Best Oakland to Des Moines Movers

How Much Do Oakland to Des Moines Movers Cost?

Moving 1,835 miles from Oakland, CA to Des Moines, IA will typically cost between $3,500 and $8,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

Pro tip for the cheapest long distance move

Find long distance movers in Des Moines that already have a booked job heading from Des Moines to Oakland. Their moving truck would be making the trip back to Des Moines from Oakland entirely empty. If you can find a Des Moines moving company willing to move your stuff on the return leg, you'll score a real deal!

Moving Containers: A cheaper Oakland to Des Moines moving option

Hire local Oakland movers for the pickup location at an hourly rate. They can quickly load your moving container. When your container is dropped off at your new home, hire Des Moines movers to unpack the container and move you into your new home. You'll have to piece this Oakland to Des Moines move together yourself with at least 3 different companies. Taking on this scheduling responsibility will save you a little money by moving with this strategy.

How we ranked the top Oakland to Des Moines movers

Why you should trust us

We take reviews seriously to protect people just like you! Our team has been crunching data on moving companies since 2010. Our math-based ranking system uses data, manual review, and statistical analysis to help you hire the best Oakland, CA to Des Moines, IA long distance movers.

Rating Methodology

Here's the methodology we used to come up with the best movers for the Oakland to Des Moines moving route:

Our original review-based ranking algorithm

We started with a total of 16 companies that offer interstate moving services in both the Oakland and Des Moines areas.

From these 16 companies, we analyzed a total of 4,368 reviews dating all the way back to February 2007.

We also reviewed a total of 6 state and federal moving licenses from these 16 companies and 77 different 3rd party review and social profiles.

Each of the ~4,000 reviews was scored according to our detailed 11-point rating criteria

Reviews are time-weighted so that more recent reviews carry more weight. This helps you understand how a mover is doing today... not 5 years ago. We have 1,409 Oakland to Des Moines moving company data points from the past 2 years that carry more weight.

Bayesian averages calculated to fairly account for the differences between companies that are newer(like OCD Moving Services LLC) vs older more established companies (like Best Move Inc).

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The Great Guys Moving 11-Point Rating Breakdown

Our 11-point rating criteria scores every Oakland to Des Moines moving company across 11 of the most important criteria for a succesful moving experience.

Quality

Overall quality of the service provided on moving day.

8.92/10 avg (Oakland & Des Moines combined) from 2,447 reviews

Punctuality

Did the crew show up on-time with the required equipment?

8.37/10 avg (Oakland & Des Moines combined) from 893 reviews

Affordability

How affordable was the moving service?

7.98/10 avg (Oakland & Des Moines combined) from 529 reviews

Communication

Responsiveness before, during, and after the move.

8.12/10 avg (Oakland & Des Moines combined) from 1,178 reviews

Stick to Prices

Was the final price consistent with the original quote?

7.04/10 avg (Oakland & Des Moines combined) from 440 reviews

Speed

Efficiency without taking unnecessary time to increase costs.

9.05/10 avg (Oakland & Des Moines combined) from 1,012 reviews

Friendliness

Was the moving crew cordial and friendly on moving day?

9.37/10 avg (Oakland & Des Moines combined) from 1,519 reviews

Will Hire Again

How likely a customer is to hire the same movers again.

8.54/10 avg (Oakland & Des Moines combined) from 2,425 reviews

Professionalism

Did the moving crew behave professionally on moving day?

8.87/10 avg (Oakland & Des Moines combined) from 1,552 reviews

Conflict Handling

How well the company responds to accidents and issues.

4.73/10 avg (Oakland & Des Moines combined) from 260 reviews

Precision & Care

Were walls scratched? Did furniture get damaged or lost?

8.42/10 avg (Oakland & Des Moines combined) from 1,318 reviews

From Oakland to Des Moines: Comparable Neighborhoods at a Glance

• Rockridge in Oakland & East Village in Des Moines are both known for their walkable shops & dining district
• Oakland's Temescal neighborhood & Des Moines' East Village both share hip eateries & arts vibe
• If you're moving from Lake Merritt, check out Gray's Lake Area in the Des Moines area for the waterfront park & scenic views
• Do you enjoy Uptown's bustling nightlife & events? You're sure to love Downtown
• Move from Jack London Square to Western Gateway District and continue to enjoy these neighborhood qualities: riverfront attractions & culture
• Glenview & Sherman Hill are both known for their historic homes & tree-lined streets
• Oakland's Piedmont Avenue neighborhood & Des Moines' Beaverdale neighborhood both have local boutiques & village feel
• If you're moving from Grand Lake, look into Ingersoll-Grand for the residential area with shops nearby

Pros and Cons of Moving from Oakland to Des Moines

ConsOakland, CA

• High cost of living
• Heavy traffic
• Dense population
• Urban pollution

ProsDes Moines, IA

• More affordable housing
• Less congestion
• More open space
• Cleaner environment

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Des Moines, IA

• Smaller cultural scene
• Less culinary variety
• Fewer job sectors
• Harsher winters

