Movers

Nebraska to Iowa Moving Guide

Updated June 10, 2025

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Planning a 420 mile interstate move from Nebraska to Iowa? This moving guide will help you compare living in Nebraska vs Iowa across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs milder climate), food & health (like Runza vs Pork Tenderloin Sandwich), real estate & housing (ranch and craftsman vs victorian and ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Nebraska), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Runza and Beef Steak, but get your taste buds ready for Pork Tenderloin Sandwich & Pulled Pork
  • Iowa housing costs are 17% less expensive than they are in Nebraska
  • Rent in Iowa is 15.37% more affordable than in Nebraska
  • Moving from Nebraska to Iowa will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,000
  • Our top recommended Nebraska to Iowa movers is Adamantine Spine Moving

Nebraska to Iowa Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Nebraska to Iowa

ConsNebraska iconNebraska
  • Harsh winters
  • Higher taxes
  • Limited job diversity
  • Sparse population
  • Far from big cities
ProsIowa iconIowa
  • Milder climate
  • Lower cost of living
  • More job opportunities
  • Vibrant communities
  • Closer to urban areas

Iowa iconIowa
  • Less nature spots
  • Higher crime rates
  • Potential isolation
  • Rising housing costs
  • Less agricultural land
Nebraska iconNebraska
  • Open spaces
  • Low crime rates
  • Friendly communities
  • Affordable housing
  • Strong agriculture

Pros of moving from Nebraska to Iowa

  • Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to a milder climate
  • Look forward to moving away from higher taxes and moving to Iowa with a lower cost of living
  • Swap the limited job diversity of Nebraska for more job opportunities in Iowa
  • Get ready for vibrant communities in Iowa

Cons of moving from Nebraska to Iowa

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from open spaces in Nebraska to live with fewer nature spots in Iowa
  • You'll lose out on the pro of low crime rates and have to settle for the con of higher crime rates
  • Time to bid farewell to friendly communities and get used to potential isolation in Iowa
  • Swap affordable housing for rising housing costs

Nebraska vs. Iowa: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonNebraskaIowa
Most iconic local food itemRunzaPork Tenderloin Sandwich
Most popular meat dishBeef SteakPulled Pork
Most popular street food itemGrilled CornTaco Truck Tacos
Most popular vegan foodBlack Bean BurgersLentil Stew
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Runza
  • Misty’s Steakhouse & Brewery
  • LeadBelly
Fitness/Health ConscientiousnessπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

If you're moving from Nebraska to Iowa, you will be trading the iconic Runza of Nebraska for the equally delicious Pork Tenderloin Sandwich of Iowa. And while the locals in Nebraska rave about their flavorful Beef Steak and sumptuous Grilled Corn, Iowa residents know they have tasty Pulled Pork and Taco Truck Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Black Bean Burgers they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Lentil Stew of Iowa. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Nebraska eateries like Runza, Misty’s Steakhouse and Brewery, and LeadBelly. After the boxes are unpacked in Iowa, don't wait too long before making your way to Iowa's acclaimed eateries like Jethro’s BBQ, Zombie Burger + Drink Lab, and A & A Pagliai's Pizza.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Nebraska and Iowa

ComparisonNebraskaIowa
Typical Architecture StyleRanch and CraftsmanVictorian and Ranch
WalkabilityπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘Ÿ
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban LifestyleπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈ
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingSpacious yards, garagesEnergy efficiency, green spaces
  • The Ranch and Craftsman architecture that Nebraska is known for will be replaced with the Victorian and Ranch architecture typical of Iowa.
  • Compared to Nebraska's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and garages, Iowa real estate listings often highlight features like energy efficiency and green spaces.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Iowa is more walkable than Nebraska.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Iowa is more bike-friendly than Nebraska.
  • Iowa has more of an urban feel than Nebraska.
  • Iowa housing costs are 17% less expensive than they are in Nebraska, with a median home price of $214,151 compared to Nebraska’s $257,167.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Iowa have increased 36% compared to a 47% increase in Nebraska.
  • Rent in Iowa is 15.37% more affordable than in Nebraska.

