Movers

Iowa to Maryland Moving Guide

Updated June 17, 2025

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Planning a 1,014 mile interstate move from Iowa to Maryland? This moving guide will help you compare living in Iowa vs Maryland across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs milder climate), food & health (like Pork Tenderloin Sandwich vs Crab Cakes), real estate & housing (ranch vs colonial), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Maryland), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Pork Tenderloin Sandwich and Grilled Pork Chops, but get your taste buds ready for Crab Cakes & Steamed Crabs
  • Maryland housing costs are 94% more expensive than they are in Iowa
  • Rent in Maryland is 72.66% more expensive than in Iowa
  • Moving from Iowa to Maryland will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
  • Our top recommended Iowa to Maryland movers is AT Movers

Iowa to Maryland Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Iowa to Maryland

ConsIowa iconIowa
  • Harsh winters
  • Limited job opportunities
  • Lack of coastline
  • Limited public transport
ProsMaryland iconMaryland
  • Milder climate
  • Vibrant job market
  • Access to beaches
  • Extensive transport networks

Maryland iconMaryland
  • Higher living expenses
  • Urban congestion
  • More crowded areas
  • Less personal space
Iowa iconIowa
  • Low cost of living
  • Farming communities
  • Peaceful landscapes
  • Friendly communities

Pros of moving from Iowa to Maryland

  • Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to a milder climate
  • Look forward to moving away from limited job opportunities and moving to Maryland with a vibrant job market
  • Swap the lack of coastline of Iowa for access to beaches in Maryland
  • Get ready for extensive transport networks in Maryland

Cons of moving from Iowa to Maryland

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a low cost of living in Iowa to live with higher living expenses in Maryland
  • You'll lose out on the pro of farming communities and have to settle with the con of urban congestion
  • Time to bid farewell to peaceful landscapes and get used to more crowded areas in Maryland
  • Swap friendly communities for less personal space

Iowa vs. Maryland: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonIowaMaryland
Most iconic local food itemPork Tenderloin SandwichCrab Cakes
Most popular meat dishGrilled Pork ChopsSteamed Crabs
Most popular street food itemSweet CornSoft Shell Crab Sandwich
Most popular vegan foodQuinoa SaladVegan Crab Cake
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Tasty Tacos
  • Zombie Burger
  • The Machine Shed
  • Faidley's Seafood
  • Bertha's Mussels
  • Woodberry Kitchen
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 Maryland, you will be trading the iconic Pork Tenderloin Sandwich of Iowa for the equally delicious Crab Cakes of Maryland. And while the locals in Iowa rave about their flavorful Grilled Pork Chops and sumptuous Sweet Corn, Maryland residents know they have tasty Steamed Crabs and Soft Shell Crab Sandwiches to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Quinoa Salad they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegan Crab Cake of Maryland. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Iowa eateries like Tasty Tacos, Zombie Burger, and The Machine Shed. After the boxes are unpacked in Maryland, don't wait too long before making your way to Maryland's acclaimed eateries like Faidley's Seafood, Bertha's Mussels, and Woodberry Kitchen.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Iowa and Maryland

ComparisonIowaMaryland
Typical Architecture StyleRanchColonial
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 yards, quiet neighborhoodsProximity to amenities, waterfront views
  • The Ranch architecture that Iowa is known for will be replaced with the Colonial architecture typical of Maryland.
  • Compared to Iowa's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and quiet neighborhoods, Maryland real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to amenities and waterfront views.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Maryland is more walkable than Iowa.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Maryland is more bike-friendly than Iowa.
  • Maryland has more of an urban feel than Iowa.
  • Maryland housing costs are 94% more expensive than they are in Iowa with a median home price of $414,972 compared to Iowa’s $214,151.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Maryland have increased 33% compared to a 36% increase in Iowa.
  • Rent in Maryland is 72.66% more expensive than in Iowa.

