Iowa to Ohio Moving Guide
Updated June 22, 2025

Planning a 616 mile interstate move from Iowa to Ohio? This moving guide will help you compare living in Iowa vs Ohio across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like fewer big cities vs vibrant urban life), food & health (like Pork Tenderloin Sandwich vs Buckeye Candy), real estate & housing (colonial and ranch vs colonial and craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Ohio), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Pork Tenderloin Sandwich and Corn-fed Beef, but get your taste buds ready for Buckeye Candy & Cincinnati Chili
- Ohio housing costs are 4% more expensive than they are in Iowa
- Rent in Ohio is 33.97% more expensive than in Iowa
- Moving from Iowa to Ohio will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,500
- Our top recommended Iowa to Ohio movers is Perrysburg Moving and Hauling LLC
Iowa to Ohio Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Iowa to Ohio
- Fewer big cities
- Harsh winters
- Limited job options
- Less cultural diversity
- Vibrant urban life
- Milder seasons
- Diverse economy
- Rich cultural scene
- Higher living costs
- Heavier traffic
- Busier lifestyle
- Expensive housing
- Serene landscapes
- Close-knitted communities
- Less congestion
- Affordable housing
Pros of moving from Iowa to Ohio
- Say goodbye to fewer big cities and hello to vibrant urban life
- Look forward to moving away from harsh winters and moving to Ohio with milder seasons
- Swap the limited job options of Iowa for a diverse economy in Ohio
- Get ready for a rich cultural scene in Ohio
Cons of moving from Iowa to Ohio
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from serene landscapes in Iowa to live with higher living costs in Ohio
- You'll lose out on the pro of close-knit communities and have to settle with the con of heavier traffic
- Time to bid farewell to less congestion and get used to a busier lifestyle in Ohio
- Swap affordable housing for expensive housing
Iowa vs. Ohio: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Iowa | Ohio |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Pork Tenderloin Sandwich | Buckeye Candy |
Most popular meat dish | Corn-fed Beef | Cincinnati Chili |
Most popular street food item | Fried Corn on the Cob | Polish Boy |
Most popular vegan food | Vegetarian Chili | Black Bean Burgers |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness (out of 10) | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks (out of 10) | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene (out of 10) | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly (out of 10) | 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 Ohio, you will be trading the iconic Pork Tenderloin Sandwich of Iowa for the equally delicious Buckeye Candy of Ohio. And while the locals in Iowa rave about their flavorful Corn-fed Beef and sumptuous Fried Corn on the Cob, Ohio residents know they have tasty Cincinnati Chili and Polish Boy to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Vegetarian Chili they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Black Bean Burgers of Ohio. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Iowa eateries like Zombie Burger, Sushi Neko, and Ping Pong Dim Sum. After the boxes are unpacked in Ohio, don't wait too long before making your way to Ohio's acclaimed eateries like Schmidt's Sausage Haus, Melt Bar and Grilled, and Terra Kitchen.
When comparing lifestyles, Ohio shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Iowa. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Ohio compared to what you are used to in Iowa. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Ohio.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Iowa and Ohio
Comparison | Iowa | Ohio |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial and Ranch | Colonial and Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Energy Efficiency, Large Backyards | Hardwood Floors, Proximity to Schools |
- The Colonial and Ranch architecture that Iowa is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Craftsman architecture typical of Ohio.
- Compared to Iowa's real estate listings that commonly reference energy efficiency and large backyards, Ohio real estate listings often highlight features like hardwood floors and proximity to schools.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Ohio is more walkable than Iowa.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Ohio is more bike-friendly than Iowa.
- Ohio has more of an urban feel than Iowa.
- Ohio housing costs are 4% more expensive than they are in Iowa, with a median home price of $223,135 compared to Iowaβs $214,151.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Ohio have increased by 49% compared to a 36% increase in Iowa.
- Rent in Ohio is 33.97% more expensive than in Iowa.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Iowa and Ohio
Comparison | Iowa | Ohio |
---|---|---|
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 | Tornadoes, Severe Storms |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85/63 | 83/63 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 31/14 | 36/19 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 36 | 39 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 28 | 28 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Iowa to Ohio. Ohio gets 13% fewer sunshine days than Iowa.
