Movers

Iowa to Vermont Moving Guide

Updated June 4, 2025

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Planning a 1,256 mile interstate move from Iowa to Vermont? This moving guide will help you compare living in Iowa vs Vermont across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs milder summers), food & health (like Corn vs Maple Syrup), real estate & housing (prairie school, farmhouse vs colonial, cape cod), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Vermont), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Corn and Pork Tenderloin Sandwich, but get your taste buds ready for Maple Syrup & Maple Glazed Ham
  • Vermont housing costs are 78% more expensive than they are in Iowa
  • Rent in Vermont is 90.37% more expensive than in Iowa
  • Moving from Iowa to Vermont will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,000
  • Our top recommended Iowa to Vermont movers is Adamantine Spine Moving

Iowa to Vermont Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Iowa to Vermont

ConsIowa iconIowa
  • Harsh winters
  • Flat landscapes
  • Limited outdoor activities
  • Less artisanal cuisine
ProsVermont iconVermont
  • Milder summers
  • Scenic mountains
  • Vibrant outdoor scene
  • Culinary delights

Vermont iconVermont
  • Higher expenses
  • Dense population
  • Pricey real estate
  • Heavier traffic
Iowa iconIowa
  • Lower cost of living
  • Spacious landscapes
  • Affordable housing
  • Low traffic congestion

Pros of moving from Iowa to Vermont

  • Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to milder summers
  • Look forward to moving away from flat landscapes and moving to Vermont with scenic mountains
  • Swap the limited outdoor activities of Iowa for a vibrant outdoor scene in Vermont
  • Get ready for culinary delights in Vermont

Cons of moving from Iowa to Vermont

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the lower cost of living in Iowa to live with higher expenses in Vermont
  • You'll lose out on the pro of spacious landscapes and have to settle for the con of dense population
  • Time to bid farewell to affordable housing and get used to pricey real estate in Vermont
  • Swap low traffic congestion for heavier traffic

Iowa vs. Vermont: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonIowaVermont
Most iconic local food itemCornMaple Syrup
Most popular meat dishPork Tenderloin SandwichMaple Glazed Ham
Most popular street food itemWalking TacosMaple Creamies
Most popular vegan foodGrilled Sweet CornApple Cider Donuts (vegan options)
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Hen of the Wood
  • The Alchemist Brewery
  • Piecasso Pizzeria & Lounge
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 Vermont, you will be trading the iconic corn of Iowa for the equally delicious maple syrup of Vermont. And while the locals in Iowa rave about their flavorful pork tenderloin sandwich and sumptuous walking tacos, Vermont residents know they have tasty maple glazed ham and maple creamies to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the grilled sweet corn they've grown to love, they can get ready for the apple cider donuts (vegan options) of Vermont. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Iowa eateries like The Big House, Fong's Pizza, and Zombie Burger. After the boxes are unpacked in Vermont, don't wait too long before making your way to Vermont's acclaimed eateries like Hen of the Wood, The Alchemist Brewery, and Piecasso Pizzeria & Lounge.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Iowa and Vermont

ComparisonIowaVermont
Typical Architecture StylePrairie School, FarmhouseColonial, Cape Cod
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, barnsEnergy efficiency, scenic views
  • The Prairie School and Farmhouse architecture that Iowa is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Cape Cod architecture typical of Vermont.
  • Compared to Iowa's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and barns, Vermont real estate listings often highlight features like energy efficiency and scenic views.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Vermont is more walkable than Iowa.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Vermont is more bike-friendly than Iowa.
  • Vermont has more of an urban feel than Iowa.
  • Vermont housing costs are 78% more expensive than they are in Iowa, with a median home price of $381,042 compared to Iowa’s $214,151.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Vermont have increased by 50% compared to a 36% increase in Iowa.
  • Rent in Vermont is 90.37% more expensive than in Iowa.

