Best Des Moines to Indianapolis Movers

How Much Do Des Moines to Indianapolis Movers Cost?

Moving 476 miles from Des Moines, IA to Indianapolis, IN will typically cost between $2,000 and $5,000 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 Indianapolis that already have a booked job heading from Indianapolis to Des Moines. Their moving truck would be making the trip back to Indianapolis from Des Moines entirely empty. If you can find a Indianapolis moving company willing to move your stuff on the return leg, you'll score a real deal!

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

Rating Methodology

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

Our original review-based ranking algorithm

We started with a total of 24 companies that offer interstate moving services in both the Des Moines and Indianapolis areas.

From these 24 companies, we analyzed a total of 5,439 reviews dating all the way back to August 2005.

We also reviewed a total of 0 state and federal moving licenses from these 24 companies and 106 different 3rd party review and social profiles.

Each of the ~5,000 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 3,102 Des Moines to Indianapolis 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 Soft Touch Moving) vs older more established companies (like Hemmen Moving).

Hire Trusted Movers

The Great Guys Moving 11-Point Rating Breakdown

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

Quality

Overall quality of the service provided on moving day.

8.50/10 avg (Des Moines & Indianapolis combined) from 2,630 reviews

Punctuality

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

8.07/10 avg (Des Moines & Indianapolis combined) from 741 reviews

Affordability

How affordable was the moving service?

7.31/10 avg (Des Moines & Indianapolis combined) from 401 reviews

Communication

Responsiveness before, during, and after the move.

7.73/10 avg (Des Moines & Indianapolis combined) from 856 reviews

Stick to Prices

Was the final price consistent with the original quote?

5.99/10 avg (Des Moines & Indianapolis combined) from 314 reviews

Speed

Efficiency without taking unnecessary time to increase costs.

8.67/10 avg (Des Moines & Indianapolis combined) from 1,053 reviews

Friendliness

Was the moving crew cordial and friendly on moving day?

9.05/10 avg (Des Moines & Indianapolis combined) from 1,503 reviews

Will Hire Again

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

8.31/10 avg (Des Moines & Indianapolis combined) from 2,643 reviews

Professionalism

Did the moving crew behave professionally on moving day?

8.39/10 avg (Des Moines & Indianapolis combined) from 1,546 reviews

Conflict Handling

How well the company responds to accidents and issues.

4.12/10 avg (Des Moines & Indianapolis combined) from 315 reviews

Precision & Care

Were walls scratched? Did furniture get damaged or lost?

7.89/10 avg (Des Moines & Indianapolis combined) from 1,160 reviews

From Des Moines to Indianapolis: Comparable Neighborhoods at a Glance

• East Village in Des Moines & Massachusetts Avenue Arts District in Indianapolis are both known for their: arts district, bars & restaurants
• Des Moines' Sherman Hill neighborhood & Indianapolis' Lockerbie Square both share: historic district, Victorian homes
• If you're moving from Beaverdale, check out Meridian-Kessler in the Indianapolis area for the: midcentury homes, family-friendly
• Do you enjoy Valley Junction's walkable district, nightlife & shops? You're sure to love Broad Ripple
• Move from Waveland Park to Butler-Tarkington and continue to enjoy these neighborhood qualities: quiet residential near university
• Drake neighborhood & Butler-Tarkington are both known for their: campus-adjacent, student-friendly

Pros and Cons of Moving from Des Moines to Indianapolis

ConsDes Moines, IA

• Smaller city vibe
• Less cultural venues
• Lower job diversity
• Fewer major events

ProsIndianapolis, IN

• Larger city benefits
• More cultural diversity
• Greater employment options
• More significant events

---

Indianapolis, IN

• Less personal feel
• More traffic
• Higher living costs
• Louder urban life

Des Moines, IA

• Close-knit community
• Easy navigation
• Lower living costs
• Quiet neighborhoods

Pros of moving from Des Moines to Indianapolis

• Say goodbye to smaller city vibe and hello to larger city benefits
• Look forward to moving away from less cultural venues and moving to Indianapolis with more cultural diversity
• Swap the lower job diversity of Des Moines for greater employment options in Indianapolis
• Get ready for more significant events in Indianapolis

