Indiana to Iowa Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Indiana to Iowa

ConsIndiana

• Higher cost of living
• Dense population
• Heavier traffic
• Limited job growth

ProsIowa

• More affordable housing
• Less crowded cities
• Easy commuting
• Growing job market

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Iowa

• Fewer cultural events
• Smaller job variety
• Newer market developments
• Limited public schools

Indiana

• Thriving arts scene
• More career opportunities
• Well-established businesses
• Excellent education

Pros of moving from Indiana to Iowa

• Say goodbye to the higher cost of living and hello to more affordable housing
• Look forward to moving away from a dense population and moving to Iowa with less crowded cities
• Swap the heavier traffic of Indiana for easy commuting in Iowa
• Get ready for a growing job market in Iowa

Cons of moving from Indiana to Iowa

• Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a thriving arts scene in Indiana to live with fewer cultural events in Iowa
• You'll lose out on the pro of more career opportunities and have to settle with the con of a smaller job variety
• Time to bid farewell to well-established businesses and get used to newer market developments in Iowa
• Swap excellent education for limited public schools

Indiana vs. Iowa: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

If you're moving from Indiana to Iowa, you will be trading the iconic Pork Tenderloin Sandwich of Indiana for the equally delicious Corn on the Cob of Iowa. And while the locals in Indiana rave about their flavorful Beef Manhattan and sumptuous Sugar Cream Pie, Iowa residents know they have tasty Pork Chop and Taco Pizza to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Vegan BBQ they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Tempeh Reuben of Iowa. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Indiana eateries like St. Elmo Steak House, Bluebeard, and The Carburetor Shop. After the boxes are unpacked in Iowa, don't wait too long before making your way to Iowa's acclaimed eateries like Iowa 80 Kitchen, Smokey Row Coffee Co., and Fong’s Pizza.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Indiana and Iowa

• The Midwestern Ranch architecture that Indiana is known for will be replaced with the Craftsman architecture typical of Iowa.
• Compared to Indiana's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious backyards and hardwood floors, Iowa real estate listings often highlight features like energy efficiency and open-concept layouts.
• You can keep your walking shoes packed away. Iowa is less walkable than Indiana.
• Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Iowa is more bike-friendly than Indiana.
• Iowa has less of an urban feel than Indiana.
• Iowa housing costs are 10% less expensive than they are in Indiana, with a median home price of $214,151 compared to Indiana’s $236,990.
• Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Iowa have increased by 36% compared to a 54% increase in Indiana.
• Rent in Iowa is 19.93% more affordable than in Indiana.

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

• Break out the sunglasses for your move from Indiana to Iowa. Iowa gets 10% more sunshine days than Indiana.
• Iowa has higher humidity and a similar average UV index compared to Indiana.
• Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Indiana, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and severe winter storms in Iowa.
• The average summer high temperature in Iowa is 1 degree warmer than in Indiana.
• The average winter lows are 4 degrees colder than they are in Indiana.
• Your umbrella might be neglected in Iowa. Iowa receives 6 fewer inches of rain compared to Indiana.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Indiana and Iowa

• When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Iowa tend to earn about 4% more than in Indiana
• The COLI in Iowa will be 3% higher than what you are used to living in Indiana
• The state income tax in IA is 4.90 compared to 3.23 in IN
• The affluence in Iowa is stable compared to moderate in Indiana
• The poverty level is manageable in Iowa compared to noticeable in Indiana
• In terms of homelessness, it is low in Indiana and low in Iowa

Political and Religious Climate in Indiana vs. Iowa

• Indiana tends to lean generally Republican in its political climate
• Iowa, on the other hand, is often described as historically a swing state but has leaned Republican in recent cycles with Republicans currently holding the governorship and legislative majorities
• Iowa's religious environment can be described as a mix of Mainline and Evangelical Protestant traditions with Roman Catholic communities and a meaningful share of the religiously unaffiliated
• Indiana's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as having a large Evangelical and Mainline Protestant presence alongside Roman Catholic communities with relatively high religious participation and notable Amish and Mennonite communities in parts of the state

Education Guide When Moving from Indiana to Iowa

How Much Do Indiana to Iowa Movers Cost?

Moving 479 miles from Indiana to Iowa will typically cost between $2,000 and $5,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.