($1,339) Movers From Des Moines, IA to Memphis, TN

Quick answer: A move from Des Moines to Memphis costs $561–$5,898 and takes one to 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 617-mile move yourself.

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Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Memphis to Des Moines guide.

The best Des Moines to Memphis full-service moving companies

Choosing a long-distance moving company in Des Moines to go to Memphis can be overwhelming. With so many options, it’s hard to know which movers to trust… and which ones to avoid.

Don't worry — you won't have to sort through all of them. We've done the research for you and narrowed down the list based on customer satisfaction, cost, and services.

Here are the best long-distance moving companies serving Des Moines to Memphis.

Best Overall Value
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.85 / 5
(855) 650-0657
At A Glance
  • GPS tracking en route
  • Veteran-owned
  • Dedicated move coordinator
  • Flat-rate pricing
  • Donates a portion of moves to charity
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(855) 650-0657
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
(980) 217-6841
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  • Family-owned, with locations covering the East Coast
  • Full refund if you cancel within 7 days of your move
  • Hands-on customer service
  • 24/7 support
  • Price-matching policy
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(980) 217-6841
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(866) 825-0554
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  • Experienced & fully trained moving crews
  • Specializes in moving art & antiques
  • Competitive pricing
  • Can handle last-minute moves
  • Climate-controlled storage
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(855) 929-4120
At A Glance
  • 10% discount for veterans and seniors
  • Very competitive rates due to their national coverage
  • Services local, long-distance, and international moves
  • Can service most domestic moves within 48 hours
  • 24/7 customer service
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(855) 929-4120
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(844) 950-2963
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  • Custom crates for electronics & art
  • Satellite shipment tracking
  • 1,500 local agents covering all 50 states
  • Self-packing option
  • No deposit required
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(844) 950-2963

How much are professional moving companies when moving from Des Moines to Memphis?toggle

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Des Moines to Memphis will cost between $1,339 to $4,071. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $2,397 to $5,898, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from Des Moines to Memphis will cost from $4,520 to $9,374.

The best moving containers for your Des Moines to Memphis move

Moving containers can be a cost-effective option for moving from Des Moines to Memphis. You’ll save a little money by opting to pack and load everything yourself, but the container company will take care of the transportation for you.

We recommend these moving container companies:

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  • Affordable pricing
  • Offers car shipping
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How much are moving container companies from Des Moines to Memphis?toggle

Moving containers from Des Moines to Memphis will cost you $837 to $2,002 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,381 to $2,882. A larger home will cost $1,862 to $3,725.

The best moving truck rentals for your Des Moines to Memphis move

If you want to save even more money on your Des Moines to Memphis move, renting a moving truck is your cheapest option. Keep in mind that you’ll be handling all the work — packing, loading, and driving. But that extra work will pay off in terms of keeping costs low.

These top moving truck rentals are a great place to start:

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  • Affordable pricing
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  • Several discounts
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  • 4 truck sizes
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How much is a moving truck from Des Moines to Memphis?toggle

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 $503 to $999. A larger move will cost $561 to $1,151, and a four-bedroom move from Des Moines to Memphis costs from $707 to $1,446. These estimates include the anticipated fuel cost.

The best labor-only movers for your Des Moines to Memphis move

If you need some extra hands to help you with your move, you’ll want to hire labor-only movers with reasonable hourly rates and professional crews. Labor-only companies that offer add-on options like packing and cleaning allow you to more fully tailor services to your needs and budget.

Consider these highly rated labor-only movers to help you move from Des Moines to Memphis:

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How much does it cost to move from Des Moines to Memphis?

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 $1,339 - $4,071 $837 - $2,002 $503 - $999
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,397 - $5,898 $1,381 - $2,882 $561 - $1,151
4+ bedrooms $4,520 - $9,374 $1,862 - $3,725 $707 - $1,446
*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 617 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 Memphistoggle

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 Memphis can be as low as $1,339 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $7,865.
  • 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 $1,238. However, these options require more work and effort compared to hiring professional movers.

What to know before moving from Des Moines to Memphis

Des Moines Memphis
Average rent cost $1,150 $1,299
Average home value $192,347 $143,715
Average income (per capita) $58,492 $48,090
Cost of living (single person) $1,891 $1,842
Cost of living (family of 4) $4,380 $4,402
Unemployment rate 5.9% 8.0%
Sales tax 7.0% 9.75%
State income tax 4.4% 0.0%
  • Rent prices in Memphis are 13% higher than in Des Moines.
  • Home prices in Memphis are 25.3% lower than in Des Moines.
  • Income in Memphis is 17.8% lower than in Des Moines.
  • The cost of living for a single person in Memphis is 2.6% lower than in Des Moines.
  • The cost of living for a family is the same in Memphis and Des Moines.
  • The unemployment rate in Memphis is 35.59% higher than in Des Moines.
  • Sales taxes in Memphis are 39.29% higher than in Des Moines.
  • State income taxes in Memphis are 100.00% lower than in Des Moines.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,922.26 in Memphis 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. Memphis

Memphis Des Moines
Population 633,104 699,292
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 4 5
Walkability score 35 45
Bike friendliness score 41 39
Crime Index 77.49 5.0
Safety Index 22.51 57.8
Air Quality Good Good
  • Memphis's population is about 9% less than Des Moines.
  • Memphis's public transportation has a score of 4 out of 10 versus Des Moines's lower score of 5.
  • Memphis is less walkable than Des Moines with a score of 35 out of 100 vs Des Moines's 45 out of 100.
  • Memphis is more bike-friendly than Des Moines with a score of 41 out of 100 vs Des Moines's 39.
  • Memphis's crime rate is higher than Des Moines with a score of 77.49 compared to Des Moines's 5.0. This means that Memphis neighborhoods are safer than 77.49% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Des Moines neighborhoods are safer than 5.0%.
  • Memphis is considered to be less safe than Des Moines with a score of 22.51 vs Des Moines's 57.8.
  • Air quality in Memphis is good, and in Des Moines it's good.

Other things to consider for your Des Moines vs. Memphis move

  • Weather: Winter weather comes alternately from the upper Great Plains and the Gulf of Mexico, which can lead to drastic swings in temperature. Summer weather may come from Texas (very hot and humid) or the Gulf (hot and very humid). Severe thunderstorms can occur at any time of the year though mainly during the spring months. Large hail, strong winds, flooding and frequent lightning can accompany these storms. 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: 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 Memphis. 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.

Where to live in Memphis

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

Best neighborhoods for singlestoggle

  • Binghampton
  • Cooper-Young
  • Crosstown
  • Downtown
  • Midtown

Best neighborhoods for familiestoggle

  • Bartlett
  • Cordova
  • East Memphis
  • Germantown
  • River Oaks-Kirby-Balmoral

Things to do in Memphistoggle

After settling into your new Tennessee home, you’ll want to branch out and explore your new city. Luckily, Memphis has lots to offer, no matter what you’re interested in:

  • Arts and culture: Memphis is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the Graceland, National Civil Rights Museum - Lorraine Motel, Stax Museum of American Soul Music, Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum, and Slave Haven / Burkle Estate Museum.
  • Outdoor recreation: The city’s Shelby Farms Park, Mud Island River Park, Tom Lee Park, and Levitt Shell — among other sites — are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.
  • Sports: Catch a live game and cheer on the home team at an Memphis Grizzlies (NBA) and Memphis Hustle (NBA G League) game.

FAQ

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

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

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

The 617-mile move from Des Moines, IA, to Memphis, TN, 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 Memphis.

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