill County Park
  • JC Raulston Arboretum at NC State University
  • State Farmers Market
  • Neuse River Trail
  • PNC Arena
  • Frankie's Fun Park
  • Lake Johnson Park
  • North Carolina State University
  • Mordecai Historic Park

Get your sports on!

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

  • Carolina Hurricanes (NHL)
  • North Carolina FC (USL)
  • North Carolina Courage (NWSL)
  • Carolina Mudcats (MiLB)

FAQ

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

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

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

The 1,102-mile move from Des Moines, IA, to Raleigh, 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 Raleigh.

Helpful moving resources