Moving from Des Moines to Massachusetts? Real cost estimates ($1,133–$8,619), top local mover reviews, and a full cost-of-living comparison.
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If you're planning a move from Des Moines to Massachusetts, you're looking at roughly 1,288 miles and a real lifestyle adjustment on the other end — not just a change of scenery. Massachusetts costs more to live in across the board, and while incomes are higher there too, the gap doesn't close itself automatically. More on that below.
Let's start with who's moving you and what it's going to cost.
Of the 13 Des Moines movers capable of handling interstate jobs, here are the five worth calling for a move to Massachusetts:
Rating: 4.56 / 5 | 92% positive reviews | DOT #: 2527384
2601 104th St #400, Urbandale, IA 50322 | 27 years in business
Yelp reviews (23) | Google reviews (505) | BBB: A+
A 92% positive rate across 500-plus reviews is a meaningful signal — that kind of consistency at volume is hard to manufacture. Customers consistently call out fast crews, careful handling, and honest pricing. Some reviewers specifically mention coming in under budget because the team worked efficiently, which you don't hear often in this industry. When negatives do surface, they center on item damage in complex moves, occasional inexperienced crew members, and unexpected charges. Worth confirming coverage for high-value items before you commit.
Services: Local, interstate, packing, unpacking, pianos, storage, safes
Rating: 4.38 / 5 | 64% positive reviews | DOT #: 2468266
59 Clark St., Des Moines, IA 50314 | 10 years in business | ~$130/hr
Yelp reviews (28) | Google reviews (490) | BBB: A+
Fast and competitive on price — that's the consistent praise. The 64% positive rate is the lowest on this list, and the complaint pattern matters: billing surprises. Final charges exceeding quoted amounts come up repeatedly in negative reviews. That's not a dealbreaker if you get every cost confirmed in writing upfront, but it's the specific question to press before you sign anything.
Services: Local, interstate, offices, pianos, hot tubs, pool tables, safes
Rating: 4.38 / 5 | 93% positive reviews | DOT #: 2378173
10500 Hickman Rd Suite H, Clive, IA 50325 | 7 years in business
Yelp reviews (25) | Google reviews (1,452) | BBB: A+
Over 1,400 Google reviews with a 93% positive rate is legitimate volume. Crews get consistent marks for professionalism, speed, and communication. Negatives — occasional item damage, billing disputes — are rare relative to the total. One thing to verify specifically: their listed services don't explicitly include interstate moves, so confirm they can handle the Des Moines–Massachusetts run before you schedule anything.
Services: Local, packing, unpacking, offices, storage
Rating: 4.38 / 5 | 100% positive reviews | DOT #: 1471037
4701 NW Urbandale Dr., Des Moines, IA 50322 | 25 years in business | ~$100/hr
Yelp reviews (3) | Google reviews (271) | BBB: A+
Near-perfect record — 99.6% positive across 223 reviews. Customers consistently describe accurate quotes, well-trained crews, and precise communication. The one exception in the data: a billing discrepancy where the final charge was substantially higher than the estimate and wasn't resolved well. That case stands out precisely because it's the outlier. Adamantine also handles specialty items — pianos, art, antiques, grandfather clocks, custom crating — worth knowing if anything fragile or unusual is making the trip to Massachusetts.
Services: Local, interstate, international, packing, unpacking, offices, pianos, art, antiques, grandfather clocks, crating, full-valuation coverage, storage, safes
Rating: 4.30 / 5 | 68% positive reviews | DOT #: 1098759
523 S 18th St, West Des Moines, IA 50265 | 79 years in business
Yelp reviews (4) | Google reviews (22) | BBB: Not Rated
Nearly eight decades in business, and they operate as a Mayflower agent — which gives you national network access alongside local familiarity. Reviews highlight professional staff, upfront pricing, and efficient handling. The negative pattern: late or unreliable deliveries, occasional damaged or missing items, and slow claims responses. For a 1,288-mile move, those are the exact things to probe before you book. DOD certified.
Services: Local, interstate, packing, unpacking, offices, pianos, art, antiques, crating, crane vans, shipment tracking, full-valuation coverage, storage, fragile-only packing
Quick look at specialty services offered across Des Moines movers handling interstate moves:
| Service | Available | % of movers |
|---|---|---|
| Interstate | 9 of 13 | 69% |
| Small moves | 9 of 13 | 69% |
| Antiques | 6 of 13 | 46% |
| Art | 7 of 13 | 54% |
| Pianos | 10 of 13 | 77% |
| Fragile-only packing | 4 of 13 | 31% |
If you have specialty items — antiques, artwork, instruments — not every mover on this list can handle them. Confirm before you book.
