Utah to Iowa Moving Guide
Updated June 6, 2025

Planning a 1,143 mile interstate move from Utah to Iowa? This moving guide will help you compare living in Utah vs Iowa across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like extreme winter sports focus vs balanced seasonal activities), food & health (like Jell-O vs Corn on the Cob), real estate & housing (prairie, craftsman vs colonial, ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Utah), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Jell-O and Funeral Potatoes with Ham, but get your taste buds ready for Corn on the Cob & Pork Tenderloin Sandwich
- Iowa housing costs are 59% less expensive than they are in Utah
- Rent in Iowa is 35.84% more affordable than in Utah
- Moving from Utah to Iowa will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
- Our top recommended Utah to Iowa movers is Adamantine Spine Moving
Utah to Iowa Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Utah to Iowa
- Extreme winter sports focus
- High-altitude dryness
- Costly housing markets
- Heavy tourist crowds
- Balanced seasonal activities
- Lush landscapes
- Affordable living
- Community focus
- Lack of large ski areas
- Variable weather
- Fewer tech opportunities
- Fewer national parks
- Utahβs ski resorts
- Arid, sunny climate
- Vibrant tech industry
- Breathtaking national parks
Pros of moving from Utah to Iowa
- Say goodbye to extreme winter sports focus and hello to balanced seasonal activities
- Look forward to moving away from high-altitude dryness and moving to Iowa with lush landscapes
- Swap the costly housing markets of Utah for affordable living in Iowa
- Get ready for community focus in Iowa
Cons of moving from Utah to Iowa
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from Utahβs ski resorts in Utah to live with a lack of large ski areas in Iowa
- You'll lose out on the pro of an arid, sunny climate and have to settle with the con of variable weather
- Time to bid farewell to a vibrant tech industry and get used to fewer tech opportunities in Iowa
- Swap breathtaking national parks for fewer national parks
Utah vs. Iowa: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Utah | Iowa |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Jell-O | Corn on the Cob |
Most popular meat dish | Funeral Potatoes with Ham | Pork Tenderloin Sandwich |
Most popular street food item | Fry Sauce with Fries | Fried Butter on a Stick |
Most popular vegan food | Avocado Toast | Grilled Vegetable Skewers |
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 Utah to Iowa, you will be trading the iconic Jell-O of Utah for the equally delicious Corn on the Cob of Iowa. And while the locals in Utah rave about their flavorful Funeral Potatoes with Ham and sumptuous Fry Sauce with Fries, Iowa residents know they have tasty Pork Tenderloin Sandwich and Fried Butter on a Stick to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Avocado Toast they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Grilled Vegetable Skewers of Iowa. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Utah eateries like The Pie Pizzeria, Red Iguana, and Siegfried's Delicatessen. After the boxes are unpacked in Iowa, don't wait too long before making your way to Iowa's acclaimed eateries like Zombie Burger + Drink Lab, The Machine Shed Restaurant, and Amana Colonies' Restaurants.
When comparing lifestyles, Iowa shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Utah. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Iowa compared to what you are used to in Utah. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Iowa.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Utah and Iowa
Comparison | Utah | Iowa |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Prairie, Craftsman | Colonial, Ranch |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Mountain views, open floor plans | Large yards, quiet streets |
- The Prairie and Craftsman architecture that Utah is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Ranch architecture typical of Iowa.
- Compared to Utah's real estate listings that commonly reference mountain views and open floor plans, Iowa real estate listings often highlight features like large yards and quiet streets.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Iowa is less walkable than Utah.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Iowa is less bike-friendly than Utah.
- Iowa has less of an urban feel than Utah.
- Iowa housing costs are 59% less expensive than they are in Utah, with a median home price of $214,151 compared to Utahβs $519,182.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Iowa have increased by 36% compared to a 56% increase in Utah.
