Best Des Moines to Tulsa Movers

How Much Do Des Moines to Tulsa Movers Cost?

Moving 436 miles from Des Moines, IA to Tulsa, OK 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 Tulsa that already have a booked job heading from Tulsa to Des Moines. Their moving truck would be making the trip back to Tulsa from Des Moines entirely empty. If you can find a Tulsa moving company willing to move your stuff on the return leg, you'll score a real deal!

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

Rating Methodology

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

Our original review-based ranking algorithm

We started with a total of 13 companies that offer interstate moving services in both the Des Moines and Tulsa areas.

From these 13 companies, we analyzed a total of 3,584 reviews dating all the way back to February 2009.

We also reviewed a total of 2 state and federal moving licenses from these 13 companies and 65 different 3rd party review and social profiles.

Each of the ~3,000 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 1,436 Des Moines to Tulsa 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 Bigger Better 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 Tulsa moving company across 11 of the most important criteria for a succesful moving experience.

Quality

Overall quality of the service provided on moving day.

8.86/10 avg (Des Moines & Tulsa combined) from 2,112 reviews

Punctuality

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

8.08/10 avg (Des Moines & Tulsa combined) from 585 reviews

Affordability

How affordable was the moving service?

7.65/10 avg (Des Moines & Tulsa combined) from 399 reviews

Communication

Responsiveness before, during, and after the move.

8.18/10 avg (Des Moines & Tulsa combined) from 730 reviews

Stick to Prices

Was the final price consistent with the original quote?

6.38/10 avg (Des Moines & Tulsa combined) from 255 reviews

Speed

Efficiency without taking unnecessary time to increase costs.

8.72/10 avg (Des Moines & Tulsa combined) from 826 reviews

Friendliness

Was the moving crew cordial and friendly on moving day?

9.21/10 avg (Des Moines & Tulsa combined) from 1,175 reviews

Will Hire Again

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

8.65/10 avg (Des Moines & Tulsa combined) from 2,065 reviews

Professionalism

Did the moving crew behave professionally on moving day?

8.80/10 avg (Des Moines & Tulsa combined) from 1,174 reviews

Conflict Handling

How well the company responds to accidents and issues.

4.92/10 avg (Des Moines & Tulsa combined) from 237 reviews

Precision & Care

Were walls scratched? Did furniture get damaged or lost?

8.44/10 avg (Des Moines & Tulsa combined) from 985 reviews

From Des Moines to Tulsa: Comparable Neighborhoods at a Glance

• East Village in Des Moines & Brady Arts District in Tulsa are both known for their: walkable retail & nightlife
• Des Moines' Sherman Hill neighborhood & Tulsa's Maple Ridge both share: historic Victorian homes
• If you're moving from Beaverdale, check out Brookside in the Tulsa area for the: family-friendly bungalows
• Do you enjoy Drake District's university-adjacent cafes? You're sure to love Kendall-Whittier
• Move from Ingersoll to Brookside and continue to enjoy these neighborhood qualities: local boutiques & breweries
• South of Grand & Cherry Street are both known for their: artsy eateries & galleries
• Des Moines' Waveland Park neighborhood & Tulsa's Southern Hills neighborhood both have: green space & quiet streets
• If you're moving from Woodland Heights, look into Midtown for the: tree-lined streets & gardens
• Do you cherish living in Capitol East's historic commercial corridor redevelopment? Move into Kendall-Whittier for something similar

Pros and Cons of Moving from Des Moines to Tulsa

ConsDes Moines, IA

• Smaller city vibes
• Fewer job opportunities
• Less cultural diversity
• Colder winters

ProsTulsa, OK

• Larger urban area
• More diverse employment
• Rich cultural scene
• Milder winters

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Tulsa, OK

• Less personal feel
• Higher living expenses
• Fewer parks
• More congestion

Des Moines, IA

• Close-knit community
• Low cost of living
• Ample green space
• Less traffic

Pros of moving from Des Moines to Tulsa

• Say goodbye to smaller city vibes and hello to a larger urban area
• Look forward to moving away from fewer job opportunities and moving to Tulsa with more diverse employment
• Swap the less cultural diversity of Des Moines for a rich cultural scene in Tulsa
• Get ready for milder winters in Tulsa

