Best Des Moines to San Diego Movers

How Much Do Des Moines to San Diego Movers Cost?

Moving 1,793 miles from Des Moines, IA to San Diego, 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 San Diego that already have a booked job heading from San Diego to Des Moines. Their moving truck would be making the trip back to San Diego from Des Moines entirely empty. If you can find a San Diego moving company willing to move your stuff on the return leg, you'll score a real deal!

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

Rating Methodology

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

Our original review-based ranking algorithm

We started with a total of 21 companies that offer interstate moving services in both the Des Moines and San Diego areas.

From these 21 companies, we analyzed a total of 7,111 reviews dating all the way back to February 2009.

We also reviewed a total of 10 state and federal moving licenses from these 21 companies and 92 different 3rd party review and social profiles.

Each of the ~7,000 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 2,858 Des Moines to San Diego 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 Coast 2 Coast Moving, Inc.) 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 San Diego moving company across 11 of the most important criteria for a succesful moving experience.

Quality

Overall quality of the service provided on moving day.

8.79/10 avg (Des Moines & San Diego combined) from 4,451 reviews

Punctuality

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

8.41/10 avg (Des Moines & San Diego combined) from 1,607 reviews

Affordability

How affordable was the moving service?

7.76/10 avg (Des Moines & San Diego combined) from 918 reviews

Communication

Responsiveness before, during, and after the move.

8.29/10 avg (Des Moines & San Diego combined) from 1,966 reviews

Stick to Prices

Was the final price consistent with the original quote?

6.87/10 avg (Des Moines & San Diego combined) from 628 reviews

Speed

Efficiency without taking unnecessary time to increase costs.

8.85/10 avg (Des Moines & San Diego combined) from 2,000 reviews

Friendliness

Was the moving crew cordial and friendly on moving day?

9.30/10 avg (Des Moines & San Diego combined) from 2,511 reviews

Will Hire Again

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

8.59/10 avg (Des Moines & San Diego combined) from 4,466 reviews

Professionalism

Did the moving crew behave professionally on moving day?

8.74/10 avg (Des Moines & San Diego combined) from 2,717 reviews

Conflict Handling

How well the company responds to accidents and issues.

5.08/10 avg (Des Moines & San Diego combined) from 571 reviews

Precision & Care

Were walls scratched? Did furniture get damaged or lost?

8.38/10 avg (Des Moines & San Diego combined) from 2,411 reviews

From Des Moines to San Diego: Comparable Neighborhoods at a Glance

• East Village in Des Moines & East Village in San Diego are both known for their urban core with restaurants & nightlife
• Des Moines' Sherman Hill neighborhood & San Diego's Mission Hills both share historic architecture & walkable streets
• If you're moving from Beaverdale, check out Clairemont in the San Diego area for the suburban residential with parks & family-friendly vibe
• Do you enjoy Ingersoll-Grandview's craft breweries & arts district? You're sure to love North Park
• Move from Historic Valley Junction to Old Town and continue to enjoy these neighborhood qualities: historic district with local shops & festivals
• Drake Neighborhood & College Area are both known for their campus area with student housing & local eateries
• Des Moines' Downtown neighborhood & San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter neighborhood both have a business district & nightlife
• If you're moving from Highland Park, look into Kensington for the tree-lined streets & midcentury homes

Pros and Cons of Moving from Des Moines to San Diego

ConsDes Moines, IA

• Colder winters
• Smaller city vibe
• Fewer cultural venues
• Less diverse cuisine

ProsSan Diego, CA

• Warmer winters
• Bigger city experience
• More cultural venues
• More diverse cuisine

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San Diego, CA

• Higher cost of living
• More impersonal
• More traffic congestion
• Challenging parking

Des Moines, IA

• Lower cost of living
• Tighter-knit community
• Less traffic congestion
• Easier winter driving

Pros of moving from Des Moines to San Diego

• Say goodbye to colder winters and hello to warmer winters
• Look forward to moving away from a smaller city vibe and moving to San Diego with a bigger city experience
• Swap the fewer cultural venues of Des Moines for more cultural venues in San Diego
• Get ready for more diverse cuisine in San Diego

