Movers

Iowa to Indiana Moving Guide

Updated June 16, 2025

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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

Iowa to Indiana Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Iowa to Indiana

ConsIowa iconIowa
  • Extreme cold winters
  • Limited cultural diversity
  • Fewer job opportunities
  • Frequent flooding
ProsIndiana iconIndiana
  • Milder winters
  • More cultural events
  • Rising job market
  • More stable climate

Indiana iconIndiana
  • Denser urban areas
  • Higher living costs
  • Less farmland
  • Some high-crime areas
Iowa iconIowa
  • 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

ComparisonIowaIndiana
Most iconic local food itemPork Tenderloin SandwichSugar Cream Pie
Most popular meat dishCorn-fed Beef SteakPork Chop
Most popular street food itemWalking TacosBreaded Pork Tenderloin
Most popular vegan foodGrilled Corn on the CobRoasted Veggie Wrap
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • The Flying Elbow
  • Lucca
  • Zombie Burger
  • St. Elmo Steak House
  • Bluebeard
  • The Loft Restaurant at Traders Point Creamery
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 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

ComparisonIowaIndiana
Typical Architecture StyleColonial RevivalRanch
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 listingSpacious backyards, natural lightHardwood 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 Iowa’s $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

ComparisonIowaIndiana
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 DisastersTornadoes, floodsTornadoes, severe storms
Air QualityGoodVariable
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)85/6285/64
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)32/1436/20
Annual Rainfall (Inches)3442
Annual Snowfall (Inches)3522
  • 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

ComparisonIowaIndiana
Avg. Household Income$69,588$66,785
Cost of Living Index95.992.95
State Income Tax8.533.23
Avg. Property Tax1.530.87
Avg. Sales Tax6.947.00
Top 3 IndustriesAgriculture, Manufacturing, InsuranceManufacturing, Healthcare, Agriculture
AffluenceModerateAverage
PovertyLowerModerate
HomelessnessLowLow
  • 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

ComparisonIowaIndiana
Political Make-upSwing State with a slight lean towards Republicans in recent electionsConsistently leans Republican, especially in national elections
Local PoliticsVaries, with a mix of Democratic and Republican leadership at the state and local levelRepublican dominance in state government and many localities
ReligionChristianity predominant, mixed denominationsChristianity 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

ComparisonIowaIndiana
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Iowa
Iowa State University
University of Northern Iowa
Indiana University
Purdue University
Ball State University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsWickham Elementary
Coralville; Roosevelt Elementary
Ames; Lincoln Elementary
Pella
Signature School
Evansville; Hershey Elementary
Lafayette; Childs Elementary
Bloomington
Top 3 Middle SchoolsAmes Middle School
Ames; North Central Junior High
Coralville; South East Junior High
Iowa City
West Lafayette Jr/Sr High School
West Lafayette; Brown County Junior High
Nashville; Fall Creek Valley Middle School
Indianapolis
Top 3 High SchoolsWest High School
Iowa City; Ames High School
Ames; Pleasant Valley High School
Bettendorf
Signature School
Evansville; Carmel High School
Carmel; Homestead High School
Fort Wayne
Top 3 private high schoolsXavier High School
Cedar Rapids; Dowling Catholic High School
West Des Moines; Wahlert Catholic High School
Dubuque
University High School of Indiana
Carmel; Park Tudor School
Indianapolis; The Culver Academies
Culver
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsMaharishi School
Fairfield; Scattergood Friends School
West Branch; Rivermont Collegiate
Bettendorf
Traders Point Christian Academy
Whitestown; Heritage Christian School
Indianapolis; Covenant Christian High School
Indianapolis
Top 3 School DistrictsIowa City Community School District; Ames Community School District; West Des Moines Community SchoolsCarmel Clay Schools; West Lafayette Community School Corporation; Hamilton Southeastern Schools

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 - $5,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-10 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Bulldogs Moving Co.
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,475300 ft3$4.92
1 Bedroom$2,189450 ft3$4.87
2 Bedrooms$3,612750 ft3$4.82
3 Bedrooms$5,2421100 ft3$4.77
4 Bedrooms$7,5451600 ft3$4.72
5+ Bedrooms$8,3981800 ft3$4.67

Top Iowa to Indiana Movers

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

TOP PICK
Adamantine Spine Moving featured image

Adamantine Spine Moving

Best moving company overall for Iowa to Indiana

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

Adamantine Spine Moving

9.44/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Best Move Inc featured image

Best Move Inc

9.25/10
ExceptionalView details