($1,188) Moving from Des Moines to Salt Lake City

Quick answer: A move from Des Moines to Salt Lake City costs $746 to $6,469 and takes two-eight 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 1,064-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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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.8 / 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 Salt Lake City to Des Moines guide.

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The best Des Moines to Salt Lake City moving companies

Hiring an interstate moving company to go from Des Moines to Salt Lake 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 Salt Lake 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
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Family owned
  • East coast focus
  • Affordable pricing
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
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 Salt Lake 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 $1,188 - $4,871 $890 - $2,088 $670 - $1,325
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,659 - $6,469 $1,518 - $3,121 $746 - $1,543
4+ bedrooms $4,179 - $8,798 $2,029 - $4,032 $956 - $1,860
*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 1,064 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 Salt Lake 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 Salt Lake City can be as low as $1,188 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $6,911.
  • 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 $670 to $1,842. 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 Salt Lake City?

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Des Moines to Salt Lake City will cost between $1,188 to $4,871. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $2,659 to $6,469, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from Des Moines to Salt Lake City will cost from $4,179 to $8,798.

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

Moving containers from Des Moines to Salt Lake City will cost you $890 to $2,088 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,518 to $3,121. A larger home will cost $2,029 to $4,032.

How much is a moving truck from Des Moines to Salt Lake 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 $670 to $1,325. A larger move will cost $746 to $1,543, and a four-bedroom move from Des Moines to Salt Lake City costs from $956 to $1,860. These estimates include the anticipated fuel cost.

Pros and cons of moving from Des Moines to Salt Lake City

Cost of living: Des Moines vs Salt Lake City

Des Moines Salt Lake City
Average rent cost $1,150 $1,485
Average home value $192,347 $534,694
Average income (per capita) $58,492 $61,711
Cost of Living (single person) $1,891 $2,236
Cost of Living (family of 4) $4,380 $5,112
Unemployment rate 5.9% 3.0%
Sales Tax 7.0% 7.75%
State Income Tax 4.4% 4.95%
  • Rent prices in Salt Lake City are 29% higher than in Des Moines.
  • Home prices in Salt Lake City are 178.0% higher than in Des Moines.
  • Income in Salt Lake City is 5.5% higher than in Des Moines.
  • The cost of living for a single person in Salt Lake City is 18.2% higher than in Des Moines.
  • The cost of living for a family in Salt Lake City is 16.7% higher than in Des Moines.
  • The unemployment rate in Salt Lake City is 49.15% lower than in Des Moines.
  • Sales taxes in Salt Lake City are 10.71% higher than in Des Moines.
  • State income taxes in Salt Lake City are 12.50% higher than in Des Moines.

To put this into perspective, you would need around $3,547.33 in Salt Lake 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 Salt Lake City?

Salt Lake City Des Moines
Population 200,133 699,292
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 8 5
Walkability score 59 45
Bike friendliness score 74 39
Crime Index 80.22 5.0
Safety Index 66.21 57.8
Air Quality Good Good
  • Salt Lake City's population is about 71% less than Des Moines.
  • Salt Lake City's public transportation has a score of 8 out of 10 versus Des Moines's higher score of 5.
  • Salt Lake City is more walkable than Des Moines with a score of 59 out of 100 vs Des Moines's 45 out of 100.
  • Salt Lake City is more bike-friendly than Des Moines with a score of 74 out of 100 vs Des Moines's 39.
  • Salt Lake City's crime rate is higher than Des Moines with a score of 80.22 compared to Des Moines's 5.0. This means that Salt Lake City neighborhoods are safer than 80.22% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Des Moines neighborhoods are safer than 5.0%.
  • Salt Lake City is considered to be safer than Des Moines with a safety index of 66.21 vs Des Moines's 57.8.
  • Air quality in Salt Lake City is good, and in Des Moines it's good.

Considerations for moving to Salt Lake City

  • Weather: June, September and May are the most pleasant months in Salt Lake City, while January and December are the least comfortable 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: Although a local license is not required in Utah, 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 Utah moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
  • Moving permits: Utah 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 Salt Lake City. Get started here.
  • Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. In Utah, movers commonly offer Released Value Protection at no extra cost, providing coverage at 60 cents per pound. To increase protection, consider discussing Full Value Protection options with the moving company.
  • 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 Salt Lake City

Now that you've decided to make the move to "Crossroads of the West", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Salt Lake City.

Best neighborhoods for singles:

  • Capitol Hill
  • Central City
  • East Bench
  • Greater Avenues
  • Sugar House
  • Wasatch Hollow
  • Yalecrest

Best neighborhoods for families:

  • East Bench
  • Greater Avenues
  • Liberty Wells
  • Sugar House
  • Yalecrest

What to do in Salt Lake City

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

  • Salt Lake City Guided Bus Tour
  • Tabernacle Choir Performance + Salt Lake City Bus Tour
  • 45 Minute Great Salt Lake Boat Tour
  • Trolley Adventure: A Show-Tour of Salt Lake City
  • Salt Lake Temple

Get your sports on!

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

  • Salt Lake Bees (Pacific Coast League)
  • Utah Jazz (NBA)
  • Utah Utes (Pac-12)
  • Westminster Griffins (RMAC)

FAQ

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

The best time to move from Des Moines to Salt Lake 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 Salt Lake City?

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

The 1,064-mile move from Des Moines, IA, to Salt Lake City, UT, takes two-eight 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 Salt Lake City.

Helpful moving resources