Movers

Iowa to Montana Moving Guide

Updated June 4, 2025

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Planning a 1,115 mile interstate move from Iowa to Montana? This moving guide will help you compare living in Iowa vs Montana across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like severe winters vs scenic landscapes), food & health (like Corn vs Huckleberries), real estate & housing (colonial, ranch vs mountain rustic, modern), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Montana), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Corn and Pork tenderloin sandwich, but get your taste buds ready for Huckleberries & Buffalo steak
  • Montana housing costs are 113% more expensive than they are in Iowa
  • Rent in Montana is 30.43% more expensive than in Iowa
  • Moving from Iowa to Montana will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
  • Our top recommended Iowa to Montana movers is Adamantine Spine Moving

Iowa to Montana Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Iowa to Montana

ConsIowa iconIowa
  • Severe winters
  • Limited outdoor activities
  • Dense population
  • Flooding risk
  • Flat terrain
ProsMontana iconMontana
  • Scenic landscapes
  • Abundant hiking trails
  • Sparse, peaceful living
  • Less natural disasters
  • Mountainous views

Montana iconMontana
  • Less fertile soil
  • Fewer social events
  • Fewer job opportunities
  • Higher living costs
  • Fewer schools
Iowa iconIowa
  • Rich farmland
  • Vibrant community
  • Abundant job market
  • Affordable housing
  • Strong educational system

Pros of moving from Iowa to Montana

  • Say goodbye to severe winters and hello to scenic landscapes
  • Look forward to moving away from limited outdoor activities and moving to Montana with abundant hiking trails
  • Swap the dense population of Iowa for sparse and peaceful living in Montana
  • Get ready for fewer natural disasters in Montana

Cons of moving from Iowa to Montana

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from rich farmland in Iowa to live with less fertile soil in Montana
  • You'll lose out on the pro of a vibrant community and have to settle for the con of fewer social events
  • Time to bid farewell to an abundant job market and get used to fewer job opportunities in Montana
  • Swap affordable housing for higher living costs

Iowa vs. Montana: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonIowaMontana
Most iconic local food itemCornHuckleberries
Most popular meat dishPork tenderloin sandwichBuffalo steak
Most popular street food itemTaco trucksElk burgers
Most popular vegan foodGrain bowlsWild mushroom dishes
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Restaurant 1, Iowa
  • Restaurant 2, Iowa
  • Restaurant 3, Iowa
  • Restaurant 1, Montana
  • Restaurant 2, Montana
  • Restaurant 3, Montana
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 Montana, you will be trading the iconic Corn of Iowa for the equally delicious Huckleberries of Montana. And while the locals in Iowa rave about their flavorful Pork Tenderloin Sandwich and sumptuous Taco Trucks, Montana residents know they have tasty Buffalo Steak and Elk Burgers to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Grain Bowls they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Wild Mushroom Dishes of Montana. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Iowa eateries like Restaurant 1, Iowa, Restaurant 2, Iowa, and Restaurant 3, Iowa. After the boxes are unpacked in Montana, don't wait too long before making your way to Montana's acclaimed eateries like Restaurant 1, Montana, Restaurant 2, Montana, and Restaurant 3, Montana.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Iowa and Montana

ComparisonIowaMontana
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, RanchMountain Rustic, Modern
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, Quiet neighborhoodsMountain views, Proximity to nature
  • The Colonial and Ranch architecture that Iowa is known for will be replaced with the Mountain Rustic and Modern architecture typical of Montana.
  • Compared to Iowa's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious backyards and quiet neighborhoods, Montana real estate listings often highlight features like mountain views and proximity to nature.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Montana is less walkable than Iowa.
  • You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Montana is less bike-friendly than Iowa.
  • Montana has less of an urban feel than Iowa.
  • Montana housing costs are 113% more expensive than they are in Iowa, with a median home price of $456,199 compared to Iowa’s $214,151.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Montana have increased by 71% compared to a 36% increase in Iowa.
  • Rent in Montana is 30.43% more expensive than in Iowa.

