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Iowa to New York Moving Guide

Updated June 23, 2025

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Planning a 1,107 mile interstate move from Iowa to New York? This moving guide will help you compare living in Iowa vs New York across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like limited job diversity vs numerous career opportunities), food & health (like Corn vs Bagels), real estate & housing (colonial, ranch vs colonial, modern), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in New York), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Corn and Pork Tenderloin Sandwich, but get your taste buds ready for Bagels & Pastrami on Rye
  • New York housing costs are 115% more expensive than they are in Iowa
  • Rent in New York is 131.24% more expensive than in Iowa
  • Moving from Iowa to New York will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
  • Our top recommended Iowa to New York movers is JP Urban Moving

Iowa to New York Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Iowa to New York

ConsIowa iconIowa
  • Limited job diversity
  • Rural isolation
  • Less entertainment options
  • Harsh winters
  • Limited public transit
ProsNew York iconNew York
  • Numerous career opportunities
  • Vibrant social scene
  • Abundant cultural attractions
  • Milder winters
  • Extensive transit systems

New York iconNew York
  • High living expenses
  • Anonymous urban life
  • Heavy traffic
  • Fast-paced lifestyle
  • Smaller living spaces
Iowa iconIowa
  • Lower cost of living
  • Close-knit communities
  • Less congestion
  • Relaxed pace
  • Spacious living areas

Pros of moving from Iowa to New York

  • Say goodbye to limited job diversity and hello to numerous career opportunities
  • Look forward to moving away from rural isolation and moving to New York with a vibrant social scene
  • Swap the fewer entertainment options of Iowa for abundant cultural attractions in New York
  • Get ready for milder winters in New York

Cons of moving from Iowa to New York

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a lower cost of living in Iowa to live with high living expenses in New York
  • You'll lose out on the pro of close-knit communities and have to settle for the con of anonymous urban life
  • Time to bid farewell to less congestion and get used to heavy traffic in New York
  • Swap a relaxed pace for a fast-paced lifestyle

Iowa vs. New York: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonIowaNew York
Most iconic local food itemCornBagels
Most popular meat dishPork Tenderloin SandwichPastrami on Rye
Most popular street food itemFried Sweet CornPizza Slices
Most popular vegan foodBuddha BowlsVegan Bagels
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • The Machine Shed
  • Zombie Burger
  • La Mie Bakery
  • Katz's Delicatessen
  • Dinosaur Bar-B-Que
  • Sylvia's Restaurant
Fitness/Health Conscientiousness (out of 10)πŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks (out of 10)🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene (out of 10)🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly (out of 10)🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

If you're moving from Iowa to New York, you will be trading the iconic Corn of Iowa for the equally delicious Bagels of New York. And while the locals in Iowa rave about their flavorful Pork Tenderloin Sandwich and sumptuous Fried Sweet Corn, New York residents know they have tasty Pastrami on Rye and Pizza Slices to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Buddha Bowls they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegan Bagels of New York. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Iowa eateries like The Machine Shed, Zombie Burger, and La Mie Bakery. After the boxes are unpacked in New York, don't wait too long before making your way to New York's acclaimed eateries like Katz's Delicatessen, Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, and Sylvia's Restaurant.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Iowa and New York

ComparisonIowaNew York
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, RanchColonial, 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 listingLarge yards, Attached garagesProximity to public transit, Views
  • The Colonial and Ranch architecture that Iowa is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Modern architecture typical of New York.
  • Compared to Iowa's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and attached garages, New York real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to public transit and views.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. New York is more walkable than Iowa.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. New York is more bike-friendly than Iowa.
  • New York has more of an urban feel than Iowa.
  • New York housing costs are 115% more expensive than they are in Iowa, with a median home price of $460,812 compared to Iowa’s $214,151.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in New York have increased by 36% compared to a 36% increase in Iowa.
  • Rent in New York is 131.24% more expensive than in Iowa.

