Movers

Missouri to Iowa Moving Guide

Updated June 22, 2025

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Planning a 332 mile interstate move from Missouri to Iowa? This moving guide will help you compare living in Missouri vs Iowa across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high humidity vs cooler summers), food & health (like St. Louis-Style Pizza vs Breaded Pork Tenderloin), real estate & housing (colonial, ranch vs craftsman, ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Iowa), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to St. Louis-Style Pizza and Kansas City Barbecue, but get your taste buds ready for Breaded Pork Tenderloin & Iowa Pork Chop
  • Iowa housing costs are 12% less expensive than they are in Missouri
  • Rent in Iowa is 19.04% more affordable than in Missouri
  • Moving from Missouri to Iowa will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,000
  • Our top recommended Missouri to Iowa movers is Sunrise Moving and Packing, LLC

Missouri to Iowa Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Missouri to Iowa

ConsMissouri iconMissouri
  • High humidity
  • Tornado risks
  • Traffic congestion
  • Urban sprawl
ProsIowa iconIowa
  • Cooler summers
  • Less severe weather
  • Quieter roads
  • Accessible nature

Iowa iconIowa
  • Fewer cultural sites
  • Limited industries
  • Fewer options
  • Less diverse nightlife
Missouri iconMissouri
  • Rich culture
  • Strong job market
  • Food variety
  • Varied nightlife

Pros of moving from Missouri to Iowa

  • Say goodbye to high humidity and hello to cooler summers
  • Look forward to moving away from tornado risks and moving to Iowa with less severe weather
  • Swap the traffic congestion of Missouri for quieter roads in Iowa
  • Get ready for accessible nature in Iowa

Cons of moving from Missouri to Iowa

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from rich culture in Missouri to live with fewer cultural sites in Iowa
  • You'll lose out on the pro of a strong job market and have to settle for the con of limited industries
  • Time to bid farewell to food variety and get used to fewer options in Iowa
  • Swap varied nightlife for less diverse nightlife

Missouri vs. Iowa: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonMissouriIowa
Most iconic local food itemSt. Louis-Style PizzaBreaded Pork Tenderloin
Most popular meat dishKansas City BarbecueIowa Pork Chop
Most popular street food itemSt. Louis-Style RibsWalking Taco
Most popular vegan foodBBQ Cauliflower WingsTofu Scramble
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Pappy's Smokehouse
  • Ted Drewes Frozen Custard
  • Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que
  • The Machine Shed
  • The Ronneburg Restaurant
  • Zombie Burger + Shake Lab
Fitness/Health Conscientiousness💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

If you're moving from Missouri to Iowa, you will be trading the iconic St. Louis-Style Pizza of Missouri for the equally delicious Breaded Pork Tenderloin of Iowa. And while the locals in Missouri rave about their flavorful Kansas City Barbecue and sumptuous St. Louis-Style Ribs, Iowa residents know they have tasty Iowa Pork Chop and Walking Taco to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the BBQ Cauliflower Wings they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Tofu Scramble of Iowa. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Missouri eateries like Pappy's Smokehouse, Ted Drewes Frozen Custard, and Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que. After the boxes are unpacked in Iowa, don't wait too long before making your way to Iowa's acclaimed eateries like The Machine Shed, The Ronneburg Restaurant, and Zombie Burger + Shake Lab.

When comparing lifestyles, Iowa shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Missouri. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Iowa compared to what you are used to in Missouri. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Iowa.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Missouri and Iowa

ComparisonMissouriIowa
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, RanchCraftsman, Ranch
Walkability👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban Lifestyle🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingSpacious yards, Family-friendly neighborhoodsProximity to parks, Quiet communities
  • The Colonial and Ranch architecture that Missouri is known for will be replaced with the Craftsman and Ranch architecture typical of Iowa.
  • Compared to Missouri's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and family-friendly neighborhoods, Iowa real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to parks and quiet communities.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Iowa is less walkable than Missouri.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Iowa is more bike-friendly than Missouri.
  • Iowa has less of an urban feel than Missouri.
  • Iowa housing costs are 12% less expensive than they are in Missouri, with a median home price of $214,151 compared to Missouri's $243,216.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Iowa have increased 36% compared to a 49% increase in Missouri.
  • Rent in Iowa is 19.04% more affordable than in Missouri.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Missouri and Iowa

