Iowa to Maryland Moving Guide
Updated June 17, 2025

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
- Harsh winters
- Limited job opportunities
- Lack of coastline
- Limited public transport
- Milder climate
- Vibrant job market
- Access to beaches
- Extensive transport networks
- Higher living expenses
- Urban congestion
- More crowded areas
- Less personal space
- 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
Comparison | Iowa | Maryland |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Pork Tenderloin Sandwich | Crab Cakes |
Most popular meat dish | Grilled Pork Chops | Steamed Crabs |
Most popular street food item | Sweet Corn | Soft Shell Crab Sandwich |
Most popular vegan food | Quinoa Salad | Vegan Crab Cake |
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 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
Comparison | Iowa | Maryland |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Ranch | Colonial |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious yards, quiet neighborhoods | Proximity 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 Iowaβs $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
Comparison | Iowa | Maryland |
---|---|---|
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 | Hurricanes, Flooding |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85/63 | 87/66 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 31/14 | 42/24 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 36 | 44 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 34 | 20 |
- 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
Comparison | Iowa | Maryland |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $69,588 | $94,991 |
Cost of Living Index | 95.9 | 124.95 |
State Income Tax | 8.53 | 5.75 |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.43 | 1.06 |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.94 | 6.00 |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Insurance | Aerospace, Biohealth, IT |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Minimal | Noticeable |
- 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
Comparison | Iowa | Maryland |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Swing state, leans Republican in recent elections | Strongly Democratic |
Local Politics | Moderate with bipartisan tendencies | Liberal, especially in urban areas |
Religion | Christianity predominant, Iowa Christian influences | Christianity 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
Comparison | Iowa | Maryland |
---|---|---|
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 Schools | Wickham 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 Schools | Ames 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 Schools | West 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 schools | Phillips 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 schools | Scattergood 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 Districts | Waukee 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 SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,777 | 300 ft3 | $5.92 |
1 Bedroom | $2,644 | 450 ft3 | $5.87 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,368 | 750 ft3 | $5.82 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,352 | 1100 ft3 | $5.77 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,159 | 1600 ft3 | $5.72 |
5+ Bedrooms | $10,214 | 1800 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.