($1,340) Movers From Des Moines, IA to Austin, TX
Quick answer: A move from Des Moines to Austin costs $801–$6,784 and takes two to 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 929-mile move yourself.

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Our track record
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Austin to Des Moines guide.
The best Des Moines to Austin full-service moving companies
Choosing a long-distance moving company in Des Moines to go to Austin 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 Austin.
- Safeway Moving: 4.85 out of 5 stars
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5 stars
- International Van Lines: 4.45 out of 5 stars
- North American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5 stars
- GPS tracking en route
- Veteran-owned
- Dedicated move coordinator
- Flat-rate pricing
- Donates a portion of moves to charity
- 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
- Experienced & fully trained moving crews
- Specializes in moving art & antiques
- Competitive pricing
- Can handle last-minute moves
- Climate-controlled storage
- 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
- Custom crates for electronics & art
- Satellite shipment tracking
- 1,500 local agents covering all 50 states
- Self-packing option
- No deposit required
How much are professional moving companies when moving from Des Moines to Austin?
The best moving containers for your Des Moines to Austin move
Moving containers can be a cost-effective option for moving from Des Moines to Austin. 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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How much are moving container companies from Des Moines to Austin?
The best moving truck rentals for your Des Moines to Austin move
If you want to save even more money on your Des Moines to Austin 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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How much is a moving truck from Des Moines to Austin?
The best labor-only movers for your Des Moines to Austin 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 Austin:
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How much does it cost to move from Des Moines to Austin?
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 |
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Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,340 - $5,402 | $953 - $2,141 | $735 - $1,391 |
2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,800 - $6,784 | $1,712 - $3,426 | $801 - $1,670 |
4+ bedrooms | $4,884 - $9,054 | $2,172 - $4,366 | $910 - $1,952 |
Factors influencing moving costs from Des Moines to Austin
What to know before moving from Des Moines to Austin
Des Moines | Austin | |
---|---|---|
Average rent cost | $1,150 | $1,765 |
Average home value | $192,347 | $508,841 |
Average income (per capita) | $58,492 | $68,258 |
Cost of living (single person) | $1,891 | $1,107 |
Cost of living (family of 4) | $4,380 | $3,955 |
Unemployment rate | 5.9% | 3.5% |
Sales tax | 7.0% | 8.25% |
State income tax | 4.4% | 0.0% |
- Rent prices in Austin are 54% higher than in Des Moines.
- Home prices in Austin are 164.5% higher than in Des Moines.
- Income in Austin is 16.7% higher than in Des Moines.
- The cost of living for a single person in Austin is 41.5% lower than in Des Moines.
- The cost of living for a family in Austin is 9.7% lower than in Des Moines.
- The unemployment rate in Austin is 40.68% lower than in Des Moines.
- Sales taxes in Austin are 17.86% higher than in Des Moines.
- State income taxes in Austin are 100.00% lower than in Des Moines.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $1,756.21 in Austin 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. Austin
Austin | Des Moines | |
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Population | 974,447 | 699,292 |
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 5 | 5 |
Walkability score | 42 | 45 |
Bike friendliness score | 54 | 39 |
Crime Index | 42.91 | 5.0 |
Safety Index | 59.87 | 57.8 |
Air Quality | Good | Good |
- Austin's population is about 39% greater than Des Moines.
- Austin's public transportation has a similar score to Des Moines.
- Austin is less walkable than Des Moines with a score of 42 out of 100 vs Des Moines's 45 out of 100.
- Austin is more bike-friendly than Des Moines with a score of 54 out of 100 vs Des Moines's 39.
- Austin's crime rate is higher than Des Moines with a score of 42.91 compared to Des Moines's 5.0. This means that Austin neighborhoods are safer than 42.91% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Des Moines neighborhoods are safer than 5.0%.
- Austin is considered to be safer than Des Moines with a safety index of 59.87 vs Des Moines's 57.8.
- Air quality in Austin is good, and in Des Moines it's good.
Other things to consider for your Des Moines vs. Austin move
- Weather: Austin has mild winters and hot summers, the rainiest months are typically May, June, and October so your move may be affected in these months.
- 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-state movers operating in the Lone Star State are legally required to be licensed by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TXDMV), which issues 10-digit TXDMV numbers to commercial carriers. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
- State regulator: You can verify a Texas moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving permits: Texas 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 Austin. Get started here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. In Texas, movers typically provide Released Value Protection at no additional cost, covering items at 60 cents per pound. For enhanced protection, consider discussing Full Value Protection options with the moving company. Alternatively, explore third-party insurance providers for customized plans. It's crucial to understand coverage limits, potential additional costs, and read reviews to make an informed decision about your moving insurance in Texas.
- Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.
Where to live in Austin
Now that you've decided to make the move to "ATX", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Austin.
Best neighborhoods for singles
Best neighborhoods for families
Things to do in Austin
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Des Moines to Austin?
The best time to move from Des Moines to Austin 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 Austin?
Because most people are moving from Des Moines to Austin 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 Austin take?
The 929-mile move from Des Moines, IA, to Austin, TX, takes two to 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 Austin.