Maryland to Iowa Moving Guide
Updated June 16, 2025

Planning a 1,014 mile interstate move from Maryland to Iowa? This moving guide will help you compare living in Maryland vs Iowa across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like traffic congestion vs less crowded roads), food & health (like Crab Cakes vs Corn on the Cob), real estate & housing (colonial, cape cod vs ranch, craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Maryland), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Crab Cakes and Pit Beef, but get your taste buds ready for Corn on the Cob & Pork Tenderloin Sandwich
- Iowa housing costs are 48% less expensive than they are in Maryland
- Rent in Iowa is 42.08% more affordable than in Maryland
- Moving from Maryland to Iowa will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
- Our top recommended Maryland to Iowa movers is AT Movers
Maryland to Iowa Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Maryland to Iowa
- Traffic congestion
- High cost of living
- Humidity
- Noisy urban areas
- Less crowded roads
- Lower housing costs
- Fresher air
- Peaceful surroundings
- Less diverse communities
- Fewer job opportunities
- Fewer historical landmarks
- Limited public transit
- Cultural diversity
- Proximity to D.C.
- Rich history
- Public transit options
Pros of moving from Maryland to Iowa
- Say goodbye to traffic congestion and hello to less crowded roads
- Look forward to moving away from the high cost of living and moving to Iowa with lower housing costs
- Swap the humidity of Maryland for fresher air in Iowa
- Get ready for peaceful surroundings in Iowa
Cons of moving from Maryland to Iowa
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the cultural diversity in Maryland to live with less diverse communities in Iowa
- You'll lose out on the pro of proximity to D.C. and have to settle with the con of fewer job opportunities
- Time to bid farewell to rich history and get used to fewer historical landmarks in Iowa
- Swap public transit options for limited public transit
Maryland vs. Iowa: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Maryland | Iowa |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Crab Cakes | Corn on the Cob |
Most popular meat dish | Pit Beef | Pork Tenderloin Sandwich |
Most popular street food item | Soft Shell Crab Sandwich | Walking Taco |
Most popular vegan food | Vegetable Crab Soup | Grilled Portobello Mushrooms |
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 Maryland to Iowa, you will be trading the iconic Crab Cakes of Maryland for the equally delicious Corn on the Cob of Iowa. And while the locals in Maryland rave about their flavorful Pit Beef and sumptuous Soft Shell Crab Sandwich, Iowa residents know they have tasty Pork Tenderloin Sandwich and Walking Taco to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Vegetable Crab Soup they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Grilled Portobello Mushrooms of Iowa. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Maryland eateries like Phillips Seafood, Charm City Cakes, and Bertha's Mussels. After the boxes are unpacked in Iowa, don't wait too long before making your way to Iowa's acclaimed eateries like Zombie Burger, Machine Shed Restaurant, and Hickory Park Restaurant Co.
When comparing lifestyles, Iowa shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Maryland. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Iowa compared to what you are used to in Maryland. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Iowa.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Maryland and Iowa
Comparison | Maryland | Iowa |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Cape Cod | Ranch, Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Waterfront properties, proximity to amenities | Safety, community, spacious yards |
- The Colonial and Cape Cod architecture that Maryland is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Craftsman architecture typical of Iowa.
- Compared to Maryland's real estate listings that commonly reference waterfront properties and proximity to amenities, Iowa real estate listings often highlight features like safety, community, and spacious yards.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Iowa is less walkable than Maryland.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Iowa is more bike-friendly than Maryland.
- Iowa has less of an urban feel than Maryland.
- Iowa housing costs are 48% less expensive than they are in Maryland, with a median home price of $214,151 compared to Marylandβs $414,972.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Iowa have increased by 36% compared to a 33% increase in Maryland.
- Rent in Iowa is 42.08% more affordable than in Maryland.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Maryland and Iowa
Comparison | Maryland | 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, Floods |
Air Quality | Moderate | Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 87Β°F / 66Β°F | 85Β°F / 63Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 42Β°F / 29Β°F | 31Β°F / 14Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 44.5" | 36" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 20.6" | 36" |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Maryland to Iowa. Iowa gets 4% fewer sunshine days than Maryland.
