Best Des Moines to Philadelphia Movers

How Much Do Des Moines to Philadelphia Movers Cost?

Moving 1,076 miles from Des Moines, IA to Philadelphia, PA will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,500 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 Philadelphia that already have a booked job heading from Philadelphia to Des Moines. Their moving truck would be making the trip back to Philadelphia from Des Moines entirely empty. If you can find a Philadelphia moving company willing to move your stuff on the return leg, you'll score a real deal!

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

Rating Methodology

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

Our original review-based ranking algorithm

We started with a total of 42 companies that offer interstate moving services in both the Des Moines and Philadelphia areas.

From these 42 companies, we analyzed a total of 13,432 reviews dating all the way back to July 2008.

We also reviewed a total of 25 state and federal moving licenses from these 42 companies and 192 different 3rd party review and social profiles.

Each of the ~13,000 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 2,743 Des Moines to Philadelphia 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 EverSafe Moving Co.) vs older more established companies (like Best Move Inc).

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The Great Guys Moving 11-Point Rating Breakdown

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

Quality

Overall quality of the service provided on moving day.

8.84/10 avg (Des Moines & Philadelphia combined) from 7,365 reviews

Punctuality

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

8.54/10 avg (Des Moines & Philadelphia combined) from 2,769 reviews

Affordability

How affordable was the moving service?

8.11/10 avg (Des Moines & Philadelphia combined) from 1,809 reviews

Communication

Responsiveness before, during, and after the move.

8.10/10 avg (Des Moines & Philadelphia combined) from 2,940 reviews

Stick to Prices

Was the final price consistent with the original quote?

7.00/10 avg (Des Moines & Philadelphia combined) from 1,189 reviews

Speed

Efficiency without taking unnecessary time to increase costs.

8.99/10 avg (Des Moines & Philadelphia combined) from 3,364 reviews

Friendliness

Was the moving crew cordial and friendly on moving day?

9.27/10 avg (Des Moines & Philadelphia combined) from 4,461 reviews

Will Hire Again

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

8.60/10 avg (Des Moines & Philadelphia combined) from 7,433 reviews

Professionalism

Did the moving crew behave professionally on moving day?

8.70/10 avg (Des Moines & Philadelphia combined) from 4,415 reviews

Conflict Handling

How well the company responds to accidents and issues.

4.68/10 avg (Des Moines & Philadelphia combined) from 766 reviews

Precision & Care

Were walls scratched? Did furniture get damaged or lost?

8.43/10 avg (Des Moines & Philadelphia combined) from 3,614 reviews

From Des Moines to Philadelphia: Comparable Neighborhoods at a Glance

• East Village in Des Moines & Northern Liberties in Philadelphia are both known for their bohemian vibe, local boutiques & nightlife
• Des Moines' Beaverdale neighborhood & Philadelphia's Chestnut Hill both share a suburban feel, bungalows & family-friendly atmosphere
• If you're moving from Sherman Hill, check out Society Hill in the Philadelphia area for the historic architecture & proximity to downtown
• Do you enjoy Drake's college atmosphere and student-centric amenities? You're sure to love University City
• Move from Valley Junction to Manayunk and continue to enjoy these neighborhood qualities: a former industrial hub turned walkable shopping district
• Ingersoll Park & Fairmount are both known for being adjacent to parks, affordable housing & quiet streets
• Des Moines' Downtown Des Moines neighborhood & Philadelphia's Rittenhouse Square neighborhood both have an urban core, high-rise living & upscale dining
• If you're moving from Capitol East, look into Graduate Hospital for the gentrifying neighborhood, rowhouses & new eateries
• Do you cherish living in Greenwood Park's suburban community, green spaces & single-family homes? Move into Chestnut Hill for something similar

Pros and Cons of Moving from Des Moines to Philadelphia

ConsDes Moines, IA

• Smaller job market
• Less cultural diversity
• Lower nightlife variety
• Minimal public transit

ProsPhiladelphia, PA

• Diverse job opportunities
• Rich cultural diversity
• Vibrant nightlife
• Extensive public transportation

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Philadelphia, PA

• Higher cost of living
• Denser urban living
• Less open space
• Heavier traffic

Des Moines, IA

• Lower cost of living
• Quiet neighborhoods
• More open space
• Easier traffic navigation

