Moving to Iowa: Pros and Cons in 2025
If you’re thinking about moving to Iowa, you’re not alone. The Hawkeye State atttacts newcomers for good reason! With bustling metropolitan areas like Des Moines and quiet rural towns, there’s a place to match your desired pace of life.
As much as there is to love about Iowa, it’s smart to weigh the good and the not-so-good before you buy a new home and pack up your belongings.
Here, we’ll walk you through what you need to know about moving to Iowa to help you decide if it’s the right fit for you.
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Pros & cons of living in Iowa
Like any big move, relocating to Iowa comes with its own upsides and potential downsides that are important to consider.
Here’s a look at some of the biggest pros and cons of living in the Hawkeye State to help you make an informed decision.
Pros of living in IA
- ✓Low cost of living
- ✓Ample economic opportunity
- ✓High quality of education
- ✓No traffic
- ✓Beautiful outdoors
Cons of living in IA
- ✖Severe weather conditions
- ✖Limited recreational opportunities
- ✖High taxes
- ✖High emphasis on politics
- ✖Rustic food
Things to do in Iowa
Whether you’re moving to Iowa work, family, or just a fresh start, you’ll want to get the most out of your new home state — and that includes finding fun things to do. The good news is that, no matter your interests, Iowa has lots of fun places to explore and things to do.
You can visit these places with your family or use them to meet new people if you’re alone. With so many choices, you’re sure to find something that suits you and makes you feel comfortable.
Popular Attractions in Iowa
- Iowa State Capitol
- Amana Colonies
- Blank Park Zoo
- Greater Des Moines Botanical Center
- Lost Island Waterpark
- National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium
- Pikes Peak State Park
- Visit Okoboji
- Field of Dreams
- Grotto of the Redemption
Museums in Iowa
- National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium
- Figge Art Museum
- National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library
- The Putnam Museum & Science Center
- Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center
- Union Pacific Railroad Museum
- Buffalo Bill Museum
- John Deere Tractor & Engine Museum
- Old Capitol Museum
- Okoboji Classic Cars
Parks in Iowa
- Vander Veer Botanical Park
- Gray’s Lake Park
- Pappajohn Sculpture Park
- Eagle Point Park
- Terry Trueblood Recreational Area
- Clear Lake State Park
- Mines of Spain Recreation Area
- Eagle Point Park
- Raccoon River Park
- Big Woods Lake Recreation Area
Fun facts about Iowa
Each state has a unique character molded by its history, culture, and residents. Learning about its small details and quirky traditions helps you understand what life there is truly like.
These fun facts about Iowa, will give you a glimpse at what makes the state unique, and may even give you a few more reasons to make the move.
- Iowa is the home of the world’s largest bullhead fish statue. The statue is 12 feet long. It sits on a crystal lake which has several hundred real bullhead fish at the bottom.
- Hogs outnumber the human population in Iowa!
- Iowa inspired the Americans’ Gothic Drawing. It’s the home to the house that Grant Wood painted back in his studio of the Americans Gothic. Grant wood most well-known work was inspired by a farmer and his wife standing outside their white story house.
- The worlds largest strawberry live here. It’s a fiberglass statue of a strawberry. Its located on the strawberry point building. It’s not edible but is a perfect strawberry marketing strategy.
- First bread, the slicing machine, was Invented here. Bread is one of the world’s oldest prepared foods. However, sliced bread has been around for less than a century. The first bread slicing machine was invented in Iowa by Otto Frederick Rohwedder. The first automatically sliced loaves were produced on July 6, 1928.
- The world best-renowned dance and gymnastics school is situated in Iowa.
- Iowa is the only state name that starts with two vowels! You can hardly pronounce it on your first trial.
- You probably never seen a wooden nickel, but here in Iowa, on a farm, is a 12-inch world’s largest wooden Nickel.
Iowa population and demographics
While you’re thinking about relocating to Iowa, it’s important to look beyond facts and figures to get to the story they tell about the Hawkeye State.
A state with more people might have more jobs, entertainment, and better infrastructure. On the other hand, a state with fewer people could mean a quieter lifestyle and close-knit communities.
Average education levels show the availability of job opportunities or access to local schools and colleges. Political breakdowns may indicate a state’s values and priorities.
Understanding who lives in Iowa, how they live, and what they value can make it much easier to decide if it’s the kind of place where you’d feel comfortable and connected.
| Metric | Iowa |
|---|---|
| Population | 3,207,004 |
| Female | 49.9% |
| Male | 50.1% |
| College graduation rate | 30.54% |
| Political leaning | Republican 53-45 |
| Crime index | 16.18 |
Iowa weather
Climate plays a huge role in shaping your day-to-day life, so it’s an important factor to consider when deciding whether Iowa is right for you. Looking at seasonal highs and lows and average rain and snowfall can help you imagine how much time you’ll be spending outdoors, preparing for storms, and adjusting to temperature extremes.
Summer highs can influence your energy bills and how much time you spend away from the AC. Winter lows determine the type of wardrobe and heating system you’ll need. Annual snowfall can range from light flurries to major storms that affect travel and daily life.
