Movers

Florida to Iowa Moving Guide

Updated June 20, 2025

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Planning a 1,387 mile interstate move from Florida to Iowa? This moving guide will help you compare living in Florida vs Iowa across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high humidity vs lower humidity), food & health (like Key Lime Pie vs Corn), real estate & housing (mediterranean, ranch vs craftsman, ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Florida), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Key Lime Pie and Cuban Sandwich, but get your taste buds ready for Corn & Pork Tenderloin Sandwich
  • Iowa housing costs are 46% less expensive than they are in Florida
  • Rent in Iowa is 51.43% more affordable than in Florida
  • Moving from Florida to Iowa will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,000
  • Our top recommended Florida to Iowa movers is Sebastian Moving and More

Florida to Iowa Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Florida to Iowa

ConsFlorida iconFlorida
  • High humidity
  • Hurricane risk
  • Expensive housing
  • High traffic
  • Heavy tourism
ProsIowa iconIowa
  • Lower humidity
  • Minimal natural disasters
  • Affordable housing
  • Less congestion
  • Quieter lifestyle

Iowa iconIowa
  • Cold winters
  • Inland location
  • Less diverse culture
  • Seasonal activities
  • Fewer urban options
Florida iconFlorida
  • Warm winters
  • Beach access
  • Rich culture
  • Year-round outdoor activities
  • Big-city amenities

Pros of moving from Florida to Iowa

  • Say goodbye to high humidity and hello to lower humidity
  • Look forward to moving away from hurricane risk and moving to Iowa with minimal natural disasters
  • Swap the expensive housing of Florida for affordable housing in Iowa
  • Get ready for less congestion in Iowa

Cons of moving from Florida to Iowa

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from warm winters in Florida to live with cold winters in Iowa
  • You'll lose out on the pro of beach access and have to settle for the con of an inland location
  • Time to bid farewell to rich culture and get used to a less diverse culture in Iowa
  • Swap year-round outdoor activities for seasonal activities

Florida vs. Iowa: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonFloridaIowa
Most iconic local food itemKey Lime PieCorn
Most popular meat dishCuban SandwichPork Tenderloin Sandwich
Most popular street food itemEmpanadasFried Snickers
Most popular vegan foodJackfruit TacosVeggie Corn Dogs
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Versailles Restaurant
  • Joe's Stone Crab
  • Bern's Steak House
  • Zombie Burger
  • The Summit
  • The Ronneburg Restaurant
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 Florida to Iowa, you will be trading the iconic Key Lime Pie of Florida for the equally delicious Corn of Iowa. And while the locals in Florida rave about their flavorful Cuban Sandwich and sumptuous Empanadas, Iowa residents know they have tasty Pork Tenderloin Sandwich and Fried Snickers to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Jackfruit Tacos they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Veggie Corn Dogs of Iowa. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Florida eateries like Versailles Restaurant, Joe's Stone Crab, and Bern's Steak House. After the boxes are unpacked in Iowa, don't wait too long before making your way to Iowa's acclaimed eateries like Zombie Burger, The Summit, and The Ronneburg Restaurant.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Florida and Iowa

ComparisonFloridaIowa
Typical Architecture StyleMediterranean, RanchCraftsman, Ranch
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 listingSwimming pool, waterfrontSpacious backyard, energy efficiency
  • The Mediterranean and Ranch architecture that Florida is known for will be replaced with the Craftsman and Ranch architecture typical of Iowa.
  • Compared to Florida's real estate listings that commonly reference swimming pools and waterfront, Iowa real estate listings often highlight features like spacious backyards and energy efficiency.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away. Iowa is less walkable than Florida.
  • You might want to think twice before moving your bike. Iowa is less bike-friendly than Florida.
  • Iowa has less of an urban feel than Florida.
  • Iowa housing costs are 46% less expensive than they are in Florida with a median home price of $214,151 compared to Florida’s $397,137.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Iowa have increased by 36% compared to a 66% increase in Florida.
  • Rent in Iowa is 51.43% more affordable than in Florida.

