Movers

Ohio to Iowa Moving Guide

Updated June 7, 2025

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Planning a 614 mile interstate move from Ohio to Iowa? This moving guide will help you compare living in Ohio vs Iowa across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs lower cost of living), food & health (like Cincinnati Chili vs Iowa Pork Tenderloin), real estate & housing (colonial, ranch vs craftsman, ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes, politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Cincinnati Chili and Buckeye Chicken, but get your taste buds ready for Iowa Pork Tenderloin & Grilled Pork Chops
  • Iowa housing costs are 4% less expensive than they are in Ohio
  • Rent in Iowa is 25.36% more affordable than in Ohio
  • Moving from Ohio to Iowa will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,500
  • Our top recommended Ohio to Iowa movers is Perrysburg Moving and Hauling LLC

Ohio to Iowa Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Ohio to Iowa

ConsOhio iconOhio
  • High cost of living
  • Urban congestion
  • Cold winters
  • Quality of public schools varies
  • Pollution
ProsIowa iconIowa
  • Lower cost of living
  • Less traffic
  • Milder climate
  • Better schools performance
  • Cleaner air

Iowa iconIowa
  • Fewer cultural events
  • Limited culinary variety
  • Lack of major teams
  • Smaller city vibe
  • No large bodies of water
Ohio iconOhio
  • Vibrant arts scene
  • Diverse food options
  • Professional sports teams
  • Larger city amenities
  • Access to Lake Erie

Pros of moving from Ohio to Iowa

  • Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to the lower cost of living
  • Look forward to moving away from urban congestion and moving to Iowa with less traffic
  • Swap the cold winters of Ohio for a milder climate in Iowa
  • Get ready for better school performance in Iowa

Cons of moving from Ohio to Iowa

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the vibrant arts scene in Ohio to live with fewer cultural events in Iowa
  • You'll lose out on the pro of diverse food options and have to settle for the con of limited culinary variety
  • Time to bid farewell to the professional sports teams and get used to the lack of major teams in Iowa
  • Swap larger city amenities for a smaller city vibe

Ohio vs. Iowa: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonOhioIowa
Most iconic local food itemCincinnati ChiliIowa Pork Tenderloin
Most popular meat dishBuckeye ChickenGrilled Pork Chops
Most popular street food itemPolish Boy SandwichLoose Meat Sandwich
Most popular vegan foodMidwestern SuccotashSweet Corn Gazpacho
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Skyline Chili
  • Schmidt’s Sausage Haus
  • The Pine Club
  • Arie's Tavern
  • The Wooden Fork
  • Moosewood
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 Ohio to Iowa, you will be trading the iconic Cincinnati Chili of Ohio for the equally delicious Iowa Pork Tenderloin of Iowa. And while the locals in Ohio rave about their flavorful Buckeye Chicken and sumptuous Polish Boy Sandwich, Iowa residents know they have tasty Grilled Pork Chops and Loose Meat Sandwich to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Midwestern Succotash they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Sweet Corn Gazpacho of Iowa. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Ohio eateries like Skyline Chili, Schmidt’s Sausage Haus, and The Pine Club. After the boxes are unpacked in Iowa, don't wait too long before making your way to Iowa's acclaimed eateries like Arie's Tavern, The Wooden Fork, and Moosewood.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Ohio and Iowa

ComparisonOhioIowa
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, RanchCraftsman, 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 listingOpen floor plans, Hardwood floorsEnergy efficiency, Big yards
  • The Colonial and Ranch architecture that Ohio is known for will be replaced with the Craftsman and Ranch architecture typical of Iowa.
  • Compared to Ohio's real estate listings that commonly reference open floor plans and hardwood floors, Iowa real estate listings often highlight features like energy efficiency and big yards.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away as Iowa is less walkable than Ohio.
  • You might want to think twice before moving your bike, as Iowa is less bike-friendly than Ohio.
  • Iowa has less of an urban feel than Ohio.
  • Iowa housing costs are 4% less expensive than they are in Ohio, with a median home price of $214,151 compared to Ohio’s $223,135.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Iowa have increased by 36% compared to a 49% increase in Ohio.
  • Rent in Iowa is 25.36% more affordable than in Ohio.

