Vermont to Iowa Moving Guide
Updated June 20, 2025

Planning a 1,244 mile interstate move from Vermont to Iowa? This moving guide will help you compare living in Vermont vs Iowa across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like long winters vs milder winter temperatures), food & health (like Maple Syrup vs Corn), real estate & housing (new england colonial vs prairie-style), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Vermont), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Maple Syrup and Venison, but get your taste buds ready for Corn & Pork Tenderloin Sandwich
- Iowa housing costs are 44% less expensive than they are in Vermont
- Rent in Iowa is 47.47% more affordable than in Vermont
- Moving from Vermont to Iowa will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,000
- Our top recommended Vermont to Iowa movers is Adamantine Spine Moving
Vermont to Iowa Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Vermont to Iowa
- Long winters
- High cost of living
- Limited job market
- Rural isolation
- Old infrastructure
- Milder winter temperatures
- Affordable housing
- Diverse job opportunities
- Accessible amenities
- Modern facilities
- Fewer scenic views
- Less cultural diversity
- Fewer local events
- Fewer historic sites
- Less emphasis on sustainability
- Picturesque landscapes
- Vibrant arts scene
- Community-oriented
- Charming towns
- Green energy focus
Pros of moving from Vermont to Iowa
- Say goodbye to long winters and hello to milder winter temperatures
- Look forward to moving away from the high cost of living and moving to Iowa with affordable housing
- Swap the limited job market of Vermont for diverse job opportunities in Iowa
- Get ready for accessible amenities in Iowa
Cons of moving from Vermont to Iowa
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from picturesque landscapes in Vermont to live with fewer scenic views in Iowa
- You'll lose out on the pro of a vibrant arts scene and have to settle for the con of less cultural diversity
- Time to bid farewell to community-oriented living and get used to fewer local events in Iowa
- Swap charming towns for fewer historic sites
Vermont vs. Iowa: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Vermont | Iowa |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Maple Syrup | Corn |
Most popular meat dish | Venison | Pork Tenderloin Sandwich |
Most popular street food item | Maple Creemees | Corn Dogs |
Most popular vegan food | Maple Roasted Vegetables | Veggie Tacos |
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 Vermont to Iowa, you will be trading the iconic Maple Syrup of Vermont for the equally delicious Corn of Iowa. And while the locals in Vermont rave about their flavorful Venison and sumptuous Maple Creemees, Iowa residents know they have tasty Pork Tenderloin Sandwiches and Corn Dogs to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Maple Roasted Vegetables they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Veggie Tacos of Iowa. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Vermont eateries like Hen of the Wood, Penny Cluse CafΓ©, and The Farmhouse Tap & Grill. After the boxes are unpacked in Iowa, don't wait too long before making your way to Iowa's acclaimed eateries like Zombie Burger, Americana, and Aulden & Boneham.
When comparing lifestyles, Iowa shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Vermont. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Iowa compared to what you are used to in Vermont. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Iowa.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Vermont and Iowa
Comparison | Vermont | Iowa |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | New England Colonial | Prairie-style |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Scenic Views, Antiquity | Family-Friendly, Spacious Backyards |
- The New England Colonial architecture that Vermont is known for will be replaced with the Prairie-style architecture typical of Iowa.
- Compared to Vermont's real estate listings that commonly reference scenic views and antiquity, Iowa real estate listings often highlight features like family-friendly and spacious backyards.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Iowa is less walkable than Vermont.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Iowa is less bike-friendly than Vermont.
- Iowa has less of an urban feel than Vermont.
- Iowa housing costs are 44% less expensive than they are in Vermont, with a median home price of $214,151 compared to Vermontβs $381,042.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Iowa have increased by 36% compared to a 50% increase in Vermont.
- Rent in Iowa is 47.47% more affordable than in Vermont.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Vermont and Iowa
Comparison | Vermont | 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 | Blizzards, Floods | Tornadoes, Floods |
Air Quality | Good | Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 79/59 | 85/65 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 27/10 | 31/14 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 36 | 36 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 81 | 33 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Vermont to Iowa. Iowa gets 29% more sunshine days than Vermont.
