($1,256) Moving from Des Moines to Oklahoma City

Quick answer: A move from Des Moines to Oklahoma City costs $486 to $5,510 and takes one-six 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 544-mile move yourself.

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  • East coast focus
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 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 Oklahoma City to Des Moines guide.

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The best Des Moines to Oklahoma City moving companies

Hiring an interstate moving company to go from Des Moines to Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma 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
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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 Oklahoma 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 $1,256 - $3,324 $705 - $1,714 $420 - $854
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,145 - $5,510 $1,261 - $2,416 $486 - $1,003
4+ bedrooms $3,800 - $8,574 $1,629 - $3,173 $612 - $1,104
*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 544 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 Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma City can be as low as $1,256 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $7,186.
  • 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 $420 to $1,005. 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 Oklahoma City?

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Des Moines to Oklahoma City will cost between $1,256 to $3,324. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $2,145 to $5,510, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from Des Moines to Oklahoma City will cost from $3,800 to $8,574.

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

Moving containers from Des Moines to Oklahoma City will cost you $705 to $1,714 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,261 to $2,416. A larger home will cost $1,629 to $3,173.

How much is a moving truck from Des Moines to Oklahoma 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 $420 to $854. A larger move will cost $486 to $1,003, and a four-bedroom move from Des Moines to Oklahoma City costs from $612 to $1,104. These estimates include the anticipated fuel cost.

Pros and cons of moving from Des Moines to Oklahoma City

Cost of living: Des Moines vs Oklahoma City

Des Moines Oklahoma City
Average rent cost $1,150 $1,205
Average home value $192,347 $195,635
Average income (per capita) $58,492 $59,679
Cost of Living (single person) $1,891 $1,183
Cost of Living (family of 4) $4,380 $4,037
Unemployment rate 5.9% 4.4%
Sales Tax 7.0% 8.63%
State Income Tax 4.4% 4.75%
  • Rent prices in Oklahoma City are 5% higher than in Des Moines.
  • Home prices in Oklahoma City are 1.7% higher than in Des Moines.
  • Income in Oklahoma City is 2.0% higher than in Des Moines.
  • The cost of living for a single person in Oklahoma City is 37.4% lower than in Des Moines.
  • The cost of living for a family in Oklahoma City is 7.8% 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 into perspective, you would need around $1,876.78 in Oklahoma 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 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 49.3 5.0
Safety Index 50.7 57.8
Air Quality Good Good
  • 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.
  • Oklahoma City is more bike-friendly than Des Moines with a score of 74 out of 100 vs Des Moines's 39.
  • Oklahoma City's crime rate is higher than Des Moines with a score of 49.3 compared to Des Moines's 5.0. This means that Oklahoma City neighborhoods are safer than 49.3% 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 50.7 vs Des Moines's 57.8.
  • Air quality in Oklahoma City is good, and in Des Moines it's good.

Considerations for moving to Oklahoma City

  • 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.

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 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 singles:

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

Best neighborhoods for families:

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

What to do in Oklahoma City

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

  • Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum
  • National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum
  • Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden
  • Museum of Osteology
  • Science Museum Oklahoma
  • Myriad Botanical Gardens
  • Oklahoma City Museum of Art
  • Chesapeake Energy Arena
  • 45th Infantry Division Museum
  • Oklahoma State Capito

Get your sports on!

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

  • Oklahoma City Thunder (NBA)
  • Oklahoma City Blue (NBA G League)
  • Oklahoma City Football Club (Women's Premier Soccer League)

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 544-mile move from Des Moines, IA, to Oklahoma City, OK, takes one-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