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

ComparisonNebraskaIowa
Days of Sunshine per Yearβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈ
Avg. Annual HumidityπŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦
Avg. UV IndexπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈ
Natural DisastersTornadoes, Severe StormsTornadoes, Severe Storms, Floods
Air QualityGoodGood
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)85Β°F / 64Β°F83Β°F / 63Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)35Β°F / 13Β°F31Β°F / 14Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)3034
Annual Snowfall (Inches)2833
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from Nebraska to Iowa. Iowa gets 7% fewer sunshine days than Nebraska.
  • Iowa has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Nebraska.
  • Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and severe storms in Nebraska, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes, severe storms, and floods in Iowa.
  • The average summer high temperature in Iowa is 2 degrees colder than in Nebraska.
  • The average winter lows are 1 degree warmer than they are in Nebraska.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in Iowa. Iowa receives 4 more inches of rain compared to Nebraska.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Nebraska and Iowa

ComparisonNebraskaIowa
Avg. Household Income$69,597$69,588
Cost of Living Index90.8595.9
State Income Tax5.7%4.9%
Avg. Property Tax1.73%1.53%
Avg. Sales Tax6.9%6.8%
Top 3 IndustriesAgriculture, Manufacturing, FinanceManufacturing, Insurance, Agriculture
AffluenceModerateModerate
PovertyLowModerate
HomelessnessMinimalLow
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Iowa tend to earn about 0% less than those in Nebraska
  • The COLI in Iowa will be 6% higher than what you are used to living in Nebraska
  • The state income tax in IA is 4.9% compared to 5.7% in NE
  • The affluence in Iowa is moderate compared to moderate in Nebraska
  • The poverty level is moderate in Iowa compared to low in Nebraska
  • In terms of homelessness, it is minimal in Nebraska and low in Iowa

Political and Religious Climate in Nebraska vs. Iowa

ComparisonNebraskaIowa
Political Make-upLeans RepublicanMixed, Swing State
Local PoliticsFocus on agriculture, businessFocus on agriculture, renewable energy
ReligionChristian MajorityChristian Majority
  • Nebraska tends to lean Republican in its political climate
  • Iowa, on the other hand, is often described as a mixed, Swing State
  • Iowa's religious environment can be described as a Christian Majority
  • Nebraska's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a Christian Majority

Education Guide When Moving from Nebraska to Iowa

ComparisonNebraskaIowa
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Creighton University
University of Nebraska at Omaha
University of Iowa
Iowa State University
University of Northern Iowa
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsPaddock Road Elementary
Westside Omaha; Brownell Talbot School
Omaha; Dundee Elementary School
Omaha
Wickham Elementary
Coralville; Roosevelt Elementary
Ames; Grant Wood Elementary
Bettendorf
Top 3 Middle SchoolsElkhorn Ridge Middle School
Elkhorn; Brownell Talbot School
Omaha; Kiewit Middle School
Omaha
Ames Middle School
Ames; North Central Junior High
North Liberty; Bettendorf Middle School
Bettendorf
Top 3 High School SchoolsElkhorn South High School
Elkhorn; Westside High School
Omaha; Millard North High School
Omaha
West High School
Iowa City; Ames High School
Ames; Pleasant Valley High School
Bettendorf
Top 3 private high schoolsBrownell Talbot School
Omaha; Mount Michael Benedictine School
Elkhorn; Marian High School
Omaha
Regina High School
Iowa City; Dowling Catholic High School
West Des Moines; Xavier High School
Cedar Rapids
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsBrownell Talbot School
Omaha; Omaha Christian Academy
Omaha; Lincoln Christian School
Lincoln
Scattergood Friends School
West Branch; Maharishi School
Fairfield; Cedar Valley Christian School
Cedar Rapids
Top 3 School DistrictsElkhorn Public Schools
Westside Community Schools
Millard Public Schools
Iowa City Community School District
Ames Community School District
Pleasant Valley Community School District

How Much Do Nebraska to Iowa Movers Cost?

Moving 420 miles from Nebraska 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 - $5,000
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: King's Moving - Moving Company in Omaha
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,441300 ft3$4.80
1 Bedroom$2,138450 ft3$4.75
2 Bedrooms$3,526750 ft3$4.70
3 Bedrooms$5,1171100 ft3$4.65
4 Bedrooms$7,3631600 ft3$4.60
5+ Bedrooms$8,1941800 ft3$4.55

Top Nebraska to Iowa Movers

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

TOP PICK
Adamantine Spine Moving featured image

Adamantine Spine Moving

Best moving company overall for Nebraska to Iowa

9.54/10
Exceptional
RUNNER-UP
King's Moving - Moving Company in Omaha featured image

King's Moving - Moving Company in Omaha

9.48/10
Exceptional
ALSO GREAT
Adamantine Spine Moving featured image

Adamantine Spine Moving

9.44/10
Exceptional

Omaha to Iowa

Lincoln to Iowa