Movers

Idaho to Iowa Moving Guide

Updated June 9, 2025

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Planning a 1,411 mile interstate move from Idaho to Iowa? This moving guide will help you compare living in Idaho vs Iowa across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like long cold winters vs milder winter climates), food & health (like Idaho Potatoes vs Corn on the Cob), real estate & housing (craftsman and ranch vs prairie and ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Idaho), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Idaho Potatoes and Idaho Trout, but get your taste buds ready for Corn on the Cob & Pork Tenderloin Sandwich
  • Iowa housing costs are 53% less expensive than they are in Idaho
  • Rent in Iowa is 33.11% more affordable than in Idaho
  • Moving from Idaho to Iowa will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,000
  • Our top recommended Idaho to Iowa movers is Adamantine Spine Moving

Idaho to Iowa Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Idaho to Iowa

ConsIdaho iconIdaho
  • Long cold winters
  • Limited job opportunities
  • Remote rural areas
  • High living cost
  • Low population diversity
ProsIowa iconIowa
  • Milder winter climates
  • Diverse job market
  • Accessible urban centers
  • Affordable housing
  • Greater cultural diversity

Iowa iconIowa
  • Fewer scenic mountains
  • Potential for flooding
  • Higher state taxes
  • More tornadoes
  • Less urban nightlife
Idaho iconIdaho
  • Outdoor recreation
  • Low traffic congestion
  • Strong local economy
  • Agricultural bounty
  • Community spirit

Pros of moving from Idaho to Iowa

  • Say goodbye to long cold winters and hello to milder winter climates
  • Look forward to moving away from limited job opportunities and moving to Iowa with a diverse job market
  • Swap the remote rural areas of Idaho for accessible urban centers in Iowa
  • Get ready for affordable housing in Iowa

Cons of moving from Idaho to Iowa

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from outdoor recreation in Idaho to live with fewer scenic mountains in Iowa
  • You'll lose out on the pro of low traffic congestion and have to settle for the con of potential flooding
  • Time to bid farewell to a strong local economy and get used to higher state taxes in Iowa
  • Swap agricultural bounty for more tornadoes

Idaho vs. Iowa: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonIdahoIowa
Most iconic local food itemIdaho PotatoesCorn on the Cob
Most popular meat dishIdaho TroutPork Tenderloin Sandwich
Most popular street food itemFinger SteaksSweet Corn Tamale
Most popular vegan foodQuinoa SaladVegetable Pakora
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Boise Fry Company
  • Duck Duck Goose
  • The Chocolat Bar
Fitness/Health Conscientiousness💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

If you're moving from Idaho to Iowa, you will be trading the iconic Idaho Potatoes of Idaho for the equally delicious Corn on the Cob of Iowa. And while the locals in Idaho rave about their flavorful Idaho Trout and sumptuous Finger Steaks, Iowa residents know they have tasty Pork Tenderloin Sandwich and Sweet Corn Tamale 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 Vegetable Pakora of Iowa. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Idaho eateries like Boise Fry Company, Duck Duck Goose, and The Chocolat Bar. After the boxes are unpacked in Iowa, don't wait too long before making your way to Iowa's acclaimed eateries like American Grill, The Flying Mango, and The Waveland Cafe.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Idaho and Iowa

ComparisonIdahoIowa
Typical Architecture StyleCraftsman and RanchPrairie and Ranch
Walkability👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban Lifestyle🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingSpacious yards, mountain viewsEnergy efficiency, community amenities
  • The Craftsman and Ranch architecture that Idaho is known for will be replaced with the Prairie and Ranch architecture typical of Iowa.
  • Compared to Idaho's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and mountain views, Iowa real estate listings often highlight features like energy efficiency and community amenities.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Iowa is more walkable than Idaho.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Iowa is more bike-friendly than Idaho.
  • Iowa has more of an urban feel than Idaho.
  • Iowa housing costs are 53% less expensive than they are in Idaho, with a median home price of $214,151 compared to Idaho’s $451,298.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Iowa have increased by 36% compared to a 69% increase in Idaho.
  • Rent in Iowa is 33.11% more affordable than in Idaho.

