Louisiana to Iowa Moving Guide
Updated June 5, 2025

Planning a 931 mile interstate move from Louisiana to Iowa? This moving guide will help you compare living in Louisiana vs Iowa across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high humidity vs less humidity), food & health (like Gumbo vs Corn), real estate & housing (french colonial, creole vs prairie, farmhouse), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Louisiana), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Gumbo and Jambalaya, but get your taste buds ready for Corn & Pork Tenderloin Sandwich
- Iowa housing costs are 8% more expensive than they are in Louisiana
- Rent in Iowa is 17.90% more affordable than in Louisiana
- Moving from Louisiana to Iowa will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
- Our top recommended Louisiana to Iowa movers is Adamantine Spine Moving
Louisiana to Iowa Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Louisiana to Iowa
- High humidity
- Hurricane risk
- Dense population
- Traffic congestion
- Hot summers
- Less humidity
- Fewer natural disasters
- Open spaces
- Less traffic
- Milder summers
- Less diversity
- Fewer dining options
- Fewer festivals
- Fewer historic landmarks
- Quieter evenings
- Cultural diversity
- Rich cuisine
- Mardi Gras events
- Historic sites
- Vibrant nightlife
Pros of moving from Louisiana to Iowa
- Say goodbye to high humidity and hello to less humidity
- Look forward to moving away from hurricane risk and moving to Iowa with fewer natural disasters
- Swap the dense population of Louisiana for open spaces in Iowa
- Get ready for less traffic in Iowa
Cons of moving from Louisiana to Iowa
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from cultural diversity in Louisiana to live with less diversity in Iowa
- You'll lose out on the pro of rich cuisine and have to settle for the con of fewer dining options
- Time to bid farewell to Mardi Gras events and get used to fewer festivals in Iowa
- Swap historic sites for fewer historic landmarks
Louisiana vs. Iowa: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Louisiana | Iowa |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Gumbo | Corn |
Most popular meat dish | Jambalaya | Pork Tenderloin Sandwich |
Most popular street food item | Po'boy | State Fair Corn Dog |
Most popular vegan food | Okra Gumbo | Vegetarian Corn Taco |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
|
|
Fitness/Health Conscientiousness (out of 10) | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks (out of 10) | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene (out of 10) | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly (out of 10) | 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 Louisiana to Iowa, you will be trading the iconic Gumbo of Louisiana for the equally delicious Corn of Iowa. And while the locals in Louisiana rave about their flavorful Jambalaya and sumptuous Po'boy, Iowa residents know they have tasty Pork Tenderloin Sandwich and State Fair Corn Dog to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Okra Gumbo they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegetarian Corn Taco of Iowa. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Louisiana eateries like Commander's Palace, Dooky Chase's Restaurant, and Antoine's Restaurant. After the boxes are unpacked in Iowa, don't wait too long before making your way to Iowa's acclaimed eateries like The IowaStater Restaurant, A & A Pagliai's Pizza, and Zombie Burger + Drink Lab.
When comparing lifestyles, Iowa shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Louisiana. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Iowa, compared to what you are used to in Louisiana. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Iowa.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Louisiana and Iowa
Comparison | Louisiana | Iowa |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | French Colonial, Creole | Prairie, Farmhouse |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large yards, proximity to water | Energy efficiency, space for gardening |
- The French Colonial and Creole architecture that Louisiana is known for will be replaced with the Prairie and Farmhouse architecture typical of Iowa.
- Compared to Louisiana's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and proximity to water, Iowa real estate listings often highlight features like energy efficiency and space for gardening.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away. Iowa is less walkable than Louisiana.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Iowa is more bike-friendly than Louisiana.
- Iowa has less of an urban feel than Louisiana.
- Iowa housing costs are 8% more expensive than they are in Louisiana, with a median home price of $214,151 compared to Louisianaβs $199,091.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Iowa have increased by 36% compared to a 13% increase in Louisiana.
- Rent in Iowa is 17.90% more affordable than in Louisiana.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Louisiana and Iowa
Comparison | Louisiana | 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 | Hurricanes, Floods | Tornadoes, Blizzards |
Air Quality | Good to Moderate | Good to Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 91Β°F / 73Β°F | 85Β°F / 65Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 62Β°F / 43Β°F | 31Β°F / 14Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 60 | 36 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | <1 | 33 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Louisiana to Iowa. Iowa gets 5% fewer sunshine days than Louisiana.
