Connecticut to Iowa Moving Guide
Updated June 11, 2025

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
- Higher taxes
- Dense population
- Congested traffic
- Harsh winters
- Lower living costs
- Open spaces
- Relaxed commutes
- Milder winters
- Fewer cultural events
- Far from major cities
- Fewer historic sites
- No ocean access
- 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
Comparison | Connecticut | Iowa |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Lobster Roll | Pork Tenderloin Sandwich |
Most popular meat dish | Steamed Cheeseburger | Corn-fed Beef Steak |
Most popular street food item | Apizza | Taco Truck Tacos |
Most popular vegan food | Vegan Pizza | BBQ Jackfruit |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± |
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
Comparison | Connecticut | Iowa |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial | Ranch |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Close to coast, Historic charm | Spacious 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 Connecticutβs $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
Comparison | Connecticut | Iowa |
---|---|---|
Days of Sunshine per Year | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ |
Avg. Annual Humidity | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ |
Avg. UV Index | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ |
Natural Disasters | Hurricanes, Snowstorms | Tornadoes, Blizzards |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 82Β°F / 62Β°F | 86Β°F / 65Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 35Β°F / 20Β°F | 31Β°F / 13Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 50 | 36 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 37 | 48 |
- 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
Comparison | Connecticut | Iowa |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $88,429 | $69,588 |
Cost of Living Index | 122.1 | 95.9 |
State Income Tax | 3% to 6.99% | 0.36% to 8.53% |
Avg. Property Tax | 2.14% | 1.29% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.35% | 6.94% |
Top 3 Industries | Finance, Insurance, Manufacturing | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Education |
Affluence | High | Moderate |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Low |
- 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
Comparison | Connecticut | Iowa |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Generally liberal/Democratic | Mixed, with swing state characteristics |
Local Politics | Democratic dominance in urban areas | Republican strength in rural areas, Democratic in cities |
Religion | Christianity predominant, with diverse religions present | Christianity 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
Comparison | Connecticut | Iowa |
---|---|---|
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 Schools | International 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 Schools | Eastern 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 Schools | Darien 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 schools | Choate 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 schools | Greenwich 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 Districts | Westport 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 SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,864 | 300 ft3 | $6.21 |
1 Bedroom | $2,773 | 450 ft3 | $6.16 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,584 | 750 ft3 | $6.11 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,668 | 1100 ft3 | $6.06 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,619 | 1600 ft3 | $6.01 |
5+ Bedrooms | $10,731 | 1800 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.

Adamantine Spine Moving
Best moving company overall for Connecticut to Iowa