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Arkansas to Iowa Moving Guide

Updated June 23, 2025

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Planning a 674 mile interstate move from Arkansas to Iowa? This moving guide will help you compare living in Arkansas vs Iowa across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like hot summers vs milder summers), food & health (like Fried Catfish vs Pork Tenderloin Sandwich), real estate & housing (craftsman vs ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Iowa), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Fried Catfish and Barbecue Ribs, but get your taste buds ready for Pork Tenderloin Sandwich & Corn-fed Beef Steak
  • Iowa housing costs are 5% more expensive than they are in Arkansas
  • Rent in Iowa is 17.90% more affordable than in Arkansas
  • Moving from Arkansas to Iowa will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,500
  • Our top recommended Arkansas to Iowa movers is Adamantine Spine Moving

Arkansas to Iowa Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Arkansas to Iowa

ConsArkansas iconArkansas
  • Hot summers
  • Limited job market
  • Higher crime rates
  • Limited cultural events
ProsIowa iconIowa
  • Milder summers
  • Diverse job opportunities
  • Safer communities
  • Rich cultural scene

Iowa iconIowa
  • Slightly higher costs
  • Colder winters
  • Less scenic variety
  • Less diverse towns
Arkansas iconArkansas
  • Lower cost of living
  • Mild winters
  • Lush natural beauty
  • Friendly communities

Pros of moving from Arkansas to Iowa

  • Say goodbye to hot summers and hello to milder summers
  • Look forward to moving away from a limited job market and moving to Iowa with diverse job opportunities
  • Swap the higher crime rates of Arkansas for safer communities in Iowa
  • Get ready for a rich cultural scene in Iowa

Cons of moving from Arkansas to Iowa

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a lower cost of living in Arkansas to live with slightly higher costs in Iowa
  • You'll lose out on the pro of mild winters and have to settle for the con of colder winters
  • Time to bid farewell to lush natural beauty and get used to less scenic variety in Iowa
  • Swap friendly communities for less diverse towns

Arkansas vs. Iowa: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonArkansasIowa
Most iconic local food itemFried CatfishPork Tenderloin Sandwich
Most popular meat dishBarbecue RibsCorn-fed Beef Steak
Most popular street food itemPossum PieFried Corn on the Cob
Most popular vegan foodBlack Bean BurgerLentil Burger
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
    • McClard's Bar-B-Q
    • The Southern Food Company
    • Ciao Italian Restaurant
    • Jethro’s BBQ
    • Zombie Burger + Drink Lab
    • Auldi
Fitness/Health ConscientiousnessπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

If you're moving from Arkansas to Iowa, you will be trading the iconic Fried Catfish of Arkansas for the equally delicious Pork Tenderloin Sandwich of Iowa. And while the locals in Arkansas rave about their flavorful Barbecue Ribs and sumptuous Possum Pie, Iowa residents know they have tasty Corn-fed Beef Steak and Fried Corn on the Cob to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Black Bean Burger they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Lentil Burger of Iowa. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Arkansas eateries like McClard's Bar-B-Q, The Southern Food Company, and Ciao Italian Restaurant. After the boxes are unpacked in Iowa, don't wait too long before making your way to Iowa's acclaimed eateries like Jethro’s BBQ, Zombie Burger + Drink Lab, and Auldi.

When comparing lifestyles, Iowa shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Arkansas. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Iowa compared to what you are used to in Arkansas. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Iowa.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Arkansas and Iowa

ComparisonArkansasIowa
Typical Architecture StyleCraftsmanRanch
WalkabilityπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘Ÿ
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban LifestyleπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈ
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingLarge yards, proximity to natureEco-friendly features, community amenities
  • The Craftsman architecture that Arkansas is known for will be replaced with the Ranch architecture typical of Iowa.
  • Compared to Arkansas's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and proximity to nature, Iowa real estate listings often highlight features like eco-friendly aspects and community amenities.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Iowa is more walkable than Arkansas.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Iowa is more bike-friendly than Arkansas.
  • Iowa has more of an urban feel than Arkansas.
  • Iowa housing costs are 5% more expensive than they are in Arkansas, with a median home price of $214,151 compared to Arkansas’s $203,305.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Iowa have increased by 36% compared to a 41% increase in Arkansas.
  • Rent in Iowa is 17.90% more affordable than in Arkansas.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Arkansas and Iowa

