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Connecticut to Iowa Moving Guide

Updated June 11, 2025

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Planning a 1,166 mile interstate move from Connecticut to Iowa? This moving guide will help you compare living in Connecticut vs Iowa across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like higher taxes vs lower living costs), food & health (like Lobster Roll vs Pork Tenderloin Sandwich), real estate & housing (colonial vs ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Connecticut), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Lobster Roll and Steamed Cheeseburger, but get your taste buds ready for Pork Tenderloin Sandwich & Corn-fed Beef Steak
  • Iowa housing costs are 46% less expensive than they are in Connecticut
  • Rent in Iowa is 45.82% more affordable than in Connecticut
  • Moving from Connecticut to Iowa will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
  • Our top recommended Connecticut to Iowa movers is Adamantine Spine Moving

Connecticut to Iowa Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Connecticut to Iowa

ConsConnecticut iconConnecticut
  • Higher taxes
  • Dense population
  • Congested traffic
  • Harsh winters
ProsIowa iconIowa
  • Lower living costs
  • Open spaces
  • Relaxed commutes
  • Milder winters

Iowa iconIowa
  • Fewer cultural events
  • Far from major cities
  • Fewer historic sites
  • No ocean access
Connecticut iconConnecticut
  • Vibrant culture
  • Close to NYC
  • Historic charm
  • Coastal scenery

Pros of moving from Connecticut to Iowa

  • Say goodbye to higher taxes and hello to lower living costs
  • Look forward to moving away from a dense population and moving to Iowa with open spaces
  • Swap the congested traffic of Connecticut for relaxed commutes in Iowa
  • Get ready for milder winters in Iowa

Cons of moving from Connecticut to Iowa

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from vibrant culture in Connecticut to live with fewer cultural events in Iowa
  • You'll lose out on the pro of being close to NYC and have to settle with the con of being far from major cities
  • Time to bid farewell to historic charm and get used to fewer historic sites in Iowa
  • Swap coastal scenery for no ocean access

Connecticut vs. Iowa: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonConnecticutIowa
Most iconic local food itemLobster RollPork Tenderloin Sandwich
Most popular meat dishSteamed CheeseburgerCorn-fed Beef Steak
Most popular street food itemApizzaTaco Truck Tacos
Most popular vegan foodVegan PizzaBBQ Jackfruit
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana
  • Sally's Apizza
  • Ted's Restaurant
  • The Summit Restaurant
  • Zombie Burger + Drink Lab
  • Arie's Steakhouse
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 Connecticut to Iowa, you will be trading the iconic Lobster Roll of Connecticut for the equally delicious Pork Tenderloin Sandwich of Iowa. And while the locals in Connecticut rave about their flavorful Steamed Cheeseburger and sumptuous Apizza, Iowa residents know they have tasty Corn-fed Beef Steak and Taco Truck Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Vegan Pizza they've grown to love, they can get ready for the BBQ Jackfruit of Iowa. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Connecticut eateries like Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana, Sally's Apizza, and Ted's Restaurant. After the boxes are unpacked in Iowa, don't wait too long before making your way to Iowa's acclaimed eateries like The Summit Restaurant, Zombie Burger + Drink Lab, and Arie's Steakhouse.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Connecticut and Iowa

ComparisonConnecticutIowa
Typical Architecture StyleColonialRanch
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 listingClose to coast, Historic charmSpacious yards, Proximity to nature
  • The Colonial architecture that Connecticut is known for will be replaced with the Ranch architecture typical of Iowa.
  • Compared to Connecticut's real estate listings that commonly reference being close to the coast and historic charm, Iowa real estate listings often highlight features like spacious yards and proximity to nature.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away because Iowa is less walkable than Connecticut.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike as Iowa is more bike-friendly than Connecticut.
  • Iowa has less of an urban feel than Connecticut.
  • Iowa housing costs are 46% less expensive than they are in Connecticut with a median home price of $214,151 compared to Connecticut’s $393,802.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Iowa have increased by 36% compared to a 55% increase in Connecticut.
  • Rent in Iowa is 45.82% more affordable than in Connecticut.