- Iowa has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Maryland.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and floods in Maryland, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and floods in Iowa.
- The average summer high temperature in Iowa is 2 degrees colder than Maryland.
- The average winter lows in Iowa are 15 degrees colder than they are in Maryland.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Iowa. Iowa receives 8.5 fewer inches of rain compared to Maryland.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Maryland and Iowa
Comparison | Maryland | Iowa |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $94,991 | $69,588 |
Cost of Living Index | 124.95 | 95.9 |
State Income Tax | 4.75% - 5.75% | 0.33% - 8.53% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.06% | 1.56% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6% | 6% |
Top 3 Industries | Biotechnology, Education, Defense | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Finance |
Affluence | High | Moderate |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Iowa tend to earn about 27% less than those in Maryland
- The COLI in Iowa will be 23% lower than what you are used to living in Maryland
- The state income tax in IA is 0.33% to 8.53% compared to 4.75% to 5.75% in MD
- The affluence in Iowa is moderate compared to high in Maryland
- The poverty level is moderate in Iowa compared to low in Maryland
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Maryland and low in Iowa
Political and Religious Climate in Maryland vs. Iowa
Comparison | Maryland | Iowa |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Leans Democratic | Swing state |
Local Politics | Liberal urban areas | Conservative rural areas |
Religion | Catholic, Protestant | Protestant, Catholic |
- Maryland tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
- Iowa, on the other hand, is often described as a swing state
- Iowa's religious environment can be described as Protestant and Catholic
- Maryland's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Catholic and Protestant
Education Guide When Moving from Maryland to Iowa
Comparison | Maryland | Iowa |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Maryland Johns Hopkins University Towson University | University of Iowa Iowa State University University of Northern Iowa |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Fulton Elementary School (Fulton) Bannockburn Elementary School (Bethesda) Cold Spring Elementary School (Potomac) | Wickham Elementary School (Coralville) Roosevelt Elementary (Ames) Brookview Elementary School (West Des Moines) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Eastern Middle School (Silver Spring) Thomas W. Pyle Middle School (Bethesda) Herbert Hoover Middle School (Potomac) | North Central Junior High (North Liberty) Ames Middle School (Ames) Summit Middle School (Johnston) |
Top 3 High School Schools | Walt Whitman High School (Bethesda) Winston Churchill High School (Potomac) Thomas S. Wootton High School (Rockville) | West High School (Iowa City) Ames High School (Ames) Pleasant Valley High School (Bettendorf) |
Top 3 private high schools | Gilman School (Baltimore) Holton-Arms School (Bethesda) McDonogh School (Owings Mills) | Phillips Academy (Sioux City) The Scattergood Friends School (West Branch) St. Albert Catholic Schools (Council Bluffs) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Sandy Spring Friends School (Sandy Spring) The Park School of Baltimore (Baltimore) Georgetown Preparatory School (North Bethesda) | Maharishi School (Fairfield) Rivermont Collegiate (Bettendorf) Cedar Valley Christian School (Cedar Rapids) |
Top 3 School Districts | Montgomery County Public Schools Howard County Public School System Anne Arundel County Public Schools | West Des Moines Community Schools Iowa City Community School District Ames Community School District |
How Much Do Maryland to Iowa Movers Cost?
Moving 1,014 miles from Maryland to Iowa will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-10 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: AT Movers
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,777 | 300 ft3 | $5.92 |
1 Bedroom | $2,644 | 450 ft3 | $5.87 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,368 | 750 ft3 | $5.82 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,352 | 1100 ft3 | $5.77 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,159 | 1600 ft3 | $5.72 |
5+ Bedrooms | $10,214 | 1800 ft3 | $5.67 |
Top Maryland to Iowa Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Maryland to Iowa movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.