Movers

Indiana to Iowa Moving Guide

Updated June 7, 2025

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Planning a 479 mile interstate move from Indiana to Iowa? This moving guide will help you compare living in Indiana vs Iowa across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like higher cost of living vs more affordable housing), food & health (like Pork Tenderloin Sandwich vs Corn on the Cob), real estate & housing (midwestern ranch vs craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Indiana), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Pork Tenderloin Sandwich and Beef Manhattan, but get your taste buds ready for Corn on the Cob & Pork Chop
  • Iowa housing costs are 10% less expensive than they are in Indiana
  • Rent in Iowa is 19.93% more affordable than in Indiana
  • Moving from Indiana to Iowa will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,000
  • Our top recommended Indiana to Iowa movers is Adamantine Spine Moving

Indiana to Iowa Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Indiana to Iowa

ConsIndiana iconIndiana
  • Higher cost of living
  • Dense population
  • Heavier traffic
  • Limited job growth
ProsIowa iconIowa
  • More affordable housing
  • Less crowded cities
  • Easy commuting
  • Growing job market

Iowa iconIowa
  • Fewer cultural events
  • Smaller job variety
  • Newer market developments
  • Limited public schools
Indiana iconIndiana
  • 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

ComparisonIndianaIowa
Most iconic local food itemPork Tenderloin SandwichCorn on the Cob
Most popular meat dishBeef ManhattanPork Chop
Most popular street food itemSugar Cream PieTaco Pizza
Most popular vegan foodVegan BBQTempeh Reuben
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Iowa 80 Kitchen
  • Smokey Row Coffee Co.
  • Fong’s Pizza
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 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

ComparisonIndianaIowa
Typical Architecture StyleMidwestern RanchCraftsman
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 listingSpacious backyards, hardwood floorsEnergy efficiency, open-concept layouts
  • 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

ComparisonIndianaIowa
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, FloodsTornadoes, Severe Winter Storms
Air QualityGoodModerate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)85/6486/65
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)35/1831/14
Annual Rainfall (Inches)4236
Annual Snowfall (Inches)2232
  • 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

ComparisonIndianaIowa
Avg. Household Income$66,785$69,588
Cost of Living Index92.9595.9
State Income Tax3.234.90
Avg. Property Tax0.811.44
Avg. Sales Tax7.006.94
Top 3 IndustriesManufacturing, Agriculture, HealthcareManufacturing, Insurance, Agriculture
AffluenceModerateStable
PovertyNoticeableManageable
HomelessnessLowLow
  • 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

ComparisonIndianaIowa
Political Make-upLean ConservativeModerate Swing State
Local PoliticsRepublican Dominance in Rural AreasDemocratic Strongholds in Urban Centers
ReligionChristian MajorityChristian Majority
  • Indiana tends to lean Conservative in its political climate
  • Iowa, on the other hand, is often described as a moderate Swing State
  • Iowa's religious environment can be described as a Christian Majority
  • Indiana's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a Christian Majority

Education Guide When Moving from Indiana to Iowa

ComparisonIndianaIowa
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)Indiana University
Purdue University
Ball State University
University of Iowa
Iowa State University
University of Northern Iowa
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsCreekside Elementary (Carmel)
Eisenhower Elementary (Fort Wayne)
Childs Elementary (Bloomington)
Wickham Elementary (Coralville)
Brookview Elementary (West Des Moines)
Grant Ragan Elementary (Waukee)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsWest Lafayette Jr/Sr High School (West Lafayette)
Fall Creek Valley Middle School (Indianapolis)
Brown County Junior High (Nashville)
Ames Middle School (Ames)
North Central Junior High (North Liberty)
Waukee Middle School (Waukee)
Top 3 High School SchoolsSignature School (Evansville)
Carmel High School (Carmel)
Fishers High School (Fishers)
West Senior High (Iowa City)
Ames High School (Ames)
Waukee High School (Waukee)
Top 3 private high schoolsCulver Academies (Culver)
Park Tudor School (Indianapolis)
Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School (Indianapolis)
Scattergood Friends School (West Branch)
Maharishi School (Fairfield)
Dowling Catholic High School (West Des Moines)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsTraders Point Christian Academy (Whitestown)
The International School of Indiana (Indianapolis)
University High School of Indiana (Carmel)
The Scattergood Friends School (West Branch)
Maharishi School (Fairfield)
Rivermont Collegiate (Bettendorf)
Top 3 School DistrictsCarmel Clay Schools
Zionsville Community Schools
Park Tudor School District
Waukee Community School District
Ames Community School District
Iowa City Community School District

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.

  • Expected Range: $2,000 - $5,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-10 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Bulldogs Moving Co.
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,474300 ft3$4.91
1 Bedroom$2,189450 ft3$4.86
2 Bedrooms$3,610750 ft3$4.81
3 Bedrooms$5,2401100 ft3$4.76
4 Bedrooms$7,5421600 ft3$4.71
5+ Bedrooms$8,3941800 ft3$4.66

Top Indiana to Iowa Movers

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

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

Adamantine Spine Moving

9.44/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
MVM Moving & Storage featured image

MVM Moving & Storage

9.23/10
ExceptionalView details

Indianapolis to Iowa

Fort Wayne to Iowa