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

ComparisonIowaMaryland
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, FloodsHurricanes, Flooding
Air QualityGoodVariable
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)85/6387/66
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)31/1442/24
Annual Rainfall (Inches)3644
Annual Snowfall (Inches)3420
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Iowa to Maryland. Maryland gets 4% more sunshine days than Iowa.
  • Maryland has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Iowa.
  • Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Iowa, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and flooding in Maryland.
  • The average summer high temperature in Maryland is 2 degrees warmer than in Iowa.
  • The average winter lows are 10 degrees warmer than they are in Iowa.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in Maryland. Maryland receives 8 more inches of rain compared to Iowa.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Iowa and Maryland

ComparisonIowaMaryland
Avg. Household Income$69,588$94,991
Cost of Living Index95.9124.95
State Income Tax8.535.75
Avg. Property Tax1.431.06
Avg. Sales Tax6.946.00
Top 3 IndustriesAgriculture, Manufacturing, InsuranceAerospace, Biohealth, IT
AffluenceModerateHigh
PovertyLowModerate
HomelessnessMinimalNoticeable
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Maryland tend to earn about 37% more than those in Iowa
  • The COLI in Maryland is 30% higher than what you are used to living in Iowa
  • The state income tax in MD is 5.75 compared to 8.53 in IA
  • The affluence in Maryland is high compared to moderate affluence in Iowa
  • The poverty level is moderate in Maryland compared to low in Iowa
  • In terms of homelessness, it is minimal in Iowa and noticeable in Maryland

Political and Religious Climate in Iowa vs. Maryland

ComparisonIowaMaryland
Political Make-upSwing state, leans Republican in recent electionsStrongly Democratic
Local PoliticsModerate with bipartisan tendenciesLiberal, especially in urban areas
ReligionChristianity predominant, Iowa Christian influencesChristianity prevalent, diverse religious communities in urban centers
  • Iowa tends to lean Republican in its political climate
  • Maryland, on the other hand, is often described as strongly Democratic
  • Maryland's religious environment can be described as predominantly Christian with diverse religious communities in urban centers
  • Iowa's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christian with Christian influences

Education Guide When Moving from Iowa to Maryland

ComparisonIowaMaryland
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Iowa
Iowa State University
University of Northern Iowa
University of Maryland
Towson University
Johns Hopkins University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsWickham Elementary (Coralville)
Grant Ragan Elementary (Waukee)
Shimek Elementary School (Iowa City)
Fulton Elementary (Fulton)
Cold Spring Elementary (Potomac)
Stone Mill Elementary (North Potomac)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsAmes Middle School (Ames)
North Central Junior High (North Liberty)
South East Junior High (Iowa City)
Thomas W. Pyle Middle School (Bethesda)
Herbert Hoover Middle School (Potomac)
Folly Quarter Middle School (Ellicott City)
Top 3 High SchoolsWest High School (Iowa City)
Ames High School (Ames)
Decorah High School (Decorah)
Walt Whitman High School (Bethesda)
Winston Churchill High School (Potomac)
Thomas S. Wootton High School (Rockville)
Top 3 private high schoolsPhillips Academy (Exeter)
The Bishop's School (La Jolla)
Horace Mann School (New York)
Gilman School (Baltimore)
McDonogh School (Owings Mills)
Sidwell Friends School (Washington
D.C.)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsScattergood Friends School (West Branch)
Maharishi School (Fairfield)
Des Moines Christian School (Urbandale)
Gilman School (Baltimore)
McDonogh School (Owings Mills)
Sandy Spring Friends School (Sandy Spring)
Top 3 School DistrictsWaukee Community School District
Iowa City Community School District
Ames Community School District
Montgomery County Public Schools
Howard County Public School System
Anne Arundel County Public Schools

How Much Do Iowa to Maryland Movers Cost?

Moving 1,014 miles from Iowa to Maryland 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 - $6,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-10 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: AT Movers
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,777300 ft3$5.92
1 Bedroom$2,644450 ft3$5.87
2 Bedrooms$4,368750 ft3$5.82
3 Bedrooms$6,3521100 ft3$5.77
4 Bedrooms$9,1591600 ft3$5.72
5+ Bedrooms$10,2141800 ft3$5.67

Top Iowa to Maryland Movers

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

TOP PICK
AT Movers featured image

AT Movers

Best moving company overall for Iowa to Maryland

9.65/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
AJ Moving Services LLC featured image

AJ Moving Services LLC

9.57/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Adamantine Spine Moving featured image

Adamantine Spine Moving

9.54/10
ExceptionalView details
Top Iowa to Maryland Routes

Des Moines to Maryland