Best Des Moines to Seattle Movers

How Much Do Des Moines to Seattle Movers Cost?

Moving 1,836 miles from Des Moines, IA to Seattle, WA will typically cost between $3,500 and $8,000 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 Seattle that already have a booked job heading from Seattle to Des Moines. Their moving truck would be making the trip back to Seattle from Des Moines entirely empty. If you can find a Seattle moving company willing to move your stuff on the return leg, you'll score a real deal!

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

Rating Methodology

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

Our original review-based ranking algorithm

We started with a total of 37 companies that offer interstate moving services in both the Des Moines and Seattle areas.

From these 37 companies, we analyzed a total of 13,931 reviews dating all the way back to September 2006.

We also reviewed a total of 18 state and federal moving licenses from these 37 companies and 187 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 2,557 Des Moines to Seattle 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 Seattle Moves & More) 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 Seattle moving company across 11 of the most important criteria for a succesful moving experience.

Quality

Overall quality of the service provided on moving day.

8.80/10 avg (Des Moines & Seattle combined) from 8,406 reviews

Punctuality

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

8.47/10 avg (Des Moines & Seattle combined) from 2,861 reviews

Affordability

How affordable was the moving service?

7.71/10 avg (Des Moines & Seattle combined) from 1,471 reviews

Communication

Responsiveness before, during, and after the move.

7.96/10 avg (Des Moines & Seattle combined) from 3,190 reviews

Stick to Prices

Was the final price consistent with the original quote?

6.84/10 avg (Des Moines & Seattle combined) from 1,189 reviews

Speed

Efficiency without taking unnecessary time to increase costs.

8.97/10 avg (Des Moines & Seattle combined) from 3,913 reviews

Friendliness

Was the moving crew cordial and friendly on moving day?

9.23/10 avg (Des Moines & Seattle combined) from 4,942 reviews

Will Hire Again

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

8.55/10 avg (Des Moines & Seattle combined) from 8,373 reviews

Professionalism

Did the moving crew behave professionally on moving day?

8.62/10 avg (Des Moines & Seattle combined) from 4,840 reviews

Conflict Handling

How well the company responds to accidents and issues.

4.85/10 avg (Des Moines & Seattle combined) from 855 reviews

Precision & Care

Were walls scratched? Did furniture get damaged or lost?

8.53/10 avg (Des Moines & Seattle combined) from 4,079 reviews

From Des Moines to Seattle: Comparable Neighborhoods at a Glance

• East Village in Des Moines & Capitol Hill in Seattle are both known for their trendy nightlife & eateries
• Des Moines' Sherman Hill neighborhood & Seattle's Queen Anne both share historic homes & hilltop residential
• If you're moving from Beaverdale, check out Ballard in the Seattle area for the family-friendly vibe & local shops
• Do you enjoy Drake's student-centric bars & cafes? You're sure to love University District
• Move from Woodland Heights to Magnolia and continue to enjoy these neighborhood qualities: quiet, upscale & green spaces
• Capitol East & First Hill are both known for their historic residential near civic institutions
• Des Moines' River Bend neighborhood & Seattle's Fremont neighborhood both have waterfront trails & scenic views
• If you're moving from Ingersoll Park, look into Georgetown for the industrial heritage & artsy redevelopment

Pros and Cons of Moving from Des Moines to Seattle

ConsDes Moines, IA

• Lesser job opportunities
• Smaller cultural scene
• Lower diversity
• Harsh winters
• Limited seafood options

ProsSeattle, WA

• Thriving tech industry
• Vibrant arts community
• Greater cultural diversity
• Milder climate
• Fresh seafood abundancy

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Seattle, WA

• Higher cost of living
• Longer commutes
• Fast-paced lifestyle
• Higher property taxes
• Difficult parking

Des Moines, IA

• Affordable living
• Shorter commute times
• Friendly communities
• Lower property taxes
• Easy navigation

