Best Des Moines to Los Angeles Movers

How Much Do Des Moines to Los Angeles Movers Cost?

Moving 1,747 miles from Des Moines, IA to Los Angeles, 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 Los Angeles that already have a booked job heading from Los Angeles to Des Moines. Their moving truck would be making the trip back to Los Angeles from Des Moines entirely empty. If you can find a Los Angeles moving company willing to move your stuff on the return leg, you'll score a real deal!

Moving Containers: A cheaper Des Moines to Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles movers to unpack the container and move you into your new home. You'll have to piece this Des Moines to Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles, CA long distance movers.

Rating Methodology

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

Our original review-based ranking algorithm

We started with a total of 38 companies that offer interstate moving services in both the Des Moines and Los Angeles areas.

From these 38 companies, we analyzed a total of 18,616 reviews dating all the way back to August 2006.

We also reviewed a total of 16 state and federal moving licenses from these 38 companies and 185 different 3rd party review and social profiles.

Each of the ~18,000 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 8,217 Des Moines to Los Angeles 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 Best California Movers) vs older more established companies (like Hemmen Moving).

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The Great Guys Moving 11-Point Rating Breakdown

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

Quality

Overall quality of the service provided on moving day.

8.87/10 avg (Des Moines & Los Angeles combined) from 12,515 reviews

Punctuality

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

8.60/10 avg (Des Moines & Los Angeles combined) from 4,475 reviews

Affordability

How affordable was the moving service?

7.84/10 avg (Des Moines & Los Angeles combined) from 2,952 reviews

Communication

Responsiveness before, during, and after the move.

8.24/10 avg (Des Moines & Los Angeles combined) from 5,337 reviews

Stick to Prices

Was the final price consistent with the original quote?

6.70/10 avg (Des Moines & Los Angeles combined) from 1,988 reviews

Speed

Efficiency without taking unnecessary time to increase costs.

9.04/10 avg (Des Moines & Los Angeles combined) from 6,232 reviews

Friendliness

Was the moving crew cordial and friendly on moving day?

9.32/10 avg (Des Moines & Los Angeles combined) from 6,631 reviews

Will Hire Again

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

8.67/10 avg (Des Moines & Los Angeles combined) from 12,451 reviews

Professionalism

Did the moving crew behave professionally on moving day?

8.78/10 avg (Des Moines & Los Angeles combined) from 7,121 reviews

Conflict Handling

How well the company responds to accidents and issues.

4.94/10 avg (Des Moines & Los Angeles combined) from 1,364 reviews

Precision & Care

Were walls scratched? Did furniture get damaged or lost?

8.60/10 avg (Des Moines & Los Angeles combined) from 6,658 reviews

From Des Moines to Los Angeles: Comparable Neighborhoods at a Glance

• East Village in Des Moines & Arts District in Los Angeles are both known for their urban lofts & creative vibe
• Des Moines' Sherman Hill neighborhood & Los Angeles' Angelino Heights both share historic Victorian homes and tree-lined streets
• If you're moving from Beaverdale, check out Mar Vista in the Los Angeles area for the mid-century bungalows and family-friendly atmosphere
• Do you enjoy Drake's student hub with cafes & nightlife? You're sure to love Westwood
• Move from South of Grand to Silver Lake and continue to enjoy these neighborhood qualities: eclectic shops & hipster scene
• River Bend & Pacific Palisades are both known for their upscale homes near water
• Des Moines' Waveland Park neighborhood & Los Angeles' Brentwood neighborhood both have a quiet suburban feel with parks
• If you're moving from Greenwood Park, look into Highland Park for the craftsman bungalows and neighborhood cafes

Pros and Cons of Moving from Des Moines to Los Angeles

ConsDes Moines, IA

• Smaller job market
• Fewer entertainment options
• Cold winters
• Less diverse cuisine

ProsLos Angeles, CA

• Diverse job opportunities
• Vibrant nightlife
• Warm climate
• World-class dining

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Los Angeles, CA

• High cost of living
• Tighter living spaces
• More impersonal
• Heavy traffic

Des Moines, IA

• Lower cost of living
• Spacious living
• Community feel
• Lower traffic levels

Pros of moving from Des Moines to Los Angeles

• Say goodbye to a smaller job market and hello to diverse job opportunities
• Look forward to moving away from fewer entertainment options and moving to Los Angeles with vibrant nightlife
• Swap the cold winters of Des Moines for a warm climate in Los Angeles
• Get ready for world-class dining in Los Angeles

