Best Des Moines to Milwaukee Movers

How Much Do Des Moines to Milwaukee Movers Cost?

Moving 373 miles from Des Moines, IA to Milwaukee, WI 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 Milwaukee that already have a booked job heading from Milwaukee to Des Moines. Their moving truck would be making the trip back to Milwaukee from Des Moines entirely empty. If you can find a Milwaukee moving company willing to move your stuff on the return leg, you'll score a real deal!

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

Rating Methodology

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

Our original review-based ranking algorithm

We started with a total of 18 companies that offer interstate moving services in both the Des Moines and Milwaukee areas.

From these 18 companies, we analyzed a total of 4,304 reviews dating all the way back to February 2009.

We also reviewed a total of 7 state and federal moving licenses from these 18 companies and 91 different 3rd party review and social profiles.

Each of the ~4,000 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 2,129 Des Moines to Milwaukee 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 Gorilla Movers Of Wisconsin Inc.) 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 Milwaukee moving company across 11 of the most important criteria for a succesful moving experience.

Quality

Overall quality of the service provided on moving day.

8.92/10 avg (Des Moines & Milwaukee combined) from 2,279 reviews

Punctuality

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

8.31/10 avg (Des Moines & Milwaukee combined) from 678 reviews

Affordability

How affordable was the moving service?

7.67/10 avg (Des Moines & Milwaukee combined) from 431 reviews

Communication

Responsiveness before, during, and after the move.

8.15/10 avg (Des Moines & Milwaukee combined) from 827 reviews

Stick to Prices

Was the final price consistent with the original quote?

6.85/10 avg (Des Moines & Milwaukee combined) from 260 reviews

Speed

Efficiency without taking unnecessary time to increase costs.

9.15/10 avg (Des Moines & Milwaukee combined) from 971 reviews

Friendliness

Was the moving crew cordial and friendly on moving day?

9.31/10 avg (Des Moines & Milwaukee combined) from 1,415 reviews

Will Hire Again

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

8.63/10 avg (Des Moines & Milwaukee combined) from 2,288 reviews

Professionalism

Did the moving crew behave professionally on moving day?

8.88/10 avg (Des Moines & Milwaukee combined) from 1,363 reviews

Conflict Handling

How well the company responds to accidents and issues.

4.64/10 avg (Des Moines & Milwaukee combined) from 180 reviews

Precision & Care

Were walls scratched? Did furniture get damaged or lost?

8.57/10 avg (Des Moines & Milwaukee combined) from 1,152 reviews

From Des Moines to Milwaukee: Comparable Neighborhoods at a Glance

• East Village in Des Moines & Historic Third Ward in Milwaukee are both known for their historic district with boutiques & galleries
• Des Moines' Sherman Hill neighborhood & Milwaukee's Brewer's Hill both share Victorian-era homes & gentrification
• If you're moving from Beaverdale, check out Bay View in the Milwaukee area for the mid-century homes & family-friendly feel
• Do you enjoy Drake's college-town vibe & bars? You're sure to love East Side
• Move from Ingersoll-Grand to Brady Street and continue to enjoy these neighborhood qualities: local eateries & bustling nightlife
• South of Grand & Walker’s Point are both known for their emerging brewery scene & eateries
• Des Moines' River Bend neighborhood & Milwaukee's Riverwest neighborhood both have river access & parks
• If you're moving from Capitol East, look into East Town for the downtown district near government & nightlife
• Do you cherish living in Downtown Des Moines' central business core & riverwalk? Move into East Town for something similar

Pros and Cons of Moving from Des Moines to Milwaukee

ConsDes Moines, IA

• Smaller City
• Fewer Cultural Venues
• Less Diverse Cuisine
• Lower Employment Opport.

ProsMilwaukee, WI

• Larger City
• Rich Cultural Scene
• Diverse Dining Options
• Better Job Market

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Milwaukee, WI

• Higher Cost of Living
• Noisier Environment
• More Traffic
• Less Personal

Des Moines, IA

• Low Cost of Living
• Quiet Neighborhoods
• Less Traffic
• Close-knit Community

Pros of moving from Des Moines to Milwaukee

• Say goodbye to smaller City and hello to larger City
• Look forward to moving away from fewer Cultural Venues and moving to Milwaukee with a rich Cultural Scene
• Swap the less Diverse Cuisine of Des Moines for diverse Dining Options in Milwaukee
• Get ready for a better Job Market in Milwaukee

