Iowa to Indiana Moving Guide
Want help with the heavy lifting?
Updated June 16, 2025
Planning a 480 mile interstate move from Iowa to Indiana? This moving guide will help you compare living in Iowa vs Indiana across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like extreme cold winters vs milder winters), food & health (like Pork Tenderloin Sandwich vs Sugar Cream Pie), real estate & housing (colonial revival vs ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Iowa), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Pork Tenderloin Sandwich and Corn-fed Beef Steak, but get your taste buds ready for Sugar Cream Pie & Pork Chop
- Indiana housing costs are 11% more expensive than they are in Iowa
- Rent in Indiana is 24.89% more expensive than in Iowa
- Moving from Iowa to Indiana will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,000
- Our top recommended Iowa to Indiana movers is Adamantine Spine Moving

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

Adamantine Spine Moving
Best moving company overall for Iowa to Indiana

Adamantine Spine Moving

Best Move Inc
Iowa to Indiana Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Iowa to Indiana
- Extreme cold winters
- Limited cultural diversity
- Fewer job opportunities
- Frequent flooding
- Milder winters
- More cultural events
- Rising job market
- More stable climate
- Denser urban areas
- Higher living costs
- Less farmland
- Some high-crime areas
- Spacious countryside
- Low cost of living
- Strong agricultural community
- Low crime rates
Pros of moving from Iowa to Indiana
- Say goodbye to extreme cold winters and hello to milder winters
- Look forward to moving away from limited cultural diversity and moving to Indiana with more cultural events
- Swap the fewer job opportunities of Iowa for a rising job market in Indiana
- Get ready for a more stable climate in Indiana
Cons of moving from Iowa to Indiana
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the spacious countryside in Iowa to live with denser urban areas in Indiana
- You'll lose out on the pro of a low cost of living and have to settle for the con of higher living costs
- Time to bid farewell to a strong agricultural community and get used to less farmland in Indiana
- Swap low crime rates for some high-crime areas
Iowa vs. Indiana: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Iowa | Indiana |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Pork Tenderloin Sandwich | Sugar Cream Pie |
Most popular meat dish | Corn-fed Beef Steak | Pork Chop |
Most popular street food item | Walking Tacos | Breaded Pork Tenderloin |
Most popular vegan food | Grilled Corn on the Cob | Roasted Veggie Wrap |
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 Iowa to Indiana, you will be trading the iconic Pork Tenderloin Sandwich of Iowa for the equally delicious Sugar Cream Pie of Indiana. And while the locals in Iowa rave about their flavorful Corn-fed Beef Steak and sumptuous Walking Tacos, Indiana residents know they have tasty Pork Chop and Breaded Pork Tenderloin to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Grilled Corn on the Cob they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Roasted Veggie Wrap of Indiana. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Iowa eateries like The Flying Elbow, Lucca, and Zombie Burger. After the boxes are unpacked in Indiana, don't wait too long before making your way to Indiana's acclaimed eateries like St. Elmo Steak House, Bluebeard, and The Loft Restaurant at Traders Point Creamery.
When comparing lifestyles, Indiana shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Iowa. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Indiana compared to what you are used to in Iowa. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Indiana.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Iowa and Indiana
Comparison | Iowa | Indiana |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial Revival | Ranch |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious backyards, natural light | Hardwood floors, updated kitchens |
- The Colonial Revival architecture that Iowa is known for will be replaced with the Ranch architecture typical of Indiana.
- Compared to Iowa's real estate listings, which commonly reference spacious backyards and natural light, Indiana real estate listings often highlight features like hardwood floors and updated kitchens.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Indiana is more walkable than Iowa.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike. Indiana is less bike-friendly than Iowa.
- Indiana has more of an urban feel than Iowa.
- Indiana housing costs are 11% more expensive than they are in Iowa, with a median home price of $236,990 compared to Iowaβs $214,151.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Indiana have increased by 54% compared to a 36% increase in Iowa.
- Rent in Indiana is 24.89% more expensive than in Iowa.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Iowa and Indiana
Comparison | Iowa | Indiana |
---|---|---|
