Movers

Iowa to Oklahoma Moving Guide

Updated June 16, 2025

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Planning a 631 mile interstate move from Iowa to Oklahoma? This moving guide will help you compare living in Iowa vs Oklahoma across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs milder winters), food & health (like Pork Tenderloin Sandwich vs Chicken Fried Steak), real estate & housing (prairie school, craftsman vs art deco, bungalow), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Iowa), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Pork Tenderloin Sandwich and Corn-fed Beef, but get your taste buds ready for Chicken Fried Steak & Barbecue Brisket
  • Oklahoma housing costs are 5% less expensive than they are in Iowa
  • Rent in Oklahoma is 17.53% more expensive than in Iowa
  • Moving from Iowa to Oklahoma will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,500
  • Our top recommended Iowa to Oklahoma movers is Adamantine Spine Moving

Iowa to Oklahoma Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Iowa to Oklahoma

ConsIowa iconIowa
  • Harsh winters
  • Fewer job opportunities
  • Higher property taxes
  • Lack of cultural events
  • Flat landscape
ProsOklahoma iconOklahoma
  • Milder winters
  • Growing job market
  • Lower property taxes
  • Diverse cultural offerings
  • Scenic landscapes

Oklahoma iconOklahoma
  • More traffic congestion
  • Higher crime rates
  • Limited public transport
  • Variable school quality
  • Fewer open spaces
Iowa iconIowa
  • Friendly communities
  • Low crime rates
  • Moderate living costs
  • Quality schools
  • Ample open spaces

Pros of moving from Iowa to Oklahoma

  • Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to milder winters
  • Look forward to moving away from fewer job opportunities and moving to Oklahoma with a growing job market
  • Swap the higher property taxes of Iowa for lower property taxes in Oklahoma
  • Get ready for diverse cultural offerings in Oklahoma

Cons of moving from Iowa to Oklahoma

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from friendly communities in Iowa to live with more traffic congestion in Oklahoma
  • You'll lose out on the pro of low crime rates and have to settle with the con of higher crime rates
  • Time to bid farewell to moderate living costs and get used to limited public transport in Oklahoma
  • Swap quality schools for variable school quality

Iowa vs. Oklahoma: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonIowaOklahoma
Most iconic local food itemPork Tenderloin SandwichChicken Fried Steak
Most popular meat dishCorn-fed BeefBarbecue Brisket
Most popular street food itemTaco PizzaIndian Tacos
Most popular vegan foodSweet CornFried Okra
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Zombie Burger
  • Machine Shed Restaurant
  • Hickory Park Restaurant Co.
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 Oklahoma, you will be trading the iconic Pork Tenderloin Sandwich of Iowa for the equally delicious Chicken Fried Steak of Oklahoma. And while the locals in Iowa rave about their flavorful Corn-fed Beef and sumptuous Taco Pizza, Oklahoma residents know they have tasty Barbecue Brisket and Indian Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Sweet Corn they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Fried Okra of Oklahoma. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Iowa eateries like Zombie Burger, Machine Shed Restaurant, and Hickory Park Restaurant Co. After the boxes are unpacked in Oklahoma, don't wait too long before making your way to Oklahoma's acclaimed eateries like Cattlemen's Steakhouse, Eischen's Bar, and Murphy's Steak House.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Iowa and Oklahoma

ComparisonIowaOklahoma
Typical Architecture StylePrairie School, CraftsmanArt Deco, Bungalow
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 listingEnergy efficiency, LandStorm shelters, Large lots
  • The Prairie School and Craftsman architecture that Iowa is known for will be replaced with the Art Deco and Bungalow architecture typical of Oklahoma.
  • Compared to Iowa's real estate listings that commonly reference energy efficiency and land, Oklahoma real estate listings often highlight features like storm shelters and large lots.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Oklahoma is less walkable than Iowa.
  • You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Oklahoma is less bike-friendly than Iowa.
  • Oklahoma has less of an urban feel than Iowa.
  • Oklahoma housing costs are 5% less expensive than they are in Iowa, with a median home price of $203,455 compared to Iowa’s $214,151.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Oklahoma have increased by 50% compared to a 36% increase in Iowa.
  • Rent in Oklahoma is 17.53% more expensive than in Iowa.

