($1,464) Moving From Iowa to Maryland

Quick answer: The average cost to move from Iowa to Maryland ranges from $788 to $7,449 and takes two-eight days. The top cost factors are how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the move yourself.

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  • Best overall value
  • Portion to charity
  • Veteran owned
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
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  • Certified crews
  • Flat-rate pricing
  • Family-owned
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
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  • Family owned
  • East coast focus
  • Affordable pricing
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  • 1,800 trucks
  • Storage available
  • Customized moving plans
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.6 / 5
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  • White glove
  • Expensive items
  • Guaranteed delivery

Hiring a full-service Iowa moving company will be on the more expensive side, while a rental truck or a moving container is usually cheaper but requires more work.

You may also want to consider the potential added cost of getting your vehicle or boat to your new home as part of your move. Some full-service movers can coordinate auto transport for you as part of your relocation package for an additional fee. But you can also handle vehicle transport from Iowa to Maryland separately through one of the top car shipping companies.

Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our moving from Maryland to Iowa guide.

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The best Iowa to Maryland movers

Hiring an interstate moving company from Iowa to Maryland is a big deal.

There are more than 8,000 moving companies in the U.S. But don’t worry, you won’t have to filter through all of them. We’ve done the research for you and narrowed the list based on customer satisfaction, cost, and services.

Here are the best long-distance moving companies serving Iowa to Maryland:

Best Overall Value
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.85 / 5
(855) 650-0657
At A Glance
  • GPS tracking en route
  • Veteran-owned
  • Dedicated move coordinator
  • Flat-rate pricing
  • Donates a portion of moves to charity
read our full review
(855) 650-0657
Most Experienced Mover
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
(866) 835-2392
At A Glance
  • Experienced & fully trained moving crews
  • Specializes in moving art & antiques
  • Competitive pricing
  • Can handle last-minute moves
  • Climate-controlled storage
read our full review
(866) 835-2392
Best for personalized service
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
(980) 217-6841
At A Glance
  • Family-owned, with locations covering the East Coast
  • Full refund if you cancel within 7 days of your move
  • Hands-on customer service
  • 24/7 support
  • Price-matching policy
read our full review
(980) 217-6841
Best customized Plans
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
(844) 950-2963
At A Glance
  • Custom crates for electronics & art
  • Satellite shipment tracking
  • 1,500 local agents covering all 50 states
  • Self-packing option
  • No deposit required
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(844) 950-2963
Best for high-end moves
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.6 / 5
(703) 972-1772
At A Glance
  • White-glove handling of fragile & high-end items
  • Guaranteed pickup & delivery
  • $250 deposit for interstate moves
  • Mobile app with 24/7 customer service
  • Financing available
read our full review
(703) 972-1772

If you’re just trying to ship a few items, here’s a list of our recommended services for small moves.

Looking for local Iowa movers?

Company Quote Rating Contact
Two Men and a Truck Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.72 overall rating
2601 104th St #400, Urbandale, IA, 50322
(515) 216-3654
All Mighty Movers LLC Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.62 overall rating
59 Clark St., Des Moines, IA, 50314
(515) 313-1395

Visit our Best Movers in Iowa page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.

How much does it cost to move from Iowa to Maryland?

The table below lays out average cost ranges to move from Iowa to Maryland for different moving services depending on the size of your home.

Move size Moving company Moving container Rental truck
Studio / 1 Bedroom $1,464 - $5,505 $1,016 - $2,432 $806 - $1,501
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,955 - $7,449 $1,685 - $3,319 $788 - $1,784
4+ bedrooms $4,795 - $9,203 $2,461 - $4,412 $1,072 - $2,065

*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 1,014 miles and historical averages. The actual size of your move, additional services required, truck parking access, market conditions, and availability can greatly affect your final costs.

Factors affecting the cost of moving from IA to MD

There are many factors that influence Iowa moving costs. The cost to move from Iowa to Maryland will depend on these factors:

  • Move size: Moving a large home costs more than moving a studio apartment.
  • Time of year: The peak moving season in Iowa is in the summer, so moving companies will likely charge more.
  • DIY vs. professional mover: DIY moving services are cheaper but you do all the heavy lifting compared to letting the pros handle your move.

How much does it cost to hire movers from Iowa to Maryland?

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Iowa to Maryland will cost between $1,464 and $5,505. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from IA to MD will range from $2,955 to $7,449, and a large move from Iowa to Maryland will cost from $4,795 to $9,203.

How much are moving containers like PODS from Iowa to Maryland?

Moving containers from Iowa to Maryland will cost you $1,016 to $2,432 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,685 to $3,319. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $2,461 to $4,412. Learn more about PODS cost.

Here are the cheapest moving container companies when moving out of Iowa.

How much is a moving truck from Iowa to Maryland?

A moving rental truck is generally the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor.

Moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $806 to $1,501. A two to three-bedroom move will cost $788 to $1,784, and moving a home with four or more bedrooms or from Iowa to Maryland costs from $1,072 to $2,065.
These estimates include the estimated fuel cost.

Is moving from Iowa to Maryland a good idea?

If you’re moving to Maryland from Iowa, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.

