($1,352) Moving from Des Moines to Seattle

Quick answer: A move from Des Moines to Seattle costs $1,124 to $7,676 and takes five-sixteen 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 1,755-mile move yourself.

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  • 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 Seattle to Des Moines guide.

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The best Des Moines to Seattle moving companies

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

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  • Best overall value
  • Portion to charity
  • Veteran owned
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
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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 Seattle?

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 $1,352 - $4,918 $1,161 - $2,619 $1,028 - $1,978
2 - 3 bedrooms $3,426 - $7,676 $2,070 - $3,950 $1,124 - $2,402
4+ bedrooms $6,200 - $11,151 $2,611 - $5,628 $1,475 - $2,820
*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 1,755 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 Seattle

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 Seattle can be as low as $1,352 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $9,567.
  • 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 $1,028 to $2,684. 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 Seattle?

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Des Moines to Seattle will cost between $1,352 to $4,918. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $3,426 to $7,676, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from Des Moines to Seattle will cost from $6,200 to $11,151.

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

Moving containers from Des Moines to Seattle will cost you $1,161 to $2,619 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $2,070 to $3,950. A larger home will cost $2,611 to $5,628.

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

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 $1,028 to $1,978. A larger move will cost $1,124 to $2,402, and a four-bedroom move from Des Moines to Seattle costs from $1,475 to $2,820. These estimates include the anticipated fuel cost.

Pros and cons of moving from Des Moines to Seattle

Cost of living: Des Moines vs Seattle

Des Moines Seattle
Average rent cost $1,150 $2,000
Average home value $192,347 $824,264
Average income (per capita) $58,492 $75,156
Cost of Living (single person) $1,891 $1,211
Cost of Living (family of 4) $4,380 $4,345
Unemployment rate 5.9% 4.8%
Sales Tax 7.0% 10.25%
State Income Tax 4.4% 0.0%
  • Rent prices in Seattle are 74% higher than in Des Moines.
  • Home prices in Seattle are 328.5% higher than in Des Moines.
  • Income in Seattle is 28.5% higher than in Des Moines.
  • The cost of living for a single person in Seattle is 36.0% lower than in Des Moines.
  • The cost of living for a family is the same in Seattle and Des Moines.
  • The unemployment rate in Seattle is 18.64% lower than in Des Moines.
  • Sales taxes in Seattle are 46.43% higher than in Des Moines.
  • State income taxes in Seattle are 100.00% lower than in Des Moines.

To put this into perspective, you would need around $1,921.21 in Seattle 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 Seattle?

Seattle Des Moines
Population 737,015 699,292
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 8 5
Walkability score 74 45
Bike friendliness score 71 39
Crime Index 59.09 5.0
Safety Index 49.23 57.8
Air Quality Good Good
  • Seattle's population is about 5% greater than Des Moines.
  • Seattle's public transportation has a score of 8 out of 10 versus Des Moines's higher score of 5.
  • Seattle is more walkable than Des Moines with a score of 74 out of 100 vs Des Moines's 45 out of 100.
  • Seattle is more bike-friendly than Des Moines with a score of 71 out of 100 vs Des Moines's 39.
  • Seattle's crime rate is higher than Des Moines with a score of 59.09 compared to Des Moines's 5.0. This means that Seattle neighborhoods are safer than 59.09% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Des Moines neighborhoods are safer than 5.0%.
  • Seattle is considered to be less safe than Des Moines with a score of 49.23 vs Des Moines's 57.8.
  • Air quality in Seattle is good, and in Des Moines it's good.

Considerations for moving to Seattle

  • Weather: Although Seattle has a reputation for frequent rain, the climate in Seattle is very unlikely to affect 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: Movers operating within Washington DC city limits are subject to regulation by the Utilities and Transportation Commission, which issues operating permits to household goods moving companies. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Washington moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
  • Moving permits: Washington 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 Seattle. Get started here.
  • Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. When planning a move in Washington state, explore movers' insurance options for added peace of mind. Many moving companies offer Released Value Protection at no extra cost, covering items at 60 cents per pound. Enhance your protection by discussing Full Value Protection with the moving company or exploring personalized plans with third-party insurance providers. Understand coverage limits, potential extra costs, and read reviews to make an informed decision on your Washington state moving insurance.
  • 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 Seattle

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

Best neighborhoods for singles:

  • Ballard
  • Capitol Hill
  • Fremont
  • Lower Queen Anne
  • South Lake Union

Best neighborhoods for families:

  • Greenwood
  • Laurelhurst
  • Magnolia
  • Upper Queen Anne
  • West Seattle

What to do in Seattle

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

  • Pike Place Market
  • The Showbox
  • Washington State Ferries
  • Waterfront Park
  • Woodland Park Zoo
  • South Lake Union
  • Seattle Center & the Space Needle
  • Seattle Aquarium
  • Olympic Sculpture Park
  • Chihuly Garden and Glass
  • Museum of Flight
  • MOHAI: The Museum of History & Industry
  • Museum of Pop Culture - MoPop
  • Seattle Art Museum (SAM)
  • Pacific Science Center
  • The Seattle Great Wheel
  • Washington Park Arboretum
  • Seattle Japanese Garden
  • Pioneer Square
  • Bill Speidel’s Underground Tour

Get your sports on!

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

  • Seattle Seahawks (NFL)
  • Seattle Mariners (MLB)
  • Seattle Kraken (NHL)
  • Seattle Sounders FC (MLS)
  • Seattle Seawolves (MLR)
  • Seattle Dragons (XFL)
  • Seattle Storm (WNBA)

FAQ

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

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

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

The 1,755-mile move from Des Moines, IA, to Seattle, WA, takes five-sixteen 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 Seattle.

Helpful moving resources