Kentucky to Iowa Moving Guide
Updated June 13, 2025

Planning a 666 mile interstate move from Kentucky to Iowa? This moving guide will help you compare living in Kentucky vs Iowa across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like humid summers vs cooler climate), food & health (like Fried Chicken vs Corn on the Cob), real estate & housing (colonial, craftsman vs farmhouse, ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Iowa), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Fried Chicken and Burgoo, but get your taste buds ready for Corn on the Cob & Pork Tenderloin Sandwich
- Iowa housing costs are 6% more expensive than they are in Kentucky
- Rent in Iowa is 17.47% more affordable than in Kentucky
- Moving from Kentucky to Iowa will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,500
- Our top recommended Kentucky to Iowa movers is Adamantine Spine Moving
Kentucky to Iowa Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Kentucky to Iowa
- Humid summers
- Tornado risks
- Limited job market
- Cooler climate
- Fewer tornadoes
- Expanding industries
- Lacks bourbon culture
- Fewer equestrian events
- Less diverse scenery
- Rich bourbon heritage
- Renowned horse farms
- Beautiful landscapes
Pros of moving from Kentucky to Iowa
- Say goodbye to humid summers and hello to a cooler climate
- Look forward to moving away from tornado risks and moving to Iowa with fewer tornadoes
- Swap the limited job market of Kentucky for expanding industries in Iowa
Cons of moving from Kentucky to Iowa
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a rich bourbon heritage in Kentucky to live with a lack of bourbon culture in Iowa
- You'll lose out on the pro of renowned horse farms and have to settle for the con of fewer equestrian events
- Time to bid farewell to beautiful landscapes and get used to less diverse scenery in Iowa
Kentucky vs. Iowa: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Kentucky | Iowa |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Fried Chicken | Corn on the Cob |
Most popular meat dish | Burgoo | Pork Tenderloin Sandwich |
Most popular street food item | Hot Brown Sandwich | Taco Pizza |
Most popular vegan food | BBQ Jackfruit | Vegan Corn Dogs |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± |
If you're moving from Kentucky to Iowa, you will be trading the iconic Fried Chicken of Kentucky for the equally delicious Corn on the Cob of Iowa. And while the locals in Kentucky rave about their flavorful Burgoo and sumptuous Hot Brown Sandwich, Iowa residents know they have tasty Pork Tenderloin Sandwich and Taco Pizza to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the BBQ Jackfruit they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegan Corn Dogs of Iowa. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Kentucky eateries like The Castle Post, Ramsi's Cafe on the World, and Grayson's Tavern. 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 Filling Station, and Centro.
When comparing lifestyles, Iowa shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Kentucky. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Iowa, compared to what you are used to in Kentucky. Also, the overall foodie scene is similarly bustling in Iowa.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Kentucky and Iowa
Comparison | Kentucky | Iowa |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Craftsman | Farmhouse, Ranch |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious yards, privacy | Energy efficiency, community |
- The Colonial and Craftsman architecture that Kentucky is known for will be replaced with the Farmhouse and Ranch architecture typical of Iowa.
- Compared to Kentucky's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and privacy, Iowa real estate listings often highlight features like energy efficiency and community.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Iowa is more walkable than Kentucky.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Iowa is more bike-friendly than Kentucky.
- Iowa has more of an urban feel than Kentucky.
- Iowa housing costs are 6% more expensive than they are in Kentucky, with a median home price of $214,151 compared to Kentuckyβs $201,332.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Iowa have increased by 36% compared to a 47% increase in Kentucky.
- Rent in Iowa is 17.47% more affordable than in Kentucky.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Kentucky and Iowa
Comparison | Kentucky | Iowa |
---|---|---|
Days of Sunshine per Year | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ |
Avg. Annual Humidity | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ |
Avg. UV Index | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ |
Natural Disasters | Tornadoes, Floods | Tornadoes, Blizzards |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 87/66 | 85/63 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 41/24 | 31/14 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 48 | 36 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 12 | 35 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Kentucky to Iowa. Iowa gets 5% more sunshine days than Kentucky.
