North Dakota to Iowa Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from North Dakota to Iowa

ConsNorth Dakota

• Long, harsh winters
• Remote, sparse amenities
• Fewer entertainment options
• Higher wind speeds

ProsIowa

• Milder winter climate
• More urban amenities
• Vibrant cultural scene
• More settled weather

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Iowa

• Higher housing costs
• Denser population
• Busier lifestyle
• Fewer historical sites

North Dakota

• Low cost of living
• Wide-open spaces
• Quiet, peaceful lifestyle
• Rich local history

Pros of moving from North Dakota to Iowa

• Say goodbye to long, harsh winters and hello to a milder winter climate
• Look forward to moving away from remote, sparse amenities and moving to Iowa with more urban amenities
• Swap the fewer entertainment options of North Dakota for a vibrant cultural scene in Iowa
• Get ready for more settled weather in Iowa

Cons of moving from North Dakota to Iowa

• Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a low cost of living in North Dakota to live with higher housing costs in Iowa
• You'll lose out on the pro of wide-open spaces and have to settle for the con of a denser population
• Time to bid farewell to a quiet, peaceful lifestyle and get used to a busier lifestyle in Iowa
• Swap rich local history for fewer historical sites

North Dakota vs. Iowa: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

If you're moving from North Dakota to Iowa, you will be trading the iconic Knoephla Soup of North Dakota for the equally delicious Pork Tenderloin Sandwich of Iowa. And while the locals in North Dakota rave about their flavorful Buffalo Steak and sumptuous Taco-in-a-Bag, Iowa residents know they have tasty Pork Chop and Corn Dogs to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Lentil Burgers they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Black Bean Burger of Iowa. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic North Dakota eateries like Kroll's Diner, The HoDo Restaurant, and Pitchfork Steak Fondue. 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, Zombie Burger, and A Table.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between North Dakota and Iowa

• The Ranch architecture that North Dakota is known for will be replaced with the Colonial Revival architecture typical of Iowa.
• Compared to North Dakota's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and garage space, Iowa real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to schools and updated kitchens.
• Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Iowa is more walkable than North Dakota.
• Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Iowa is more bike-friendly than North Dakota.
• Iowa has more of an urban feel than North Dakota.
• Iowa housing costs are 15% less expensive than they are in North Dakota, with a median home price of $214,151 compared to North Dakota’s $253,395.
• Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Iowa have increased by 36% compared to an 18% increase in North Dakota.
• Rent in Iowa is 5.87% more expensive than in North Dakota.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between North Dakota and Iowa

• Break out the sunglasses for your move from North Dakota to Iowa. Iowa gets 1% more sunshine days than North Dakota.
• Iowa has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to North Dakota.
• Say goodbye to the possible blizzards and floods in North Dakota, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and severe storms in Iowa.
• The average summer high temperature in Iowa is 3 degrees warmer than in North Dakota.
• The average winter lows are 14 degrees warmer than they are in North Dakota.
• Your umbrella might be more overworked in Iowa. Iowa receives 13 more inches of rain compared to North Dakota.

Financial & Community Snapshot: North Dakota and Iowa

• When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Iowa tend to earn about 3% less than those in North Dakota
• The COLI in Iowa will be 1% higher than what you are used to living in North Dakota
• The state income tax in IA is 4.07% compared to 2.90% in ND
• The affluence in Iowa is moderate compared to moderate in North Dakota
• The poverty level is low in Iowa compared to low in North Dakota
• In terms of homelessness, it is minimal in North Dakota and minimal in Iowa

Political and Religious Climate in North Dakota vs. Iowa

• North Dakota tends to lean Conservative in its political climate
• Iowa, on the other hand, is often described as moderate with swings in national elections
• Iowa's religious environment can be described as Catholic and Evangelical Protestant
• North Dakota's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Lutheran and Catholic

Education Guide When Moving from North Dakota to Iowa

How Much Do North Dakota to Iowa Movers Cost?

Moving 712 miles from North Dakota 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.