- Iowa has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Vermont.
- Say goodbye to the possible blizzards and floods in Vermont, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and floods in Iowa.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Iowa is 6 degrees warmer than in Vermont.
- The average winter lows in Iowa are 4 degrees warmer than they are in Vermont.
- Your umbrella might be used the same in Iowa. Iowa receives inches of rain compared to Vermont.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Vermont and Iowa
Comparison | Vermont | Iowa |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $73,991 | $69,588 |
Cost of Living Index | 120.5 | 95.9 |
State Income Tax | 8.75% | 8.53% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.86% | 1.50% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6% | 6.94% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Tourism, Manufacturing | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Finance |
Affluence | Moderate | Average |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Minimal | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Iowa tend to earn about 6% less than in Vermont
- The COLI in Iowa will be 20% lower than what you are used to living in Vermont
- The state income tax in IA is 8.53% compared to 8.75% in VT
- The affluence in Iowa is average compared to moderate in Vermont
- The poverty level is moderate in Iowa compared to low in Vermont
- In terms of homelessness, it is minimal in Vermont and low in Iowa
Political and Religious Climate in Vermont vs. Iowa
Comparison | Vermont | Iowa |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Liberal/Democratic | Moderate, leaning Republican |
Local Politics | Progressive policies | Centrist with a mix of conservative and progressive policies |
Religion | Less religiously affiliated | Higher religious affiliation, predominantly Christian |
- Vermont tends to lean Liberal/Democratic in its political climate
- Iowa, on the other hand, is often described as moderate, leaning Republican
- Iowa's religious environment can be described as having a higher religious affiliation, predominantly Christian
- Vermont's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as less religiously affiliated
Education Guide When Moving from Vermont to Iowa
Comparison | Vermont | Iowa |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Vermont Middlebury College Saint Michael's College | University of Iowa Iowa State University University of Northern Iowa |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Orchard School (South Burlington) Marion Cross School (Norwich) Jericho Elementary School (Jericho) | Grant Ragan Elementary School (Waukee) Stone Bridge Elementary (Cedar Rapids) Brookview Elementary School (West Des Moines) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Shelburne Community School (Shelburne) Williston Central School (Williston) Camel's Hump Middle School (Richmond) | Ames Middle School (Ames) North Central Junior High (North Liberty) South East Junior High School (Iowa City) |
Top 3 High Schools | Champlain Valley Union High School (Hinesburg) South Burlington High School (South Burlington) St. Johnsbury Academy (St. Johnsbury) | West High School (Iowa City) Ames High School (Ames) Roosevelt High School (Des Moines) |
Top 3 private high schools | Burr and Burton Academy (Manchester) The Putney School (Putney) Vermont Academy (Saxtons River) | Dowling Catholic High School (West Des Moines) Xavier High School (Cedar Rapids) Davenport Assumption High School (Davenport) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Sharon Academy (Sharon) The Riverside School (Lyndonville) Long Trail School (Dorset) | Maharishi School (Fairfield) Scattergood Friends School (West Branch) Quad City Montessori School (Davenport) |
Top 3 School Districts | South Burlington School District Champlain Valley School District Essex Westford School District | Waukee Community School District Iowa City Community School District Ames Community School District |
How Much Do Vermont to Iowa Movers Cost?
Moving 1,244 miles from Vermont to Iowa will typically cost between $3,000 and $7,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,000 - $7,000
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Hemmen Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,908 | 300 ft3 | $6.36 |
1 Bedroom | $2,839 | 450 ft3 | $6.31 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,694 | 750 ft3 | $6.26 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,830 | 1100 ft3 | $6.21 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,855 | 1600 ft3 | $6.16 |
5+ Bedrooms | $10,996 | 1800 ft3 | $6.11 |
Top Vermont to Iowa Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Vermont to Iowa movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Adamantine Spine Moving
Best moving company overall for Vermont to Iowa