Best Des Moines to San Jose Movers

How Much Do Des Moines to San Jose Movers Cost?

Moving 1,895 miles from Des Moines, IA to San Jose, 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 Jose that already have a booked job heading from San Jose to Des Moines. Their moving truck would be making the trip back to San Jose from Des Moines entirely empty. If you can find a San Jose 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 Jose 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 Jose movers to unpack the container and move you into your new home. You'll have to piece this Des Moines to San Jose 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 Jose 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 Jose, 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 Jose 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 Jose areas.

From these 21 companies, we analyzed a total of 6,260 reviews dating all the way back to August 2007.

We also reviewed a total of 6 state and federal moving licenses from these 21 companies and 100 different 3rd party review and social profiles.

Each of the ~6,000 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 1,840 Des Moines to San Jose 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 D&L 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 San Jose moving company across 11 of the most important criteria for a succesful moving experience.

Quality

Overall quality of the service provided on moving day.

8.76/10 avg (Des Moines & San Jose combined) from 4,654 reviews

Punctuality

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

8.53/10 avg (Des Moines & San Jose combined) from 1,974 reviews

Affordability

How affordable was the moving service?

7.79/10 avg (Des Moines & San Jose combined) from 1,173 reviews

Communication

Responsiveness before, during, and after the move.

8.28/10 avg (Des Moines & San Jose combined) from 2,165 reviews

Stick to Prices

Was the final price consistent with the original quote?

7.13/10 avg (Des Moines & San Jose combined) from 878 reviews

Speed

Efficiency without taking unnecessary time to increase costs.

8.93/10 avg (Des Moines & San Jose combined) from 2,266 reviews

Friendliness

Was the moving crew cordial and friendly on moving day?

9.25/10 avg (Des Moines & San Jose combined) from 2,568 reviews

Will Hire Again

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

8.54/10 avg (Des Moines & San Jose combined) from 4,627 reviews

Professionalism

Did the moving crew behave professionally on moving day?

8.69/10 avg (Des Moines & San Jose combined) from 2,802 reviews

Conflict Handling

How well the company responds to accidents and issues.

5.30/10 avg (Des Moines & San Jose combined) from 492 reviews

Precision & Care

Were walls scratched? Did furniture get damaged or lost?

8.52/10 avg (Des Moines & San Jose combined) from 2,705 reviews

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

• East Village in Des Moines & Downtown San Jose in San Jose are both known for their urban core with nightlife & arts
• Des Moines' Court Avenue District neighborhood & San Jose's Downtown San Jose both share bustling nightlife & dining
• If you're moving from Sherman Hill, check out Naglee Park in the San Jose area for the historic homes & tree-lined streets
• Do you enjoy Woodland Heights' historic residences & leafy avenues? You're sure to love Rose Garden
• Move from Beaverdale to Willow Glen and continue to enjoy these neighborhood qualities: craftsman bungalows & family-friendly vibe
• Historic Valley Junction & Willow Glen are both known for their small-town main street shops
• Des Moines' Drake neighborhood & San Jose's SoFA District neighborhood both have student hangouts & live music venues
• If you're moving from Ingersoll Park, look into SoFA District for the public art installations & galleries
• Do you cherish living in River Bend's suburban parks & riverfront trails? Move into Almaden Valley for something similar

Pros and Cons of Moving from Des Moines to San Jose

ConsDes Moines, IA

• Colder winters
• Less diverse economy
• Smaller city vibe
• Fewer cultural attractions

ProsSan Jose, CA

• Milder winters
• Technology hub
• Bigger city opportunities
• More cultural venues

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San Jose, CA

• Higher cost of living
• Expensive real estate
• Heavy traffic
• Less personal vibe

Des Moines, IA

• Lower cost of living
• More affordable housing
• Less traffic congestion
• Close-knit community feel

Pros of moving from Des Moines to San Jose

• Say goodbye to colder winters and hello to milder winters
• Look forward to moving away from a less diverse economy and moving to San Jose with a technology hub
• Swap the smaller city vibe of Des Moines for bigger city opportunities in San Jose
• Get ready for more cultural venues in San Jose