- Rent in Iowa is 35.84% more affordable than in Utah.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Utah and Iowa
Comparison | Utah | 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 | Wildfires, Earthquakes | Tornadoes, Blizzards |
Air Quality | Varies widely | Generally good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β°F / 60Β°F | 85Β°F / 65Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 37Β°F / 20Β°F | 31Β°F / 14Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 20" | 36" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 56" | 33" |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Utah to Iowa. Iowa gets 14% fewer sunshine days than Utah.
- Iowa has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Utah.
- Say goodbye to the possible wildfires and earthquakes in Utah, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and blizzards in Iowa.
- The average summer high temperature in Iowa is the same as in Utah.
- The average winter lows are 6 degrees colder than they are in Utah.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Iowa. Iowa receives 16 more inches of rain compared to Utah.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Utah and Iowa
Comparison | Utah | Iowa |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $89,168 | $69,588 |
Cost of Living Index | 95.75 | 95.9 |
State Income Tax | 4.95% | 8.53% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.60% | 1.53% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7.19% | 6.94% |
Top 3 Industries | Technology, Tourism, Agriculture | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Finance |
Affluence | Prosperous | Stable |
Poverty | Moderate | Low |
Homelessness | Moderate | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Iowa tend to earn about 22% less than those in Utah
- The COLI in Iowa will be 0% higher than what you are used to living in Utah
- The state income tax in IA is 8.53% compared to 4.95% in UT
- The affluence in Iowa is stable compared to prosperous in Utah
- The poverty level is low in Iowa compared to moderate in Utah
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Utah and low in Iowa
Political and Religious Climate in Utah vs. Iowa
Comparison | Utah | Iowa |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Conservative-leaning | Moderate, with swings in national elections |
Local Politics | Strong Republican presence | Mixed, with local governments often reflecting a balance |
Religion | Majority LDS (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) | Diversified, with a significant Protestant and Catholic population |
- Utah 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 diversified, with a significant Protestant and Catholic population
- Utah's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as the majority LDS (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)
Education Guide When Moving from Utah to Iowa
Comparison | Utah | Iowa |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Utah Brigham Young University Utah State University | University of Iowa Iowa State University University of Northern Iowa |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Canyon View Elementary School (Cottonwood Heights) Peruvian Park Elementary (Sandy) Edgemont Elementary School (Provo) | Wickham Elementary School (Coralville) Lincoln Elementary (Pella) Shimek Elementary School (Iowa City) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Pine View Middle School (St. George) Centennial Middle School (Provo) Midvale Middle School (Midvale) | North Central Junior High (North Liberty) Northwest Junior High (Coralville) Ames Middle School (Ames) |
Top 3 High Schools | Skyline High School (Salt Lake City) Park City High School (Park City) Corner Canyon High School (Draper) | West High School (Iowa City) Ames High School (Ames) Pleasant Valley High School (Bettendorf) |
Top 3 private high schools | Rowland Hall (Salt Lake City) The Waterford School (Sandy) Judge Memorial Catholic High School (Salt Lake City) | Xavier High School (Cedar Rapids) Dowling Catholic High School (West Des Moines) Wahlert Catholic High School (Dubuque) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Rowland Hall (Salt Lake City) The Waterford School (Sandy) Madeleine Choir School (Salt Lake City) | Maharishi School (Fairfield) Scattergood Friends School (West Branch) Cedar Valley Christian School (Cedar Rapids) |
Top 3 School Districts | Park City School District Davis School District Alpine School District | Iowa City Community School District Ames Community School District Pleasant Valley Community School District |
How Much Do Utah to Iowa Movers Cost?
Moving 1,143 miles from Utah to Iowa will typically cost between $3,000 and $6,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,000 - $6,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 4-4 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Hemmen Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,850 | 300 ft3 | $6.17 |
1 Bedroom | $2,753 | 450 ft3 | $6.12 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,551 | 750 ft3 | $6.07 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,620 | 1100 ft3 | $6.02 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,549 | 1600 ft3 | $5.97 |
5+ Bedrooms | $10,653 | 1800 ft3 | $5.92 |
Top Utah to Iowa Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Utah to Iowa movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.