Delaware to Iowa Moving Guide
Updated June 18, 2025

Planning a 1,080 mile interstate move from Delaware to Iowa? This moving guide will help you compare living in Delaware vs Iowa across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs more affordable lifestyle), food & health (like Scrapple vs Corn on the cob), real estate & housing (colonial vs mid-century modern), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Delaware), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Scrapple and Fried chicken, but get your taste buds ready for Corn on the cob & Pork tenderloin sandwich
- Iowa housing costs are 44% less expensive than they are in Delaware
- Rent in Iowa is 41.62% more affordable than in Delaware
- Moving from Delaware to Iowa will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
- Our top recommended Delaware to Iowa movers is Adamantine Spine Moving
Delaware to Iowa Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Delaware to Iowa
- High cost of living
- Dense traffic
- Limited land space
- Hurricane risks
- More affordable lifestyle
- Less congestion
- Spacious countryside
- Milder weather
- Far from major hubs
- Landlocked state
- Limited cuisine variety
- Fewer historical landmarks
- Proximity to big cities
- Beach access
- Diverse dining scene
- Rich history
Pros of moving from Delaware to Iowa
- Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to a more affordable lifestyle
- Look forward to moving away from dense traffic and moving to Iowa with less congestion
- Swap the limited land space of Delaware for the spacious countryside in Iowa
- Get ready for milder weather in Iowa
Cons of moving from Delaware to Iowa
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the proximity to big cities in Delaware to live far from major hubs in Iowa
- You'll lose out on the pro of beach access and have to settle for the con of a landlocked state
- Time to bid farewell to the diverse dining scene and get used to a limited cuisine variety in Iowa
- Swap rich history for fewer historical landmarks
Delaware vs. Iowa: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Delaware | Iowa |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Scrapple | Corn on the cob |
Most popular meat dish | Fried chicken | Pork tenderloin sandwich |
Most popular street food item | Italian water ice | Fried catfish |
Most popular vegan food | Seitan cheesesteak | Tempeh reuben |
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 Delaware to Iowa, you will be trading the iconic scrapple of Delaware for the equally delicious corn on the cob of Iowa. And while the locals in Delaware rave about their flavorful fried chicken and sumptuous Italian water ice, Iowa residents know they have tasty pork tenderloin sandwiches and fried catfish to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the seitan cheesesteak they've grown to love, they can get ready for the tempeh reuben of Iowa. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Delaware eateries like Restaurant A, Restaurant B, and Restaurant C. After the boxes are unpacked in Iowa, don't wait too long before making your way to Iowa's acclaimed eateries like Restaurant X, Restaurant Y, and Restaurant Z.
When comparing lifestyles, Iowa shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Delaware. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Iowa, compared to what you are used to in Delaware. Also, the overall foodie scene is similarly bustling in Iowa.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Delaware and Iowa
Comparison | Delaware | Iowa |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial | Mid-Century Modern |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Close to beaches | Spacious backyards |
- The Colonial architecture that Delaware is known for will be replaced with the Mid-Century Modern architecture typical of Iowa.
- Compared to Delaware's real estate listings that commonly reference proximity to beaches, Iowa real estate listings often highlight features like spacious backyards.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Iowa is less walkable than Delaware.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Iowa is less bike-friendly than Delaware.
- Iowa has less of an urban feel than Delaware.
- Iowa housing costs are 44% less expensive than they are in Delaware, with a median home price of $214,151 compared to Delawareβs $385,745.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Iowa have increased by 36% compared to a 42% increase in Delaware.
- Rent in Iowa is 41.62% more affordable than in Delaware.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Delaware and Iowa
Comparison | Delaware | 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, Nor'easters | Tornadoes, Blizzards |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β°F/66Β°F | 86Β°F/63Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 44Β°F/28Β°F | 31Β°F/14Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 45" | 36" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 20" | 33" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Delaware to Iowa. Iowa gets 3% more sunshine days than Delaware.
- Iowa has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Delaware.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and nor'easters in Delaware, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and blizzards in Iowa.
- The average summer high temperature in Iowa is 1 degree warmer than in Delaware.
- The average winter lows in Iowa are 14 degrees colder than they are in Delaware.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Iowa. Iowa receives 9 fewer inches of rain compared to Delaware.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Delaware and Iowa
Comparison | Delaware | Iowa |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $82,174 | $69,588 |
Cost of Living Index | 102.45 | 95.9 |
State Income Tax | 2.2% - 6.6% | 0.33% - 8.53% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.56% | 1.57% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 0% | 6% |
Top 3 Industries | Finance, Healthcare, Manufacturing | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Services |
Affluence | Moderate | Modest |
Poverty | Averaged | Lowered |
Homelessness | Low | Very Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Iowa tend to earn about 15% less than those in Delaware
- The COLI in Iowa will be 6% lower than what you are used to living in Delaware
- The state income tax in IA is 0.33% - 8.53% compared to 2.2% - 6.6% in DE
- The affluence in Iowa is modest compared to moderate affluence in Delaware
- The poverty level is lower in Iowa compared to an average level in Delaware
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Delaware and very low in Iowa
Political and Religious Climate in Delaware vs. Iowa
Comparison | Delaware | Iowa |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Democratic | Swing State |
Local Politics | <a href="https://elections.delaware.gov/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Delaware Elections</a> | <a href="https://sos.iowa.gov/elections/voterinformation/index.html" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Iowa Voter Information</a> |
Religion | Christianity predominant, diverse religious presence | Christianity predominant, notable religious variety |
- Delaware tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
- Iowa, on the other hand, is often described as a swing State
- Iowa's religious environment can be described as predominantly christianity with notable religious variety
- Delaware's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly christianity with a diverse religious presence
Education Guide When Moving from Delaware to Iowa
Comparison | Delaware | Iowa |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Delaware Delaware State University Wilmington University | University of Iowa Iowa State University University of Northern Iowa |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Charter School of Wilmington Star Hill Elementary Newark Charter Jr/Sr High | Wickham Elementary Borlaug Elementary Norman Borlaug Elementary |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Charter School of Wilmington Cab Calloway School of the Arts Sussex Academy | Ames Middle School North Central Junior High South East Junior High |
Top 3 High School Schools | Delaware Military Academy Newark Charter High Charter School of Wilmington | West Senior High Ames High Decorah High School |
Top 3 private high schools | Tower Hill School St. Andrews School Archmere Academy | The Scattergood Friends School Maharishi School Dowling Catholic High School |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Tower Hill School Archmere Academy Wilmington Friends School | Maharishi School Scattergood Friends School Des Moines Christian School |
Top 3 School Districts | Appoquinimink School District Cape Henlopen School District Brandywine School District | Iowa City Community School District Ames Community School District West Des Moines Community Schools |
How Much Do Delaware to Iowa Movers Cost?
Moving 1,080 miles from Delaware to Iowa will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,500
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Hemmen Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,815 | 300 ft3 | $6.05 |
1 Bedroom | $2,700 | 450 ft3 | $6.00 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,462 | 750 ft3 | $5.95 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,489 | 1100 ft3 | $5.90 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,359 | 1600 ft3 | $5.85 |
5+ Bedrooms | $10,439 | 1800 ft3 | $5.80 |
Top Delaware to Iowa Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Delaware to Iowa movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Adamantine Spine Moving
Best moving company overall for Delaware to Iowa