Best Des Moines to Memphis Movers

How Much Do Des Moines to Memphis Movers Cost?

Moving 623 miles from Des Moines, IA to Memphis, TN 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 Memphis that already have a booked job heading from Memphis to Des Moines. Their moving truck would be making the trip back to Memphis from Des Moines entirely empty. If you can find a Memphis moving company willing to move your stuff on the return leg, you'll score a real deal!

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

Rating Methodology

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

Our original review-based ranking algorithm

We started with a total of 23 companies that offer interstate moving services in both the Des Moines and Memphis areas.

From these 23 companies, we analyzed a total of 6,149 reviews dating all the way back to February 2009.

We also reviewed a total of 0 state and federal moving licenses from these 23 companies and 114 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 1,401 Des Moines to Memphis 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 Garrett's Hauling) vs older more established companies (like Country Club Moving & Packing Inc.).

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The Great Guys Moving 11-Point Rating Breakdown

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

Quality

Overall quality of the service provided on moving day.

8.67/10 avg (Des Moines & Memphis combined) from 3,144 reviews

Punctuality

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

8.20/10 avg (Des Moines & Memphis combined) from 907 reviews

Affordability

How affordable was the moving service?

7.19/10 avg (Des Moines & Memphis combined) from 464 reviews

Communication

Responsiveness before, during, and after the move.

7.97/10 avg (Des Moines & Memphis combined) from 1,063 reviews

Stick to Prices

Was the final price consistent with the original quote?

5.93/10 avg (Des Moines & Memphis combined) from 323 reviews

Speed

Efficiency without taking unnecessary time to increase costs.

8.78/10 avg (Des Moines & Memphis combined) from 1,127 reviews

Friendliness

Was the moving crew cordial and friendly on moving day?

9.25/10 avg (Des Moines & Memphis combined) from 1,855 reviews

Will Hire Again

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

8.50/10 avg (Des Moines & Memphis combined) from 3,163 reviews

Professionalism

Did the moving crew behave professionally on moving day?

8.65/10 avg (Des Moines & Memphis combined) from 1,878 reviews

Conflict Handling

How well the company responds to accidents and issues.

4.47/10 avg (Des Moines & Memphis combined) from 354 reviews

Precision & Care

Were walls scratched? Did furniture get damaged or lost?

8.16/10 avg (Des Moines & Memphis combined) from 1,442 reviews

From Des Moines to Memphis: Comparable Neighborhoods at a Glance

• East Village in Des Moines & Cooper-Young in Memphis are both known for their arts & nightlife district
• Des Moines' Sherman Hill neighborhood & Memphis' Central Gardens both share historic homes & tree-lined streets
• If you're moving from Ingersoll Park, check out South Main in the Memphis area for the emerging dining & art scene
• Do you enjoy Waveland Park's walkable eateries & creative venues? You're sure to love South Main
• Move from Beaverdale to East Memphis and continue to enjoy these neighborhood qualities: family-friendly & retail hubs
• Drake & Midtown are both known for their college vibe & cafe culture
• Des Moines' Historic Valley Junction neighborhood & Memphis' Harbor Town neighborhood both have waterfront shops & historic charm
• If you're moving from Gray's Lake, look into Cordova for the riverside trails & green spaces
• Do you cherish living in South Side's arts district & community revitalization? Move into Binghampton for something similar
• The similar vibes of North of Grand & Overton Square are both known for dense bars & restaurant clusters
• River Bend & East Memphis are similar in upscale homes & golf communities

Pros and Cons of Moving from Des Moines to Memphis

ConsDes Moines, IA

• Colder Winters
• Smaller City
• Less Diverse Cuisine
• Fewer Music Venues
• Lower Job Growth

ProsMemphis, TN

• Milder Winters
• Larger City
• Rich Food Scene
• Vibrant Music Scene
• Higher Job Growth

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Memphis, TN

• More Traffic
• Higher Crime Rate
• Higher Housing Costs
• Larger Population
• Fewer Farms

Des Moines, IA

• Less Traffic
• Lower Crime Rate
• More Affordable Housing
• Close-knit Community
• Rich Agricultural Scene

