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Iowa to New Jersey Moving Guide

Updated June 19, 2025

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Planning a 1,112 mile interstate move from Iowa to New Jersey? This moving guide will help you compare living in Iowa vs New Jersey across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like limited job market vs diverse job opportunities), food & health (like Corn vs Taylor Ham/Pork Roll), real estate & housing (ranch, colonial vs colonial, victorian), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in New Jersey), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Corn and Pork Tenderloin Sandwich, but get your taste buds ready for Taylor Ham/Pork Roll & Italian Sub
  • New Jersey housing costs are 140% more expensive than they are in Iowa
  • Rent in New Jersey is 126.88% more expensive than in Iowa
  • Moving from Iowa to New Jersey will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
  • Our top recommended Iowa to New Jersey movers is Big G Movers, INC

Iowa to New Jersey Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Iowa to New Jersey

ConsIowa iconIowa
  • Limited job market
  • Fewer cultural events
  • Rural isolation
  • Harsh winters
  • Limited public transport
ProsNew Jersey iconNew Jersey
  • Diverse job opportunities
  • Rich cultural scene
  • Access to cities
  • Milder winters
  • Extensive public transport

New Jersey iconNew Jersey
  • Higher cost of living
  • Dense traffic
  • Limited natural landscapes
  • Less personal networks
  • High-paced lifestyle
Iowa iconIowa
  • Lower cost of living
  • Sparse traffic
  • Wide open spaces
  • Close-knit communities
  • Casual lifestyle

Pros of moving from Iowa to New Jersey

  • Say goodbye to the limited job market and hello to diverse job opportunities
  • Look forward to moving away from fewer cultural events and moving to New Jersey with a rich cultural scene
  • Swap the rural isolation of Iowa for access to cities in New Jersey
  • Get ready for milder winters in New Jersey

Cons of moving from Iowa to New Jersey

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the lower cost of living in Iowa to live with the higher cost of living in New Jersey
  • You'll lose out on the pro of sparse traffic and have to settle for the con of dense traffic
  • Time to bid farewell to wide open spaces and get used to limited natural landscapes in New Jersey
  • Swap close-knit communities for less personal networks

Iowa vs. New Jersey: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonIowaNew Jersey
Most iconic local food itemCornTaylor Ham/Pork Roll
Most popular meat dishPork Tenderloin SandwichItalian Sub
Most popular street food itemWalking TacoStreet Pizza
Most popular vegan foodGrain BowlsSeitan Steaks
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • The Amana Colonies
  • The Blackstone
  • Zombie Burger + Drink Lab
  • Carlo's Bakery
  • Don's Original
  • White House Sub Shop
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 New Jersey, you will be trading the iconic corn of Iowa for the equally delicious Taylor Ham/Pork Roll of New Jersey. And while the locals in Iowa rave about their flavorful Pork Tenderloin Sandwich and sumptuous Walking Taco, New Jersey residents know they have tasty Italian Sub and Street Pizza 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 Seitan Steaks of New Jersey. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Iowa eateries like The Amana Colonies, The Blackstone, and Zombie Burger + Drink Lab. After the boxes are unpacked in New Jersey, don't wait too long before making your way to New Jersey's acclaimed eateries like Carlo's Bakery, Don's Original, and White House Sub Shop.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Iowa and New Jersey

ComparisonIowaNew Jersey
Typical Architecture StyleRanch, ColonialColonial, Victorian
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 NYC, Great schools
  • The Ranch and Colonial architecture that Iowa is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Victorian architecture typical of New Jersey.
  • Compared to Iowa's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and quiet neighborhoods, New Jersey real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to NYC and great schools.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. New Jersey is more walkable than Iowa.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. New Jersey is more bike-friendly than Iowa.
  • New Jersey has more of an urban feel than Iowa.
  • New Jersey housing costs are 140% more expensive than they are in Iowa, with a median home price of $512,908 compared to Iowa’s $214,151.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in New Jersey have increased by 50% compared to a 36% increase in Iowa.
  • Rent in New Jersey is 126.88% more expensive than in Iowa.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Iowa and New Jersey

