How Much Does It Cost to Move From Des Moines to St. Paul?
Easily compare and book your next move with GoodMigrations. Plan to spend about $325 for a rental truck and up to $6,452 for full-service movers in a 4+ bedroom home. Your exact move cost will vary based on the specifics of your move.
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Your Des Moines to St. Paul move, step by step
Most moves follow the same path. You figure out where you're moving, price it out, then book a moving company. Jump to whichever stage you are in.
Moving from Des Moines, IA to St. Paul, MN
Moving from Des Moines to St. Paul covers roughly 248 miles. That is a short distance by interstate moving standards, so labor hours affect the price more than mileage, and some crews can load and deliver on the same day. Here is how the two cities compare on the cost of living after the moving truck pulls away.
- Cost of living: The cost of living index in St. Paul is 102, compared to 87 in Des Moines (100 is the national average), so your dollar may not stretch as far after the move.
- Rent: Average rent in St. Paul is $1,350 a month versus $1,150 in Des Moines.
- Home prices: A typical home costs about $280,000 in St. Paul versus $184,000 in Des Moines.
- Income: Average income is about $73,055 a year in St. Paul compared with $63,966 in Des Moines.
- Job market: Unemployment sits at 4.9% in St. Paul, compared to 5.9% in Des Moines.
- Taxes after the move: Iowa taxes income at up to 4.4%, while Minnesota taxes it at up to 9.85%, a difference worth factoring into your post-move budget.
| Des Moines vs St. Paul | Des Moines | St. Paul |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 87 | 102 |
| Average rent | $1,150/mo | $1,350/mo |
| Average home value | $184,000 | $280,000 |
| Average income | $63,966/yr | $73,055/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.9% | 4.9% |
| State income tax | 4.4% | 9.85% |
Cost to move from Des Moines, IA to St. Paul, MN
Most people moving from Des Moines to St. Paul start by getting quotes from full-service movers, where a crew loads, drives, and unloads for you. On this route, full-service moving costs $1,095 - $6,452 depending on home size. Here is how it breaks down.
| Home size | Full-service movers |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,095 - $3,932 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,763 - $5,110 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $2,358 - $6,452 |
Doing it yourself? DIY options cost less
Every step down from full-service movers costs less but asks more of your own time and labor. On this route, containers cost about 48% less than full-service movers, freight trailers about 61% less, and rental trucks about 85% less.
| Home size | Moving container | Freight trailer | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $957 - $1,599 | $845 - $1,527 | $325 - $571 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,211 - $2,352 | $911 - $1,755 | $335 - $662 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $1,657 - $2,965 | $1,199 - $2,235 | $430 - $819 |
Add-on and specialty costs
These extras can add to the cost of your move, whichever method you choose. Not every move needs them, so the table notes when each one applies. Prices are localized to Des Moines pricing.
| Add-on | Typical cost | When you would add it |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing service | $348 - $1,914 | You want the crew to box everything instead of packing yourself. |
| Packing materials only | $131 - $435 | You pack, but want boxes, tape, and padding supplied. |
| Storage in transit | $131 - $305/mo | Your new place is not ready when your shipment arrives. |
| Specialty item handling | $131 - $609/item | You are moving a piano, pool table, safe, or other heavy item. |
| Full-value protection | $157 - $522 | You want repair or replacement coverage beyond the basic 60 cents per pound. |
Pricing reflects GoodMigrations' monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated August 14, 2026.
Best Des Moines movers for interstate moves
Prefer a local crew that knows Des Moines? These Des Moines-based companies handle long-distance moves to St. Paul and beyond. Ratings and reviews come from our mover database, updated monthly.
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TWO MEN AND A TRUCK
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College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving
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Adamantine Spine Moving
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All Mighty Movers LLC
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Select Van & Storage Co.
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Lint Van Lines
On interstate moves this length, 87% to 92% of people hire full-service movers rather than doing it themselves. Local crews are a good fit for hands-on or hourly help, but for a fully managed door-to-door move, the vetted movers below might be a better match.
Our methodology
Every price and rating on this page comes from GoodMigrations' own data, not a third party or a guess. Here's how we put the numbers together for Des Moines to St. Paul.
- Pricing. Cost ranges come from our monthly dataset of more than 1,500 live quotes across our vetted mover network, broken out by home size and move method. Add-on and specialty costs are localized to Des Moines using the local cost-of-living index, so the figures match what crews actually charge here.
- Mover ratings. Each company is scored on verified customer reviews, licensing and insurance records, complaint history, and years in business. We pull review counts and positive-review rates from public sources and refresh them monthly.
- Vetting. We pass movers through an added review of their DOT licensing, insurance, and customer track record before featuring them here.
- Independence. Some partners pay us a referral fee when you request a quote, which keeps the tools free. It does not change a mover's rating or where it lands in our rankings.
Des Moines to St. Paul moving FAQ
How long does it take to move from Des Moines, IA to St. Paul, MN?
Most full-service and container moves from Des Moines to St. Paul deliver in 1 to 2 days from pickup, based on GoodMigrations data for the 248-mile route. Direct or express loads run faster, while consolidated shipments and peak-season bookings may take longer. If you're driving a rental truck yourself, you set the pace of the move.
How much does it cost to move from Des Moines, IA to St. Paul, MN?
A move from Des Moines to St. Paul costs $1,095 to $6,452 with full-service movers, depending on your home size. DIY options come in lower: moving containers run about 48% less, and a rental truck starts around $325 before fuel.
What is the cheapest way to move from Des Moines, IA to St. Paul, MN?
Renting a truck is the lowest sticker price, starting near $325 on this route, but fuel alone adds about $69 for the 248-mile drive before equipment, lodging, and your own time. Moving containers are usually the better value for the work involved, landing about 48% under full-service while letting someone else handle the driving.
When is the cheapest time to move from Des Moines, IA to St. Paul, MN?
October through March is cheapest, with lower rates and more open dates. Peak season runs mid-May through mid-September and pushes prices up roughly 20% to 30%. Booking mid-month and midweek beats the first and last week of the month, when demand spikes.
Will my taxes change moving from Iowa to Minnesota?
Iowa taxes income at up to 4.4% and Minnesota at up to 9.85%. The gap is worth factoring into your post-move budget alongside property and sales taxes.
Do I need to register my car after moving to Minnesota?
Minnesota requires new residents to register their vehicle and update their driver's license, usually within the first month or two of establishing residency. Check the Minnesota DMV for the exact deadline, and bring proof of insurance, title, and current registration.