- Ohio has lower humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Iowa.
- Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Iowa, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and severe storms in Ohio.
- The average summer high temperature in Ohio is 2 degrees colder than in Iowa.
- The average winter lows are 5 degrees warmer than they are in Iowa.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Ohio. Ohio receives 3 more inches of rain compared to Iowa.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Iowa and Ohio
Comparison | Iowa | Ohio |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $69,588 | $65,720 |
Cost of Living Index | 95.9 | 92.85 |
State Income Tax | 8.53% | 5.75% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.53% | 1.48% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.94% | 7.17% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Finance | Manufacturing, Finance, Healthcare |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate-Low |
Poverty | Moderate-Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Ohio tend to earn about 6% less than those in Iowa
- The COLI in Ohio is 3% lower than what you are used to living in Iowa
- The state income tax in OH is 5.75% compared to 8.53% in IA
- The affluence in Ohio is moderate-low compared to moderate in Iowa
- The poverty level is moderate in Ohio compared to moderate-low in Iowa
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Iowa and moderate in Ohio
Political and Religious Climate in Iowa vs. Ohio
Comparison | Iowa | Ohio |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Swing State, leans slightly Republican | Swing State, leans slightly Republican |
Local Politics | Conservative rural areas, liberal urban centers | Conservative rural areas, liberal urban centers |
Religion | Christianity predominant, diverse religious communities in urban areas | Christianity predominant, diverse religious communities in urban areas |
- Iowa tends to lean swing State and leans slightly Republican in its political climate
- Ohio, on the other hand, is often described as swing State and leans slightly Republican
- Ohio's religious environment can be described as Christianity predominant with diverse religious communities in urban areas
- Iowa's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christianity predominant with diverse religious communities in urban areas
Education Guide When Moving from Iowa to Ohio
Comparison | Iowa | Ohio |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Iowa Iowa State University University of Northern Iowa | Ohio State University University of Cincinnati Ohio University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Wickham Elementary (Coralville) Grant Wood Elementary (Bettendorf) Roosevelt Elementary (Ames) | Mason Elementary (Mason) Granville Elementary (Granville) Indian Hill Primary School (Cincinnati) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | North Central Junior High (North Liberty) Ames Middle School (Ames) South East Junior High (Iowa City) | Bexley Middle School (Bexley) Hudson Middle School (Hudson) Mariemont Junior High School (Cincinnati) |
Top 3 High School Schools | West High School (Iowa City) Ames High School (Ames) Decorah High School (Decorah) | Bexley High School (Bexley) Walnut Hills High School (Cincinnati) Solon High School (Solon) |
Top 3 private high schools | Phillips Academy (Exira) Scattergood Friends School (West Branch) Maharishi School (Fairfield) | Hawken School (Gates Mills) Columbus Academy (Gahanna) Western Reserve Academy (Hudson) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Maharishi School (Fairfield) Rivermont Collegiate (Bettendorf) Scattergood Friends School (West Branch) | Gilmour Academy (Gates Mills) Columbus School for Girls (Columbus) The Seven Hills School (Cincinnati) |
Top 3 School Districts | Iowa City Community School District Ames Community School District Decorah Community School District | Indian Hill Exempted Village School District Solon City School District Bexley City School District |
How Much Do Iowa to Ohio Movers Cost?
Moving 616 miles from Iowa to Ohio will typically cost between $2,500 and $5,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $5,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-3 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Perrysburg Moving and Hauling LLC
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,552 | 300 ft3 | $5.17 |
1 Bedroom | $2,305 | 450 ft3 | $5.12 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,804 | 750 ft3 | $5.07 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,525 | 1100 ft3 | $5.02 |
4 Bedrooms | $7,956 | 1600 ft3 | $4.97 |
5+ Bedrooms | $8,860 | 1800 ft3 | $4.92 |
Top Iowa to Ohio Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Iowa to Ohio movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Perrysburg Moving and Hauling LLC
Best moving company overall for Iowa to Ohio