($1,126) Moving from Baltimore to Des Moines

Quick answer: A move from Baltimore to Des Moines costs $748 to $5,728 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 1,022-mile move yourself.

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  • East coast focus
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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 Baltimore 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 Des Moines to Baltimore guide.

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The best Baltimore to Des Moines moving companies

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

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 Baltimore to Des Moines?

Baltimore movers charge $110 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 $1,126 - $4,397 $865 - $2,192 $658 - $1,224
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,458 - $5,728 $1,598 - $3,087 $748 - $1,547
4+ bedrooms $3,950 - $7,884 $2,134 - $3,901 $948 - $1,938
*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 1,022 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 Baltimore to Des Moines

The cost of Baltimore 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 Baltimore to Des Moines can be as low as $1,126 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $6,464.
  • Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in Baltimore, 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 $658 to $1,739. However, these options require more work and effort compared to hiring professional movers.

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

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Baltimore to Des Moines will cost between $1,126 to $4,397. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $2,458 to $5,728, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from Baltimore to Des Moines will cost from $3,950 to $7,884.

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

Moving containers from Baltimore to Des Moines will cost you $865 to $2,192 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,598 to $3,087. A larger home will cost $2,134 to $3,901.

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

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 $658 to $1,224. A larger move will cost $748 to $1,547, and a four-bedroom move from Baltimore to Des Moines costs from $948 to $1,938. These estimates include the anticipated fuel cost.

Pros and cons of moving from Baltimore to Des Moines

Cost of living: Baltimore vs Des Moines

Baltimore Des Moines
Average rent cost $1,575 $1,150
Average home value $177,573 $192,347
Average income (per capita) $54,124 $58,492
Cost of Living (single person) $1,019 $1,891
Cost of Living (family of 4) $3,684 $4,380
Unemployment rate 8.0% 5.9%
Sales Tax 6.0% 7.0%
State Income Tax 5.75% 4.4%
  • Rent prices in Des Moines are 27% lower than in Baltimore.
  • Home prices in Des Moines are 8.3% higher than in Baltimore.
  • Income in Des Moines is 8.1% higher than in Baltimore.
  • The cost of living for a single person in Des Moines is 85.6% higher than in Baltimore.
  • The cost of living for a family in Des Moines is 18.9% higher than in Baltimore.
  • The unemployment rate in Des Moines is 26.25% lower than in Baltimore.
  • Sales taxes in Des Moines are 16.67% higher than in Baltimore.
  • State income taxes in Des Moines are 23.48% lower than in Baltimore.

To put this into perspective, you would need around $5,567.22 in Des Moines to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Baltimore.

How is life different in Baltimore compared to Des Moines?

Des Moines Baltimore
Population 699,292 585,708
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 5 8
Walkability score 45 64
Bike friendliness score 39 53
Crime Index 5.0 47.64
Safety Index 57.8 24.43
Air Quality Good Good
  • Des Moines's population is about 19% greater than Baltimore.
  • Des Moines's public transportation has a score of 5 out of 10 versus Baltimore's lower score of 8.
  • Des Moines is less walkable than Baltimore with a score of 45 out of 100 vs Baltimore's 64 out of 100.
  • Des Moines is less bike-friendly than Baltimore with a score of 39 out of 100 vs Baltimore's 53.
  • Des Moines's crime rate is lower than Baltimore with a score of 5.0 compared to Baltimore's 47.64. This means that Des Moines neighborhoods are safer than 5.0% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Baltimore neighborhoods are safer than 47.64%.
  • Des Moines is considered to be safer than Baltimore with a safety index of 57.8 vs Baltimore's 24.43.
  • Air quality in Des Moines is good, and in Baltimore it's good.

Considerations for moving to Des Moines

  • Weather: September, June and May are the most pleasant months in Des Moines, 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: When moving within Iowa, make sure to hire a company that is licensed by the Iowa Department of Transportation. Each household goods mover in the state should have an Iowa Motor Carrier (IOWAMC) Number, which means they’ve met minimum insurance and highway safety requirements. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Iowa moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
  • Moving permits: Iowa 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 Des Moines. Get started here.
  • Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. Choose cost-free Released Value Protection from movers for basic coverage at 60 cents per pound.
  • Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Local Baltimore movers

Company Quote Rating Contact
Bellhop Moving Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.62 overall rating
3413 Keene Avenue, Baltimore, MD, 21214
(443) 957-4287
Orly Moving Systems, Inc. Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.58 overall rating
300 Reisterstown Rd Ste 204, Baltimore, MD, 21208
(866) 786-0223

Visit our best long distance movers in Baltimore page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.

Where to live in Des Moines

Now that you've decided to make the move to "Hartford of the West", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Des Moines.

Best neighborhoods for singles:

  • Sherman Hill
  • Downtown
  • East Village
  • North of Grand
  • Woodland Heights
  • Arbor Peaks
  • Chautauqua Park
  • Beaverdale
  • Westwood

Best neighborhoods for families:

  • Linden Heights
  • Waterbury
  • Waveland Park
  • Westwood
  • Salisbury Oaks
  • Meredith
  • Beaverdale

What to do in Des Moines

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

  • State Capitol
  • Science Center of Iowa
  • John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park
  • Salisbury House & Gardens
  • Des Moines Art Center
  • Principal Park
  • East Village
  • Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
  • Water Works Park
  • Iowa State Fair
  • Hoyt Sherman Place
  • Robert D. Ray Asian Gardens

Get your sports on!

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

  • Drake Bulldogs

FAQ

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

The best time to move from Baltimore to Des Moines is during the spring or fall. These seasons offer milder weather and avoid higher moving costs during the peak moving season in Baltimore.

When is the cheapest time to move from Baltimore to Des Moines?

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

The 1,022-mile move from Baltimore, MD, to Des Moines, IA, takes two-eight days. Some Baltimore movers may offer expedited moving if you need it faster. If you need more time, ask your mover about storage options in Des Moines.

Helpful moving resources