Cons of moving from Des Moines to Los Angeles

• Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a lower cost of living in Des Moines to live with a high cost of living in Los Angeles
• You'll lose out on the pro of spacious living and have to settle with the con of tighter living spaces
• Time to bid farewell to a community feel and get used to a more impersonal atmosphere in Los Angeles
• Swap lower traffic levels for heavy traffic

Des Moines vs. Los Angeles: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

If you're moving from Des Moines to Los Angeles, you will be trading the iconic Pork Tenderloin Sandwich of Des Moines for the equally delicious Street Tacos of Los Angeles. And while the locals in Des Moines rave about their flavorful Breaded Pork Cutlets and sumptuous Sweet Corn, Los Angeles residents know they have tasty Korean BBQ and various Food Trucks to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Vegetarian Chili they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Avocado Toast of Los Angeles. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Des Moines eateries like Centro, Fong's Pizza, and Zombie Burger + Drink Lab. After the boxes are unpacked in Los Angeles, don't wait too long before making your way to Los Angeles' acclaimed eateries like Guelaguetza Restaurante, Roscoe's House of Chicken and Waffles, and Pizzeria Mozza.

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

Discover Los Angeles Restaurants You'll Love

Moving to Los Angeles 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 Centro, Zombie Burger + Drink Lab, and Fong’s Pizza in Des Moines, we're sure you'll love Osteria Mozza, Stout Burgers & Beers, and Pizzanista! in Los Angeles. See our Los Angeles 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 La Mie Bakery, head to Republique on your first Friday night after the boxes are unpacked.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Des Moines and Los Angeles

• The Ranch and Craftsman architecture that Des Moines is known for will be replaced with the Modern and Spanish Colonial Revival architecture typical of Los Angeles.
• Compared to Des Moines's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and quiet neighborhoods, Los Angeles real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to amenities and ocean views.
• Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Los Angeles is more walkable than Des Moines.
• Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Los Angeles is more bike-friendly than Des Moines.
• Los Angeles has more of an urban feel than Des Moines.
• Los Angeles housing costs are 388% more expensive than they are in Des Moines, with a median home price of $974,105 compared to Des Moines’s $199,739.
• Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Los Angeles have increased by 37% compared to a 38% increase in Des Moines.
• Rent in Los Angeles is 161.23% more expensive than in Des Moines.

Pet-friendly Neighborhoods in Los Angeles, CA

1. Silver Lake: You and your pet will love Silver Lake's many dog-friendly cafes and the vast green spaces of the Silver Lake Reservoir.
2. West Hollywood: Your furry friend can roam freely in this neighborhood's dog parks and join you in pet-welcoming shops and restaurants.
3. Santa Monica: Enjoy the ocean breeze with your pet as you explore pedestrian-friendly streets and beach paths where dogs are welcome.

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

• Break out the sunglasses for your move from Des Moines to Los Angeles. Los Angeles gets 39% more sunshine days than Des Moines.
• Los Angeles has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Des Moines.
• Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and winter storms in Des Moines and be on the lookout for potential earthquakes and wildfires in Los Angeles.
• The average summer high temperature in Los Angeles is 1 degree colder than in Des Moines.
• The average winter lows are 31 degrees warmer than they are in Des Moines.
• Your umbrella might be neglected in Los Angeles as it receives 21 fewer inches of rain compared to Des Moines.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Des Moines and Los Angeles

• When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Los Angeles tend to earn about 16% more than those in Des Moines
• The COLI in Los Angeles will be 50% higher than what you are used to living in Des Moines
• The state income tax in CA is up to 13.3% compared to up to 8.53% in IA
• The affluence in Los Angeles is varied compared to moderate affluence in Des Moines
• The poverty level is higher in Los Angeles compared to lower levels in Des Moines
• In terms of homelessness, it is lower in Des Moines and significant in Los Angeles

Political and Religious Climate in Des Moines vs. Los Angeles

• Des Moines tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
• Los Angeles, on the other hand, is often described as strongly Democratic
• Los Angeles' religious environment can be described as highly diverse with Christianity, Buddhism, Judaism, Islam, and others
• Des Moines' residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christianity with diverse religious communities

Des Moines vs. Los Angeles Traffic and Public Transit Considerations

• Bummer! Looks like you might end up spending about 50% more time stuck in traffic commuting to work in Los Angeles compared to your Des Moines commute. That's 5200 minutes lost each year in a car.
• You can expect traffic in Los Angeles to be worse than it is in Des Moines.
• Public transit is more readily available in Los Angeles.