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

ComparisonIowaNew York
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, floodsBlizzards, hurricanes
Air QualityGoodModerate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)85/6382/62
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)31/1439/26
Annual Rainfall (Inches)3442
Annual Snowfall (Inches)3625-75 (varies widely across the state)
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Iowa to New York. New York gets 10% more sunshine days than Iowa.
  • New York 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 blizzards and hurricanes in New York.
  • The average summer high temperature in New York is 3 degrees colder than in Iowa.
  • The average winter lows are 12 degrees warmer than they are in Iowa.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in New York. New York receives 8 more inches of rain compared to Iowa.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Iowa and New York

ComparisonIowaNew York
Avg. Household Income$69,588$79,557
Cost of Living Index95.9102.8
State Income Tax8.53%8.82%
Avg. Property Tax1.53%1.4%
Avg. Sales Tax6%8.875%
Top 3 IndustriesAgriculture, Manufacturing, FinanceFinance, Healthcare, Media
AffluenceModerateHigh
PovertyLowModerate
HomelessnessRareFrequent
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in New York tend to earn about 14% more than those in Iowa
  • The COLI in New York will be 7% higher than what you are used to living in Iowa
  • The state income tax in NY is 8.82% compared to 8.53% in IA
  • The affluence in New York is high compared to moderate in Iowa
  • The poverty level is moderate in New York compared to low in Iowa
  • In terms of homelessness, it is rare in Iowa and frequent in New York

Political and Religious Climate in Iowa vs. New York

ComparisonIowaNew York
Political Make-upModerate, with both Republican and Democratic representationLean Democratic, especially in urban areas
Local PoliticsLocal governance often emphasizes community and agricultural policiesLocal governance is highly diverse, with emphasis on urban issues in cities and rural concerns upstate
ReligionChristianity dominates, with a strong Protestant presenceReligiously diverse, including Christianity, Judaism, Islam, and others
  • Iowa tends to lean moderate, with both Republican and Democratic representation in its political climate
  • New York, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Democratic, especially in urban areas
  • New York's religious environment can be described as religiously diverse, including Christianity, Judaism, Islam, and others
  • Iowa's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as dominated by Christianity, with a strong Protestant presence

Education Guide When Moving from Iowa to New York

ComparisonIowaNew York
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Iowa
Iowa State University
University of Northern Iowa
New York University
Cornell University
Columbia University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsWickham Elementary (Coralville)
Roosevelt Elementary (Mason City)
Lincoln Elementary (Pella)
PS 77 Lower Lab School (New York City)
Success Academy Charter School-Bronx 1 (Bronx)
Anderson School PS 334 (New York City)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsAmes Middle School (Ames)
North Central Junior High (North Liberty)
Bettendorf Middle School (Bettendorf)
Eagle Hill School (Greenwich)
Middle School 54 Booker T. Washington (New York City)
I.S. 187 The Christa McAuliffe School (Brooklyn)
Top 3 High SchoolsWest High School (Iowa City)
Ames High School (Ames)
Decorah High School (Decorah)
Stuyvesant High School (New York City)
Bronx High School of Science (Bronx)
Brooklyn Technical High School (Brooklyn)
Top 3 private high schoolsPhillips Academy (Andover)
The Putney School (Putney)
Choate Rosemary Hall (Wallingford)
Horace Mann School (Bronx)
Trinity School (New York City)
Dalton School (New York City)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsMaharishi School (Fairfield)
Scattergood Friends School (West Branch)
Rivermont Collegiate (Bettendorf)
Collegiate School (New York City)
Horace Mann School (Bronx)
The Spence School (New York City)
Top 3 School DistrictsIowa City Community School District
Ames Community School District
West Des Moines Community Schools
Great Neck Public Schools
Scarsdale Union Free School District
Jericho Union Free School District

How Much Do Iowa to New York Movers Cost?

Moving 1,107 miles from Iowa to New York 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 - $6,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-7 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Magical Moving & Storage
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,830300 ft3$6.10
1 Bedroom$2,723450 ft3$6.05
2 Bedrooms$4,500750 ft3$6.00
3 Bedrooms$6,5451100 ft3$5.95
4 Bedrooms$9,4401600 ft3$5.90
5+ Bedrooms$10,5301800 ft3$5.85

Top Iowa to New York Movers

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

TOP PICK
JP Urban Moving featured image

JP Urban Moving

Best moving company overall for Iowa to New York

9.85/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Metropolis Moving featured image

Metropolis Moving

9.72/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Adamantine Spine Moving featured image

Adamantine Spine Moving

9.54/10
ExceptionalView details
Top Iowa to New York Routes

Des Moines to New York