Cons of moving from Des Moines to Tulsa

• Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a close-knit community in Des Moines to live with a less personal feel in Tulsa
• You'll lose out on the pro of a low cost of living and have to settle for the con of higher living expenses
• Time to bid farewell to ample green space and get used to fewer parks in Tulsa
• Swap less traffic for more congestion

Des Moines vs. Tulsa: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

If you're moving from Des Moines to Tulsa, you will be trading the iconic Pork Tenderloin Sandwich of Des Moines for the equally delicious BBQ Bologna of Tulsa. And while the locals in Des Moines rave about their flavorful Iowa Pork Chop and sumptuous Tacos, Tulsa residents know they have tasty Smoked Brisket and Indian 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 BBQ Jackfruit of Tulsa. 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 Tulsa, don't wait too long before making your way to Tulsa's acclaimed eateries like Burn Co Barbecue, Juniper, and Sisserou's.

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

Discover Tulsa Restaurants You'll Love

Moving to Tulsa 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 Bubba, Zombie Burger + Drink Lab, and Centro in Des Moines, we're sure you'll love Juniper, Fat Guy's Burger Bar, and Amelia's in Tulsa. See our Tulsa 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 Andolini's Pizzeria on your first Friday night after the boxes are unpacked.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Des Moines and Tulsa

• The Craftsman and Ranch architecture that Des Moines is known for will be replaced with the Art Deco and Ranch architecture typical of Tulsa.
• Compared to Des Moines's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious backyards and proximity to schools, Tulsa real estate listings often highlight features like historic neighborhoods and green spaces.
• You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Tulsa is less walkable than Des Moines.
• You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Tulsa is less bike-friendly than Des Moines.
• Tulsa has less of an urban feel than Des Moines.
• Tulsa housing costs are 0% more expensive than those in Des Moines, with a median home price of $200,036 compared to Des Moines’s $199,739.
• Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Tulsa have increased by 62% compared to a 38% increase in Des Moines.
• Rent in Tulsa is 14.63% more expensive than in Des Moines.

Pet-friendly Neighborhoods in Tulsa, OK

1. Brookside : You'll appreciate the abundance of pet-friendly patios and nearby parks where your furry companions are always welcome.
2. Cherry Street : You and your pet can enjoy strolls through this vibrant neighborhood filled with restaurants and shops that often provide water bowls and treats for pets.
3. Jenks : This area offers numerous walking trails and a welcoming community atmosphere for you and your pets to explore and socialize.

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

• Break out the sunglasses for your move from Des Moines to Tulsa. Tulsa gets 11% more sunshine days than Des Moines.
• Tulsa has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Des Moines.
• Say goodbye to the possible blizzards and floods in Des Moines, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and floods in Tulsa.
• Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Tulsa is 9 degrees warmer than in Des Moines.
• The average winter lows are 11 degrees warmer than they are in Des Moines.
• Your umbrella might be more overworked in Tulsa. Tulsa receives 6 more inches of rain compared to Des Moines.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Des Moines and Tulsa

• When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Tulsa tend to earn about 16% less than in Des Moines
• The COLI in Tulsa is 3% lower than what you are used to in Des Moines
• The state income tax in OK is 0.5% to 5% compared to 4.4% to 8.53% in IA
• The affluence in Tulsa is moderate to high compared to moderate in Des Moines
• The poverty level is medium in Tulsa compared to low in Des Moines
• In terms of homelessness, it is low to moderate in Des Moines and low in Tulsa

Political and Religious Climate in Des Moines vs. Tulsa

• Des Moines tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
• Tulsa, on the other hand, is often described as lean Republican
• Tulsa's religious environment can be described as strongly Evangelical Christian with a presence of other faiths
• 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. Tulsa Traffic and Public Transit Considerations

• Bummer! Looks like you might end up spending about 5% more time stuck in traffic commuting to work in Tulsa compared to your Des Moines commute. That's 520 minutes lost each year in a car.
• You can expect traffic in Tulsa to be similar to what it is in Des Moines.
• Public transit is less readily available in Tulsa.