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

ComparisonConnecticutIowa
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 DisastersHurricanes, SnowstormsTornadoes, Blizzards
Air QualityGoodModerate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)82Β°F / 62Β°F86Β°F / 65Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)35Β°F / 20Β°F31Β°F / 13Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)5036
Annual Snowfall (Inches)3748
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Connecticut to Iowa. Iowa gets 1% more sunshine days than Connecticut.
  • Iowa has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Connecticut.
  • Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and snowstorms in Connecticut, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and blizzards in Iowa.
  • Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Iowa is 4 degrees warmer than in Connecticut.
  • The average winter lows in Iowa are 7 degrees colder than those in Connecticut.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Iowa. Iowa receives 14 fewer inches of rain compared to Connecticut.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Connecticut and Iowa

ComparisonConnecticutIowa
Avg. Household Income$88,429$69,588
Cost of Living Index122.195.9
State Income Tax3% to 6.99%0.36% to 8.53%
Avg. Property Tax2.14%1.29%
Avg. Sales Tax6.35%6.94%
Top 3 IndustriesFinance, Insurance, ManufacturingAgriculture, Manufacturing, Education
AffluenceHighModerate
PovertyLowModerate
HomelessnessLowLow
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Iowa tend to earn about 21% less than in Connecticut
  • The COLI in Iowa will be 21% lower than what you are used to living in Connecticut
  • The state income tax in IA is 0.36% to 8.53% compared to 3% to 6.99% in CT
  • The affluence in Iowa is moderate compared to high in Connecticut
  • The poverty level is moderate in Iowa compared to low in Connecticut
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in Connecticut and low in Iowa

Political and Religious Climate in Connecticut vs. Iowa

ComparisonConnecticutIowa
Political Make-upGenerally liberal/DemocraticMixed, with swing state characteristics
Local PoliticsDemocratic dominance in urban areasRepublican strength in rural areas, Democratic in cities
ReligionChristianity predominant, with diverse religions presentChristianity predominant, slightly more Evangelical presence
  • Connecticut tends to lean generally liberal/Democratic in its political climate
  • Iowa, on the other hand, is often described as mixed, with swing state characteristics
  • Iowa's religious environment can be described as predominantly Christianity, with a slightly more Evangelical presence
  • Connecticut's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christianity, with diverse religions present

Education Guide When Moving from Connecticut to Iowa

ComparisonConnecticutIowa
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Connecticut
Yale University
University of New Haven
University of Iowa
Iowa State University
University of Northern Iowa
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsInternational School at Dundee - Greenwich

North Mianus School - Riverside

West School - New Canaan
Wickham Elementary - Coralville

Shimek Elementary School - Iowa City

Norman Borlaug Elementary - Coralville
Top 3 Middle SchoolsEastern Middle School - Riverside

Bedford Middle School - Westport

Central Middle School - Greenwich
North Central Junior High - North Liberty

Northwest Junior High - Coralville

Ames Middle School - Ames
Top 3 High School SchoolsDarien High School - Darien

Weston High School - Weston

Staples High School - Westport
Ames High School - Ames

West Senior High - Iowa City

Decorah High School - Decorah
Top 3 private high schoolsChoate Rosemary Hall - Wallingford

The Hotchkiss School - Lakeville

Hopkins School - New Haven
The Scattergood Friends School - West Branch

Maharishi School - Fairfield

Wahlert Catholic High School - Dubuque
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsGreenwich Country Day School - Greenwich

King School - Stamford

The Hopkins School - New Haven
Maharishi School - Fairfield

Scattergood Friends School - West Branch

Rivermont Collegiate - Bettendorf
Top 3 School DistrictsWestport School District

New Canaan School District

Darien School District
Iowa City Community School District

Ames Community School District

Decorah Community School District

How Much Do Connecticut to Iowa Movers Cost?

Moving 1,166 miles from Connecticut to Iowa will typically cost between $3,000 and $6,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $3,000 - $6,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 5-9 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Hemmen Moving
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,864300 ft3$6.21
1 Bedroom$2,773450 ft3$6.16
2 Bedrooms$4,584750 ft3$6.11
3 Bedrooms$6,6681100 ft3$6.06
4 Bedrooms$9,6191600 ft3$6.01
5+ Bedrooms$10,7311800 ft3$5.96

Top Connecticut to Iowa Movers

Read our in-depth analysis of the best Connecticut 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 Connecticut to Iowa

9.54/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Adamantine Spine Moving featured image

Adamantine Spine Moving

9.44/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Smooth Move & Delivery featured image

Smooth Move & Delivery

9.21/10
ExceptionalView details
Top Connecticut to Iowa Routes

Bridgeport to Iowa