Best Columbus to Des Moines Movers

How Much Do Columbus to Des Moines Movers Cost?

Moving 664 miles from Columbus, OH to Des Moines, IA 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 Des Moines that already have a booked job heading from Des Moines to Columbus. Their moving truck would be making the trip back to Des Moines from Columbus entirely empty. If you can find a Des Moines moving company willing to move your stuff on the return leg, you'll score a real deal!

Moving Containers: A cheaper Columbus to Des Moines moving option

Hire local Columbus 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 Des Moines movers to unpack the container and move you into your new home. You'll have to piece this Columbus to Des Moines 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 Columbus to Des Moines 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 Columbus, OH to Des Moines, IA long distance movers.

Rating Methodology

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

Our original review-based ranking algorithm

We started with a total of 29 companies that offer interstate moving services in both the Columbus and Des Moines areas.

From these 29 companies, we analyzed a total of 8,058 reviews dating all the way back to July 2008.

We also reviewed a total of 8 state and federal moving licenses from these 29 companies and 148 different 3rd party review and social profiles.

Each of the ~8,000 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 3,101 Columbus to Des Moines 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 Manifest Shipping Llc) 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 Columbus to Des Moines moving company across 11 of the most important criteria for a succesful moving experience.

Quality

Overall quality of the service provided on moving day.

8.95/10 avg (Columbus & Des Moines combined) from 3,949 reviews

Punctuality

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

8.43/10 avg (Columbus & Des Moines combined) from 1,187 reviews

Affordability

How affordable was the moving service?

7.94/10 avg (Columbus & Des Moines combined) from 583 reviews

Communication

Responsiveness before, during, and after the move.

8.16/10 avg (Columbus & Des Moines combined) from 1,269 reviews

Stick to Prices

Was the final price consistent with the original quote?

6.72/10 avg (Columbus & Des Moines combined) from 360 reviews

Speed

Efficiency without taking unnecessary time to increase costs.

9.04/10 avg (Columbus & Des Moines combined) from 1,445 reviews

Friendliness

Was the moving crew cordial and friendly on moving day?

9.31/10 avg (Columbus & Des Moines combined) from 2,326 reviews

Will Hire Again

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

8.76/10 avg (Columbus & Des Moines combined) from 3,760 reviews

Professionalism

Did the moving crew behave professionally on moving day?

8.78/10 avg (Columbus & Des Moines combined) from 2,281 reviews

Conflict Handling

How well the company responds to accidents and issues.

4.74/10 avg (Columbus & Des Moines combined) from 273 reviews

Precision & Care

Were walls scratched? Did furniture get damaged or lost?

8.50/10 avg (Columbus & Des Moines combined) from 1,708 reviews

From Columbus to Des Moines: Comparable Neighborhoods at a Glance

• Short North in Columbus & East Village in Des Moines are both known for their local eateries & bustling nightlife
• Columbus' German Village neighborhood & Des Moines' Sherman Hill both share historic architecture & brick homes
• If you're moving from Victorian Village, check out Sherman Hill in the Des Moines area for the Victorian-era houses cluster
• Do you enjoy Clintonville's tree-lined streets & family-friendly atmosphere? You're sure to love Beaverdale
• Move from Bexley to Highland Park and continue to enjoy these neighborhood qualities of upscale homes & park access
• Upper Arlington & Valley Junction are both known for their walkable downtown & suburban vibe
• Columbus' Grandview Heights neighborhood & Des Moines' Valley Junction neighborhood both have a small-town feel & local shops
• If you're moving from Franklinton, look into Ingersoll Park for the artistic community & repurposed spaces
• Do you cherish living in University District's college vibe & student bars? Move into Drake Neighborhood for something similar

Pros and Cons of Moving from Columbus to Des Moines

ConsColumbus, OH

• Higher crime rate
• More traffic congestion
• Higher cost of living

ProsDes Moines, IA

• Lower crime rate
• Less traffic
• More affordable living

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Des Moines, IA

• Smaller city feel
• Fewer cultural options
• More car-dependent

Columbus, OH

• Larger city amenities
• More cultural venues
• Better public transit

Pros of moving from Columbus to Des Moines

• Say goodbye to higher crime rate and hello to lower crime rate
• Look forward to moving away from more traffic congestion and moving to Des Moines with less traffic
• Swap the higher cost of living of Columbus for more affordable living in Des Moines

