Best Milwaukee to Des Moines Movers

How Much Do Milwaukee to Des Moines Movers Cost?

Moving 373 miles from Milwaukee, WI to Des Moines, IA 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 Des Moines that already have a booked job heading from Des Moines to Milwaukee. Their moving truck would be making the trip back to Des Moines from Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee to Des Moines moving option

Hire local Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee, WI to Des Moines, IA long distance movers.

Rating Methodology

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

Our original review-based ranking algorithm

We started with a total of 18 companies that offer interstate moving services in both the Milwaukee and Des Moines 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 Milwaukee 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 The Go To Guys, 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 Milwaukee 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.

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

Punctuality

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

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

Affordability

How affordable was the moving service?

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

Communication

Responsiveness before, during, and after the move.

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

Stick to Prices

Was the final price consistent with the original quote?

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

Speed

Efficiency without taking unnecessary time to increase costs.

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

Friendliness

Was the moving crew cordial and friendly on moving day?

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

Will Hire Again

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

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

Professionalism

Did the moving crew behave professionally on moving day?

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

Conflict Handling

How well the company responds to accidents and issues.

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

Precision & Care

Were walls scratched? Did furniture get damaged or lost?

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

From Milwaukee to Des Moines: Comparable Neighborhoods at a Glance

• Historic Third Ward in Milwaukee & East Village in Des Moines are both known for their: historic warehouses, boutiques, and nightlife
• Milwaukee's Brady Street neighborhood & Des Moines' Drake neighborhood both share: a college vibe, bars, and international eateries
• If you're moving from Bay View, check out Beaverdale in the Des Moines area for the: family-friendly environment, walkable streets, and community events
• Do you enjoy Walker’s Point's multicultural dining and hip bars? You're sure to love East Village
• Move from Downtown Milwaukee to Downtown Des Moines and continue to enjoy these neighborhood qualities: corporate offices, high-rises, and apartments
• Riverwest & Sherman Hill are both known for their: eclectic arts scene, craft breweries, and community feel
• Milwaukee's Shorewood neighborhood & Des Moines' Greenwood Park neighborhood both have: affluent and tree-lined streets, and good schools
• If you're moving from Wauwatosa, look into Beaverdale for the: village feel, local shops, and community events

Pros and Cons of Moving from Milwaukee to Des Moines

ConsMilwaukee, WI

• Harsher winters
• Higher crime rate
• More expensive housing
• Less job growth

ProsDes Moines, IA

• Milder winters
• Lower crime rate
• More affordable housing
• Higher job growth

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Des Moines, IA

• Smaller cultural scene
• No large body of water
• Less historical sites
• Fewer dining options

Milwaukee, WI

• Vibrant cultural scene
• Access to Lake Michigan
• Rich history
• Diverse dining options

Pros of moving from Milwaukee to Des Moines

• Say goodbye to harsher winters and hello to milder winters
• Look forward to moving away from a higher crime rate and moving to Des Moines with a lower crime rate
• Swap the more expensive housing of Milwaukee for more affordable housing in Des Moines
• Get ready for higher job growth in Des Moines

Cons of moving from Milwaukee to Des Moines

• Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a vibrant cultural scene in Milwaukee to live with a smaller cultural scene in Des Moines
• You'll lose out on the pro of access to Lake Michigan and have to settle for the con of no large body of water
• Time to bid farewell to a rich history and get used to fewer historical sites in Des Moines
• Swap diverse dining options for fewer dining options

Milwaukee vs. Des Moines: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

If you're moving from Milwaukee to Des Moines, you will be trading the iconic Cheese Curds of Milwaukee for the equally delicious Pork Tenderloin Sandwich of Des Moines. And while the locals in Milwaukee rave about their flavorful Bratwurst and sumptuous Polish Sausage, Des Moines residents know they have tasty Baby Back Ribs and Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Vegan Cheese Pizzas they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Tempeh Reuben of Des Moines. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Milwaukee eateries like Mader's, The Old German Beer Hall, and Sanford Restaurant. 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 a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Milwaukee. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Des Moines compared to what you are used to in Milwaukee. Also, the overall foodie scene is more 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 Milwaukee favorites, but we've got you covered. If you loved Sanford, Ardent, and Odd Duck in Milwaukee, we're sure you'll love Aposto, Baru 66, and Harbinger in Des Moines. See our Des Moines restaurant discovery table below to find the closest comparison restaurant to all of your cherished Milwaukee hotspots. For example, if you enjoyed dining at HoneyPie, head to DRUNCH Eatery and Bar on your first Friday night after the boxes are unpacked.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Milwaukee and Des Moines

• The Victorian and Craftsman architecture that Milwaukee is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Split Level architecture typical of Des Moines.
• Compared to Milwaukee's real estate listings that commonly reference hardwood floors and updated kitchens, Des Moines real estate listings often highlight features like spacious backyards and modern appliances.
• You can keep your walking shoes packed away as Des Moines is less walkable than Milwaukee.
• You might want to think twice before moving your bike because Des Moines is less bike-friendly than Milwaukee.
• Des Moines has less of an urban feel than Milwaukee.
• Des Moines housing costs are 2% more expensive than they are in Milwaukee, with a median home price of $199,739 compared to Milwaukee’s $196,698.
• Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Des Moines have increased 38% compared to a 62% increase in Milwaukee.
• Rent in Des Moines is 17.08% more affordable than in Milwaukee.

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 Milwaukee and Des Moines

• Break out the sunglasses for your move from Milwaukee to Des Moines. Des Moines gets 8% more sunshine days than Milwaukee.
• Des Moines has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Milwaukee.
• Say goodbye to the possible blizzards and cold snaps in Milwaukee, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and severe storms in Des Moines.
• Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Des Moines is 7 degrees warmer than in Milwaukee.
• The average winter lows are 2 degrees colder than they are in Milwaukee.
• Your umbrella might be more overworked in Des Moines. Des Moines receives 1.3 more inches of rain compared to Milwaukee.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Milwaukee and Des Moines

• When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Des Moines tend to earn about 30% more than in Milwaukee
• The COLI in Des Moines is 11% lower than what you are used to living in Milwaukee
• The state income tax in IA is 0.33-8.53 compared to 4-7.65 in WI
• The affluence in Des Moines is high compared to moderate affluence in Milwaukee
• The poverty level is moderate in Des Moines compared to high in Milwaukee
• In terms of homelessness, it is visible in Milwaukee and less visible in Des Moines

Political and Religious Climate in Milwaukee vs. Des Moines

• Milwaukee tends to lean Liberal/Democratic in its political climate
• Des Moines, on the other hand, is often described as moderately liberal with mixed political views
• Des Moines' religious environment can be described as predominantly Christianity with growing diversity in religious beliefs
• Milwaukee's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christianity with diverse religious communities

Milwaukee vs. Des Moines Traffic and Public Transit Considerations

• Woohoo! Expect to spend about 9% less time stuck in traffic commuting to work in Des Moines compared to your daily drive in Milwaukee. That's an annual savings of 1,040 minutes freely earned!
• You can expect traffic in Des Moines to be better than it is in Milwaukee.
• Public transit is less readily available in Des Moines.