ComparisonArkansasIowa
Days of Sunshine per Yearβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈ
Avg. Annual HumidityπŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦
Avg. UV IndexπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈ
Natural DisastersTornadoes, FloodsTornadoes, Blizzards
Air QualityModerateGood
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)92Β°F / 72Β°F86Β°F / 65Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)51Β°F / 32Β°F31Β°F / 14Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)50"36"
Annual Snowfall (Inches)5"32"
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from Arkansas to Iowa. Iowa gets 6% fewer sunshine days than Arkansas.
  • Iowa has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Arkansas.
  • Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Arkansas, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and blizzards in Iowa.
  • Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Iowa is 6 degrees colder than in Arkansas.
  • The average winter lows are 18 degrees colder than they are in Arkansas.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Iowa. Iowa receives 14 fewer inches of rain compared to Arkansas.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Arkansas and Iowa

ComparisonArkansasIowa
Avg. Household Income$55,432$69,588
Cost of Living Index90.595.9
State Income Tax5.5%8.53%
Avg. Property Tax0.62%1.53%
Avg. Sales Tax9.51%6.94%
Top 3 IndustriesAgriculture, Manufacturing, RetailManufacturing, Finance, Insurance
AffluenceModerateModerate
PovertyHighModerate
HomelessnessLowLow
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Iowa tend to earn about 26% more than in Arkansas
  • The COLI in Iowa will be 6% higher than what you are used to living in Arkansas
  • The state income tax in Iowa is 8.53% compared to 5.5% in Arkansas
  • The affluence in Iowa is moderate compared to moderate in Arkansas
  • The poverty level is moderate in Iowa compared to high in Arkansas
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in Arkansas and low in Iowa

Political and Religious Climate in Arkansas vs. Iowa

ComparisonArkansasIowa
Political Make-upConservatively inclinedModerately conservative with swing state tendencies
Local PoliticsRepublican dominance in recent yearsMixture of Republican and Democratic influence
ReligionChristian majority, particularly Evangelical ProtestantChristian majority with a significant proportion of Mainline Protestant
  • Arkansas tends to lean conservatively in its political climate
  • Iowa, on the other hand, is often described as moderately conservative with swing state tendencies
  • Iowa's religious environment can be described as a Christian majority with a significant proportion of Mainline Protestant
  • Arkansas's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a Christian majority, particularly Evangelical Protestant

Education Guide When Moving from Arkansas to Iowa

ComparisonArkansasIowa
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Arkansas
Arkansas State University
University of Central Arkansas
University of Iowa
Iowa State University
University of Northern Iowa
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsBaker Interdistrict Elementary School (Little Rock)
Forest Park Elementary (Little Rock)
Vandergriff Elementary (Fayetteville)
Brookview Elementary (Waukee)
Shimek Elementary (Iowa City)
North Bend Elementary (North Liberty)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsLisa Academy North Middle (Sherwood)
LISA Academy West Middle (Little Rock)
Valley View Junior High (Jonesboro)
Ames Middle School (Ames)
North Central Junior High (Coralville)
South East Junior High (Iowa City)
Top 3 High SchoolsHaas Hall Academy (Fayetteville)
Bentonville High School (Bentonville)
Rogers High School (Rogers)
West Senior High (Iowa City)
Ames High School (Ames)
Decorah High School (Decorah)
Top 3 private high schoolsShiloh Christian School (Springdale)
Pulaski Academy (Little Rock)
Little Rock Christian Academy (Little Rock)
Des Moines Christian School (Urbandale)
Dowling Catholic High School (West Des Moines)
Maharishi School (Fairfield)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsSubiaco Academy (Subiaco)
Mount St. Mary Academy (Little Rock)
Arkansas Baptist School (Little Rock)
Scattergood Friends School (West Branch)
Quad City Christian School (Moline)
Cedar Valley Christian School (Cedar Rapids)
Top 3 School DistrictsFayetteville School District
Bentonville School District
Rogers School District
West Des Moines Community School District
Iowa City Community School District
Ames Community School District

How Much Do Arkansas to Iowa Movers Cost?

Moving 674 miles from Arkansas to Iowa will typically cost between $2,500 and $5,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $2,500 - $5,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-2 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: B2 Moving
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,585300 ft3$5.28
1 Bedroom$2,354450 ft3$5.23
2 Bedrooms$3,886750 ft3$5.18
3 Bedrooms$5,6451100 ft3$5.13
4 Bedrooms$8,1311600 ft3$5.08
5+ Bedrooms$9,0581800 ft3$5.03

Top Arkansas to Iowa Movers

Read our in-depth analysis of the best Arkansas to Iowa movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

TOP PICK
Adamantine Spine Moving featured image

Adamantine Spine Moving

Best moving company overall for Arkansas to Iowa

9.54/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
B2 Moving featured image

B2 Moving

9.44/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Adamantine Spine Moving featured image

Adamantine Spine Moving

9.44/10
ExceptionalView details
Top Arkansas to Iowa Routes

Little Rock to Iowa