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

ComparisonFloridaIowa
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, Tropical StormsTornadoes, Blizzards
Air QualityGoodVariable
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)90Β°F / 75Β°F85Β°F / 63Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)70Β°F / 48Β°F31Β°F / 14Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)50"36"
Annual Snowfall (Inches)0"48"
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from Florida to Iowa. Iowa gets 14% fewer sunshine days than Florida.
  • Iowa has lower humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Florida.
  • Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and tropical storms in Florida, 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 5 degrees colder than in Florida.
  • The average winter lows are 34 degrees colder than they are in Florida.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Iowa. Iowa receives 14 fewer inches of rain compared to Florida.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Florida and Iowa

ComparisonFloridaIowa
Avg. Household Income$69,303$69,588
Cost of Living Index97.895.9
State Income Tax0%4.4%
Avg. Property Tax0.83%1.53%
Avg. Sales Tax6.8%6.94%
Top 3 IndustriesTourism, Agriculture, AerospaceManufacturing, Agriculture, Healthcare
AffluenceModerateStable
PovertyConcerningManageable
HomelessnessWidespreadLimited
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Iowa tend to earn about 0% more than in Florida
  • The COLI in Iowa will be 2% lower than what you are used to living in Florida
  • Bummer... By moving from FL to IA, you'll now have a state income tax of 4.4%
  • The affluence in Iowa is stable compared to moderate in Florida
  • The poverty level is manageable in Iowa compared to concerning in Florida
  • In terms of homelessness, it is widespread in Florida and limited in Iowa

Political and Religious Climate in Florida vs. Iowa

ComparisonFloridaIowa
Political Make-upMixed; leans slightly RepublicanSwing state, with a current slight Republican lean
Local PoliticsVaries by region; urban areas more Democratic, rural areas more RepublicanRural areas lean Republican, urban centers like Des Moines lean Democratic
ReligionChristian majority, with a significant number of non-religious individualsPrimarily Christian, including a significant Catholic and Protestant population
  • Florida tends to lean mixed and leans slightly Republican in its political climate
  • Iowa, on the other hand, is often described as a swing state with a current slight Republican lean
  • Iowa's religious environment can be described as primarily Christian, including a significant Catholic and Protestant population
  • Florida's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a Christian majority with a significant number of non-religious individuals

Education Guide When Moving from Florida to Iowa

ComparisonFloridaIowa
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Florida
Florida State University
University of Central Florida
University of Iowa
Iowa State University
University of Northern Iowa
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsPine View School (Osprey)
Somerset Academy Elementar (Miramar)
Freedom Crossing Academy (St. Johns)
Waukee Elementary (Waukee)
Brookview Elementary (West Des Moines)
Orange Elementary (Waterloo)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsPine View School (Osprey)
Archimedean Middle Conservatory (Miami)
Doral Academy of Technology (Doral)
Ames Middle School (Ames)
Northwest Junior High (Coralville)
Bettendorf Middle School (Bettendorf)
Top 3 High School SchoolsPine View School (Osprey)
Stanton College Preparatory (Jacksonville)
Design and Architecture Senior High (Miami)
Ames High School (Ames)
West High School (Iowa City)
Decorah High School (Decorah)
Top 3 private high schoolsBolles School (Jacksonville)
American Heritage (Plantation)
Berkeley Preparatory School (Tampa)
Phillips Academy (Exeter)
Scattergood Friends School (West Branch)
Maharishi School (Fairfield)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsNorth Broward Preparatory School (Coconut Creek)
Windermere Preparatory School (Windermere)
American Heritage School (Plantation)
Scattergood Friends School (West Branch)
Maharishi School (Fairfield)
Rivermont Collegiate (Bettendorf)
Top 3 School DistrictsSt. Johns County School District
Sarasota County Schools
Okaloosa County School District
West Des Moines Community Schools
Ames Community School District
Iowa City Community School District

How Much Do Florida to Iowa Movers Cost?

Moving 1,387 miles from Florida to Iowa will typically cost between $3,000 and $7,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $3,000 - $7,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 3-10 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Veteran Moving Group
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,989300 ft3$6.63
1 Bedroom$2,961450 ft3$6.58
2 Bedrooms$4,897750 ft3$6.53
3 Bedrooms$7,1271100 ft3$6.48
4 Bedrooms$10,2871600 ft3$6.43
5+ Bedrooms$11,4831800 ft3$6.38

Top Florida to Iowa Movers

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

TOP PICK
Sebastian Moving and More featured image

Sebastian Moving and More

Best moving company overall for Florida to Iowa

9.72/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Easy Florida Moving LLC featured image

Easy Florida Moving LLC

9.56/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Our Family Moving and Storage LLC featured image

Our Family Moving and Storage LLC

9.54/10
ExceptionalView details

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