Cons of moving from Des Moines to San Jose

• Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a lower cost of living in Des Moines to live with a higher cost of living in San Jose
• You'll lose out on the pro of more affordable housing and have to settle for the con of expensive real estate
• Time to bid farewell to less traffic congestion and get used to heavy traffic in San Jose
• Swap a close-knit community feel for a less personal vibe

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

If you're moving from Des Moines to San Jose, you will be trading the iconic Pork Tenderloin Sandwich of Des Moines for the equally delicious Pho of San Jose. And while the locals in Des Moines rave about their flavorful Corn-fed Beef Steak and sumptuous Walking Taco, San Jose residents know they have tasty Carne Asada 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 Pho of San Jose. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Des Moines eateries like Zombie Burger, Fong's Pizza, and Centro. After the boxes are unpacked in San Jose, don't wait too long before making your way to San Jose's acclaimed eateries like Original Joe’s, Falafel’s Drive-In, and Antipasto's.

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

Discover San Jose Restaurants You'll Love

Moving to San Jose 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 Original Joe's, Super Duper Burgers, and Giorgio's Italian Food & Pizzeria in San Jose. See our San Jose 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 801 Chophouse, head to Alexander's Steakhouse on your first Friday night after the boxes are unpacked.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Des Moines and San Jose

• The Craftsman and Ranch architecture that Des Moines is known for will be replaced with the Spanish Revival and Modern architecture typical of San Jose.
• Compared to Des Moines's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and quiet neighborhoods, San Jose real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to tech companies and eco-friendly features.
• Make sure you unpack those walking shoes since San Jose is more walkable than Des Moines.
• Make sure the movers take care of your bike because San Jose is more bike-friendly than Des Moines.
• San Jose has more of an urban feel than Des Moines.
• San Jose housing costs are 632% more expensive than they are in Des Moines, with a median home price of $1,461,923 compared to Des Moines’s $199,739.
• Over the prior 5 years, home prices in San Jose have increased by 36% compared to a 38% increase in Des Moines.
• Rent in San Jose is 192.82% more expensive than in Des Moines.

Pet-friendly Neighborhoods in San Jose, CA

1. Willow Glen : You'll love the tree-lined streets and abundance of pet-friendly parks and amenities that make outdoor exploration with your furry friend convenient and enjoyable.
2. Japantown : This neighborhood's welcoming community vibe and nearby parks provide you and your pet plenty of space to enjoy leisurely strolls and social interactions.
3. Rose Garden : With its expansive green spaces and walkable layout, this area offers numerous dog-friendly cafes and shops, making it perfect for pet-owners like you.

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

• Break out the sunglasses for your move from Des Moines to San Jose. San Jose gets 25% more sunshine days than Des Moines.
• San Jose has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Des Moines.
• Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Des Moines, but be on the lookout for potential earthquakes in San Jose.
• Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in San Jose is 4 degrees colder than in Des Moines.
• The average winter lows are 28 degrees warmer than they are in Des Moines.
• Your umbrella might be neglected in San Jose. San Jose receives 19.5 fewer inches of rain compared to Des Moines.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Des Moines and San Jose

• When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in San Jose tend to earn about 108% more than in Des Moines
• The COLI in San Jose will be 72% 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 San Jose is high compared to moderate in Des Moines
• The poverty level is low in San Jose compared to moderate in Des Moines
• In terms of homelessness, it is low in Des Moines and high in San Jose

Political and Religious Climate in Des Moines vs. San Jose

• Des Moines tends to lean liberal in its political climate
• San Jose, on the other hand, is often described as strongly liberal
• San Jose's religious environment can be described as diverse, with significant Asian religions alongside Christianity and an increasing non-religious population
• Des Moines' residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a mix of Protestant and Catholic, with a growing non-religious population

Des Moines vs. San Jose Traffic and Public Transit Considerations

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