Cons of moving from Columbus to Des Moines

• Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from larger city amenities in Columbus to live with a smaller city feel in Des Moines
• You'll lose out on the pro of more cultural venues and have to settle for the con of fewer cultural options
• Time to bid farewell to better public transit and get used to being more car-dependent in Des Moines

Columbus vs. Des Moines: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

If you're moving from Columbus to Des Moines, you will be trading the iconic Buckeye candies of Columbus for the equally delicious Pork tenderloin sandwich of Des Moines. And while the locals in Columbus rave about their flavorful Bratwurst and sumptuous Food truck tacos, Des Moines residents know they have tasty Bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin and Food truck BBQ ribs to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Jackfruit tacos they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegan Thai curry of Des Moines. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Columbus eateries like The Thurman Cafe, Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams, and Schmidt’s Sausage Haus. After the boxes are unpacked in Des Moines, don't wait too long before making your way to Des Moines' acclaimed eateries like Zombie Burger + Drink Lab, Fong's Pizza, and A Dong Restaurant.

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

Discover Des Moines Restaurants You'll Love

Moving to Des Moines is an opportunity to try lots of new restaurants. Sure, you'll miss your old Columbus favorites, but we've got you covered. If you loved The Refectory Restaurant & Bistro, Northstar Café, and Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams in Columbus, we're sure you'll love 801 Chophouse, Fresh Café & Market, and Black Cat Ice Cream in Des Moines. See our Des Moines restaurant discovery table below to find the closest comparison restaurant to all of your cherished Columbus hotspots. For example, if you enjoyed dining at Thurman Café, head to Zombie Burger and Drink Lab on your first Friday night after the boxes are unpacked.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Columbus and Des Moines

• The Colonial and Craftsman architecture that Columbus is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Craftsman architecture typical of Des Moines.
• Compared to Columbus's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and proximity to parks, Des Moines real estate listings often highlight features like quiet neighborhoods and family-friendly amenities.
• You can keep your walking shoes packed away because Des Moines is less walkable than Columbus.
• Make sure the movers take care of your bike because Des Moines is more bike-friendly than Columbus.
• Des Moines has less of an urban feel than Columbus.
• Des Moines housing costs are 18% less expensive than they are in Columbus, with a median home price of $199,739 compared to Columbus’s $243,838.
• Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Des Moines have increased by 38% compared to a 61% increase in Columbus.
• Rent in Des Moines is 24.54% more affordable than in Columbus.

Pet-friendly Neighborhoods in Des Moines, IA

1. Beaverdale: You’ll love the abundance of parks and walking trails that make it easy to keep your furry friends active and happy.
2. Ingersoll Park: With pet-friendly cafes and easy access to local dog parks, you and your pet can enjoy everything the community has to offer.
3. Waveland Park: You’re never far from open spaces and trails, making it convenient for daily walks and outdoor pet activities.

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

• Break out the sunglasses for your move from Columbus to Des Moines. Des Moines gets 15% more sunshine days than Columbus.
• Des Moines has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Columbus.
• Say goodbye to the possible thunderstorms and tornadoes in Columbus, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and severe winter weather in Des Moines.
• The average summer high temperature in Des Moines is 1 degree warmer than in Columbus.
• The average winter lows are 7 degrees colder than they are in Columbus.
• Your umbrella might be neglected in Des Moines. Des Moines receives 3.3 fewer inches of rain compared to Columbus.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Columbus and Des Moines

• When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Des Moines tend to earn about 4% more than in Columbus
• The COLI in Des Moines is 1% lower than what you are used to living in Columbus
• The state income tax in IA is 0.33 to 8.53 compared to 2.85 to 4.797 in OH
• The affluence in Des Moines is moderate to high compared to moderate in Columbus
• The poverty level is lower in Des Moines compared to moderate in Columbus
• In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Columbus and lower in Des Moines

Political and Religious Climate in Columbus vs. Des Moines

• Columbus tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
• Des Moines, on the other hand, is often described as lean Democratic
• Des Moines' religious environment can be described as predominantly Christianity with growing diversity in religious practices
• Columbus' residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christianity with diverse religious communities

Columbus vs. Des Moines Traffic and Public Transit Considerations

• Woohoo! Expect to spend about 13% less time stuck in traffic commuting to work in Des Moines compared to your Columbus daily drive. That's an annual savings of 1,560 minutes freely earned!
• You can expect traffic in Des Moines to be better than it is in Columbus.
• Public transit is less readily available in Des Moines.