Cost of living: Iowa vs. Maryland

Iowa Maryland
Average rent cost $806 $1,415
Average home cost $207,215 $402,625
Average income (per capita) $70,571 $98,461
Cost of Living Index 89 100
Unemployment rate 3.2% 0.7%
Average Sales Tax 6.94% 6.0%
State Income Tax 4.4% 5.75%
  • Rent is about 76% more expensive in Maryland than in Iowa.
  • Home prices are about 94% higher in Maryland than in Iowa.
  • The average income is about 40% higher in Maryland than in Iowa.
  • Cost of living is 12% lower in Maryland than in Iowa.
  • Maryland has a lower unemployment rate than Iowa by about 78%.
  • Sales taxes are 14% lower in Maryland than in Iowa.
  • Income taxes are 31% higher in Maryland than in Iowa.

How does life in Maryland differ from Iowa?

Maryland Iowa
Population 6,164,660 3,200,517
Political leaning Democratic 66-32 Republican 53-45
Summer high 87ºF 84ºF
Winter low 25ºF 10ºF
Annual rain 44" 35"
Annual snow 19" 30"
Crime index 19.82 18.7
  • The population of Maryland is approximately 93% greater than the population of Iowa.
  • In the last presidential election, Maryland voted Democratic and Iowa voted Republican.
  • The average high in the summertime in Maryland is 87ºF and in Iowa, it’s 84ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Maryland reaches the temperature of 25ºF and Iowa gets down to 10ºF.
  • You can expect about forty-four inches of annual rainfall in Maryland versus thirty-five inches of rainfall in Iowa.
  • In Maryland, it snows about nineteen inches annually versus thirty inches of snow in Iowa.
  • Maryland has a higher crime rate than Iowa with a crime index of 19.82 vs 18.7.

Comparing the pros of Iowa vs. Maryland

There are always a lot of reasons to get excited about living somewhere new. These are the best parts of living in Iowa versus Maryland side by side.

Pros of living in Iowa Pros of living in Maryland
Low cost of living Delicious food
Ample economic opportunity Ample economic opportunity
High quality of education Diverse outdoor activities
No traffic Beautiful coastline
Beautiful outdoors Rich history

Comparing the cons of living in Iowa vs. Maryland

Not everything is sunshine and rainbows all the time, no matter where you live. Here are some things to be aware of when leaving Iowa for Maryland.

Cons of living in Iowa Cons of living in Maryland
Severe weather conditions High cost of living
Limited recreational opportunities Bad traffic
High taxes High crime
High emphasis on politics High homelessness
Rustic food Peculiar alcohol laws

What to know before your move to Maryland

  • Weather: Maryland has a wide array of climates, due to local variances in elevation, proximity to water, and protection from colder weather due to downslope winds. The eastern half of Maryland — which includes the cities of Ocean City, Salisbury, Annapolis, and the southern and eastern suburbs of Washington, D.C., and Baltimore — lies on the Atlantic Coastal Plain, with flat topography and sandy or muddy soil. This region has a humid subtropical climate, with hot, humid summers and a short, mild-to-cool winter
  • HOA Rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
  • Elevator Reservation: One common and important example of something that should be handled ahead of time is reserving the building's elevator and finding out their rules for using the elevator.
  • Parking Permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles, find out ahead of time with your new local rules.
  • State Licensing: Although a local license is not required in Maryland, make sure the moving company you’ll be hiring is registered with U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). To verify if you’re dealing with a legal and licensed mover, you may ask them their USDOT registration number. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State Regulator: You can verify a Maryland moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
  • Moving Permits: Maryland does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
  • Change of Address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form so that all your mail will get properly forwarded to Maryland. Get started here.
  • Mover's Insurance: Interstate moving companies are required under federal law to provide basic insurance — also called “released value protection” — free of charge to all moving customers. In Alabama, Released Value Protection stands out as the most economical option, incurring no additional costs. Provided by movers at no extra charge, it offers minimal coverage at 60 cents per pound per article. For those seeking comprehensive coverage, it is advisable to consult with your chosen moving company for alternative options or explore third-party insurance providers.
  • Moving Checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.

Things to do in Maryland

While you’re in Maryland, you won’t be bored. These are some of the coolest places to visit in your new home state:

  • 1: Baltimore Inner Harbor
  • 2: Deep Creek Lake Area
  • 3: Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park
  • 4: Ocean City Boardwalk
  • 5: Six Flags America
  • 6: Assateague State Park
  • 7: Brookside Gardens
  • 8: Fort McHenry National Monument
  • 9: Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Museum
  • 10: Strathmore Music Center
  • 11: National Aquarium
  • 12: The Walters Art Museum
  • 13: Antietam National Battlefield
  • 14: Swallow Falls State Park
  • 15: Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge
  • 16: Oriole Park at Camden Yards
  • 17: Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland
  • 18: American Visionary Art Museum
  • 19: Port Discovery Children's Museum
  • 20: NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

FAQs

What is the cheapest way to move from Iowa to Maryland?

The cheapest way to move from Iowa to Maryland is with a DIY move. Here’s our guide for the cheapest way to move out of state.

What are the benefits of moving from Iowa to Maryland?

The main reasons people are moving from Iowa to Maryland are the amazing upsides of living in Maryland such as delicious food and ample economic opportunity.

Is it cheaper to live in Iowa or Maryland?

It is generally cheaper to live in Iowa than in Maryland. Housing is much more affordable in Iowa, with average rent about 43% less and home prices 49% lower than in Maryland. Taxes are also lower in Iowa, most notably income taxes, which are more than 20% less than those paid by Maryland residents.

How much should you make a year to live comfortably in Maryland?

You should make approximately $0 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in Arizona. The cost of living in Arizona is approximately $0 per month for an individual and $0 for a family of four. The exact amount you’ll need to live comfortably may be more or less depending on where in Maryland you live For example, larger cities like Aberdeen and Accokeek will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.

Helpful moving resources