ComparisonIowaNew Jersey
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, Nor'easters
Air QualityGoodModerate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)85/6385/66
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)31/1440/25
Annual Rainfall (Inches)3647
Annual Snowfall (Inches)3623
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Iowa to New Jersey. New Jersey gets 1% more sunshine days than Iowa.
  • New Jersey 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 nor'easters in New Jersey.
  • The average summer high temperature in New Jersey is the same as Iowa.
  • The average winter lows in New Jersey are 11 degrees warmer than they are in Iowa.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in New Jersey. New Jersey receives 11 more inches of rain compared to Iowa.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Iowa and New Jersey

ComparisonIowaNew Jersey
Avg. Household Income$69,588$96,346
Cost of Living Index95.9129.7
State Income Tax8.53%10.75%
Avg. Property Tax1.53%2.49%
Avg. Sales Tax6%6.625%
Top 3 IndustriesAgriculture, Manufacturing, FinanceFinance, Technology, Pharmaceuticals
AffluenceModerateHigh
PovertyModerateLow
HomelessnessLowModerate
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in New Jersey tend to earn about 38% more than those in Iowa
  • The COLI in New Jersey will be 35% higher than what you are used to living in Iowa
  • The state income tax in NJ is 10.75% compared to 8.53% in IA
  • The affluence in New Jersey is high compared to moderate affluence in Iowa
  • The poverty level is low in New Jersey compared to moderate poverty in Iowa
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in Iowa and moderate in New Jersey

Political and Religious Climate in Iowa vs. New Jersey

ComparisonIowaNew Jersey
Political Make-upMixed; leans RepublicanLeans Democratic
Local PoliticsConservative in rural areasLiberal in urban areas
ReligionChristianity predominantDiverse; high Catholic presence
  • Iowa tends to lean mixed and leans Republican in its political climate
  • New Jersey, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Democratic
  • New Jersey's religious environment can be described as diverse with a high Catholic presence
  • Iowa's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christianity

Education Guide When Moving from Iowa to New Jersey

ComparisonIowaNew Jersey
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Iowa
Iowa State University
University of Northern Iowa
Rutgers University
Princeton University
The College of New Jersey
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsWickham Elementary (Coralville)
Lincoln Elementary (Mount Vernon)
Shimek Elementary School (Iowa City)
Littlebrook Elementary School (Princeton)
Riverside Elementary School (Princeton)
Millburn Elementary School (Millburn)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsAmes Middle School (Ames)
North Central Junior High (North Liberty)
Northwest Junior High (Coralville)
Thomas R. Grover Middle School (West Windsor)
William Annin Middle School (Basking Ridge)
Millburn Middle School (Millburn)
Top 3 High School SchoolsAmes High School (Ames)
West High School (Iowa City)
Decorah High School (Decorah)
High Technology High School (Lincroft)
Bergen County Academies (Hackensack)
Princeton High School (Princeton)
Top 3 private high schoolsPhillips Academy (Exeter)
George Washington University Online High School
Stanford University Online High School
The Lawrenceville School (Lawrenceville)
The Pingry School (Basking Ridge)
Blair Academy (Blairstown)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsScattergood Friends School (West Branch)
Maharishi School (Fairfield)
Iowa Mennonite School (Kalona)
The Lawrenceville School (Lawrenceville)
The Pingry School (Basking Ridge)
Newark Academy (Livingston)
Top 3 School DistrictsIowa City Community School District
Ames Community School District
West Des Moines Community Schools
Millburn Township Schools
Princeton Public Schools
Summit Public Schools

How Much Do Iowa to New Jersey Movers Cost?

Moving 1,112 miles from Iowa to New Jersey 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 - $6,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 3-10 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Express Haulers
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,833300 ft3$6.11
1 Bedroom$2,727450 ft3$6.06
2 Bedrooms$4,507750 ft3$6.01
3 Bedrooms$6,5561100 ft3$5.96
4 Bedrooms$9,4551600 ft3$5.91
5+ Bedrooms$10,5471800 ft3$5.86

Top Iowa to New Jersey Movers

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

TOP PICK
Big G Movers, INC featured image

Big G Movers, INC

Best moving company overall for Iowa to New Jersey

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

Adamantine Spine Moving

9.54/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Adamantine Spine Moving featured image

Adamantine Spine Moving

9.44/10
ExceptionalView details