Maine to Iowa Moving Guide
Updated June 10, 2025

Planning a 1,405 mile interstate move from Maine to Iowa? This moving guide will help you compare living in Maine vs Iowa across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like long, cold winters vs more moderate winter temperatures), food & health (like Lobster Roll vs Corn on the Cob), real estate & housing (cape cod, colonial vs farmhouse, ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Maine), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Lobster Roll and Lobster, but get your taste buds ready for Corn on the Cob & Pork Tenderloin
- Iowa housing costs are 45% less expensive than they are in Maine
- Rent in Iowa is 40.52% more affordable than in Maine
- Moving from Maine to Iowa will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,000
- Our top recommended Maine to Iowa movers is Adamantine Spine Moving
Maine to Iowa Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Maine to Iowa
- Long, cold winters
- Limited job opportunities
- High cost of living
- Rural isolation
- Limited public transit
- More moderate winter temperatures
- Growing job market
- Affordable housing
- Vibrant community life
- Better road networks
- Inland cuisine
- Flat landscapes
- Less historical sites
- Rural character
- Fewer cultural events
- Fresh seafood
- Scenic coastlines
- Rich history
- Charming small towns
- Artistic community
Pros of moving from Maine to Iowa
- Say goodbye to long, cold winters and hello to more moderate winter temperatures
- Look forward to moving away from limited job opportunities and moving to Iowa with a growing job market
- Swap the high cost of living in Maine for affordable housing in Iowa
- Get ready for vibrant community life in Iowa
Cons of moving from Maine to Iowa
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from fresh seafood in Maine to live with inland cuisine in Iowa
- You'll lose out on the pro of scenic coastlines and have to settle with the con of flat landscapes
- Time to bid farewell to rich history and get used to fewer historical sites in Iowa
- Swap charming small towns for rural character
Maine vs. Iowa: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Maine | Iowa |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Lobster Roll | Corn on the Cob |
Most popular meat dish | Lobster | Pork Tenderloin |
Most popular street food item | Italian Sandwich | Walking Taco |
Most popular vegan food | Seaweed Salad | Grilled Corn |
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 Maine to Iowa, you will be trading the iconic Lobster Roll of Maine for the equally delicious Corn on the Cob of Iowa. And while the locals in Maine rave about their flavorful Lobster and sumptuous Italian Sandwich, Iowa residents know they have tasty Pork Tenderloin and Walking Taco to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Seaweed Salad they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Grilled Corn of Iowa. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Maine eateries like Fore Street, Eventide Oyster Co., and Duckfat. After the boxes are unpacked in Iowa, don't wait too long before making your way to Iowa's acclaimed eateries like Jethroβs BBQ, Zombie Burger, and Auld & Hearty.
When comparing lifestyles, Iowa shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Maine. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Iowa compared to what you are used to in Maine. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Iowa.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Maine and Iowa
Comparison | Maine | Iowa |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Cape Cod, Colonial | Farmhouse, Ranch |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Ocean views, historic details | Spacious yards, proximity to schools |
- The Cape Cod and Colonial architecture that Maine is known for will be replaced with the Farmhouse and Ranch architecture typical of Iowa.
- Compared to Maine's real estate listings that commonly reference ocean views and historic details, Iowa real estate listings often highlight features like spacious yards and proximity to schools.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Iowa is more walkable than Maine.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Iowa is more bike-friendly than Maine.
- Iowa has more of an urban feel than Maine.
- Iowa housing costs are 45% less expensive than they are in Maine, with a median home price of $214,151 compared to Maineβs $392,358.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Iowa have increased by 36% compared to a 70% increase in Maine.
- Rent in Iowa is 40.52% more affordable than in Maine.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Maine and Iowa
Comparison | Maine | 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 | Snowstorms, Ice Storms | Tornadoes, Floods |
Air Quality | Good | Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 70Β°F/50Β°F | 85Β°F/65Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 31Β°F/17Β°F | 31Β°F/13Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 42 | 36 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 61 | 33 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Maine to Iowa. Iowa gets 3% more sunshine days than Maine.
- Iowa has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Maine.
- Say goodbye to the possible snowstorms and ice storms in Maine, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and floods in Iowa.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Iowa is 15 degrees warmer than in Maine.
- The average winter lows are 4 degrees colder than they are in Maine.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Iowa. Iowa receives 6 fewer inches of rain compared to Maine.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Maine and Iowa
Comparison | Maine | Iowa |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $69,543 | $69,588 |
Cost of Living Index | 116.5 | 95.9 |
State Income Tax | 5-7% | 4-8.5% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.20% | 1.53% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 5.5% | 6% |
Top 3 Industries | Healthcare, Tourism, Manufacturing | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Insurance |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Experienced | Present |
Homelessness | Manageable | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Iowa tend to earn about 0% more than in Maine
- The COLI in Iowa will be 18% lower than what you are used to living in Maine
- The state income tax in IA is 4-8.5% compared to 5-7% in ME
- The affluence in Iowa is moderate compared to moderate in Maine
- The poverty level is present in Iowa compared to experienced in Maine
- In terms of homelessness, it is manageable in Maine and low in Iowa
Political and Religious Climate in Maine vs. Iowa
Comparison | Maine | Iowa |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Leans Democratic | Swing State |
Local Politics | Community-centered, environment-focused | Agriculture and business-oriented |
Religion | Less religiously affiliated | Moderately religious, diverse denominations |
- Maine 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 moderately religious and diverse denominations
- Maine's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as less religiously affiliated
Education Guide When Moving from Maine to Iowa
Comparison | Maine | Iowa |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Maine Bowdoin College Bates College | University of Iowa Iowa State University Grinnell College |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Cape Elizabeth Schools Yarmouth Schools Falmouth Schools | Wickham Elementary - Coralville Lincoln Elementary - Pella Rover Valley - Decorah |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Yarmouth Schools Falmouth Schools Cape Elizabeth Schools | Ames Middle School North Central Junior High Northwest Junior High |
Top 3 High Schools | Yarmouth High School Falmouth High School Cape Elizabeth High School | West Senior High - Iowa City Ames High School Roosevelt High School - Des Moines |
Top 3 private high schools | Waynflete School - Portland John Bapst Memorial High School - Bangor Hebron Academy - Hebron | Phillips Academy - Exeter The Scattergood Friends School - West Branch Maharishi School - Fairfield |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Waynflete School - Portland North Yarmouth Academy - Yarmouth Hebron Academy - Hebron | Scattergood Friends School - West Branch Maharishi School - Fairfield Des Moines Christian School - Urbandale |
Top 3 School Districts | Falmouth School District Yarmouth School District Cape Elizabeth School District | Iowa City Community School District Ames Community School District West Des Moines Community Schools |
How Much Do Maine to Iowa Movers Cost?
Moving 1,405 miles from Maine to Iowa will typically cost between $3,000 and $7,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,000 - $7,000
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Hemmen Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,999 | 300 ft3 | $6.66 |
1 Bedroom | $2,976 | 450 ft3 | $6.61 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,923 | 750 ft3 | $6.56 |
3 Bedrooms | $7,165 | 1100 ft3 | $6.51 |
4 Bedrooms | $10,341 | 1600 ft3 | $6.46 |
5+ Bedrooms | $11,544 | 1800 ft3 | $6.41 |
Top Maine to Iowa Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Maine to Iowa movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.