Best Des Moines to Columbus Movers

How Much Do Des Moines to Columbus Movers Cost?

Moving 649 miles from Des Moines, IA to Columbus, OH will typically cost between $2,500 and $5,500 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 Columbus that already have a booked job heading from Columbus to Des Moines. Their moving truck would be making the trip back to Columbus from Des Moines entirely empty. If you can find a Columbus moving company willing to move your stuff on the return leg, you'll score a real deal!

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

Rating Methodology

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

Our original review-based ranking algorithm

We started with a total of 29 companies that offer interstate moving services in both the Des Moines and Columbus areas.

From these 29 companies, we analyzed a total of 8,058 reviews dating all the way back to July 2008.

We also reviewed a total of 8 state and federal moving licenses from these 29 companies and 148 different 3rd party review and social profiles.

Each of the ~8,000 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 3,101 Des Moines to Columbus 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 Manifest Shipping Llc) 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 Columbus moving company across 11 of the most important criteria for a succesful moving experience.

Quality

Overall quality of the service provided on moving day.

8.95/10 avg (Des Moines & Columbus combined) from 3,949 reviews

Punctuality

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

8.43/10 avg (Des Moines & Columbus combined) from 1,187 reviews

Affordability

How affordable was the moving service?

7.94/10 avg (Des Moines & Columbus combined) from 583 reviews

Communication

Responsiveness before, during, and after the move.

8.16/10 avg (Des Moines & Columbus combined) from 1,269 reviews

Stick to Prices

Was the final price consistent with the original quote?

6.72/10 avg (Des Moines & Columbus combined) from 360 reviews

Speed

Efficiency without taking unnecessary time to increase costs.

9.04/10 avg (Des Moines & Columbus combined) from 1,445 reviews

Friendliness

Was the moving crew cordial and friendly on moving day?

9.31/10 avg (Des Moines & Columbus combined) from 2,326 reviews

Will Hire Again

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

8.76/10 avg (Des Moines & Columbus combined) from 3,760 reviews

Professionalism

Did the moving crew behave professionally on moving day?

8.78/10 avg (Des Moines & Columbus combined) from 2,281 reviews

Conflict Handling

How well the company responds to accidents and issues.

4.74/10 avg (Des Moines & Columbus combined) from 273 reviews

Precision & Care

Were walls scratched? Did furniture get damaged or lost?

8.50/10 avg (Des Moines & Columbus combined) from 1,708 reviews

From Des Moines to Columbus: Comparable Neighborhoods at a Glance

• Downtown Des Moines in Des Moines & Arena District in Columbus are both known for their central business district with entertainment venues
• Des Moines' Sherman Hill neighborhood & Columbus' Victorian Village both share restored historic homes & tree-lined streets
• If you're moving from East Village, check out Short North in the Columbus area for the art galleries & bustling nightlife
• Do you enjoy Beaverdale's family-friendly residential suburb? You're sure to love Upper Arlington
• Move from Drake to University District and continue to enjoy these neighborhood qualities: college campus proximity & student amenities
• Ingersoll Park & Grandview Heights are both known for their small-town feel near the city center
• Des Moines' Waveland Park neighborhood & Columbus' Bexley neighborhood both have mid-century homes on leafy streets
• If you're moving from Greenwood Park, look into Clintonville for the suburban vibe with local shops
• Do you cherish living in Historic Valley Junction's brick streets & historic charm? Move into German Village for something similar
• The similar vibes of River Bend & Grandview Heights are both known for scenic riverside homes & parks

Pros and Cons of Moving from Des Moines to Columbus

ConsDes Moines, IA

• Smaller city vibe
• Less diverse cuisine options
• Fewer job opportunities
• Lower cultural happenings
• Less public transportation

ProsColumbus, OH

• Larger metropolitan area
• Broader culinary scene
• Greater job market
• Richer cultural experiences
• More public transport options

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Columbus, OH

• More anonymity
• Higher cost of living
• More traffic congestion
• Complex city landscape
• Fewer green spaces

Des Moines, IA

• Close-knit community
• Lower cost of living
• Less traffic congestion
• Easy city navigation
• More green spaces

