($1,166) Movers From McKinney, TX to Des Moines, IA

Quick answer: A move from McKinney to Des Moines costs $512–$5,747 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 664-mile move yourself.

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We know that every move from McKinney to Des Moines is different. Choose the type of move that is best for you.
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  • 1,800 trucks
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Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Des Moines to McKinney guide.

The best McKinney to Des Moines full-service moving companies

Choosing a long-distance moving company in McKinney to go to Des Moines 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 McKinney to Des Moines.

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
Best for personalized service
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
(980) 217-6841
At A Glance
  • 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
Most Experienced Mover
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
(866) 835-2392
At A Glance
  • Experienced & fully trained moving crews
  • Specializes in moving art & antiques
  • Competitive pricing
  • Can handle last-minute moves
  • Climate-controlled storage
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(866) 835-2392
Best Nationwide Coverage
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.8 / 5
At A Glance
  • 30 days storage included
  • Local and long distance moving options
  • Unlimited loading/unloading time
  • Store on property or at a facility
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Best customized Plans
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
(844) 950-2963
At A Glance
  • 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 McKinney to Des Moines?toggle

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from McKinney to Des Moines will cost between $1,166 to $3,781. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $2,237 to $5,747, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from McKinney to Des Moines will cost from $3,971 to $8,393.

The best moving containers for your McKinney to Des Moines move

Moving containers can be a cost-effective option for moving from McKinney to Des Moines. 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:

Best Nationwide Coverage
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.8 / 5
At A Glance
  • 30 days storage included
  • Local and long distance moving options
  • Unlimited loading/unloading time
  • Store on property or at a facility
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Best value container
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 5 / 5
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At A Glance
  • Long distance moves only
  • Only pay for the space you use
  • No deposit or initial fees
  • Fast delivery time frames
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best for large moves
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Check prices (352) 322-2920
At A Glance
  • Combines affordability of DIY moving with convenience of a truck and driver
  • Only pay for the truck space you use
  • Offers vehicle shipping
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Check prices (352) 322-2920

How much are moving container companies from McKinney to Des Moines?toggle

Moving containers from McKinney to Des Moines will cost you $716 to $1,782 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,289 to $2,465. A larger home will cost $1,811 to $3,295.

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

If you want to save even more money on your McKinney to Des Moines 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:

Best Availability
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.15 / 5
Check prices (800) 468-4285
At A Glance
  • More than 20,000 locations with prominent pricing
  • Rental options include everything from pick-up trucks to 26-foot moving trucks
  • Gentle-Ride Suspension add protection to avoid damaging your items during transit
  • U-Box moving containers available if you don't want to drive
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.3 / 5
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At A Glance
  • Competitive base prices with specialized discounts
  • Round-trip and one-way moves available
  • User-friendly website makes it easy to book the right truck
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How much is a moving truck from McKinney to Des Moines?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 $480 to $898. A larger move will cost $512 to $1,143, and a four-bedroom move from McKinney to Des Moines costs from $653 to $1,369. These estimates include the anticipated fuel cost.

The best labor-only movers for your McKinney to Des Moines 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 McKinney to Des Moines:

Best Labor Only
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Check prices Visit Website
At A Glance
  • First call quoting, get a quote in just a couple of minutes
  • Rates are typically 20-40% lower than the industry averages
  • $1,000 money-back service guarantee
  • Fast and accurate delivery times
  • Free damage coverage with additional coverage options
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Best customer experience
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.3 / 5
(866) 774-5063
At A Glance
  • Quick and easy booking process
  • National 4.75/5 star rating (these guys are good at what they do)
  • Dedicated move concierge specialist
  • Pay as you go service. 2-hour minimum and then prorated down to the minute
  • The time clock starts when the movers arrive and ends when you tell them
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(866) 774-5063

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

McKinney movers charge $89 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 $1,166 - $3,781 $716 - $1,782 $480 - $898
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,237 - $5,747 $1,289 - $2,465 $512 - $1,143
4+ bedrooms $3,971 - $8,393 $1,811 - $3,295 $653 - $1,369
*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 664 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 McKinney to Des Moinestoggle

The cost of McKinney 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 McKinney to Des Moines can be as low as $1,166 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $6,641.
  • Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in McKinney, 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 $480 to $1,208. However, these options require more work and effort compared to hiring professional movers.

What to know before moving from McKinney to Des Moines

McKinney Des Moines
Average rent cost $2,300 $1,150
Average home value $506,597 $192,347
Average income (per capita) $66,248 $58,492
Cost of living (single person) $2,232 $1,891
Cost of living (family of 4) $4,876 $4,380
Unemployment rate 6.0% 5.9%
Sales tax 8.25% 7.0%
State income tax 0.0% 4.4%
  • Rent prices in Des Moines are 50% lower than in McKinney.
  • Home prices in Des Moines are 62.0% lower than in McKinney.
  • Income in Des Moines is 11.7% lower than in McKinney.
  • The cost of living for a single person in Des Moines is 15.3% lower than in McKinney.
  • The cost of living for a family in Des Moines is 10.2% lower than in McKinney.
  • The unemployment rate in Des Moines is 1.67% lower than in McKinney.
  • Sales taxes in Des Moines are 15.15% lower than in McKinney.
  • State income taxes in Des Moines are 4.40% higher than in McKinney.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,541.67 in Des Moines to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in McKinney.

How life is different in McKinney vs. Des Moines

Des Moines McKinney
Population 699,292 195,308
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 5 1
Walkability score 45 27
Bike friendliness score 39 42
Crime Index 5.0 21.48
Safety Index 57.8 78.52
Air Quality Good Good
  • Des Moines's population is about 258% greater than McKinney.
  • Des Moines's public transportation has a score of 5 out of 10 versus McKinney's higher score of 1.
  • Des Moines is more walkable than McKinney with a score of 45 out of 100 vs McKinney's 27 out of 100.
  • Des Moines is less bike-friendly than McKinney with a score of 39 out of 100 vs McKinney's 42.
  • Des Moines's crime rate is lower than McKinney with a score of 5.0 compared to McKinney's 21.48. This means that Des Moines neighborhoods are safer than 5.0% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and McKinney neighborhoods are safer than 21.48%.
  • Des Moines is considered to be less safe than McKinney with a score of 57.8 vs McKinney's 78.52.
  • Air quality in Des Moines is good, and in McKinney it's good.

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

  • 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.

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 singlestoggle

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

Best neighborhoods for familiestoggle

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

Things to do in Des Moinestoggle

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

  • Arts and culture: Des Moines is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the Des Moines Art Center, State Historical Museum, Science Center of Iowa, Salisbury House, and World Food Prize Hall of Laureates.
  • Outdoor recreation: The city’s Gray's Lake Park, Pappajohn Sculpture Park, Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, and Robert D. Ray Asian Gardens — 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 Drake Bulldogs game.

FAQ

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

The best time to move from McKinney 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 McKinney.

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

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

The 664-mile move from McKinney, TX, to Des Moines, IA, takes one to six days. Some McKinney 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