Iowa to Oklahoma Moving Guide
Updated June 16, 2025

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
- Harsh winters
- Fewer job opportunities
- Higher property taxes
- Lack of cultural events
- Flat landscape
- Milder winters
- Growing job market
- Lower property taxes
- Diverse cultural offerings
- Scenic landscapes
- More traffic congestion
- Higher crime rates
- Limited public transport
- Variable school quality
- Fewer open spaces
- 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
Comparison | Iowa | Oklahoma |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Pork Tenderloin Sandwich | Chicken Fried Steak |
Most popular meat dish | Corn-fed Beef | Barbecue Brisket |
Most popular street food item | Taco Pizza | Indian Tacos |
Most popular vegan food | Sweet Corn | Fried Okra |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly | 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 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
Comparison | Iowa | Oklahoma |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Prairie School, Craftsman | Art Deco, Bungalow |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Energy efficiency, Land | Storm 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 Iowaβs $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
Comparison | Iowa | Oklahoma |
---|---|---|
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 | Snowstorms, Tornadoes | Tornadoes, Hailstorms |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85/64 | 94/72 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 31/14 | 50/30 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 34 | 36 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 33 | 10 |
- 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
Comparison | Iowa | Oklahoma |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $69,588 | $59,673 |
Cost of Living Index | 95.9 | 90.1 |
State Income Tax | 8.53% | 5% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.53% | 0.87% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.94% | 8.97% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Healthcare | Energy, Aerospace, Services |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Low-Medium | Medium |
Homelessness | Low | Medium |
- 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
Comparison | Iowa | Oklahoma |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Purple state with both Republican and Democratic inclinations | Strongly Republican |
Local Politics | Swing state dynamics, local politics can be varied. | Conservative politics prevail, especially in rural areas. |
Religion | Protestant, Catholicism | Protestant, 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
Comparison | Iowa | Oklahoma |
---|---|---|
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 Schools | Wickham Elementary (Coralville) Jackson Elementary (Des Moines) Hoover Elementary (Iowa City) | Chisholm Elementary (Enid) Washington Elementary (Norman) Roosevelt Elementary (Tulsa) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | North 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 Schools | West 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 schools | Dowling 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 schools | Scattergood 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 Districts | Iowa 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 SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,560 | 300 ft3 | $5.20 |
1 Bedroom | $2,318 | 450 ft3 | $5.15 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,826 | 750 ft3 | $5.10 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,556 | 1100 ft3 | $5.05 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,001 | 1600 ft3 | $5.00 |
5+ Bedrooms | $8,911 | 1800 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.

Adamantine Spine Moving
Best moving company overall for Iowa to Oklahoma