Pros of moving from Des Moines to Seattle

• Say goodbye to lesser job opportunities and hello to a thriving tech industry
• Look forward to moving away from a smaller cultural scene and moving to Seattle with a vibrant arts community
• Swap the lower diversity of Des Moines for greater cultural diversity in Seattle
• Get ready for a milder climate in Seattle

Cons of moving from Des Moines to Seattle

• Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from affordable living in Des Moines to live with a higher cost of living in Seattle
• You'll lose out on the pro of shorter commute times and have to settle for the con of longer commutes
• Time to bid farewell to friendly communities and get used to a fast-paced lifestyle in Seattle
• Swap lower property taxes for higher property taxes

Des Moines vs. Seattle: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

If you're moving from Des Moines to Seattle, you will be trading the iconic Pork Tenderloin Sandwich of Des Moines for the equally delicious Salmon of Seattle. And while the locals in Des Moines rave about their flavorful Smoked Pork Chops and sumptuous Taco Truck Tacos, Seattle residents know they have tasty Dungeness Crab and Food Truck Pho to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Vegan BLT they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Seitan Steak of Seattle. 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 Seattle, don't wait too long before making your way to Seattle's acclaimed eateries like Canlis, Rover's, and Pike Place Chowder.

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

Discover Seattle Restaurants You'll Love

"Moving to Seattle 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 Hessen Haus in Des Moines, we're sure you'll love Bar del Corso, Serious Pie, and Rhein Haus in Seattle. See our Seattle 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 Proof Restaurant, head to Canlis on your first Friday night after the boxes are unpacked."

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Des Moines and Seattle

• The Ranch and Craftsman architecture that Des Moines is known for will be replaced with the Contemporary and Craftsman architecture typical of Seattle.
• Compared to Des Moines's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and quiet streets, Seattle real estate listings often highlight features like views and eco-friendly elements.
• Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Seattle is more walkable than Des Moines.
• Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Seattle is more bike-friendly than Des Moines.
• Seattle has more of an urban feel than Des Moines.
• Seattle housing costs are 340% more expensive than they are in Des Moines, with a median home price of $879,412 compared to Des Moines’s $199,739.
• Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Seattle have increased by 20% compared to a 38% increase in Des Moines.
• Rent in Seattle is 105.22% more expensive than in Des Moines.

Pet-friendly Neighborhoods in Seattle, WA

1. 1 Ballard: With the Golden Gardens off-leash area, plentiful pet services, and many dog-friendly patios, it's easy to exercise and socialize pets.
2. 2 West Seattle: Home to the expansive Westcrest Park off-leash area plus numerous parks and trails, making daily dog outings convenient.
3. 3 Green Lake: The flat 2.8-mile lakeside loop and proximity to the Lower Woodland off-leash area make it ideal for frequent walks and playtime.

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

• The shades won't be used as much for your move from Des Moines to Seattle. Seattle gets 26% fewer sunshine days than Des Moines.
• Seattle has higher 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 earthquakes and landslides in Seattle.
• Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Seattle is 11 degrees cooler than in Des Moines.
• The average winter lows are 19 degrees warmer than they are in Des Moines.
• Your umbrella might be more overworked in Seattle. Seattle receives 1.5 more inches of rain compared to Des Moines.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Des Moines and Seattle

• When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Seattle tend to earn about 83% more than in Des Moines
• The COLI in Seattle is 34% higher than what you are used to living in Des Moines
• Hooray, moving to WA means you'll no longer have state income taxes
• The affluence in Seattle is high compared to moderate in Des Moines
• The poverty level is moderate in Seattle compared to low in Des Moines
• In terms of homelessness, it is low in Des Moines and high in Seattle

Des Moines vs. Seattle Traffic and Public Transit Considerations

• Bummer! Looks like you might end up spending about 40% more time stuck in traffic commuting to work in Seattle compared to your Des Moines commute. That's 4,160 minutes lost each year in a car.
• You can expect traffic in Seattle to be worse than it is in Des Moines.
• Public transit is more readily available in Seattle.