- Iowa has lower humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Louisiana.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and floods in Louisiana, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and blizzards in Iowa.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Iowa is 6 degrees colder than in Louisiana.
- The average winter lows in Iowa are 29 degrees colder than they are in Louisiana.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Iowa. Iowa receives 24 fewer inches of rain compared to Louisiana.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Louisiana and Iowa
Comparison | Louisiana | Iowa |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $55,416 | $69,588 |
Cost of Living Index | 96 | 95.9 |
State Income Tax | 2-6% | 0.33-8.53% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.53% | 1.53% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 9.52% | 6% |
Top 3 Industries | Oil, Natural Gas, Agriculture | Finance, Insurance, Manufacturing |
Affluence | Moderate | Stable |
Poverty | High | Moderate |
Homelessness | Noticeable | Lower |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Iowa tend to earn about 26% more than those in Louisiana
- The COLI in Iowa will be 0% lower than what you are used to living in Louisiana
- The state income tax in Iowa is 0.33-8.53% compared to 2-6% in Louisiana
- The affluence in Iowa is stable compared to moderate affluence in Louisiana
- The poverty level is moderate in Iowa compared to high in Louisiana
- In terms of homelessness, it is noticeable in Louisiana and lower in Iowa
Political and Religious Climate in Louisiana vs. Iowa
Comparison | Louisiana | Iowa |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Mixed; tends to lean Republican in federal elections | Swing state; varies between Republican and Democrat in federal elections |
Local Politics | Diverse, with significant local impacts on policy and lifestyle | Community-focused, local politics play a key role in day-to-day life |
Religion | Primarily Christian, with a significant Catholic population | Primarily Protestant, but with a diverse range of religious beliefs |
- Louisiana tends to lean mixed and tends to lean Republican in federal elections in its political climate
- Iowa, on the other hand, is often described as a swing state and varies between Republican and Democrat in federal elections
- Iowa's religious environment can be described as primarily Protestant but with a diverse range of religious beliefs
- Louisiana's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as primarily Christian with a significant Catholic population
Education Guide When Moving from Louisiana to Iowa
Comparison | Louisiana | Iowa |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Louisiana State University Tulane University University of Louisiana | University of Iowa Iowa State University University of Northern Iowa |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | South Highlands Elementary Magnet Shreveport; Baton Rouge FLAIM Baton Rouge; Lusher Charter New Orleans | Wickham Elementary Coralville; Roosevelt Elementary Ames; Lincoln Elementary Mount Vernon |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Caddo Parish Middle Magnet Shreveport; Glasgow Middle Baton Rouge; Lusher Charter New Orleans | Ames Middle School Ames; North Central Junior High Coralville; Northwest Junior High Coralville |
Top 3 High School Schools | Benjamin Franklin High School New Orleans; Haynes Academy School for Advanced Studies Metairie; Baton Rouge Magnet High School Baton Rouge | West High School Iowa City; Ames High School Ames; Roosevelt High School Des Moines |
Top 3 private high schools | Isidore Newman School New Orleans; Metairie Park Country Day School Metairie; Episcopal School of Baton Rouge Baton Rouge | The Scattergood Friends School West Branch; Maharishi School Fairfield; Cedar Valley Christian School Cedar Rapids |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Louise S. McGehee School New Orleans; Ridgewood Preparatory School Metairie; Catholic High School Baton Rouge | Maharishi School Fairfield; Scattergood Friends School West Branch; Des Moines Christian School Urbandale |
Top 3 School Districts | Zachary Community School District Zachary; Central Community School System Baton Rouge; Plaquemines Parish School Board Belle Chasse | Iowa City Community School District Iowa City; West Des Moines Community Schools West Des Moines; Ames Community School District Ames |
How Much Do Louisiana to Iowa Movers Cost?
Moving 931 miles from Louisiana to Iowa will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-2 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Hemmen Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,730 | 300 ft3 | $5.77 |
1 Bedroom | $2,573 | 450 ft3 | $5.72 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,251 | 750 ft3 | $5.67 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,179 | 1100 ft3 | $5.62 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,908 | 1600 ft3 | $5.57 |
5+ Bedrooms | $9,932 | 1800 ft3 | $5.52 |
Top Louisiana to Iowa Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Louisiana to Iowa movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Adamantine Spine Moving
Best moving company overall for Louisiana to Iowa