Best Houston to Des Moines Movers

How Much Do Houston to Des Moines Movers Cost?

Moving 935 miles from Houston, TX to Des Moines, IA will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,000 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 Des Moines that already have a booked job heading from Des Moines to Houston. Their moving truck would be making the trip back to Des Moines from Houston 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 Houston to Des Moines moving option

Hire local Houston 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 Houston 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 Houston 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 Houston, TX to Des Moines, IA long distance movers.

Rating Methodology

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

Our original review-based ranking algorithm

We started with a total of 28 companies that offer interstate moving services in both the Houston and Des Moines areas.

From these 28 companies, we analyzed a total of 8,145 reviews dating all the way back to February 2009.

We also reviewed a total of 17 state and federal moving licenses from these 28 companies and 142 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 3,960 Houston 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 Pinpoint Movers) 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 Houston 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.

8.52/10 avg (Houston & Des Moines combined) from 5,286 reviews

Punctuality

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

7.92/10 avg (Houston & Des Moines combined) from 1,856 reviews

Affordability

How affordable was the moving service?

7.37/10 avg (Houston & Des Moines combined) from 1,051 reviews

Communication

Responsiveness before, during, and after the move.

7.50/10 avg (Houston & Des Moines combined) from 1,963 reviews

Stick to Prices

Was the final price consistent with the original quote?

5.45/10 avg (Houston & Des Moines combined) from 662 reviews

Speed

Efficiency without taking unnecessary time to increase costs.

8.68/10 avg (Houston & Des Moines combined) from 2,418 reviews

Friendliness

Was the moving crew cordial and friendly on moving day?

9.03/10 avg (Houston & Des Moines combined) from 2,607 reviews

Will Hire Again

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

8.20/10 avg (Houston & Des Moines combined) from 5,288 reviews

Professionalism

Did the moving crew behave professionally on moving day?

8.27/10 avg (Houston & Des Moines combined) from 3,022 reviews

Conflict Handling

How well the company responds to accidents and issues.

3.71/10 avg (Houston & Des Moines combined) from 639 reviews

Precision & Care

Were walls scratched? Did furniture get damaged or lost?

7.96/10 avg (Houston & Des Moines combined) from 2,631 reviews

From Houston to Des Moines: Comparable Neighborhoods at a Glance

• Montrose in Houston & East Village in Des Moines are both known for their artsy vibes & eclectic culture
• Houston's The Heights neighborhood & Des Moines' Sherman Hill both share historic homes & tree-lined streets
• If you're moving from Midtown, check out East Village in the Des Moines area for the bustling nightlife & mixed-use
• Do you enjoy Upper Kirby's boutique shops & trendy dining? You're sure to love Ingersoll-Grand
• Move from West University to the Drake University area and continue to enjoy these neighborhood qualities: campus-adjacent & residential
• Galleria/Uptown & Gray’s Lake are both known for their upscale condos & waterfront parks
• Houston's EaDo neighborhood & Des Moines' Ingersoll-Grand neighborhood both have industrial-chic breweries & bars
• If you're moving from Rice Village, look into the Drake University area for the cafés & local boutiques near campus

Pros and Cons of Moving from Houston to Des Moines

ConsHouston, TX

• High humidity
• Traffic congestion
• Higher crime rates
• Expensive housing
• Hotter summers

ProsDes Moines, IA

• Lower humidity
• Less traffic
• Lower crime rates
• Affordable living
• Milder summers

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Des Moines, IA

• Less diversity
• Quieter nightlife
• Smaller job market
• Fewer cultural events
• Smaller airport

Houston, TX

• Diverse cuisine
• Vibrant nightlife
• Better job market
• More cultural events
• Large international airport

Pros of moving from Houston to Des Moines

• Say goodbye to high humidity and hello to lower humidity
• Look forward to moving away from traffic congestion and moving to Des Moines with less traffic
• Swap the higher crime rates of Houston for lower crime rates in Des Moines
• Get ready for affordable living in Des Moines