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

ComparisonIdahoIowa
Days of Sunshine per Year☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️
Avg. Annual Humidity💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦
Avg. UV Index🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️
Natural DisastersWildfires, EarthquakesTornadoes, Floods
Air QualityGoodGood to Moderate
Average Summer High/Low (°F)85°F / 40°F85°F / 63°F
Average Winter High/Low (°F)34°F / 16°F31°F / 14°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)1836
Annual Snowfall (Inches)6048
  • Iowa gets an equal number of sunshine days as Idaho.
  • Iowa has higher humidity and a similar average UV index compared to Idaho.
  • Say goodbye to the possible wildfires and earthquakes in Idaho, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and floods in Iowa.
  • The average summer high temperature in Iowa is the same degrees as Idaho.
  • The average winter lows are 2 degrees colder than they are in Idaho.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in Iowa, as Iowa receives 18 more inches of rain compared to Idaho.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Idaho and Iowa

ComparisonIdahoIowa
Avg. Household Income$72,785$69,588
Cost of Living Index91.595.9
State Income Tax6.938.50
Avg. Property Tax0.691.50
Avg. Sales Tax6.006.94
Top 3 IndustriesAgriculture, Technology, ManufacturingManufacturing, Agriculture, Finance
AffluenceModerateModerate
PovertyLowLow
HomelessnessLowLow
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Iowa tend to earn about 4% less than in Idaho
  • The COLI in Iowa will be 5% higher than what you are used to living in Idaho
  • The state income tax in Iowa is 8.50 compared to 6.93 in Idaho
  • The affluence in Iowa is moderate compared to moderate in Idaho
  • The poverty level is low in Iowa compared to low in Idaho
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in Idaho and low in Iowa

Political and Religious Climate in Idaho vs. Iowa

ComparisonIdahoIowa
Political Make-upConservativeSwing state, leans conservative
Local PoliticsSignificant Republican influenceMixed, with notable Democratic presence in urban areas
ReligionMajority Christian, significant Latter-day Saints populationMajority Christian, diverse denominations
  • Idaho tends to lean conservative in its political climate
  • Iowa, on the other hand, is often described as a swing state that leans conservative
  • Iowa's religious environment can be described as a majority Christian with diverse denominations
  • Idaho's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a majority Christian with a significant Latter-day Saints population

Education Guide When Moving from Idaho to Iowa

ComparisonIdahoIowa
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)Boise State University
University of Idaho
Idaho State University
University of Iowa
Iowa State University
University of Northern Iowa
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsLongfellow Elementary School (Boise)
Adams Elementary School (Boise)
Washington Elementary School (Boise)
Wickham Elementary School (Coralville)
Lincoln Elementary School (Mount Vernon)
Willowwind School (Iowa City)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsNorth Junior High School (Boise)
East Junior High School (Boise)
Les Bois Junior High School (Boise)
North Central Junior High (North Liberty)
South East Junior High School (Iowa City)
Ames Middle School (Ames)
Top 3 High School SchoolsBoise High School (Boise)
Timberline High School (Boise)
Borah High School (Boise)
West High School (Iowa City)
Ames High School (Ames)
Pleasant Valley High School (Bettendorf)
Top 3 private high schoolsBishop Kelly High School (Boise)
Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy (Coeur d'Alene)
Sun Valley Community School (Sun Valley)
Regina High School (Iowa City)
Dowling Catholic High School (West Des Moines)
Xavier High School (Cedar Rapids)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsThe Ambrose School (Meridian)
Riverstone International School (Boise)
North Idaho Christian School (Hayden)
Scattergood Friends School (West Branch)
Maharishi School (Fairfield)
Rivermont Collegiate (Bettendorf)
Top 3 School DistrictsBoise School District
Blaine County School District
Coeur d'Alene School District
Iowa City Community School District
Ames Community School District
West Des Moines Community School District

How Much Do Idaho to Iowa Movers Cost?

Moving 1,411 miles from Idaho to Iowa 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 - $7,000
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Valley Custom Moving
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$2,002300 ft3$6.67
1 Bedroom$2,981450 ft3$6.62
2 Bedrooms$4,931750 ft3$6.57
3 Bedrooms$7,1771100 ft3$6.52
4 Bedrooms$10,3601600 ft3$6.47
5+ Bedrooms$11,5651800 ft3$6.42

Top Idaho to Iowa Movers

Read our in-depth analysis of the best Idaho to Iowa movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

TOP PICK
Adamantine Spine Moving featured image

Adamantine Spine Moving

Best moving company overall for Idaho to Iowa

9.54/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
208 Moving Company featured image

208 Moving Company

9.49/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Adamantine Spine Moving featured image

Adamantine Spine Moving

9.44/10
ExceptionalView details
Top Idaho to Iowa Routes

Boise to Iowa