ComparisonMissouriIowa
Days of Sunshine per Year☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️
Avg. Annual Humidity💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦
Avg. UV Index🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️
Natural DisastersTornadoes, floodsTornadoes, blizzards
Air QualityGoodModerate
Average Summer High/Low (°F)90°F/70°F85°F/65°F
Average Winter High/Low (°F)40°F/20°F31°F/14°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)4236
Annual Snowfall (Inches)1836
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from Missouri to Iowa. Iowa gets 5% fewer sunshine days than Missouri.
  • Iowa has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Missouri.
  • Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Missouri, 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 5 degrees colder than in Missouri.
  • The average winter lows are 6 degrees colder than they are in Missouri.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Iowa. Iowa receives 6 fewer inches of rain compared to Missouri.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Missouri and Iowa

ComparisonMissouriIowa
Avg. Household Income$64,811$69,588
Cost of Living Index91.895.9
State Income Tax5.4%8.5%
Avg. Property Tax0.97%1.29%
Avg. Sales Tax4.225%6%
Top 3 IndustriesManufacturing, Health Care, RetailManufacturing, Agriculture, Finance
AffluenceModerateAbove Average
PovertyModerateLow
HomelessnessLowVery Low
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Iowa tend to earn about 7% more than in Missouri
  • The COLI in Iowa will be 4% higher than what you are used to living in Missouri
  • The state income tax in IA is 8.5% compared to 5.4% in MO
  • The affluence in Iowa is above average compared to moderate in Missouri
  • The poverty level is low in Iowa compared to moderate in Missouri
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in Missouri and very low in Iowa

Political and Religious Climate in Missouri vs. Iowa

ComparisonMissouriIowa
Political Make-upLeans RepublicanSwing State
Local PoliticsConservative outside metro areasMixed, with liberal tendencies in cities
ReligionChristian majorityChristian majority
  • Missouri 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 a Christian majority
  • Missouri's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a Christian majority

Education Guide When Moving from Missouri to Iowa

ComparisonMissouriIowa
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Missouri
Missouri State University
Washington University in St. Louis
University of Iowa
Iowa State University
University of Northern Iowa
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsLincoln Elementary School
St. Louis; Mason Ridge Elementary School
St. Louis; Clayton Elementary School
Clayton
Wickham Elementary School
Coralville; Grant Wood Elementary School
Bettendorf; Brookview Elementary School
West Des Moines
Top 3 Middle SchoolsLadue Middle School
Ladue; Pembroke Hill Middle School
Kansas City; Central Middle School
St. Louis
North Central Junior High
North Liberty; Ames Middle School
Ames; Summit Middle School
Johnston
Top 3 High SchoolsLadue Horton Watkins High School
Ladue; Clayton High School
Clayton; Kirkwood High School
Kirkwood
West High School
Iowa City; Ames High School
Ames; Johnston High School
Johnston
Top 3 private high schoolsSt. Louis University High School
St. Louis; Pembroke Hill School
Kansas City; John Burroughs School
St. Louis
Dowling Catholic High School
West Des Moines; Xavier High School
Cedar Rapids; Regina High School
Iowa City
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsThe Barstow School
Kansas City; Thomas Jefferson School
St. Louis; Pembroke Hill School
Kansas City
Scattergood Friends School
West Branch; Maharishi School
Fairfield; Rivermont Collegiate
Bettendorf
Top 3 School DistrictsClayton School District
Ladue School District
Kirkwood R-VII School District
Iowa City Community School District
West Des Moines Community Schools
Ames Community School District

How Much Do Missouri to Iowa Movers Cost?

Moving 332 miles from Missouri 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 - $5,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 3-9 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Sunrise Moving and Packing, LLC
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,391300 ft3$4.64
1 Bedroom$2,064450 ft3$4.59
2 Bedrooms$3,402750 ft3$4.54
3 Bedrooms$4,9341100 ft3$4.49
4 Bedrooms$7,0971600 ft3$4.44
5+ Bedrooms$7,8941800 ft3$4.39

Top Missouri to Iowa Movers

Read our in-depth analysis of the best Missouri to Iowa movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

TOP PICK
Sunrise Moving and Packing, LLC featured image

Sunrise Moving and Packing, LLC

Best moving company overall for Missouri to Iowa

9.62/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Adamantine Spine Moving featured image

Adamantine Spine Moving

9.54/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Adamantine Spine Moving featured image

Adamantine Spine Moving

9.44/10
ExceptionalView details

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