Best Des Moines to Fresno Movers

How Much Do Des Moines to Fresno Movers Cost?

Moving 1,817 miles from Des Moines, IA to Fresno, CA 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 Fresno that already have a booked job heading from Fresno to Des Moines. Their moving truck would be making the trip back to Fresno from Des Moines entirely empty. If you can find a Fresno moving company willing to move your stuff on the return leg, you'll score a real deal!

Moving Containers: A cheaper Des Moines to Fresno moving option

Hire local Des Moines 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 Fresno movers to unpack the container and move you into your new home. You'll have to piece this Des Moines to Fresno 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 Des Moines to Fresno 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 Des Moines, IA to Fresno, CA long distance movers.

Rating Methodology

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

Our original review-based ranking algorithm

We started with a total of 13 companies that offer interstate moving services in both the Des Moines and Fresno areas.

From these 13 companies, we analyzed a total of 3,903 reviews dating all the way back to February 2009.

We also reviewed a total of 2 state and federal moving licenses from these 13 companies and 70 different 3rd party review and social profiles.

Each of the ~3,000 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 738 Des Moines to Fresno 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 Pete's 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 Des Moines to Fresno moving company across 11 of the most important criteria for a succesful moving experience.

Quality

Overall quality of the service provided on moving day.

9.10/10 avg (Des Moines & Fresno combined) from 1,982 reviews

Punctuality

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

8.74/10 avg (Des Moines & Fresno combined) from 640 reviews

Affordability

How affordable was the moving service?

8.00/10 avg (Des Moines & Fresno combined) from 423 reviews

Communication

Responsiveness before, during, and after the move.

8.51/10 avg (Des Moines & Fresno combined) from 743 reviews

Stick to Prices

Was the final price consistent with the original quote?

6.89/10 avg (Des Moines & Fresno combined) from 228 reviews

Speed

Efficiency without taking unnecessary time to increase costs.

9.27/10 avg (Des Moines & Fresno combined) from 845 reviews

Friendliness

Was the moving crew cordial and friendly on moving day?

9.49/10 avg (Des Moines & Fresno combined) from 1,220 reviews

Will Hire Again

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

8.88/10 avg (Des Moines & Fresno combined) from 1,970 reviews

Professionalism

Did the moving crew behave professionally on moving day?

8.98/10 avg (Des Moines & Fresno combined) from 1,171 reviews

Conflict Handling

How well the company responds to accidents and issues.

5.52/10 avg (Des Moines & Fresno combined) from 177 reviews

Precision & Care

Were walls scratched? Did furniture get damaged or lost?

8.75/10 avg (Des Moines & Fresno combined) from 934 reviews

From Des Moines to Fresno: Comparable Neighborhoods at a Glance

• East Village in Des Moines & Tower District in Fresno are both known for their: arts & nightlife hub
• Des Moines' Sherman Hill neighborhood & Fresno's Old Fig Garden both share: historic homes & tree-lined streets
• If you're moving from Beaverdale, check out Fig Garden in the Fresno area for the: mid-century suburban feel & walkable lifestyle
• Do you enjoy Drake Neighborhood's trendy cafes & student vibe? You're sure to love Tower District
• Move from Capitol East to Northwest Fresno and continue to enjoy these neighborhood qualities: urban infill & residential redevelopment
• Gray's Lake & Woodward Park are both known for their: scenic parks with trails & water views
• Des Moines' River Bend neighborhood & Fresno's Woodward Park neighborhood both have: upscale neighborhoods with green spaces
• If you're moving from Historic Court District, look into Old Fig Garden for the: stately historic residences
• Do you cherish living in Meredith Drive's family-friendly suburban area? Move into Sunnyside for something similar

Pros and Cons of Moving from Des Moines to Fresno

ConsDes Moines, IA

• Harsher winters
• Smaller city
• Less diversity
• Fewer job opportunities
• Lower average temperatures

ProsFresno, CA

• Milder winters
• Larger population
• More cultural diversity
• Greater job prospects
• Warmer climate

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Fresno, CA

• Higher crime rates
• Higher living expenses
• Less greenery
• Can feel overcrowded
• Heavier traffic

Des Moines, IA

• Friendly community
• Lower cost of living
• Abundant green spaces
• More intimate city feel
• Easy navigation