Cons of moving from Des Moines to Indianapolis

• Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a close-knit community in Des Moines to live with a less personal feel in Indianapolis
• You'll lose out on the pro of easy navigation and have to settle for the con of more traffic
• Time to bid farewell to lower living costs and get used to higher living costs in Indianapolis
• Swap quiet neighborhoods for louder urban life

Des Moines vs. Indianapolis: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

If you're moving from Des Moines to Indianapolis, you will be trading the iconic Pork Tenderloin Sandwich of Des Moines for the equally delicious Shrimp Cocktail of Indianapolis. And while the locals in Des Moines rave about their flavorful Iowa Chops and sumptuous Italian Beef Sandwich, Indianapolis residents know they have tasty Hoosier Tenderloin and Indian Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Seitan Wings they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Tempeh Reuben of Indianapolis. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Des Moines eateries like 801 Chophouse, Zombie Burger + Drink Lab, and Fong's Pizza. After the boxes are unpacked in Indianapolis, don't wait too long before making your way to Indianapolis' acclaimed eateries like St. Elmo Steak House, Milktooth, and Bluebeard.

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

Discover Indianapolis Restaurants You'll Love

Moving to Indianapolis 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, A Dong, and Zombie Burger + Drink Lab in Des Moines, we're sure you'll love St. Elmo Steak House, Pho Vn Cuisine, and Kuma's Corner in Indianapolis. See our Indianapolis 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 Fong's Pizza, head to Goodfellas Pizzeria on your first Friday night after the boxes are unpacked.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Des Moines and Indianapolis

• The Colonial Revival architecture that Des Moines is known for will be replaced with the Victorian architecture typical of Indianapolis.
• Compared to Des Moines's real estate listings that commonly reference proximity to parks, Indianapolis real estate listings often highlight features like historical districts.
• Make sure you unpack those walking shoes because Indianapolis is more walkable than Des Moines.
• Make sure the movers take care of your bike because Indianapolis is more bike-friendly than Des Moines.
• Indianapolis has more of an urban feel than Des Moines.
• Indianapolis housing costs are 12% more expensive than in Des Moines, with a median home price of $224,099 compared to Des Moines’s $199,739.
• Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Indianapolis have increased by 60% compared to a 38% increase in Des Moines.
• Rent in Indianapolis is 28.24% more expensive than in Des Moines.

Pet-friendly Neighborhoods in Indianapolis, IN

1. Broad Ripple: You'll find this vibrant neighborhood perfect for pets with its abundance of parks, pet-friendly businesses, and walking trails.
2. Fountain Square: This eclectic area offers a pet-loving community with numerous outdoor events and dog-friendly establishments.
3. Meridian-Kessler: You're sure to enjoy the spacious yards and tree-lined streets that are ideal for daily walks and outdoor pet activities.

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

• Break out the sunglasses for your move from Des Moines to Indianapolis. Indianapolis gets 3% more sunshine days than Des Moines.
• Indianapolis has lower 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 tornadoes and severe storms in Indianapolis.
• The average summer high temperature in Indianapolis is degrees, the same as in Des Moines.
• The average winter lows are 5 degrees warmer than they are in Des Moines.
• Your umbrella might be more overworked in Indianapolis, as Indianapolis receives 6 more inches of rain compared to Des Moines.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Des Moines and Indianapolis

• When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Indianapolis tend to earn about 4% less than in Des Moines
• The COLI in Indianapolis is 4% lower than what you are used to living in Des Moines
• The state income tax in IN is a flat 3.23% compared to up to 8.53% in IA
• The affluence in Indianapolis is moderately lower compared to moderate affluence in Des Moines
• The poverty level is higher in Indianapolis compared to lower poverty in Des Moines
• In terms of homelessness, it is lower in Des Moines and higher in Indianapolis

Political and Religious Climate in Des Moines vs. Indianapolis

• Des Moines tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
• Indianapolis, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Democratic
• Indianapolis' religious environment can be described as religiously diverse and predominantly Christian
• Des Moines' residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as mixed with a strong Christian presence

Des Moines vs. Indianapolis Traffic and Public Transit Considerations

• Bummer! Looks like you might end up spending about 25% more time stuck in traffic commuting to work in Indianapolis compared to your Des Moines commute. That's 2600 minutes lost each year in a car.
• You can expect traffic in Indianapolis to be worse than it is in Des Moines.
• Public transit is more readily available in Indianapolis.