Cons of moving from Des Moines to Milwaukee

• Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the low Cost of Living in Des Moines to live with a higher Cost of Living in Milwaukee
• You'll lose out on the pro of quiet Neighborhoods and have to settle for the con of a noisier Environment
• Time to bid farewell to less Traffic and get used to more Traffic in Milwaukee
• Swap a close-knit Community for less Personal space

Des Moines vs. Milwaukee: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

If you're moving from Des Moines to Milwaukee, you will be trading the iconic Pork Tenderloin Sandwich of Des Moines for the equally delicious Beer Brats of Milwaukee. And while the locals in Des Moines rave about their flavorful Iowa Chop and sumptuous Tacos, Milwaukee residents know they have tasty Polish Sausage and Pretzels 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 Vegan Cheese Curds of Milwaukee. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Des Moines eateries like Fong's Pizza, Centro, and Zombie Burger + Drink Lab. After the boxes are unpacked in Milwaukee, don't wait too long before making your way to Milwaukee's acclaimed eateries like Mader's, Lakefront Brewery, and SafeHouse.

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

Discover Milwaukee Restaurants You'll Love

Moving to Milwaukee 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 A Dong, Centro, and Fong's Pizza in Des Moines, we're sure you'll love Bamboo, San Giorgio Pizzeria Napoletana, and Fixture Pizza Pub in Milwaukee. See our Milwaukee 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 Jethro's BBQ, head to Smoke Shack on your first Friday night after the boxes are unpacked.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Des Moines and Milwaukee

• The Ranch architecture that Des Moines is known for will be replaced with the Craftsman architecture typical of Milwaukee.
• Compared to Des Moines's real estate listings that commonly reference large backyards and proximity to schools, Milwaukee real estate listings often highlight features like lakefront views and hardwood floors.
• Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Milwaukee is more walkable than Des Moines.
• Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Milwaukee is more bike-friendly than Des Moines.
• Milwaukee has more of an urban feel than Des Moines.
• Milwaukee housing costs are 2% less expensive than they are in Des Moines, with a median home price of $196,698 compared to Des Moines’s $199,739.
• Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Milwaukee have increased by 62% compared to a 38% increase in Des Moines.
• Rent in Milwaukee is 20.60% more expensive than in Des Moines.

Pet-friendly Neighborhoods in Milwaukee, WI

1. Bay View : You’ll love Bay View for its abundance of parks and green spaces that are perfect for pet walks and playtime.
2. East Side : This area offers numerous pet-friendly cafes and stores, allowing you to enjoy leisurely outings with your furry friends.
3. Riverwest : Riverwest is known for its strong community vibe and pet-friendly events, making it an inviting place for both you and your pets.

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

• The shades won't be used as much for your move from Des Moines to Milwaukee. Milwaukee gets 6% fewer sunshine days than Des Moines.
• Milwaukee has similar 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 snowstorms and rare tornadoes in Milwaukee.
• Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Milwaukee is 6 degrees colder than in Des Moines.
• The average winter lows are 2 degrees warmer than they are in Des Moines.
• Your umbrella might be neglected in Milwaukee. Milwaukee receives 1.0 fewer inches of rain compared to Des Moines.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Des Moines and Milwaukee

• When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Milwaukee tend to earn about 23% less than in Des Moines
• The COLI in Milwaukee is 12% higher than what you are used to living in Des Moines
• The state income tax in WI is up to 7.65% compared to up to 8.53% in IA
• The affluence in Milwaukee is lower compared to moderate affluence in Des Moines
• The poverty level is higher in Milwaukee compared to lower poverty in Des Moines
• In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Des Moines and concerning in Milwaukee

Political and Religious Climate in Des Moines vs. Milwaukee

• Des Moines tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
• Milwaukee, on the other hand, is often described as strongly Democratic
• Milwaukee's religious environment can be described as a Christian majority with a higher percentage of Catholic residents
• Des Moines' residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a Christian majority with diverse religious communities

Des Moines vs. Milwaukee Traffic and Public Transit Considerations

• Bummer! Looks like you might end up spending about 10% more time stuck in traffic commuting to work in Milwaukee compared to your commute in Des Moines. That's 1,040 minutes lost each year in a car.
• You can expect traffic in Milwaukee to be worse than it is in Des Moines.
• Public transit is more readily available in Milwaukee.