Here's the breakdown by home size and service type:
| Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,133 – $4,490 | $862 – $2,265 | $738 – $1,495 |
| 2–3 bedrooms | $2,525 – $5,931 | $1,544 – $3,011 | $847 – $1,779 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,797 – $8,619 | $2,178 – $4,292 | $1,034 – $2,149 |
Estimates based on a 1,288-mile move from Des Moines, IA to Massachusetts, using aggregated pricing data updated January 2026. Your final quote will vary based on move size, timing, access conditions, and optional services. Compare at least three estimates before committing.
Use the moving cost calculator to get a more specific estimate based on your home size and moving dates.
For a studio or one-bedroom, full-service movers run $1,133–$4,490. A two- to three-bedroom home lands in the $2,525–$5,931 range. If you're moving a four-plus bedroom house, budget $4,797–$8,619.
The spread is intentional — these variables are real. Summer timing adds cost. Difficult access (long carries, tight stairwells, no elevator) adds labor time. The quality gap between a budget carrier and a full-service operator can run $2,000 or more on a move this size. Get three quotes minimum, and read the estimate line items carefully.
Moving containers are a solid middle option — you pack on your schedule, the company handles the driving. For a studio or one-bedroom, expect $862–$2,265. Two to three bedrooms: $1,544–$3,011. Four or more bedrooms: $2,178–$4,292.
Going the DIY route is cheapest on paper, but you're taking on all the labor and 1,288 miles of driving yourself. For a studio or one-bedroom, a rental truck runs $738–$1,495. Two to three bedrooms: $847–$1,779. Four-plus bedrooms: $1,034–$2,149. Estimated fuel is included in those figures.
Three variables do the most work here:
Moving from Iowa to Massachusetts means a real financial adjustment — not just a one-time moving cost, but an ongoing cost-of-living shift. Here's what the numbers show.
| Des Moines, IA | Massachusetts | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent | $1,150 | $1,588 |
| Average home cost | $192,347 | $623,131 |
| Per capita income | $58,492 | $96,505 |
| Cost of living index | 87 | 100 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.9% | 3.9% |
| State income tax | 4.4% | 9.0% |
Des Moines sources: World Population Review, Zillow, US Census Bureau, BLS, Tax Foundation. Massachusetts sources: Zumper, Zillow, Numbeo.
What this looks like in practice:
| Des Moines, IA | Massachusetts | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 699,292 | 7,001,399 |
| Political leaning | Democratic 57-41 | Democratic 61.5-36.3 |
| Summer high | 86°F | 82°F |
| Winter low | 13°F | 16°F |
| Annual rain | 36″ | 49″ |
| Annual snow | 33″ | 47″ |
| Crime index | 5.01 | 3.92 |
Sources: US Census Bureau, 270TOWIN, NeighborhoodScout, BestPlaces, Wikipedia, Walk Score, AirNow.
A few things worth flagging:
Beyond booking a mover, a few logistics to get ahead of:
Massachusetts has more going on than most people realize before they arrive. A quick preview:
Plan on three to eight days from pickup to delivery. Summer moves tend to land at the longer end — high demand compresses schedules. Confirm the delivery window in your contract before signing, and ask specifically whether it's a guaranteed window or an estimate. If you can't afford flexibility on your end, that distinction matters.
Eight movers in Des Moines offer custom crating for specialty items — artwork, antiques, electronics. If you have anything high-value or fragile, confirm crating availability and what materials they use before booking.
Auto transport is the standard approach for moving a vehicle 1,288 miles — far enough that driving it yourself rarely makes financial sense once you factor in time and wear. Use our car shipping calculator to compare rates, and make sure any carrier you use is properly insured and has verifiable reviews.
Typically: job opportunities, education, and the pull of the Northeast. Massachusetts has a strong labor market, one of the densest concentrations of universities in the country, and proximity to Boston. The per capita income is significantly higher — which helps offset costs if your new job reflects local rates.
The best long-distance movers page at MoveFinders covers national carriers worth considering for an interstate move of this distance. For Iowa-specific options, check our Iowa movers guide at movefinders.org.
Four movers in Des Moines accept cash payments. That said, cash is uncommon in the industry — most companies use traceable payment methods, and cash can complicate any dispute resolution if something goes wrong during your move. Expect to pay a deposit upfront to secure your booking, with the balance due at pickup or delivery. Confirm both the payment schedule and accepted methods when you get your quote.
Ready to compare estimates? Use the moving cost calculator to get a real number for your Des Moines to Massachusetts move — then reach out to at least three movers before you commit to anyone.