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

ComparisonIowaOklahoma
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 DisastersSnowstorms, TornadoesTornadoes, Hailstorms
Air QualityGoodVariable
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)85/6494/72
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)31/1450/30
Annual Rainfall (Inches)3436
Annual Snowfall (Inches)3310
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Iowa to Oklahoma. Oklahoma gets 13% more sunshine days than Iowa.
  • Oklahoma has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Iowa.
  • Say goodbye to the possible snowstorms and tornadoes in Iowa, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and hailstorms in Oklahoma.
  • Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Oklahoma is 9 degrees warmer than in Iowa.
  • The average winter lows are 16 degrees warmer than they are in Iowa.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in Oklahoma. Oklahoma receives 2 more inches of rain compared to Iowa.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Iowa and Oklahoma

ComparisonIowaOklahoma
Avg. Household Income$69,588$59,673
Cost of Living Index95.990.1
State Income Tax8.53%5%
Avg. Property Tax1.53%0.87%
Avg. Sales Tax6.94%8.97%
Top 3 IndustriesAgriculture, Manufacturing, HealthcareEnergy, Aerospace, Services
AffluenceModerateModerate
PovertyLow-MediumMedium
HomelessnessLowMedium
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Oklahoma tend to earn about 14% less than in Iowa
  • The COLI in Oklahoma will be 6% lower than what you are used to living in Iowa
  • The state income tax in OK is 5% compared to 8.53% in IA
  • The affluence in Oklahoma is moderate compared to moderate in Iowa
  • The poverty level is medium in Oklahoma compared to low-medium in Iowa
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in Iowa and medium in Oklahoma

Political and Religious Climate in Iowa vs. Oklahoma

ComparisonIowaOklahoma
Political Make-upPurple state with both Republican and Democratic inclinationsStrongly Republican
Local PoliticsSwing state dynamics, local politics can be varied.Conservative politics prevail, especially in rural areas.
ReligionProtestant, CatholicismProtestant, with a significant Baptist presence
  • Iowa tends to lean purple state with both Republican and Democratic inclinations in its political climate.
  • Oklahoma, on the other hand, is often described as strongly Republican.
  • Oklahoma's religious environment can be described as Protestant with a significant Baptist presence.
  • Iowa's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Protestant and Catholicism.

Education Guide When Moving from Iowa to Oklahoma

ComparisonIowaOklahoma
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Iowa
Iowa State University
University of Northern Iowa
University of Oklahoma
Oklahoma State University
University of Tulsa
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsWickham Elementary (Coralville)
Jackson Elementary (Des Moines)
Hoover Elementary (Iowa City)
Chisholm Elementary (Enid)
Washington Elementary (Norman)
Roosevelt Elementary (Tulsa)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsNorth Central Junior High (Coralville)
Ames Middle School (Ames)
South East Junior High (Iowa City)
Whittier Middle School (Norman)
Sequoyah Middle School (Edmond)
Central Middle School (Bartlesville)
Top 3 High SchoolsWest High School (Iowa City)
Ames High School (Ames)
Pleasant Valley High School (Bettendorf)
Classen School of Advanced Studies (Oklahoma City)
Edmond North High School (Edmond)
Norman North High School (Norman)
Top 3 private high schoolsDowling Catholic High School (West Des Moines)
Xavier High School (Cedar Rapids)
Bishop Heelan Catholic High (Sioux City)
Cascia Hall Preparatory School (Tulsa)
Heritage Hall (Oklahoma City)
Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School (Oklahoma City)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsScattergood Friends School (West Branch)
Maharishi School (Fairfield)
Rivermont Collegiate (Bettendorf)
Holland Hall (Tulsa)
Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics (Oklahoma City)
Crossings Christian School (Oklahoma City)
Top 3 School DistrictsIowa City Community School District
Ames Community School District
Pleasant Valley Community School District
Edmond Public Schools
Norman Public Schools
Jenks Public Schools

How Much Do Iowa to Oklahoma Movers Cost?

Moving 631 miles from Iowa to Oklahoma 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 - $5,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 3-3 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Hemmen Moving
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,560300 ft3$5.20
1 Bedroom$2,318450 ft3$5.15
2 Bedrooms$3,826750 ft3$5.10
3 Bedrooms$5,5561100 ft3$5.05
4 Bedrooms$8,0011600 ft3$5.00
5+ Bedrooms$8,9111800 ft3$4.95

Top Iowa to Oklahoma Movers

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

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