Cities in Iowa
39 more Iowa cities with a cost guide
Altoona · Ames · Ankeny · Bettendorf · Boone · Burlington · Carroll · Cedar Falls · Clinton · Clive · Coralville · Council Bluffs · Davenport · Dubuque · Fort Dodge · Fort Madison · Grimes · Indianola · Iowa City · Johnston · Le Mars · Marion · Marshalltown · Mason City · Muscatine · Newton · North Liberty · Norwalk · Oskaloosa · Ottumwa · Pella · Pleasant Hill · Sioux City · Storm Lake · Urbandale · Waterloo · Waukee · Waverly · West Des Moines
What a move costs in Iowa
Two different formulas apply, and which one you fall under matters more than which company you call. Under about 100 miles movers bill by the hour, so cost follows crew size and time on site. Past that they bill on weight and mileage. Both columns below come from the same published model the calculator runs on.
| Home size | Crew & hours | Local (hourly) | 1,055 miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 2 × 2–3 hrs | $235 – $375 | $3,561 – $4,748 |
| 1 bedroom | 2 × 3–5 hrs | $315 – $575 | $4,273 – $5,697 |
| 2 bedrooms | 2 × 5–7 hrs | $475 – $775 | $4,748 – $6,330 |
| 3 bedrooms | 3 × 6–9 hrs | $795 – $1,425 | $5,460 – $7,280 |
| 4+ bedrooms | 4 × 8–10 hrs | $1,355 – $2,075 | $6,172 – $8,229 |
Local costs assume $40–$50 per mover per hour plus a $75 travel fee. The right column is priced at 1,055 miles, the median of the routes we publish from this state. Packing, storage and specialty items sit on top.
Moving routes out of Iowa
We price 176 interstate corridors leaving Iowa, from 142 miles (Des Moines to Omaha, NE) up to 1,802 miles (Des Moines to San Francisco, CA). Measured corridors are listed first; distances marked ~ are estimated from city coordinates. All Iowa routes, including moves within the state and Iowa to every other state.
| Route | Distance | 2-bedroom range |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines → Omaha, NE | ~142 mi | $639 – $852 |
| Cedar Rapids → Madison, WI | ~162 mi | $729 – $972 |
| Cedar Rapids → Peoria, IL | ~163 mi | $734 – $978 |
| Cedar Rapids → Rochester, MN | ~171 mi | $770 – $1,026 |
| Des Moines → Lincoln, NE | ~197 mi | $887 – $1,182 |
| Des Moines → Rochester, MN | ~208 mi | $936 – $1,248 |
| Des Moines → Kansas City, KS | ~209 mi | $941 – $1,254 |
| Des Moines → Kansas City, MO | ~209 mi | $941 – $1,254 |
| Cedar Rapids → Springfield, IL | ~214 mi | $963 – $1,284 |
| Des Moines → Overland Park, KS | ~220 mi | $990 – $1,320 |
| Cedar Rapids → Chicago, IL | ~243 mi | $1,094 – $1,458 |
| Des Moines → Sioux Falls, SD | ~243 mi | $1,094 – $1,458 |
Moving inside Iowa vs leaving it
These are two different products with two different sets of rules, and people routinely shop for one while being sold the other.
Staying in Iowa
Regulated by the state, not the federal government, so licensing rules, estimate requirements and claims processes differ from the state next door. Usually billed hourly. Ask what the hourly rate includes, when the clock starts and whether travel time is on it.
Crossing a state line
Federally regulated the moment it leaves Iowa. The carrier needs active USDOT authority, owes you a written estimate, and has a public complaint record you can look up. Priced on weight and distance, so a survey is not optional.
Licensed movers in Iowa
Every carrier that moves household goods must be on the FMCSA register. We list the Iowamovers on it, ordered by fleet size, with the USDOT number you need to check each one.
See licensed Iowa moversHow to use these Iowa figures
We are not a moving company. We do not operate trucks in Iowa, and no carrier pays to appear on this page. The numbers come from a published model rather than from quotes we were handed, which is the only reason they are worth comparing against.
Treat them as a planning range. Get three written estimates, and if one lands far outside this band, ask what it includes that the others do not.
How we calculate these costs →Frequently Asked Questions About Moving Within Iowa
How much do movers cost in Iowa?
A move inside Iowa under about 100 miles is billed by the hour: roughly $40 to $50 per mover per hour plus a travel fee of around $75. That puts a studio at $235 – $375 and a three bedroom home at $795 – $1,425. Past that distance movers switch to pricing on weight and mileage instead.
Which moving routes from Iowa do you publish costs for?
We publish 176 routes out of Iowa, leaving from Des Moines, Cedar Rapids. The longest is Des Moines to San Francisco, CA at 1,802 miles; the shortest is Des Moines to Omaha, NE at 142 miles. Each has its own page with a cost table, transit time and the licensed carriers at both ends.
Is a move within Iowa regulated differently from one that leaves it?
Yes, and it matters. A move that stays inside Iowa is regulated by the state, and the rules on licensing, estimates and claims vary a great deal from state to state. The moment a move crosses a state line it becomes interstate and falls under the federal FMCSA, which requires active operating authority, a written estimate and a published complaint record for every USDOT number.
When is the cheapest time to move in Iowa?
Mid-week and mid-month, outside the May to September peak. Summer is the industry’s busiest season, and a carrier quoting a summer Saturday has less room to negotiate than one quoting a Tuesday in February. Dates are the largest lever most people actually control.
How far ahead should I book a mover in Iowa?
Four to six weeks for an ordinary move, and eight to twelve if you are moving between May and September or on the first or last weekend of a month. Booking early also gives you time to get three written estimates instead of accepting the first number you are quoted.
Does My Fast Movers carry out moves in Iowa?
No. We do not own trucks, employ crews or take payment to rank one company above another. These pages exist so you can see what a Iowa move should cost before you call anyone.