Cons of moving from Des Moines to San Diego

• Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the lower cost of living in Des Moines to live with the higher cost of living in San Diego
• You'll lose out on the pro of a tighter-knit community and have to settle for the con of a more impersonal atmosphere
• Time to bid farewell to less traffic congestion and get used to more traffic congestion in San Diego
• Swap easier winter driving for challenging parking

Des Moines vs. San Diego: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

If you're moving from Des Moines to San Diego, you will be trading the iconic Pork Tenderloin Sandwich of Des Moines for the equally delicious Fish Tacos of San Diego. And while the locals in Des Moines rave about their flavorful Smoked Pork and sumptuous Corn Dogs, San Diego residents know they have tasty Carne Asada and California Burrito to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Tempeh Reuben they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Açai Bowl of San Diego. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Des Moines eateries like Fong's Pizza, Zombie Burger, and Centro. After the boxes are unpacked in San Diego, don't wait too long before making your way to San Diego's acclaimed eateries like Hodad's, Phil's BBQ, and George’s at the Cove.

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

Discover San Diego Restaurants You'll Love

Moving to San Diego 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, and A Dong in Des Moines, we're sure you'll love Buona Forchetta, Slater’s 50/50, and Pho Point Loma & Grill in San Diego. See our San Diego 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 Harbinger, head to Juniper & Ivy on your first Friday night after the boxes are unpacked.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Des Moines and San Diego

• The Victorian and Ranch architecture that Des Moines is known for will be replaced with the Spanish Colonial and Modern architecture typical of San Diego.
• Compared to Des Moines's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious backyards and large garages, San Diego real estate listings often highlight features like ocean views and proximity to the beach.
• Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. San Diego is more walkable than Des Moines.
• Make sure the movers take care of your bike. San Diego is more bike-friendly than Des Moines.
• San Diego has more of an urban feel than Des Moines.
• San Diego housing costs are 411% more expensive than they are in Des Moines with a median home price of $1,021,655 compared to Des Moines's $199,739.
• Over the prior 5 years, home prices in San Diego have increased by 57% compared to a 38% increase in Des Moines.
• Rent in San Diego is 179.59% more expensive than in Des Moines.

Pet-friendly Neighborhoods in San Diego, CA

1. Ocean Beach : You'll love the dog-friendly atmosphere with a dedicated dog beach where your furry friend can splash and play off-leash.
2. North Park : This hip neighborhood offers many pet-welcoming cafes and parks, making it easy for you to enjoy outings with your pets.
3. Hillcrest : Known for its inclusive culture, you'll find numerous pet-friendly restaurants and bars, along with a welcoming community for your pets.

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

• Break out the sunglasses for your move from Des Moines to San Diego. San Diego gets 30% more sunshine days than Des Moines.
• San Diego has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Des Moines.
• Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and blizzards in Des Moines, but be on the lookout for potential earthquakes and wildfires in San Diego.
• Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in San Diego is 10 degrees colder than in Des Moines.
• The average winter lows are 33 degrees warmer than they are in Des Moines.
• Your umbrella might be neglected in San Diego. San Diego receives 26 fewer inches of rain compared to Des Moines.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Des Moines and San Diego

• When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in San Diego tend to earn about 53% more than in Des Moines
• The COLI in San Diego is 46% higher than what you are used to 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 San Diego is high compared to moderate in Des Moines
• The poverty level is low in San Diego compared to moderate in Des Moines
• In terms of homelessness, it is low in Des Moines and high in San Diego

Political and Religious Climate in Des Moines vs. San Diego

• Des Moines tends to lean moderately Liberal in its political climate
• San Diego, on the other hand, is often described as Liberal
• San Diego's religious environment can be described as more Diverse Religious Landscape
• Des Moines' residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christianity

Des Moines vs. San Diego Traffic and Public Transit Considerations

• Bummer! Looks like you might end up spending about 25% more time stuck in traffic commuting to work in San Diego compared to your Des Moines commute. That's 2,600 minutes lost each year in a car.
• You can expect traffic in San Diego to be worse than it is in Des Moines.
• Public transit is more readily available in San Diego.