($1,172) Moving from Des Moines to New York City

Quick answer: A move from Des Moines to New York City costs $791 to $6,115 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 1,107-mile move yourself.

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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
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  • Family owned
  • East coast focus
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 5
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.8 / 5
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  • Unlimited storage
  • 3 container sizes
  • 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 New York City to Des Moines guide.

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The best Des Moines to New York City moving companies

Hiring an interstate moving company to go from Des Moines to New York City 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 New York City.

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
Licensedcheckmark
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 New York City?

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 $1,172 - $4,841 $849 - $1,989 $689 - $1,365
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,553 - $6,115 $1,521 - $3,039 $791 - $1,638
4+ bedrooms $4,393 - $8,638 $2,180 - $3,931 $946 - $1,975
*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 1,107 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 New York City

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 New York City can be as low as $1,172 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $7,048.
  • 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 $689 to $1,807. 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 New York City?

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Des Moines to New York City will cost between $1,172 to $4,841. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $2,553 to $6,115, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from Des Moines to New York City will cost from $4,393 to $8,638.

How much are moving container companies from Des Moines to New York City?

Moving containers from Des Moines to New York City will cost you $849 to $1,989 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,521 to $3,039. A larger home will cost $2,180 to $3,931.

How much is a moving truck from Des Moines to New York City?

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 $689 to $1,365. A larger move will cost $791 to $1,638, and a four-bedroom move from Des Moines to New York City costs from $946 to $1,975. These estimates include the anticipated fuel cost.

Pros and cons of moving from Des Moines to New York City

Cost of living: Des Moines vs New York City

Des Moines New York City
Average rent cost $1,150 $4,000
Average home value $192,347 $729,936
Average income (per capita) $58,492 $75,624
Cost of Living (single person) $1,891 $1,594
Cost of Living (family of 4) $4,380 $5,883
Unemployment rate 5.9% 11.2%
Sales Tax 7.0% 8.0%
State Income Tax 4.4% 10.9%
  • Rent prices in New York City are 248% higher than in Des Moines.
  • Home prices in New York City are 279.5% higher than in Des Moines.
  • Income in New York City is 29.3% higher than in Des Moines.
  • The cost of living for a single person in New York City is 15.7% lower than in Des Moines.
  • The cost of living for a family in New York City is 34.3% higher than in Des Moines.
  • The unemployment rate in New York City is 89.83% higher than in Des Moines.
  • Sales taxes in New York City are 14.29% higher than in Des Moines.
  • State income taxes in New York City are 147.73% higher than in Des Moines.

To put this into perspective, you would need around $2,528.82 in New York City 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 New York City?

New York City Des Moines
Population 8,804,190 699,292
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 10 5
Walkability score 88 45
Bike friendliness score 69 39
Crime Index 49.94 5.0
Safety Index 50.06 57.8
Air Quality Good Good
  • New York City's population is about 1,159% greater than Des Moines.
  • New York City's public transportation has a score of 10 out of 10 versus Des Moines's higher score of 5.
  • New York City is more walkable than Des Moines with a score of 88 out of 100 vs Des Moines's 45 out of 100.
  • New York City is more bike-friendly than Des Moines with a score of 69 out of 100 vs Des Moines's 39.
  • New York City's crime rate is higher than Des Moines with a score of 49.94 compared to Des Moines's 5.0. This means that New York City neighborhoods are safer than 49.94% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Des Moines neighborhoods are safer than 5.0%.
  • New York City is considered to be less safe than Des Moines with a score of 50.06 vs Des Moines's 57.8.
  • Air quality in New York City is good, and in Des Moines it's good.

Considerations for moving to New York City

  • Weather: New York City tends to have chilly and damp winters and rather hot summers. New York City tends to have warm and humid summers with mixes of rain, and very cold, snowy, and windy winters. The city is generally cloudy year-round. Temperatures typically vary from 26°F to 87°F. Temps are rarely below 10°F or above 95°F.
  • 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: New York requires moving companies to have a license and obtain a New York Department of Transportation (NYDOT) number. A NYDOT license ensures your mover is in compliance with the state's safety, insurance, and operational regulations. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a New York moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
  • Moving permits: New York 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 New York City. 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. They're responsible for a maximum of 60 cents per pound per article. For comprehensive coverage, discuss alternatives with your 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 New York City

Now that you've decided to make the move to "Big Apple", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in New York City.

Best neighborhoods for singles:

  • Astoria, Queens
  • Lower East Side, Manhattan
  • Murray Hill, Manhattan
  • Upper East Side, Manhattan
  • Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Best neighborhoods for families:

  • Battery Park City, Manhattan
  • Forest Hills, Queens
  • Great Kills, Staten Island
  • Park Slope, Brooklyn
  • Riverdale, Bronx

What to do in New York City

These are some of the best things to do in your new New York home.

  • Central Park
  • Empire State Building
  • Statue of Liberty and Battery Park
  • Times Square
  • Broadway
  • Fifth Avenue
  • Rockefeller Center
  • Grand Central Terminal
  • The Metropolitan Museum of Art
  • National September 11 Memorial & Museum

Get your sports on!

New York City is a great sports town, these are the local teams to support:

  • Brooklyn Nets (NBA)
  • Long Island Nets (NBA G League)
  • New York City FC (MLS)
  • New York Giants (NFL)
  • New York Islanders (NHL)
  • New York Jets (NFL)
  • New York Knicks (NBA)
  • New York Liberty (WNBA)
  • New York Mets (MLB)
  • New York Rangers (NHL)
  • New York Red Bulls (MLS)
  • New York Yankees (MLB)

FAQ

When is the best time to move from Des Moines to New York City?

The best time to move from Des Moines to New York City 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 New York City?

Because most people are moving from Des Moines to New York City 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 New York City take?

The 1,107-mile move from Des Moines, IA, to New York City, NY, 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 New York City.

Helpful moving resources