Pros of moving from Des Moines to Philadelphia

• Say goodbye to smaller job market and hello to diverse job opportunities
• Look forward to moving away from less cultural diversity and moving to Philadelphia with rich cultural diversity
• Swap the lower nightlife variety of Des Moines for vibrant nightlife in Philadelphia
• Get ready for extensive public transportation in Philadelphia

Cons of moving from Des Moines to Philadelphia

• Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from lower cost of living in Des Moines to live with higher cost of living in Philadelphia
• You'll lose out on the pro of quiet neighborhoods and have to settle for the con of denser urban living
• Time to bid farewell to more open space and get used to less open space in Philadelphia
• Swap easier traffic navigation for heavier traffic

Des Moines vs. Philadelphia: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

If you're moving from Des Moines to Philadelphia, you will be trading the iconic Pork Tenderloin Sandwich of Des Moines for the equally delicious Philly Cheesesteak of Philadelphia. And while the locals in Des Moines rave about their flavorful Iowa Chop and sumptuous Corn Dogs, Philadelphia residents know they have tasty Roast Pork Sandwich and Soft Pretzels to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Grilled Tofu they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Seitan Steak of Philadelphia. 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 Philadelphia, don't wait too long before making your way to Philadelphia's acclaimed eateries like Pat's King of Steaks, Reading Terminal Market, and Zahav.

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

Discover Philadelphia Restaurants You'll Love

Moving to Philadelphia 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, Fong's Pizza, and Django in Des Moines, we're sure you'll love Zahav, SliCE, and Fond in Philadelphia. See our Philadelphia 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 Zombie Burger and Drink Lab, head to PYT on your first Friday night after the boxes are unpacked.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Des Moines and Philadelphia

• The Colonial and Ranch architecture that Des Moines is known for will be replaced with the Row Houses and Colonial architecture typical of Philadelphia.
• Compared to Des Moines's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and quiet neighborhoods, Philadelphia real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to amenities and historical features.
• Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Philadelphia is more walkable than Des Moines.
• Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Philadelphia is more bike-friendly than Des Moines.
• Philadelphia has more of an urban feel than Des Moines.
• Philadelphia housing costs are 9% more expensive than in Des Moines, with a median home price of $217,849 compared to Des Moines’s $199,739.
• Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Philadelphia have increased by 27% compared to a 38% increase in Des Moines.
• Rent in Philadelphia is 60.86% more expensive than in Des Moines.

Pet-friendly Neighborhoods in Philadelphia, PA

1. 1 Fairmount (Art Museum): Direct access to expansive Fairmount Park and the Schuylkill River Trail, plus plenty of pet-friendly patios and services.
2. 2 Northern Liberties: Home to Orianna Hill Dog Park and a walkable mix of pet-welcoming cafes, shops, and apartments.
3. 3 Manayunk: Easy walks on the Manayunk Canal Towpath and nearby Wissahickon trails, with many dog-friendly patios along Main Street.

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

• Break out the sunglasses for your move from Des Moines to Philadelphia. Philadelphia gets 1% more sunshine days than Des Moines.
• Philadelphia 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 hurricanes and winter storms in Philadelphia.
• The average summer high temperature in Philadelphia is 1 degree warmer than in Des Moines.
• The average winter lows are 12 degrees warmer than they are in Des Moines.
• Your umbrella might be more overworked in Philadelphia, as it receives 11 more inches of rain compared to Des Moines.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Des Moines and Philadelphia

• When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Philadelphia tend to earn about 13% less than in Des Moines
• The COLI in Philadelphia will be 39% higher than what you are used to living in Des Moines
• The state income tax in PA is 3.07 compared to 0.33 to 8.53 in IA
• The affluence in Philadelphia is varied compared to moderate in Des Moines
• The poverty level is higher in Philadelphia compared to lower in Des Moines
• In terms of homelessness, it is lower in Des Moines and higher in Philadelphia

Des Moines vs. Philadelphia Traffic and Public Transit Considerations

• Bummer! Looks like you might end up spending about 60% more time stuck in traffic commuting to work in Philadelphia compared to your Des Moines commute. That's 6,240 minutes lost each year in a car.
• You can expect traffic in Philadelphia to be worse than it is in Des Moines.
• Public transit is more readily available in Philadelphia.