Movers

Iowa to Utah Moving Guide

Updated June 14, 2025

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Planning a 1,139 mile interstate move from Iowa to Utah? This moving guide will help you compare living in Iowa vs Utah across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs milder climate), food & health (like Pork Tenderloin Sandwich vs Fry Sauce), real estate & housing (ranch and craftsman vs modern and craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Utah), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Pork Tenderloin Sandwich and Grilled Pork Chops, but get your taste buds ready for Fry Sauce & Utah Scones with Honey Butter
  • Utah housing costs are 142% more expensive than they are in Iowa
  • Rent in Utah is 55.86% more expensive than in Iowa
  • Moving from Iowa to Utah will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
  • Our top recommended Iowa to Utah movers is Adamantine Spine Moving

Iowa to Utah Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Iowa to Utah

ConsIowa iconIowa
  • Harsh winters
  • Limited outdoor recreation
  • Higher humidity
  • Fewer job opportunities
  • Less diverse landscapes
ProsUtah iconUtah
  • Milder climate
  • Abundant national parks
  • Lower humidity
  • Growing tech industry
  • Varied natural scenery

Utah iconUtah
  • Higher cost of living
  • More urban lifestyle
  • Higher population density
  • Less farmland
  • Different cultural dynamics
Iowa iconIowa
  • Lower cost of living
  • Community-oriented lifestyle
  • Close-knit neighborhoods
  • Agricultural heritage
  • Rich local culture

Pros of moving from Iowa to Utah

  • Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to milder climate
  • Look forward to moving away from limited outdoor recreation and moving to Utah with abundant national parks
  • Swap the higher humidity of Iowa for lower humidity in Utah
  • Get ready for a growing tech industry in Utah

Cons of moving from Iowa to Utah

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a lower cost of living in Iowa to live with a higher cost of living in Utah
  • You'll lose out on the pro of a community-oriented lifestyle and have to settle for the con of a more urban lifestyle
  • Time to bid farewell to close-knit neighborhoods and get used to a higher population density in Utah
  • Swap agricultural heritage for less farmland

Iowa vs. Utah: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonIowaUtah
Most iconic local food itemPork Tenderloin SandwichFry Sauce
Most popular meat dishGrilled Pork ChopsUtah Scones with Honey Butter
Most popular street food itemSweet CornNavajo Taco
Most popular vegan foodQuinoa SaladVegan Burrito
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • The Machine Shed
  • Zombie Burger
  • Augusta Restaurant
  • Red Iguana
  • The Copper Onion
  • Handle
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 Utah, you will be trading the iconic Pork Tenderloin Sandwich of Iowa for the equally delicious Fry Sauce of Utah. And while the locals in Iowa rave about their flavorful Grilled Pork Chops and sumptuous Sweet Corn, Utah residents know they have tasty Utah Scones with Honey Butter and Navajo Taco to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Quinoa Salad they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegan Burrito of Utah. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Iowa eateries like The Machine Shed, Zombie Burger, and Augusta Restaurant. After the boxes are unpacked in Utah, don't wait too long before making your way to Utah's acclaimed eateries like Red Iguana, The Copper Onion, and Handle.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Iowa and Utah

ComparisonIowaUtah
Typical Architecture StyleRanch and CraftsmanModern and Craftsman
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, quiet streetsProximity to nature, energy efficiency
  • The Ranch and Craftsman architecture that Iowa is known for will be replaced with the Modern and Craftsman architecture typical of Utah.
  • Compared to Iowa's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and quiet streets, Utah real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to nature and energy efficiency.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Utah is more walkable than Iowa.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Utah is more bike-friendly than Iowa.
  • Utah has more of an urban feel than Iowa.
  • Utah housing costs are 142% more expensive than they are in Iowa, with a median home price of $519,182 compared to Iowa’s $214,151.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Utah have increased 56% compared to a 36% increase in Iowa.
  • Rent in Utah is 55.86% more expensive than in Iowa.