Whether you love sunshine, prefer cooler temps, or want to avoid snow altogether, knowing the climate can help you decide if Iowa aligns with your lifestyle and comfort level.
| Metric | Iowa |
|---|---|
| Summer high | 84ºF |
| Winter low | 10ºF |
| Annual rain | 35″ |
| Annual snow | 30″ |
Income and cost of living in Iowa
A look at major industries, average income, housing costs, and the overall cost of living gives you a clearer picture of how affordable and sustainable life will likely be in Iowa.
Knowing which industries boost the economy can help you evaluate job prospects in your field or foresee job market stability. If you’re thinking about renting or buying a home, housing costs are probably a major factor when deciding whether to move.
The cost of living index shows how much your money is worth compared to the national average. A lower index usually means daily expenses such as groceries, transportation, and housing are cheaper.
These numbers are more than just statistics. They’re practical tools that help you compare your current lifestyle to what’s possible in Iowa and make a confident, informed decision about your move.
The main economic industries in the state include:
- Manufacturing ($33.6 billion)
- Finance and insurance ($25.9 billion)
- Real estate and rental and leasing ($19.5 billion)
- Educational services, health care, and social assistance ($14.4 billion)
- Professional and business services ($12.7 billion)
- Wholesale trade ($11.4 billion)
- Retail trade ($9.9 billion)
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting ($8.5 billion)
- Construction ($7.7 billion)
- Transportation and warehousing ($6.4 billion)
| Metric | Iowa |
|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $914 |
| Average home cost | $220,277 |
| Average income (per capita) | $70,571 |
| Cost of living index* | 89 |
| Unemployment rate | 3.0% |
| Average sales tax | Not available |
| State income tax | 4.4% |
*To figure out the cost of living in each state, there’s a 100-point index, known as the cost of living index. This metric starts with a baseline number of 100. States with a number below that are less expensive to live in while states with numbers higher than 100 are more expensive to live in.
Top schools in Iowa
If education influences your decision to move, a state’s schools reflect its career opportunities and community resources.
Whether you’re planning to go back to school yourself, have kids nearing graduation, or just want to live in a state with strong academic options, it’s worth checking out what Iowa has to offer.
Here are some of the top schools in Iowa:
- Iowa State University
- University of Iowa
- University of Northern Iowa
- Maharishi International University
- Grinnell College
- Drake University
- Luther College
- Cornell College
- Wartburg College
- St. Ambrose University
- Dordt University
- Central College
- Coe College
- Simpson College
- Buena Vista University
Finding the best moving company for your relocation to Iowa
We’ve reviewed hundreds of moving companies and worked directly with customers to identify the top movers across the country.
If you’re planning on moving to the Hawkeye State, here are the best moving companies to help you transport your belongings to your new home wherever you are headed from.
- Alabama to IA
- Arkansas to IA
- Arizona to IA
- California to IA
- Colorado to IA
- Connecticut to IA
- Delaware to IA
- Florida to IA
- Georgia to IA
- Idaho to IA
- Illinois to IA
- Indiana to IA
- Kansas to IA
- Kentucky to IA
- Louisiana to IA
- Massachusetts to IA
- Maryland to IA
- Maine to IA
- Michigan to IA
- Minnesota to IA
- Missouri to IA
- Mississippi to IA
- Montana to IA
- North Carolina to IA
- North Dakota to IA
- Nebraska to IA
- New Hampshire to IA
- New Jersey to IA
- New Mexico to IA
- Nevada to IA
- New York to IA
- Ohio to IA
- Oklahoma to IA
- Oregon to IA
- Pennsylvania to IA
- Rhode Island to IA
- South Carolina to IA
- South Dakota to IA
- Tennessee to IA
- Texas to IA
- Utah to IA
- Virginia to IA
- Vermont to IA
- Washington to IA
- Wisconsin to IA
- West Virginia to IA
- Wyoming to IA
Cost of moving to Iowa
Before you take the leap to Iowa, it’s a good idea to get a handle on moving costs. On average, hiring professional movers will run you about $131 per hour. The total cost depends on how much stuff you have and how far you’re moving. Cross-country moves, for example, will definitely hit your wallet harder than a quick hop across state lines.
The type of move you choose can make a big difference in cost, too.
To keep costs down, choose one of the best moving container companies. You do the packing and loading and they handle the driving for you, so it’s kind of like a middle ground between DIY and full-service.
Want to save even more? The most affordable option is to get a rental truck. With this options, you’ll do all of the heavy lifting, including packing, loading, driving, and unloading.
But if you’d rather not break a sweat, professional interstate movers can do all the work for you. Just keep in mind that this convenience comes at a price. Be sure to get quotes from several different movers to find one that fits your budget and moving needs.
| Company | Quote | Rating |
|---|---|---|
Safeway Moving
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Mayzlin Relocation
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BLVD Moving
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PODS
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American Van Lines
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Cost to bring your car to Iowa
Bringing a car with you? Use our car shipping calculator below to estimate how much it’ll cost to transport your vehicle to Iowa.
Iowa car insurance requirements
Iowa drivers license requirements
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