Cons of moving from Houston to Des Moines

• Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from diverse cuisine in Houston to live with less diversity in Des Moines
• You'll lose out on the pro of vibrant nightlife and have to settle for the con of quieter nightlife
• Time to bid farewell to a better job market and get used to a smaller job market in Des Moines
• Swap more cultural events for fewer cultural events

Houston vs. Des Moines: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

If you're moving from Houston to Des Moines, you will be trading the iconic Texas BBQ of Houston for the equally delicious Corn Dogs of Des Moines. And while the locals in Houston rave about their flavorful Brisket and sumptuous Tacos, Des Moines residents know they have tasty Pork Chop and Breakfast Burritos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Vegan Tex-Mex they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegan Sweet Corn of Des Moines. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Houston eateries like Killen's Barbecue, Hugo's, and Uchi. After the boxes are unpacked in Des Moines, don't wait too long before making your way to Des Moines' acclaimed eateries like Fong's Pizza, Zombie Burger, and Centro.

When comparing lifestyles, Des Moines shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Houston. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Des Moines compared to what you are used to in Houston. 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 Houston favorites, but we've got you covered. If you loved Uchi, Truth BBQ, and Hugo’s in Houston, we're sure you'll love Zombie Burger + Drink Lab, Smoky D's BBQ, and Maestro Empanadas in Des Moines. See our Des Moines restaurant discovery table below to find the closest comparison restaurant to all of your cherished Houston hotspots. For example, if you enjoyed dining at Ninfa's on Navigation, head to El Bait Shop on your first Friday night after the boxes are unpacked.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Houston and Des Moines

• The Modern and Ranch architecture that Houston is known for will be replaced with the Craftsman and Ranch architecture typical of Des Moines.
• Compared to Houston's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious layouts and outdoor kitchens, Des Moines real estate listings often highlight features like energy efficiency and hardwood floors.
• Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Des Moines is more walkable than Houston.
• Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Des Moines is more bike-friendly than Houston.
• Des Moines has less of an urban feel than Houston.
• Des Moines housing costs are 26% less expensive than they are in Houston, with a median home price of $199,739 compared to Houston’s $269,461.
• Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Des Moines have increased by 38% compared to a 43% increase in Houston.
• Rent in Des Moines is 32.22% more affordable than in Houston.

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 Houston and Des Moines

• Break out the sunglasses for your move from Houston to Des Moines. Des Moines gets 0% more sunshine days than Houston.
• Des Moines has lower humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Houston.
• Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and floods in Houston, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and blizzards in Des Moines.
• Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Des Moines is 8 degrees colder than in Houston.
• The average winter lows are 28 degrees colder than they are in Houston.
• Your umbrella might be neglected in Des Moines, as it receives 13.8 fewer inches of rain compared to Houston.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Houston and Des Moines

• When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Des Moines tend to earn about 9% more than those in Houston
• The COLI in Des Moines is 1% lower than what you are used to in Houston
• Bummer... By moving from TX to IA, you'll now have a state income tax of up to 8.98%
• The affluence in Des Moines is relatively affluent compared to moderately affluent in Houston
• The poverty level is moderate in Des Moines compared to notable in Houston
• In terms of homelessness, it is concerning in Houston and less concerning in Des Moines

Political and Religious Climate in Houston vs. Des Moines

• Houston 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 diverse with a strong Protestant presence and community institutions like the Des Moines Cathedral
• Houston's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a multicultural religious presence with numerous churches, mosques, and synagogues

Houston vs. Des Moines Traffic and Public Transit Considerations

• Woohoo! Expect to spend about 26% less time stuck in traffic commuting to work in Des Moines compared to your Houston daily drive. That's an annual savings of 3,640 minutes freely earned!
• You can expect traffic in Des Moines to be better than it is in Houston.
• Public transit is less readily available in Des Moines.