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

ComparisonIowaUtah
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, floodsEarthquakes, wildfires
Air QualityGoodVariable
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)82Β°F / 62Β°F90Β°F / 62Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)31Β°F / 14Β°F37Β°F / 20Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)34"20"
Annual Snowfall (Inches)36"56"
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Iowa to Utah. Utah gets 16% more sunshine days than Iowa.
  • Utah 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 earthquakes and wildfires in Utah.
  • Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Utah is 8 degrees warmer than in Iowa.
  • The average winter lows are 6 degrees warmer than they are in Iowa.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Utah. Utah receives 14 fewer inches of rain compared to Iowa.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Iowa and Utah

ComparisonIowaUtah
Avg. Household Income$69,588$89,168
Cost of Living Index95.995.75
State Income Tax4.144.95
Avg. Property Tax1.500.58
Avg. Sales Tax6.947.19
Top 3 IndustriesAgriculture, Manufacturing, FinanceEducation, Healthcare, Retail
AffluenceModerateModerate to High
PovertyModerateLow
HomelessnessLowModerate
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Utah tend to earn about 28% more than in Iowa
  • The COLI in Utah is 0% lower than what you are used to living in Iowa
  • The state income tax in UT is 4.95 compared to 4.14 in IA
  • The affluence in Utah is moderate to high compared to moderate in Iowa
  • The poverty level is low in Utah compared to moderate in Iowa
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in Iowa and moderate in Utah

Political and Religious Climate in Iowa vs. Utah

ComparisonIowaUtah
Political Make-upBattleground state with mixed political leaningsStrongly conservative, especially in federal elections
Local PoliticsVaries by city, with a mix of both Democratic and Republican leadershipDominantly Republican leadership across most local governments
ReligionChristianity is predominant, diverse denominationsLatter-day Saints (Mormon) majority, influencing culture and politics
  • Iowa tends to lean battleground state with mixed political leanings in its political climate
  • Utah, on the other hand, is often described as strongly conservative, especially in federal elections
  • Utah's religious environment can be described as a Latter-day Saints (Mormon) majority, influencing culture and politics
  • Iowa's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christianity being predominant with diverse denominations

Education Guide When Moving from Iowa to Utah

ComparisonIowaUtah
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Iowa
Iowa State University
University of Northern Iowa
University of Utah
Brigham Young University
Utah State University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsWickham Elementary (Coralville)
Lincoln Elementary (Mount Vernon)
Roosevelt Elementary (Ames)
Wasatch Elementary (Salt Lake City)
Ensign Elementary (Salt Lake City)
Edgemont Elementary (Provo)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsAmes Middle School (Ames)
South East Junior High (Iowa City)
North Central Junior High (North Liberty)
Centennial Middle School (Provo)
Mountain Ridge Junior High (Highland)
Timberline Middle School (Alpine)
Top 3 High SchoolsWest High School (Iowa City)
Ames High School (Ames)
Pleasant Valley High School (Bettendorf)
Mountain Crest High School (Hyrum)
Skyline High School (Salt Lake City)
Timpview High School (Provo)
Top 3 private high schoolsPhillips Academy (Exeter
NH)
Harvard-Westlake School (Los Angeles
CA)
The Madeira School (McLean
VA)
Rowland Hall (Salt Lake City)
Waterford School (Sandy)
Judge Memorial Catholic High School (Salt Lake City)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsMaharishi School (Fairfield)
Scattergood Friends School (West Branch)
Iowa Christian Academy (West Des Moines)
The Madeleine Choir School (Salt Lake City)
Rowland Hall (Salt Lake City)
American Heritage School (American Fork)
Top 3 School DistrictsIowa City Community School District
Ames Community School District
West Des Moines Community School District
Alpine School District
Davis School District
Park City School District

How Much Do Iowa to Utah Movers Cost?

Moving 1,139 miles from Iowa to Utah will typically cost between $3,000 and $6,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $3,000 - $6,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 4-4 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Hemmen Moving
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,848300 ft3$6.16
1 Bedroom$2,750450 ft3$6.11
2 Bedrooms$4,546750 ft3$6.06
3 Bedrooms$6,6121100 ft3$6.01
4 Bedrooms$9,5371600 ft3$5.96
5+ Bedrooms$10,6391800 ft3$5.91

Top Iowa to Utah Movers

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

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

Adamantine Spine Moving

9.44/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
801 Moving Company featured image

801 Moving Company

9.42/10
ExceptionalView details
Top Iowa to Utah Routes

Des Moines to Utah