Pros of moving from Des Moines to Memphis

• Say goodbye to colder Winters and hello to milder Winters
• Look forward to moving away from a smaller City and moving to Memphis with a larger City
• Swap the less Diverse Cuisine of Des Moines for a rich Food Scene in Memphis
• Get ready for a vibrant Music Scene in Memphis

Cons of moving from Des Moines to Memphis

• Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from less Traffic in Des Moines to live with more Traffic in Memphis
• You'll lose out on the pro of a lower Crime Rate and have to settle for the con of a higher Crime Rate
• Time to bid farewell to more Affordable Housing and get used to higher Housing Costs in Memphis
• Swap a close-knit Community for a larger Population

Des Moines vs. Memphis: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

If you're moving from Des Moines to Memphis, you will be trading the iconic Pork Tenderloin Sandwich of Des Moines for the equally delicious Barbecue Ribs of Memphis. And while the locals in Des Moines rave about their flavorful Breaded Pork Cutlets and sumptuous Tacos, Memphis residents know they have tasty Pulled Pork and Smoked Sausages to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Veggie Burgers they've grown to love, they can get ready for the BBQ Tofu of Memphis. 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 801 Chophouse. After the boxes are unpacked in Memphis, don't wait too long before making your way to Memphis' acclaimed eateries like Central BBQ, Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken, and Dindie's Soul Food.

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

Discover Memphis Restaurants You'll Love

Moving to Memphis 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 St. Kilda in Des Moines, we're sure you'll love Felicia Suzanne's, Aldo's Pizza Pies, and Bread & Butter in Memphis. See our Memphis 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 + Drink Lab, head to Dyer's on your first Friday night after the boxes are unpacked.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Des Moines and Memphis

• The Craftsman and Ranch architecture that Des Moines is known for will be replaced with the Victorian and Neoclassical architecture typical of Memphis.
• Compared to Des Moines's real estate listings that commonly reference quiet neighborhoods and family-friendly environments, Memphis real estate listings often highlight features like historic homes and proximity to nightlife.
• You can keep your walking shoes packed away because Memphis is less walkable than Des Moines.
• Make sure the movers take care of your bike because Memphis is more bike-friendly than Des Moines.
• Memphis has more of an urban feel than Des Moines.
• Memphis housing costs are 26% less expensive than they are in Des Moines with a median home price of $147,542 compared to Des Moines’s $199,739.
• Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Memphis have increased by 52% compared to a 38% increase in Des Moines.
• Rent in Memphis is 19.94% more expensive than in Des Moines.

Pet-friendly Neighborhoods in Memphis, TN

1. 1 Midtown: Easy access to Overton Park and Overton Bark, walkable streets, and many pet-friendly patios make daily outings simple.
2. 2 Cooper-Young: Tree-lined, highly walkable blocks with plenty of dog-welcoming patios and neighborhood events.
3. 3 Harbor Town (Mud Island): Quiet, low-traffic streets and riverfront greenbelt trails offer abundant space for walks and playtime.

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

• Break out the sunglasses for your move from Des Moines to Memphis. Memphis gets 6% more sunshine days than Des Moines.
• Memphis has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Des Moines.
• Say goodbye to the possible snowstorms and tornadoes in Des Moines and be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and earthquakes in Memphis.
• Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Memphis is 5 degrees warmer than in Des Moines.
• The average winter lows are 18 degrees warmer than they are in Des Moines.
• Your umbrella might be more overworked in Memphis. Memphis receives 17 more inches of rain compared to Des Moines.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Des Moines and Memphis

• When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Memphis tend to earn about 27% less than in Des Moines
• The COLI in Memphis is 3% lower than what you are used to living in Des Moines
• The state income tax in TN is 0% (Tennessee has no income tax) compared to up to 8.53% in IA
• The affluence in Memphis is moderate to low compared to moderate in Des Moines
• The poverty level is high in Memphis compared to low in Des Moines
• In terms of homelessness, it is low in Des Moines and medium in Memphis

Des Moines vs. Memphis Traffic and Public Transit Considerations

• Bummer! Looks like you might end up spending about 25% more time stuck in traffic commuting to work in Memphis compared to your Des Moines commute. That's 2,600 minutes lost each year in a car.
• You can expect traffic in Memphis to be worse than it is in Des Moines.
• Public transit is less readily available in Memphis.