($1,152) Moving from Des Moines to Knoxville

Quick answer: A move from Des Moines to Knoxville costs $645 to $5,889 and takes two-seven 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 831-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 Knoxville to Des Moines guide.

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The best Des Moines to Knoxville moving companies

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

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 Knoxville?

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 $1,152 - $4,203 $807 - $1,829 $574 - $1,019
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,304 - $5,889 $1,382 - $2,617 $645 - $1,338
4+ bedrooms $3,982 - $8,136 $1,950 - $3,527 $799 - $1,515
*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 831 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 Knoxville

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 Knoxville can be as low as $1,152 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $6,583.
  • 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 $574 to $1,445. 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 Knoxville?

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Des Moines to Knoxville will cost between $1,152 to $4,203. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $2,304 to $5,889, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from Des Moines to Knoxville will cost from $3,982 to $8,136.

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

Moving containers from Des Moines to Knoxville will cost you $807 to $1,829 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,382 to $2,617. A larger home will cost $1,950 to $3,527.

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

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 $574 to $1,019. A larger move will cost $645 to $1,338, and a four-bedroom move from Des Moines to Knoxville costs from $799 to $1,515. These estimates include the anticipated fuel cost.

Pros and cons of moving from Des Moines to Knoxville

Cost of living: Des Moines vs Knoxville

Des Moines Knoxville
Average rent cost $1,150 $1,767
Average home value $192,347 $339,962
Average income (per capita) $58,492 $59,254
Cost of Living (single person) $1,891 $1,988
Cost of Living (family of 4) $4,380 $4,712
Unemployment rate 5.9% 4.7%
Sales Tax 7.0% 9.25%
State Income Tax 4.4% 0.0%
  • Rent prices in Knoxville are 54% higher than in Des Moines.
  • Home prices in Knoxville are 76.7% higher than in Des Moines.
  • Income in Knoxville is 1.3% higher than in Des Moines.
  • The cost of living for a single person in Knoxville is 5.1% higher than in Des Moines.
  • The cost of living for a family in Knoxville is 7.6% higher than in Des Moines.
  • The unemployment rate in Knoxville is 20.34% lower than in Des Moines.
  • Sales taxes in Knoxville are 32.14% higher than in Des Moines.
  • State income taxes in Knoxville are 100.00% lower than in Des Moines.

To put this into perspective, you would need around $3,153.89 in Knoxville 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 Knoxville?

Knoxville Des Moines
Population 190,740 699,292
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 4 5
Walkability score 31 45
Bike friendliness score 30 39
Crime Index 43.54 5.0
Safety Index 56.46 57.8
Air Quality Good Good
  • Knoxville's population is about 73% less than Des Moines.
  • Knoxville's public transportation has a score of 4 out of 10 versus Des Moines's lower score of 5.
  • Knoxville is less walkable than Des Moines with a score of 31 out of 100 vs Des Moines's 45 out of 100.
  • Knoxville is less bike-friendly than Des Moines with a score of 30 out of 100 vs Des Moines's 39.
  • Knoxville's crime rate is higher than Des Moines with a score of 43.54 compared to Des Moines's 5.0. This means that Knoxville neighborhoods are safer than 43.54% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Des Moines neighborhoods are safer than 5.0%.
  • Knoxville is considered to be less safe than Des Moines with a score of 56.46 vs Des Moines's 57.8.
  • Air quality in Knoxville is good, and in Des Moines it's good.

Considerations for moving to Knoxville

  • Weather: Best months to move into Knoxville are September, May and October as weather during are considered pleasant. Winters are generally much cooler and less stable, with occasional small amounts of snow.
  • 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: Although a local license is not required in Tennessee, make sure the moving company you’ll be hiring is registered with U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). To verify if you’re dealing with a legal and licensed mover, you may ask them their USDOT registration number. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Tennessee moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
  • Moving permits: Tennessee 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 Knoxville. Get started here.
  • Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. When it comes to movers' insurance in Tennessee, most moving companies offer Released Value Protection at no extra charge. This basic coverage extends to 60 cents per pound per item. For increased protection, consider discussing Full Value Protection options with the moving company. Additionally, exploring third-party insurance providers is a viable choice for tailored plans. Prioritize understanding coverage limits, potential extra costs, and read reviews to make an informed decision about your moving insurance in Tennessee.
  • 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 Knoxville

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

Best neighborhoods for singles:

  • Farragut
  • Oak Ridge
  • Alcoa
  • Maryville
  • Seymour
  • Lenoir City
  • Louisville
  • Eagleton Village
  • Loudon

Best neighborhoods for families:

  • Farragut
  • Oak Ridge
  • Maryville
  • Alcoa
  • Louisville
  • Loudon
  • Clinton

What to do in Knoxville

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

  • Sunsphere
  • Zoo Knoxville
  • Navitat Knoxville
  • Women's Basketball Hall of Fame
  • Historic Homes of Knoxville
  • Star of Knoxville Riverboat
  • Three Rivers Rambler
  • Maple Hall
  • Volunteer Princess

Get your sports on!

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

  • Tennessee Volunteers (SEC)

FAQ

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

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

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

The 831-mile move from Des Moines, IA, to Knoxville, TN, takes two-seven 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 Knoxville.

Helpful moving resources