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

ComparisonIowaVermont
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, Floods
Air QualityGoodVery Good
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)85Β° / 63Β°80Β° / 59Β°
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)31Β° / 14Β°27Β° / 10Β°
Annual Rainfall (Inches)3642
Annual Snowfall (Inches)3389
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from Iowa to Vermont. Vermont gets 23% fewer sunshine days than Iowa.
  • Vermont has higher 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 blizzards and floods in Vermont.
  • Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Vermont is 5 degrees colder than in Iowa.
  • The average winter lows are 4 degrees colder than they are in Iowa.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in Vermont. Vermont receives 6 more inches of rain compared to Iowa.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Iowa and Vermont

ComparisonIowaVermont
Avg. Household Income$69,588$73,991
Cost of Living Index95.9120.5
State Income Tax8.538.75
Avg. Property Tax1.531.82
Avg. Sales Tax6.946.24
Top 3 IndustriesAgriculture, Manufacturing, InsuranceTourism, Agriculture, Education
AffluenceModerateModerately high
PovertyLowLow
HomelessnessMinimalMinimal
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Vermont tend to earn about 6% more than those in Iowa
  • The COLI in Vermont is 26% higher than what you are used to in Iowa
  • The state income tax in VT is 8.75 compared to 8.53 in IA
  • The affluence in Vermont is moderately high compared to moderate in Iowa
  • The poverty level is low in Vermont compared to low in Iowa
  • In terms of homelessness, it is minimal in Iowa and minimal in Vermont

Political and Religious Climate in Iowa vs. Vermont

ComparisonIowaVermont
Political Make-upSwing StateLiberal/Democratic
Local PoliticsVaries widely between urban and rural areasProgressive tendencies, especially in urban areas
ReligionChristianity predominates, with a significant mix of other faithsLess religiously affiliated, with strong pockets of non-religious and various faith communities
  • Iowa tends to lean swing State in its political climate
  • Vermont, on the other hand, is often described as Liberal/Democratic
  • Vermont's religious environment can be described as less religiously affiliated with strong pockets of non-religious and various faith communities
  • Iowa's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christianity predominates with a significant mix of other faiths

Education Guide When Moving from Iowa to Vermont

ComparisonIowaVermont
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Iowa
Iowa State University
University of Northern Iowa
University of Vermont
Middlebury College
Champlain College
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsWickham Elementary (Coralville)
Roosevelt Elementary (Cedar Rapids)
Grant Wood Elementary (Iowa City)
Shelburne Community School (Shelburne)
Orchard School (South Burlington)
Champlain Elementary (Burlington)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsNorth Central Junior High (Coralville)
South East Junior High (Iowa City)
Ames Middle School (Ames)
Shelburne Community School (Shelburne)
Camels Hump Middle School (Richmond)
Essex Middle School (Essex)
Top 3 High SchoolsWest High School (Iowa City)
Ames High School (Ames)
Pleasant Valley High School (Bettendorf)
Burlington High School (Burlington)
Champlain Valley Union High (Hinesburg)
Middlebury Union High (Middlebury)
Top 3 private high schoolsScattergood Friends School (West Branch)
Maharishi School (Fairfield)
Iowa Mennonite School (Kalona)
The Putney School (Putney)
Burr and Burton Academy (Manchester)
Vermont Academy (Saxtons River)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsMaharishi School (Fairfield)
Scattergood Friends School (West Branch)
Rivermont Collegiate (Bettendorf)
The Putney School (Putney)
Vermont Academy (Saxtons River)
St. Johnsbury Academy (St. Johnsbury)
Top 3 School DistrictsIowa City Community School District
Ames Community School District
West Des Moines Community School District
Champlain Valley School District
South Burlington School District
Essex Westford School District

How Much Do Iowa to Vermont Movers Cost?

Moving 1,256 miles from Iowa to Vermont will typically cost between $3,000 and $7,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $3,000 - $7,000
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Hemmen Moving
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,915300 ft3$6.38
1 Bedroom$2,849450 ft3$6.33
2 Bedrooms$4,711750 ft3$6.28
3 Bedrooms$6,8551100 ft3$6.23
4 Bedrooms$9,8911600 ft3$6.18
5+ Bedrooms$11,0371800 ft3$6.13

Top Iowa to Vermont Movers

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

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
Top Iowa to Vermont Routes

Des Moines to Vermont