Pros of moving from Des Moines to Fresno

• Say goodbye to harsher winters and hello to milder winters
• Look forward to moving away from a smaller city and moving to Fresno with a larger population
• Swap the less diversity of Des Moines for more cultural diversity in Fresno
• Get ready for greater job prospects in Fresno

Cons of moving from Des Moines to Fresno

• Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a friendly community in Des Moines to live with higher crime rates in Fresno
• You'll lose out on the pro of a lower cost of living and have to settle with the con of higher living expenses
• Time to bid farewell to abundant green spaces and get used to less greenery in Fresno
• Swap a more intimate city feel for one that can feel overcrowded

Des Moines vs. Fresno: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

If you're moving from Des Moines to Fresno, you will be trading the iconic Pork Tenderloin Sandwich of Des Moines for the equally delicious Tri-tip Steak of Fresno. And while the locals in Des Moines rave about their flavorful Corn-fed Beef Steak and sumptuous Tater Tots on a Stick, Fresno residents know they have tasty Chicken Tacos and Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Quinoa Salad they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegetarian Burritos of Fresno. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Des Moines eateries like Zombie Burger + Drink Lab, Al's Deli, and Centro. After the boxes are unpacked in Fresno, don't wait too long before making your way to Fresno's acclaimed eateries like Pismo's Coastal Grill, The Annex Kitchen, and Fresno Breakfast House.

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

Discover Fresno Restaurants You'll Love

Moving to Fresno is an opportunity to try lots of new restaurants. Sure, you'll miss your old Des Moines favorites, but we've got you covered. If you loved 801 Chophouse, Centro, and Fong's Pizza in Des Moines, we're sure you'll love The Lime Lite, Max’s Bistro & Bar, and Popolo's Pizza in Fresno. See our Fresno restaurant discovery table below to find the closest comparison restaurant to all of your cherished Des Moines hotspots. For example, if you enjoyed dining at Zombie Burger & Drink Lab, head to Bobby Salazar's on your first Friday night after the boxes are unpacked.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Des Moines and Fresno

• The Colonial Revival architecture that Des Moines is known for will be replaced with the Spanish Eclectic architecture typical of Fresno.
• Compared to Des Moines's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and quiet neighborhoods, Fresno real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to parks and energy efficiency.
• You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Fresno is less walkable than Des Moines.
• Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Fresno is more bike-friendly than Des Moines.
• Fresno has more of an urban feel than Des Moines.
• Fresno housing costs are 89% more expensive than they are in Des Moines, with a median home price of $377,722 compared to Des Moines’s $199,739.
• Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Fresno have increased by 48% compared to a 38% increase in Des Moines.
• Rent in Fresno is 70.08% more expensive than in Des Moines.

Pet-friendly Neighborhoods in Fresno, CA

1. 1 Woodward Park: Miles of bluff-side trails, an off-leash dog park, and many pet-friendly patios make daily outings easy.
2. 2 Old Fig Garden: Shady, low-traffic streets and roomy yards offer relaxed walks and space to play, with neighborhood parks nearby.
3. 3 Tower District: Walkable blocks, dog-welcoming patios, and nearby green spaces suit frequent strolls and social pups.

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

• Break out the sunglasses for your move from Des Moines to Fresno. Fresno gets 32% more sunshine days than Des Moines.
• Fresno has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Des Moines.
• Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and flooding in Des Moines and be on the lookout for potential wildfires and earthquakes in Fresno.
• Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Fresno is 12 degrees warmer than in Des Moines.
• The average winter lows are 21 degrees warmer than they are in Des Moines.
• Your umbrella might be neglected in Fresno as it receives 24.5 fewer inches of rain compared to Des Moines.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Des Moines and Fresno

• When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Fresno tend to earn about 1% more than in Des Moines
• The COLI in Fresno will be 29% higher than what you are used to living in Des Moines
• The state income tax in CA is 1 to 13.3 compared to 0.33 to 8.53 in IA
• The affluence in Fresno is varied compared to moderate affluence in Des Moines
• The poverty level is higher in Fresno compared to lower poverty in Des Moines
• In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Des Moines and significant in Fresno

Des Moines vs. Fresno Traffic and Public Transit Considerations

• Bummer! Looks like you might end up spending about 5% more time stuck in traffic commuting to work in Fresno compared to your Des Moines commute. That's 520 minutes lost each year in a car.
• You can expect traffic in Fresno to be worse than it is in Des Moines.
• Public transit is less readily available in Fresno.