Factors influencing moving costs from Des Moines to Oklahoma Citytoggle

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 Oklahoma City can be as low as $1,374 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $8,505.
  • 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 $503 to $1,265. However, these options require more work and effort compared to hiring professional movers.

What to know before moving from Des Moines to Oklahoma City

Des Moines Oklahoma City
Average rent cost $1,150 $1,249
Average home value $192,347 $195,949
Average income (per capita) $58,492 $64,251
Cost of living (single person) $1,891 $1,140
Cost of living (family of 4) $4,380 $4,011
Unemployment rate 5.9% 4.4%
Sales tax 7.0% 8.63%
State income tax 4.4% 4.75%
source: Zumper, Zillow, Numbeo
  • Rent prices in Oklahoma City are 9% higher than in Des Moines.
  • Home prices in Oklahoma City are 1.9% higher than in Des Moines.
  • Income in Oklahoma City is 9.8% higher than in Des Moines.
  • The cost of living for a single person in Oklahoma City is 39.7% lower than in Des Moines.
  • The cost of living for a family in Oklahoma City is 8.4% lower than in Des Moines.
  • The unemployment rate in Oklahoma City is 25.42% lower than in Des Moines.
  • Sales taxes in Oklahoma City are 23.29% higher than in Des Moines.
  • State income taxes in Oklahoma City are 7.95% higher than in Des Moines.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $1,808.57 in Oklahoma City 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. Oklahoma City

Oklahoma City Des Moines
Population 681,054 699,292
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 3 5
Walkability score 73 45
Bike friendliness score 74 39
Crime Index 49.37 5.0
Safety Index 50.63 57.8
Air Quality Good Good
source: Wikipedia, AllTransit, Walk Score, NeighborhoodScout, AirNow
  • Oklahoma City's population is about 3% less than Des Moines.
  • Oklahoma City's public transportation has a score of 3 out of 10 versus Des Moines's lower score of 5.
  • Oklahoma City is more walkable than Des Moines with a score of 73 out of 100 vs Des Moines's 45 out of 100.
  • With a score of 74 out of 100, Oklahoma City is more bike-friendly than Des Moines, which has a score of 39 out of 100. The higher a city's score, the more suited they are to safely accommodating cyclists.
  • Oklahoma City's crime rate is higher than Des Moines with a score of 49.37 compared to Des Moines's 5.0. This means that Oklahoma City neighborhoods are safer than 49.37% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Des Moines neighborhoods are safer than 5.0%.
  • Oklahoma City is considered to be less safe than Des Moines with a score of 50.63 vs Des Moines's 57.8.
  • Air quality in Oklahoma City is good, and in Des Moines it's good.

Other things to consider for your Des Moines vs. Oklahoma City move

  • Weather: Oklahoma City has very hot, humid summers, and cool winters with occasional snowfall. Prolonged and severe droughts (sometimes leading to wildfires in the vicinity), as well as very heavy rainfall leading to flash flooding and flooding, occur with some regularity. Oklahoma City is also located in tornado alley. Be sure to check your weather app to avoid inclement weather during your move.
  • 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: In Oklahoma, in-state household goods movers are certified and licensed by the Oklahoma Corporation Commission (OCC). Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Oklahoma moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
  • Moving permits: Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma City. Get started here.
  • Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. Opting for Released Value Protection is the most cost-effective choice since it comes at no extra expense. Movers provide this option without additional charges, but the coverage it offers is minimal. With Released Value Protection, the mover's liability is limited to 60 cents per pound per article. For example, if your mover were to lose or damage a set of fine china weighing 15 pounds, you would only be compensated $9 (60 cents x 15 pounds). If you require coverage for the full value of your items, it is advisable to discuss alternative options with the moving company 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 Oklahoma City

Now that you've decided to make the move to "OKC", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Oklahoma City.

Best neighborhoods for singlestoggle

  • Downtown
  • Bricktown
  • Automobile Alley
  • Deep Deuce
  • The Arts District

Best neighborhoods for familiestoggle

  • Bethany
  • Crown Heights/Edgemere Heights
  • Edmond
  • Mustang
  • Nichols Hills

Things to do in Oklahoma Citytoggle

After settling into your new Oklahoma home, youโ€™ll want to branch out and explore your new city. Luckily, Oklahoma City has lots to offer, no matter what youโ€™re interested in:

  • Arts and culture: Oklahoma City is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum, National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, Science Museum Oklahoma, SKELETONS: Museum of Osteology, and Oklahoma City Museum of Art.
  • Outdoor recreation: The cityโ€™s Hefner Lake & Park, Wheeler Ferris Wheel, Will Rogers Park, and Martin Park Nature Center โ€” among other sites โ€” are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.
  • Sports: Catch a live game and cheer on the home team at an Oklahoma City Thunder (NBA), Oklahoma City Blue (NBA G League), or Oklahoma City Football Club (Women's Premier Soccer League) game.
source: AttractionsofAmerica

FAQ

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

The best time to move from Des Moines to Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma City?

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

The 545-mile move from Des Moines, IA, to Oklahoma City, OK, 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 Oklahoma City.

Helpful moving resources

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