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 | Tornadoes, floods | Tornadoes, severe storms |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85/62 | 85/64 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 32/14 | 36/20 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 34 | 42 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 35 | 22 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Iowa to Indiana. Indiana gets 9% fewer sunshine days than Iowa.
- Indiana has lower humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Iowa.
- Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Iowa, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and severe storms in Indiana.
- The average summer high temperature in Indiana is the same as Iowa.
- The average winter lows are 6 degrees warmer than they are in Iowa.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Indiana. Indiana receives 8 more inches of rain compared to Iowa.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Iowa and Indiana
Comparison | Iowa | Indiana |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $69,588 | $66,785 |
Cost of Living Index | 95.9 | 92.95 |
State Income Tax | 8.53 | 3.23 |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.53 | 0.87 |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.94 | 7.00 |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Insurance | Manufacturing, Healthcare, Agriculture |
Affluence | Moderate | Average |
Poverty | Lower | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Indiana tend to earn about 4% less than in Iowa
- The COLI in Indiana will be 3% lower than what you are used to living in Iowa
- The state income tax in IN is 3.23 compared to 8.53 in IA
- The affluence in Indiana is average compared to moderate in Iowa
- The poverty level is moderate in Indiana compared to lower in Iowa
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Iowa and low in Indiana
Political and Religious Climate in Iowa vs. Indiana
Comparison | Iowa | Indiana |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Swing State with a slight lean towards Republicans in recent elections | Consistently leans Republican, especially in national elections |
Local Politics | Varies, with a mix of Democratic and Republican leadership at the state and local level | Republican dominance in state government and many localities |
Religion | Christianity predominant, mixed denominations | Christianity predominant, with a strong Evangelical presence |
- Iowa tends to lean swing state with a slight lean towards Republicans in its political climate
- Indiana, on the other hand, is often described as consistently leaning Republican, especially in national elections
- Indiana's religious environment can be described as predominantly Christian, with a strong Evangelical presence
- Iowa's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christian, with mixed denominations
Education Guide When Moving from Iowa to Indiana
Comparison | Iowa | Indiana |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Iowa Iowa City | Indiana University Bloomington Bloomington |
Iowa State University Ames | Purdue University West Lafayette | |
Drake University Des Moines | Butler University Indianapolis | |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Erskine Elementary School Cedar Rapids | Prairie Vista Elementary School Granger |
Mann Elementary School Iowa City | Smoky Row Elementary School Carmel | |
Brookview Elementary School Waukee | Cumberland Road Elementary School Fishers | |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Ames Middle School Ames | Zionsville Middle School Zionsville |
Waukee Middle School Waukee | Fishers Junior High School Fishers | |
Northwest Junior High School Coralville | Carmel Middle School Carmel | |
Top 3 High Schools | Iowa City West High School Iowa City | Carmel High School Carmel |
Ames High School Ames | Zionsville Community High School Zionsville | |
Waukee High School Waukee | Fishers High School Fishers | |
Top 3 private high schools | Dowling Catholic High School West Des Moines | Cathedral High School Indianapolis |
Regina High School Iowa City | Park Tudor School Indianapolis | |
Xavier High School Cedar Rapids | Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School Indianapolis | |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Des Moines Christian School Urbandale | The Orchard School Indianapolis |
Maharishi School Fairfield | Culver Academies Culver | |
Rivermont Collegiate Bettendorf | The Oaks Academy Indianapolis | |
Top 3 School Districts | Iowa City Community School District Iowa City | Carmel Clay Schools Carmel |
Ames Community School District Ames | Zionsville Community Schools Zionsville | |
Waukee Community School District Waukee | Hamilton Southeastern Schools Fishers |
How Much Do Iowa to Indiana Movers Cost?
Moving 480 miles from Iowa to Indiana will typically cost between $2,000 and $5,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,000 - $5,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-10 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Bulldogs Moving Co.
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,475 | 300 ft3 | $4.92 |
1 Bedroom | $2,189 | 450 ft3 | $4.87 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,612 | 750 ft3 | $4.82 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,242 | 1100 ft3 | $4.77 |
4 Bedrooms | $7,545 | 1600 ft3 | $4.72 |
5+ Bedrooms | $8,398 | 1800 ft3 | $4.67 |