Pros of moving from Des Moines to Columbus

• Say goodbye to smaller city vibe and hello to larger metropolitan area
• Look forward to moving away from less diverse cuisine options and moving to Columbus with a broader culinary scene
• Swap the fewer job opportunities of Des Moines for a greater job market in Columbus
• Get ready for richer cultural experiences in Columbus

Cons of moving from Des Moines to Columbus

• Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a close-knit community in Des Moines to live with more anonymity in Columbus
• You'll lose out on the pro of a lower cost of living and have to settle with the con of a higher cost of living
• Time to bid farewell to less traffic congestion and get used to more traffic congestion in Columbus
• Swap easy city navigation for a complex city landscape

Des Moines vs. Columbus: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

If you're moving from Des Moines to Columbus, you will be trading the iconic Pork Tenderloin Sandwich of Des Moines for the equally delicious Buckeye Candy of Columbus. And while the locals in Des Moines rave about their flavorful Iowa Chop and sumptuous Tacos, Columbus residents know they have tasty Columbus-style Pizza and Food Truck Gyros 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 Jackfruit Tacos of Columbus. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Des Moines eateries like Zombie Burger, Centro, and Fong's Pizza. After the boxes are unpacked in Columbus, don't wait too long before making your way to Columbus' acclaimed eateries like Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams, Thurman Cafe, and North Market.

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

Discover Columbus Restaurants You'll Love

Moving to Columbus 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 Marcella's, Thurman Cafe, and Harvest Pizzeria in Columbus. See our Columbus 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 A Dong, head to Indochine Cafe on your first Friday night after the boxes are unpacked.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Des Moines and Columbus

• The Craftsman and Ranch architecture that Des Moines is known for will be replaced with the Colonial Revival and Cape Cod architecture typical of Columbus.
• Compared to Des Moines's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious backyards and quiet neighborhoods, Columbus real estate listings often highlight features like urban amenities and proximity to parks.
• Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Columbus is more walkable than Des Moines.
• Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Columbus is more bike-friendly than Des Moines.
• Columbus has more of an urban feel than Des Moines.
• Columbus housing costs are 22% more expensive than they are in Des Moines, with a median home price of $243,838 compared to Des Moines’s $199,739.
• Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Columbus have increased by 61% compared to a 38% increase in Des Moines.
• Rent in Columbus is 32.53% more expensive than in Des Moines.

Pet-friendly Neighborhoods in Columbus, OH

1. German Village : You’ll love the walkable brick-paved streets and spacious Schiller Park, perfect for evening strolls with your pet.
2. Short North : This vibrant neighborhood offers numerous pet-friendly shops and cafes, so you and your furry friend can enjoy the local culture together.
3. Grandview Heights : With its abundance of green spaces and community events, this area caters to pet owners seeking an active lifestyle.

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

• The shades won't be used as much for your move from Des Moines to Columbus. Columbus gets 13% fewer sunshine days than Des Moines.
• Columbus has lower humidity and a lower 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 storms in Columbus.
• The average summer high temperature in Columbus is 1 degree colder than in Des Moines.
• The average winter lows are 7 degrees warmer than they are in Des Moines.
• Your umbrella might be more overworked in Columbus, as it receives 3 more inches of rain compared to Des Moines.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Des Moines and Columbus

• When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Columbus tend to earn about 4% less than in Des Moines
• The COLI in Columbus will be 1% higher than what you are used to living in Des Moines
• The state income tax in OH is 4.8 compared to 6.5 in IA
• The affluence in Columbus is moderate compared to moderate in Des Moines
• The poverty level is higher in Columbus compared to lower in Des Moines
• In terms of homelessness, it is lower in Des Moines and higher in Columbus

Political and Religious Climate in Des Moines vs. Columbus

• Des Moines tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
• Columbus, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Democratic
• Columbus' religious environment can be described as diverse with a significant Christian population
• Des Moines' residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as diverse with a significant Christian population

Des Moines vs. Columbus Traffic and Public Transit Considerations

• Bummer! Looks like you might end up spending about 15% more time stuck in traffic commuting to work in Columbus compared to your Des Moines commute. That's 1560 minutes lost each year in a car.
• You can expect traffic in Columbus to be worse than it is in Des Moines.
• Public transit is more readily available in Columbus.