Oakland, CA

• Vibrant culture
• Diverse restaurants
• Better job opportunities
• Mild winters

Pros of moving from Oakland to Des Moines

• Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to more affordable housing
• Look forward to moving away from heavy traffic and moving to Des Moines with less congestion
• Swap the dense population of Oakland for more open space in Des Moines
• Get ready for a cleaner environment in Des Moines

Cons of moving from Oakland to Des Moines

• Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the vibrant culture in Oakland to live with a smaller cultural scene in Des Moines
• You'll lose out on the pro of diverse restaurants and have to settle for the con of less culinary variety
• Time to bid farewell to better job opportunities and get used to fewer job sectors in Des Moines
• Swap mild winters for harsher winters

Oakland vs. Des Moines: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

If you're moving from Oakland to Des Moines, you will be trading the iconic Sourdough Bread of Oakland for the equally delicious Pork Tenderloin Sandwich of Des Moines. And while the locals in Oakland rave about their flavorful BBQ Brisket and sumptuous Tacos, Des Moines residents know they have tasty Corn-fed Steak and Walking Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Jackfruit Tacos they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Quinoa Salad of Des Moines. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Oakland eateries like Wood Tavern, ShakeWell, and Nyum Bai. After the boxes are unpacked in Des Moines, don't wait too long before making your way to Des Moines' acclaimed eateries like Fong’s Pizza, Jethro’s BBQ, and Zombie Burger + Drink Lab.

When comparing lifestyles, Des Moines shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Oakland. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Des Moines compared to what you are used to in Oakland. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Des Moines.

Discover Des Moines Restaurants You'll Love

Moving to Des Moines is an opportunity to try lots of new restaurants. Sure, you'll miss your old Oakland favorites, but we've got you covered. If you loved Commis, Brown Sugar Kitchen, and Shakewell in Oakland, we're sure you'll love Alba, Southern Spice, and Centro in Des Moines. See our Des Moines restaurant discovery table below to find the closest comparison restaurant to all of your cherished Oakland hotspots. For example, if you enjoyed dining at Chop Bar, head to Court Avenue Restaurant and Brewing Co. on your first Friday night after the boxes are unpacked.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Oakland and Des Moines

• The Craftsman and Victorian architecture that Oakland is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Split-level architecture typical of Des Moines.
• Compared to Oakland's real estate listings that commonly reference views and proximity to the Bay Area, Des Moines real estate listings often highlight features like family-friendly amenities and large yards.
• You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Des Moines is less walkable than Oakland.
• You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Des Moines is less bike-friendly than Oakland.
• Des Moines has less of an urban feel than Oakland.
• Des Moines housing costs are 75% less expensive than they are in Oakland, with a median home price of $199,739 compared to Oakland’s $803,291.
• Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Des Moines have increased by 38% compared to a 7% increase in Oakland.
• Rent in Des Moines is 57.08% more affordable than in Oakland.

Pet-friendly Neighborhoods in Des Moines, IA

1. Beaverdale: You’ll love the abundance of parks and walking trails that make it easy to keep your furry friends active and happy.
2. Ingersoll Park: With pet-friendly cafes and easy access to local dog parks, you and your pet can enjoy everything the community has to offer.
3. Waveland Park: You’re never far from open spaces and trails, making it convenient for daily walks and outdoor pet activities.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Oakland and Des Moines

• The shades won't be used as much for your move from Oakland to Des Moines. Des Moines gets 20% fewer sunshine days than Oakland.
• Des Moines has lower humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Oakland.
• Say goodbye to the possible earthquakes in Oakland, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and floods in Des Moines.
• Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Des Moines is 14 degrees warmer than in Oakland.
• The average winter lows are 30 degrees colder than they are in Oakland.
• Your umbrella might be more overworked in Des Moines. Des Moines receives 13 more inches of rain compared to Oakland.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Oakland and Des Moines

• When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Des Moines tend to earn about 26% less than in Oakland
• The COLI in Des Moines will be 35% lower than what you are used to living in Oakland
• The state income tax in IA is 8.53 compared to 13.30 in CA
• The affluence in Des Moines is varied compared to moderately affluent in Oakland
• The poverty level is lower in Des Moines compared to moderate in Oakland
• In terms of homelessness, it is high in Oakland and lower in Des Moines

Political and Religious Climate in Oakland vs. Des Moines

• Oakland tends to lean primarily Democratic in its political climate
• Des Moines, on the other hand, is often described as mixed and leans Democratic
• Des Moines' religious environment can be described as a Christian majority and diverse overall
• Oakland's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as diverse

Oakland vs. Des Moines Traffic and Public Transit Considerations

• Woohoo! Expect to spend about 31% less time stuck in traffic commuting to work in Des Moines compared to your daily drive in Oakland. That's an annual savings of 4680 minutes freely earned!
• You can expect traffic in Des Moines to be better than it is in Oakland.
• Public transit is less readily available in Des Moines.