- Iowa has higher humidity and a similar average UV index compared to Kentucky.
- Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Kentucky, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and blizzards in Iowa.
- The average summer high temperature in Iowa is 2 degrees colder than in Kentucky.
- The average winter lows are 10 degrees colder than they are in Kentucky.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Iowa. Iowa receives 12 fewer inches of rain compared to Kentucky.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Kentucky and Iowa
Comparison | Kentucky | Iowa |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $59,341 | $69,588 |
Cost of Living Index | 87.8 | 95.9 |
State Income Tax | 5% | 8.53% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.83% | 1.50% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6% | 6% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Healthcare, Retail | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Retail |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | High | Moderate |
Homelessness | Moderate | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Iowa tend to earn about 17% more than those in Kentucky
- The COLI in Iowa will be 9% higher than what you are used to living in Kentucky
- The state income tax in IA is 8.53% compared to 5% in KY
- The affluence in Iowa is moderate compared to moderate in Kentucky
- The poverty level is moderate in Iowa compared to high in Kentucky
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Kentucky and low in Iowa
Political and Religious Climate in Kentucky vs. Iowa
Comparison | Kentucky | Iowa |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Leans Republican | Swing State |
Local Politics | Conservative in rural areas | Mixture of conservative and liberal |
Religion | Christianity predominant | Christianity predominant |
- Kentucky tends to lean Republican in its political climate
- Iowa, on the other hand, is often described as a swing state
- Iowa's religious environment can be described as predominantly Christianity
- Kentucky's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christianity
Education Guide When Moving from Kentucky to Iowa
Comparison | Kentucky | Iowa |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Kentucky University of Louisville Western Kentucky University | University of Iowa Iowa State University University of Northern Iowa |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Rosa Parks Elementary (Lexington) Stopher Elementary (Louisville) Brandeis Elementary (Louisville) | Roosevelt Elementary (Ames) Wickham Elementary (Coralville) Lincoln Elementary (Mount Vernon) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Barret Traditional Middle School (Louisville) Beaumont Middle School (Lexington) North Oldham Middle School (Goshen) | Ames Middle School (Ames) North Central Junior High (North Liberty) South East Junior High (Iowa City) |
Top 3 High School Schools | DuPont Manual High (Louisville) Highlands High (Fort Thomas) Gatton Academy (Bowling Green) | West High School (Iowa City) Ames High School (Ames) Pleasant Valley High School (Bettendorf) |
Top 3 private high schools | Sacred Heart Academy (Louisville) Lexington Catholic High (Lexington) Trinity High School (Louisville) | Dowling Catholic High School (West Des Moines) Xavier High School (Cedar Rapids) Regina High School (Iowa City) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Christian Academy of Louisville Lexington Christian Academy Kentucky Country Day School (Louisville) | Scattergood Friends School (West Branch) Maharishi School (Fairfield) Cedar Valley Christian School (Cedar Rapids) |
Top 3 School Districts | Oldham County Schools Fayette County Public Schools Fort Thomas Independent Schools | Iowa City Community School District Ames Community School District Pleasant Valley Community School District |
How Much Do Kentucky to Iowa Movers Cost?
Moving 666 miles from Kentucky to Iowa will typically cost between $2,500 and $5,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $5,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-3 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Smooth Move Relocation Services
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,580 | 300 ft3 | $5.27 |
1 Bedroom | $2,348 | 450 ft3 | $5.22 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,875 | 750 ft3 | $5.17 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,629 | 1100 ft3 | $5.12 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,107 | 1600 ft3 | $5.07 |
5+ Bedrooms | $9,030 | 1800 ft3 | $5.02 |
Top Kentucky to Iowa Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Kentucky to Iowa movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Adamantine Spine Moving
Best moving company overall for Kentucky to Iowa