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

ComparisonOhioIowa
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, FloodsTornadoes, Severe Storms
Air QualityGoodVariable
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)83Β°F / 63Β°F85Β°F / 65Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)36Β°F / 19Β°F31Β°F / 14Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)3936
Annual Snowfall (Inches)2832
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Ohio to Iowa. Iowa gets 15% more sunshine days than Ohio.
  • Iowa has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Ohio.
  • Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Ohio, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and severe storms in Iowa.
  • The average summer high temperature in Iowa is 2 degrees warmer than in Ohio.
  • The average winter lows in Iowa are 5 degrees colder than they are in Ohio.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Iowa. Iowa receives 3 fewer inches of rain compared to Ohio.

Political and Religious Climate in Ohio vs. Iowa

ComparisonOhioIowa
Political Make-upMixed; leans slightly conservativeMixed; slightly lean conservative
Local PoliticsVaries by region; cities lean more liberal, rural areas more conservativeSimilar to Ohio; urban vs. rural divide
ReligionChristian majority, with significant Catholic and Protestant communitiesPrimarily Protestant, with a notable Catholic presence
  • Ohio tends to lean mixed and leans slightly conservative in its political climate
  • Iowa, on the other hand, is often described as mixed and slightly lean conservative
  • Iowa's religious environment can be described as primarily Protestant with a notable Catholic presence
  • Ohio's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a Christian majority with significant Catholic and Protestant communities

Education Guide When Moving from Ohio to Iowa

ComparisonOhioIowa
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)Ohio State University
University of Cincinnati
Ohio University
University of Iowa
Iowa State University
University of Northern Iowa
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsOttawa Hills Elementary (Ottawa Hills)
Indian Hill Elementary (Cincinnati)
Granville Elementary (Granville)
Wickham Elementary (Coralville)
Lincoln Elementary (Mt. Vernon)
Roosevelt Elementary (Ames)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsGranville Middle School (Granville)
Ottawa Hills Junior/Senior High (Ottawa Hills)
Cincinnati Country Day School (Cincinnati)
Ames Middle School (Ames)
North Central Junior High (North Liberty)
South East Junior High (Iowa City)
Top 3 High School SchoolsBexley High School (Bexley)
Walnut Hills High School (Cincinnati)
Chagrin Falls High School (Chagrin Falls)
West High School (Iowa City)
Ames High School (Ames)
Decorah High School (Decorah)
Top 3 private high schoolsHawken School (Gates Mills)
University School (Hunting Valley)
Columbus Academy (Gahanna)
Phillips Academy (Exira)
Scattergood Friends School (West Branch)
Maharishi School (Fairfield)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsColumbus School for Girls (Columbus)
Seven Hills School (Cincinnati)
Hathaway Brown School (Shaker Heights)
Mississippi Valley Montessori School (Davenport)
Clear Lake Christian School (Clear Lake)
Quad City Montessori School (Davenport)
Top 3 School DistrictsOttawa Hills Local Schools
Indian Hill Exempted Village School District
Solon City School District
Iowa City Community School District
Ames Community School District
Decorah Community School District

How Much Do Ohio to Iowa Movers Cost?

Moving 614 miles from Ohio 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.

  • Expected Range: $2,500 - $5,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-3 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Perrysburg Moving and Hauling LLC
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,551300 ft3$5.17
1 Bedroom$2,303450 ft3$5.12
2 Bedrooms$3,801750 ft3$5.07
3 Bedrooms$5,5201100 ft3$5.02
4 Bedrooms$7,9501600 ft3$4.97
5+ Bedrooms$8,8531800 ft3$4.92

Top Ohio to Iowa Movers

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

TOP PICK
Perrysburg Moving and Hauling LLC featured image

Perrysburg Moving and Hauling LLC

Best moving company overall for Ohio to Iowa

9.81/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Blue Men Moving LLC featured image

Blue Men Moving LLC

9.57/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Adamantine Spine Moving featured image

Adamantine Spine Moving

9.54/10
ExceptionalView details

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