Iowa to Washington Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Iowa to Washington

ConsIowa

• Harsh winters
• Limited job diversity
• Fewer recreational areas
• Flat landscapes

ProsWashington

• Milder climates
• Tech industry opportunities
• Abundance of natural parks
• Scenic mountain views

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Washington

• Higher living expenses
• Urban sprawl
• Traffic congestion
• Cultural adaptation

Iowa

• Low cost of living
• Tight-knit communities
• Easy commutes
• Familiar culture

Pros of moving from Iowa to Washington

• Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to milder climates
• Look forward to moving away from limited job diversity and moving to Washington with tech industry opportunities
• Swap the fewer recreational areas of Iowa for the abundance of natural parks in Washington
• Get ready for scenic mountain views in Washington

Cons of moving from Iowa to Washington

• Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the low cost of living in Iowa to live with higher living expenses in Washington
• You'll lose out on the pro of tight-knit communities and have to settle for the con of urban sprawl
• Time to bid farewell to easy commutes and get used to traffic congestion in Washington
• Swap familiar culture for cultural adaptation

Iowa vs. Washington: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

If you're moving from Iowa to Washington, you will be trading the iconic Pork Tenderloin Sandwich of Iowa for the equally delicious Salmon of Washington. And while the locals in Iowa rave about their flavorful Grilled Pork Chops and sumptuous Walking Taco, Washington residents know they have tasty Cedar Plank Salmon and Taco Truck Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Tempeh Reuben they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Phở Chay of Washington. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Iowa eateries like The Machine Shed, A & W Family Restaurant, and Zombie Burger. After the boxes are unpacked in Washington, don't wait too long before making your way to Washington's acclaimed eateries like Pike Place Fish Market, Canlis, and Salish Lodge & Spa.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Iowa and Washington

• The Farmhouse and Ranch architecture that Iowa is known for will be replaced with the Modern and Craftsman architecture typical of Washington.
• Compared to Iowa's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and quiet neighborhoods, Washington real estate listings often highlight features like eco-friendly aspects and proximity to tech hubs.
• Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Washington is more walkable than Iowa.
• Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Washington is more bike-friendly than Iowa.
• Washington has more of an urban feel than Iowa.
• Washington housing costs are 176% more expensive than they are in Iowa, with a median home price of $591,148 compared to Iowa’s $214,151.
• Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Washington have increased by 49% compared to a 36% increase in Iowa.
• Rent in Washington is 82.47% more expensive than in Iowa.

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

• The shades won't be used as much for your move from Iowa to Washington. Washington gets 25% fewer sunshine days than Iowa.
• Washington has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Iowa.
• Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and blizzards in Iowa, but be on the lookout for potential earthquakes and volcanic eruptions in Washington.
• Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Washington is 7 degrees colder than Iowa.
• The average winter lows in Washington are 22 degrees warmer than they are in Iowa.
• Your umbrella might be more overworked in Washington. Washington receives 4 more inches of rain compared to Iowa.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Iowa and Washington

• When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Washington tend to earn about 31% more than in Iowa
• The COLI in Washington is 9% higher than what you are used to living in Iowa
• Hooray, moving to WA means you'll no longer have state income taxes
• The affluence in Washington is high compared to moderate in Iowa
• The poverty level is moderate in Washington compared to low in Iowa
• In terms of homelessness, it is low in Iowa and high in Washington

Political and Religious Climate in Iowa vs. Washington

• Iowa tends to lean Republican in its political climate, although urban and college-centered areas lean Democratic.
• Washington, on the other hand, is often described as generally Democratic, with Puget Sound metro being strongly Democratic while Eastern Washington is more conservative.
• Washington's religious environment can be described as having a higher share of religiously unaffiliated individuals than the national average; it includes Protestant and Catholic communities as well as a range of other faiths, with overall lower regular attendance than much of the Midwest.
• Iowa's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as having notable church affiliation with sizable Protestant (mainline and evangelical) and Catholic communities, alongside a meaningful unaffiliated population.

How Much Do Iowa to Washington Movers Cost?

Moving 1,698 miles from Iowa to Washington will typically cost between $3,000 and $8,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.