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

ComparisonIowaMontana
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, FloodsWildfires, Earthquakes
Air QualityGoodVariable
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)82Β°F/63Β°F81Β°F/50Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)31Β°F/14Β°F34Β°F/16Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)34"15"
Annual Snowfall (Inches)36"90"
  • Montana gets an equal number of sunshine days as Iowa.
  • Montana 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 wildfires and earthquakes in Montana.
  • The average summer high temperature in Montana is 1 degree colder than in Iowa.
  • The average winter lows in Montana are 2 degrees warmer than those in Iowa.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Montana, as Montana receives 19 fewer inches of rain compared to Iowa.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Iowa and Montana

ComparisonIowaMontana
Avg. Household Income$69,588$67,631
Cost of Living Index95.999.4
State Income Tax4.5%6.9%
Avg. Property Tax1.5%0.85%
Avg. Sales Tax6.0%0.0%
Top 3 IndustriesAgriculture, Manufacturing, InsuranceMining, Timber, Tourism
AffluenceModerateVaried
PovertyModerateModerate
HomelessnessLowModerate
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Montana tend to earn about 3% less than in Iowa
  • The COLI in Montana will be 4% higher than what you are used to living in Iowa
  • The state income tax in MT is 6.9% compared to 4.5% in IA
  • The affluence in Montana is varied compared to moderate in Iowa
  • The poverty level is moderate in Montana compared to moderate in Iowa
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in Iowa and moderate in Montana

Political and Religious Climate in Iowa vs. Montana

ComparisonIowaMontana
Political Make-upSwing State, leans slightly RepublicanLeans Republican
Local PoliticsMix of urban liberal & rural conservativeConservative, with some liberal strongholds
ReligionChristian, Protestant majorityChristian, with a Protestant majority
  • Iowa tends to lean swing State and leans slightly Republican in its political climate
  • Montana, on the other hand, is often described as leans Republican
  • Montana's religious environment can be described as Christian with a Protestant majority
  • Iowa's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christian with a Protestant majority

Education Guide When Moving from Iowa to Montana

ComparisonIowaMontana
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Iowa
Iowa State University
University of Northern Iowa
Montana State University
University of Montana
Montana Tech
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsWickham Elementary (Coralville)
Lincoln Elementary (Mount Vernon)
Roosevelt Elementary (Ames)
Hawthorne Elementary (Bozeman)
Chief Charlo Elementary (Missoula)
Meadowlark Elementary (Great Falls)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsAmes Middle School (Ames)
North Central Junior High (Coralville)
Southeast Junior High (Iowa City)
Sacajawea Middle School (Bozeman)
Washington Middle School (Missoula)
East Middle School (Great Falls)
Top 3 High SchoolsWest High School (Iowa City)
Ames High School (Ames)
Decorah High School (Decorah)
Bozeman High School (Bozeman)
Sentinel High School (Missoula)
Great Falls High School (Great Falls)
Top 3 private high schoolsXavier High School (Cedar Rapids)
Dowling Catholic High School (West Des Moines)
Wahlert Catholic High School (Dubuque)
Missoula International School (Missoula)
Great Falls Central Catholic High School (Great Falls)
Billings Central Catholic High School (Billings)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsMaharishi School (Fairfield)
Scattergood Friends School (West Branch)
Quad Cities Christian School (Moline)
Petra Academy (Bozeman)
Foothills Community Christian School (Great Falls)
Montana Christian Academy (Kalispell)
Top 3 School DistrictsIowa City Community School District
Ames Community School District
West Des Moines Community Schools
Bozeman School District
Missoula County Public Schools
Great Falls Public Schools

How Much Do Iowa to Montana Movers Cost?

Moving 1,115 miles from Iowa to Montana 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 - $6,500
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Hemmen Moving
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,835300 ft3$6.12
1 Bedroom$2,729450 ft3$6.07
2 Bedrooms$4,512750 ft3$6.02
3 Bedrooms$6,5621100 ft3$5.97
4 Bedrooms$9,4651600 ft3$5.92
5+ Bedrooms$10,5581800 ft3$5.87

Top Iowa to Montana Movers

Read our in-depth analysis of the best Iowa to Montana 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 Montana

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
Top Iowa to Montana Routes

Des Moines to Montana